How did you find your religion?

[SeddyRocky]

Or the lack of one, or the reason for leaving one (too long to fit in title).

Simply: How come you are within a particular religious group today, and what is that group?

[tyranim]

i found buddhism while i was grounded over summer break when i was in the 8th grade still.... my punnishment was to read an entire encyclopedia set before summer was over. i got to volume 12 out of 23. buddhism was one of the things i saw in volume 2. at first, i just read it and was done with it thinking it was just another of those god worshiping religions with almost no backing, but then i actually got hooked on it and did a lot more research. i came to a conclusion that orthodox buddhism was the only thing in life that i could actually agree with instead of debate with. and no, its not orthodox chinese buddhism, they think buddha was a god, he wasnt, just a regular teacher. nothing real special other than his understanding of the world. thats how i became the buddhist i am today.

[SeddyRocky]

Interesting... Out of curiosity, since it seems that you belong to the less deity-based section, what is your stance on the mystical (directly translation, might be incorrect, basically magical?) parts of Buddhism? Such as eating raw garlic causing anger?

[tyranim]

orthodox buddhism is based off of philosophy, not beliefs. if you truely believe things, who am i to say your wrong? for all i know, you could be right and nothing can change that. so is that garlic thing is true, so be it. it isnt true, so be it. that is where i stand on it all

[SeddyRocky]

Indeed a very buddhistic answer I don't have much knowledge of any religion except christianity and Mahayana Buddhism so you'll have to excuse my ignorance.

[tyranim]

dont worry, i doubt anyone knows much about every religion out there. here in america, finding a buddhist is hard. i completely understand any lack of knowledge about any given religion. i myself dont know much about any religion other than buddhism and the triplet religions (christianity, islam, judaism)