In your opinion which is the gentlest religion

[delilabell]

I mean as in kindest / gentlest?
I was looking at janism and the Quakers and thought they both seem so "nice".
So which would you say is the gentlest religion and why?

Buddhism and Jainism

@Singersong I've been through a very dark patch of my life and I want to change the way I live. I was bought up Catholic but with very bitter parents who were negative towards everything. Despite trying really hard to be gentle and kind and well "nice" their opinions sneak back in to my head.
So I suppose I'm looking for a new "lead" in my life, something to follow that can help me be and live what I want to be. Does that make sense? (I don't know if it does!)

Because you know it'ss unnecessarily disrespectful. "Fairy tales".

It looks like you’re open to exploring spiritual worldviews/philosophies as well as religions so take a look at non-dual Shaiva tantra which I study/practice. I feel it would tick your boxes ❤️

Surely Jainism has to win it? If you shouldn’t even eat root vegetables because they contain more microbes than other vegetables and you need to avoid killing any living thing that’s got to count for a lot. It’s a sin to kill even the smallest insect deliberately and monks will sweep the path with fallen peacock feathers to try to avoid crushing any living thing before they walk.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jain_vegetarianism#:~:text=The%20Jain%20cuisine%20is%20completely,Jain%20ascetics%20and%20lay%20Jains.

I've just been reading in more detail about Jain dietary practices. As well as not eating root vegetables and being vegetarian or vegan, strict Jains don't eat at night (for fear of accidentally killing small organisms that might have got into food in dim lighting), no fermented food (microorganisms), food stored overnight (growth of microorganisms), so no yoghurt etc unless it's freshly made on the day, no fungi, no green vegetables on certain days of the month/holy days, and a LOT of fasting. Including something called sallekhana, which involves fasting to death in order to purify the self, detach from bodily desires, and get out of the cycle of reincarnation.

(Which is a long way round of saying that while Jainism is commendably gentle to animals, the natural world etc, it's not necessarily so gentle to the individual seriously practising it, especially if that person likes their food, particularly spuds...)

Because it’s not a fact it’s an opinion. The way it was delivered was neither gentle or kind. It is quite clearly mocking in tone.

Atheism.

This fails on many levels, not least it’s not a religion, secondly the mocking tone many atheists use in reference to people of faith its proponents are often neither gentle or kind

The type of people who love to say things like "I'm just stating facts" and "I tell it like it is" are rarley kind!

There was no need for the comment that other people beliefs are fairytales, and it was in no way invited - that's what makes it unkind. And I say that as a fairly staunch atheist!

If you go off and live in a monastery by choice I think any religion can be peaceful unless a psychopath or narcissist ends up among you. They literally mess up every environment they end up in. I think if you step back from the issues of society poverty, crime, power, seeking out money and “things” and not having very complex relationships marriage, children etc except with God or a religious practice then life can be extremely peaceful. So I don’t think it is about the religion but rather the environment and circumstances you find yourself in or maybe even put yourself in.

Jainism is patriarchal and solely led by men. Apparently sexism is rife and women are viewed as weak minded, deceptive and impure. Most texts about women's experiences are written by men and until recently, women have been unable to speak for themselves.

They don't sound particularly gentle or kind to me towards half the population. They also can't eat chips and believe in reincarnation.

I think there are many religions which have people in them which are both gentle and kind and also people who are not. Religious doctrines are often open to interpretation.

I would suggest the Cathars were very gentle and kind. Other Christian’s who decided to “kill them all, God will know his own” less so.

You can be gentle and kind within nearly every religion by living in accordance with their rules. Equally many people interpret those same rules to justify pure evil.

There’s also the massive differences between what religions / philosophies say and how people practise them.

I've met a few people who follow Ba Hai and it could be worth a look for a gentle religion

^www.bahai.org/?gclid=CjwKCAjwydSzBhBOEiwAj0XN4E1UnffAASd1Ekmbt_AN3ZU0uZa6OyaeWRXQhYWzTXf3fcz3X6emthoCoigQAvD_BwE^

Astrology? They're a bit woo, but I don't recall any unpleasantries

Hmm I've practiced Buddhism for years and Japan the home of Buddhism and Shinto were very militaristic.
Jains in the West are great. I spent time with them. Quakers too. I'd say being a Pacifist and promoting Veganism are the kindest, gentlest things . Jains do this, Quakers a close second.
Jain temples in the UK

Buddhism might work for you - it's typically less dogmatic and judgemental than the theistic religions, more about practices that people find helpful rather than beliefs as such. Its primary aim, afaik, is reducing suffering.

Maybe not if you are a Rohingya Muslim.

Spiritual.
My Spiritualist Church is amazing.
Very friendly and kind.
I am CofE.. but the church became very " gossipy" and playing top trumps.
I love the mediumship demonstrations.

Ha you ought to hang out in occult SM.

Define kind and gentle.

What do those words mean to you?

@isittheholidaysyet that's an interesting point that I was thinking about actually
So for me it's important not to discriminate against anyone eg gay etc. Looking after people eg poorer, homeless. That's the kindness part.
Gentle, hmm. For me not money orientated , not violent.

In some parts of the world this definitely isn't the case.