The Dudeism Forum

It's a little bit too far away from Italy. I must find something nearer. Very beautiful place though.

I think that us Dudes function better as a diaspora. Running a country, even one full of Dudeists, just seems like way too much effort. Although, it would be cool to have some sort of retreat/holy place/pilgrimage destination or something. That way we'd have somewhere to go and get limber for a bit when the rest of the world's being way too undude.

3 I have heard of are Venice in LA, Pai Thailand, and Amsterdam.  Amsterdam is pretty far out. 

Yes, Amsterdam is beautiful. I went there some 20 years ago. Wonderful place, but half a day later I was tired of having addicted every ten meters asking for money and having drug dealers every fifty. Not a very beautiful landscape. Other then that a wonderful city. But never ever make an Amsterdammer angry. Very dangerous. But girls. Well, wonderful.

I missed the other two cities but I went to Venice in Italy. A wonderful place if you don't go to tourist attractions and maybe know someone who can take you around to the right places. You can eat well for less then 20 bucks if you go in the right restaurant with a Venetian speaker. Same in a lot of other cities around the world I guess.

But isn't having an I.D. card a bit undude like? Or at least only something the square community would give a shit about? I mean the dude relied on his Ralph's card for his I.D., which seem to surfice for the dude. I know my rights, man. Am I wrong, or just an asshole?

Quote from: digitalbuddha on October 25, 2009, 02:19:06 AM
But isn't having an I.D. card a bit undude like? Or at least only something the square community would give a shit about?

You may have a point there but following the same line of thought do you think the Dude would be concerned about certificates and letters of good standing and such? Do you think the Dude would be into any kind of organized religion at all, even if it was based on him? We just don't know Dude, but I think it'd still be awesome to have an id card. It'd make my friends laugh to beat the band if I whipped that out at the local drinkery. Plus it's travel-size for your convenience.

Quote from: Matt the Walrus on October 25, 2009, 02:29:42 AM

Quote from: digitalbuddha on October 25, 2009, 02:19:06 AM
But isn't having an I.D. card a bit undude like? Or at least only something the square community would give a shit about?

You may have a point there but following the same line of thought do you think the Dude would be concerned about certificates and letters of good standing and such? Do you think the Dude would be into any kind of organized religion at all, even if it was based on him? We just don't know Dude, but I think it'd still be awesome to have an id card. It'd make my friends laugh to beat the band if I whipped that out at the local drinkery. Plus it's travel-size for your convenience.

I hear what you're saying, dude, and understand. But I look at it this way.....the dude was in his own dudely way more or less zen in much of his thinking and life; I have a hard time seeing a Zen Buddist master dude pulling out an I.D. card to prove that he has reached enlightment.


Ah fuck it, I'll probably order one and then get me a lane and go bowling. 

Quote from: digitalbuddha on October 25, 2009, 02:19:06 AM
But isn't having an I.D. card a bit undude like? Or at least only something the square community would give a shit about? I mean the dude relied on his Ralph's card for his I.D., which seem to surfice for the dude. I know my rights, man. Am I wrong, or just an asshole?

Well, man, we just don't know. Probably he wouldn't give a shit about this. But when dealing with ceremonies and recognition and all the stuff and papers of this world an official id card is simply needed. Around there are a lot of assholes and having an id card helps. Probably no one asks for identification to a catholic priest but we are far, for now, from that point. Otherwise there is the danger that anyone can say he's a Dudeist Priest. And that's cool, but what if he's a nihilist, or a fascist, or worse? "Eight years old Dude."
An id card, if not fake, shows that you are who you say you are, and lets the church to know it too. And when ceremonies are recognized and have legal value and your credentials can be easily checked I think is good.
And it might also be that you get some discounts somewhere. On a bowling alley or at rug vendors too.  

Quote from: greatspiritmonk on October 25, 2009, 02:54:01 AM

Quote from: digitalbuddha on October 25, 2009, 02:19:06 AM
But isn't having an I.D. card a bit undude like? Or at least only something the square community would give a shit about? I mean the dude relied on his Ralph's card for his I.D., which seem to surfice for the dude. I know my rights, man. Am I wrong, or just an asshole?

Well, man, we just don't know. Probably he wouldn't give a shit about this. But when dealing with ceremonies and recognition and all the stuff and papers of this world an official id card is simply needed. Around there are a lot of assholes and having an id card helps. Probably no one asks for identification to a catholic priest but we are far, for now, from that point. Otherwise there is the danger that anyone can say he's a Dudeist Priest. And that's cool, but what if he's a nihilist, or a fascist, or worse? "Eight years old Dude."
An id card, if not fake, shows that you are who you say you are, and lets the church to know it too. And when ceremonies are recognized and have legal value and your credentials can be easily checked I think is good.
And it might also be that you get some discounts somewhere. On a bowling alley or at rug vendors too.  

Discounts......now that is dude like. Far fucking out, man. 

Quote from: digitalbuddha on October 25, 2009, 02:49:39 AM
I have a hard time seeing a Zen Buddist master dude pulling out an I.D. card to prove that he has reached enlightment.

But he may have other signifiers to show that he is at least on the path, right? I'm no scholar of Zen Buddhism but is there not some form of traditional garb or anything like that?

For me, a huge part of Dudeism is humour. Ya, it's a little bit ridiculous to base a religion on what could well be classified a "stoner movie", but that's alright. Ridiculous is good sometimes. Keeps us from taking ourselves too seriously. And you know what happens when you start to take things to seriously? You get a cleft asshole, that's what. When did enlightenment become such a serious matter?

I don't envision the ID cards as a way of keeping track of who's a true Dudeist and who's an imposter. I mean, it's not like we're some exclusive club where you have to show your badge and perform the secret handshake to get in man. I don't see it as some sort of trophy either. Basically its just something cool to show your buddies and such when you're talking to them about Dudeism. Also, its kind of a keepsake, a little reminder to yourself to take er easy man. I don't know about you but the next time I'm asked to produce some ID at the local pub, if I look down and see my Dudeist ID card, it'll put a smile on my face. And that can't be anything but a good thing.

Ultimately, no one's forcing you to have one. Why should it matter so much if others want to carry one? Just abide Dude.

"I don't envision the ID cards as a way of keeping track of who's a true Dudeist and who's an imposter. I mean, it's not like we're some exclusive club where you have to show your badge and perform the secret handshake to get in man. I don't see it as some sort of trophy either."

Well, we all agree that a Dudeist is someone who lives the Dude way, or Lao tzu way, or JCD way, or whathaveyou way. But when it goes down to legal matters papers count. Of course if a Dude doesn't care about officiating ceremonies or having discounts,  , that's cool too. Remember though that people who has religious powers in their hands will not let it go fairly.
Being "official" is a way to have some "protection" too. And I'm not talking about muslim or hindus countries here. Not only about them anyway. 

And, let's not forget, let's not forget, that if you ever really reach enlightenment you're happy for yourself and that's it. Those who say they are enlightened usually are scammers and seconds later try to reach you wallet, in a way or another.

Quote from: Matt the Walrus on October 25, 2009, 03:07:09 AM

Quote from: digitalbuddha on October 25, 2009, 02:49:39 AM
I have a hard time seeing a Zen Buddist master dude pulling out an I.D. card to prove that he has reached enlightment.

Why should it matter so much if others want to carry one? Just abide Dude.

Well, yeah, but it's just like my opinion, man.

As a member of the Erisian movement as well as Dudeism I always carry my "Pope" card (all erisians are bonafide and certified Popes), but to be honest I only carry it to get rid of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Other religions on the whole don't carry cards, but other organisations do.

I'm happy with my ordination certificate and patches (which I put on my waistcoat).

If you feel you need a card carry one, if not just abide.

You can be a good Dude both ways. But those of us who like the idea of feeding the monkey mainly through religious ways need business papers, and a ringer to carry them. 

I dont know if I would want to belong to an organization that has identification cards. Well other than my Ralphs card.