Hello,

I'm Jill. I stubbled onto this site while browsing the web, and was intrigued. I was raised Christian, but I don't actually believe in that faith. I do, however seem to agree with what I have read on Taoism, so far at least. I have a couple questions though, I was wondering if anyone here could help me out?
Thanks!

1. As far as I understand, Taosim does not attempt to state a specific God or creator and actaully says that one cannot be named ("The name that can be named, Is not the constant name." -Tao Te Ching [ch. 1] ). my question is: Isn't the point of a "organized religion" to attepmt to explain these type of things such as if there is a creator, and the purpose of life? Furthermore, how can a faith logically be based on something that is undefinible---how do you know what you are believeing in?

2. What's up with the Tai Chi? Is that actually part of Taoism or just something many Taoists do?

I hope I do not come of as being critical; I am just looking for some help
(and if possible answers.) I also apologize if some of these things don't make much sense, lol.

Thanks so much,
Jillian

Jillian:

1).... my question is: Isn't the point of a "organized religion" to attempt to explain these type of things such as if there is a creator, and the purpose of life? Furthermore, how can a faith logically be based on something that is undefinable---how do you know what you are believing in?

2).... What's up with the Tai Chi? Is that actually part of Taoism or just something many Taoists do?

3)...I hope I do not come of as being critical; I am just looking for some help
(and if possible answers.) I also apologize if some of these things don't make much sense, lol.

Welcome to the watering hole Jill!

1. I see religion as belief systems that give people what they need in order to feel secure. The 'creator' is just an extension of the social 'alpha male' common to most (all?) tribal animals. Our 'father who art in heaven'... reflects our need to feel our place in the social hierarchy. The agricultural revolution of 10,000 years ago ended ancestral tribal life and the social security that came with that intimate circumstance. Religion stepped in to fill the void. Religions serve an emotional (faith) need, and thus needn't be any more logical than an ice cream cone. The 'organized part of religion serves a political purpose in its own right as well.

2. The principles of Taoism just mesh with Tai Chi ( a rather recent practice ).

3. Not at all. In fact, don't hesitate to question and criticize, i.e., poke at anything that seems fishy. This site isn't aimed at 'true believers', but rather at those experiencing a serious 'review' of life. As for 'sense'... three cheers for non-sense.