True Neutral

Idiyen · Post by **Idiyen** » Thu May 10, 2001 1:36 pm

Is there a religon in real life that follows the doctirnes of a true neutral character? I think i've seen it before but damn, i cant remeber.

Craig · Post by **Craig** » Thu May 10, 2001 2:02 pm

Chinese ask Minevra

fable · Post by **fable** » Thu May 10, 2001 2:31 pm

@Craig, stop teasing Minerva, or she'll turn you into a fish or something.

There is no so religion as "Chinese," and any religion that promulgates a moral valuation system based on good/bad doesn't have a neutral zone. Some advocates of modern attempts to recreate ancient Western religions claim to be ethically neutral, but they're really saying that anything you do which isn't bad, amounts to good. Different thing.

GrimReaper · Post by **GrimReaper** » Thu May 10, 2001 4:12 pm

There is no religion called Chinese but I think there is a "religion" that started in China that supports being neutral. Can't remember the name, but I know we've all seen the yin-yang symbol and that was a part of it.

velvetfreak · Post by **velvetfreak** » Thu May 10, 2001 5:19 pm

Try the Tao Te Ching.

Not so much a religion, as a spiritual philosophy. So I think that passes fable's test. And as for appropriation to the BG/AD&D setting, the Tao ("the Way") uses a lot of examples of "balance" and "flow" from nature, IMO consistent with the Druidic ethos as portrayed in BG.

I got into the Tao via its divinatory cousin, the I Ching, about 8 years ago. I was so enchanted by it I copied out the first 9 chapters, by hand. If I had to proclaim myself as belonging to a religion, Tao would be it.

fable · Post by **fable** » Thu May 10, 2001 6:17 pm

I agree with Velvetfreak, and personally wouoldn't call the Tao a religion, but rather, existence, or a way of looking at existence. It involves no worship, no priests, no celebrants. The earth is touching my feet. The air feels good. The Tao discusses the Tao, here, and is speaking to the Tao. And that's it.

Anarak · Post by **Anarak** » Fri May 11, 2001 8:39 am

I think wat you are talking about is Schintoism, you accept all religions.
But you will alwys be judged by one true god
and it doesn t matter were you believe in.

The Outsider · Post by **The Outsider** » Fri May 11, 2001 6:07 pm

Rob: Shintoism is a Japanese religion. It doesn't get as much press as, say, Zen, because there isn't as much scripture involved (and presentation of a religion is a function of the amount of text it can deploy). It isn't a universalist religion; it simply is compatible with belief in other faiths. Shintoism has been, inaccurately, labelled as "nature worship", but a sense of respect for nature is dominant. Also, Shintoism involves the recognition of places that are spiritually significant- waterfalls, gardens, forests, and other areas where nature has made something "powerful".

Your sig. tag is drawn from Buddhism; seeing the two in conjunction confused me for a while.

Taoism as a true neutral religion? Possible. Not necessarily as a religion that urges people towards neutrality, but one that accepts that there will be transition between the extremes / possibilities of any concept.

ThorinOakensfield · Post by **ThorinOakensfield** » Sat May 12, 2001 1:39 pm

Buddhisn is kind of TN.
@ Craig: Don't make fun off Minerva. She is the only one that protects you when i make fun off you. remember that.

velvetfreak · Post by **velvetfreak** » Sat May 12, 2001 3:53 pm

Actually... if you remember the original AD&D planar system, Nirvana was in the Lawful Neutral position on the wheel. I'm not saying you don't have a case, but I still think the Tao is a stronger candidate...

Craig · Post by **Craig** » Sun Jul 22, 2001 5:46 am

I wasn't trying too you know i just thought she would know cos she is chinese(isn't she?)