For a long time, Communism has viewed religion as its natural enemy. It focuses entirely on the here and now, and the thought of such things as a moral authority beyond their control, of an afterlife, and whatnot absolutely terrified them. They tried to repress it, to stamp it out, outlaw it, do whatever they could to get people to turn their eyes from their god and give all their faith and loyalty and dedication to The State.
It didn't work.
Well, now the Communist Chinese are trying a new approach, and I suspect this one might have a better chance than brute force. They're unleashing one of the most insidious, destructive, vile forces humanity has ever devised against people's faith:
From now on, The Living Buddha cannot reincarnate without government permission, with all the proper forms, duly witnessed and sealed, signed in triplicate, filed and recorded.
And here in America, we complain about the death tax...
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Comments (32)
Up next from the Communist ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by C-C-G
| August 4, 2007 11:31 AM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Up next from the Communist Chinese: Declaring that the tide cannot come in without approval of the Politburo. And after that, they'll restrict the sun from rising without having the proper forms filled out in quintuplicate.
1. Posted by C-C-G
| August 4, 2007 11:31 AM |
Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2007 11:31
2. Posted by Strick | August 4, 2007 12:01 PM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
It would be funnier if the boy believed to be the last reincarnation and the monk who found him hadn't been "disappeared".
Sounds like the penalty for "reincarnation without a license" is pretty severe.
2. Posted by Strick | August 4, 2007 12:01 PM |
Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2007 12:01
3. Posted by Robert the Original | August 4, 2007 12:34 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
I will never forget the account of a friend of mine - a Polish Warsaw ghetto survivor. He is dead now and he only told me this once, but once was plenty enough.
They came for his father one night at 3:00 AM and he was never seen again. The SS knew the time of day made the event even more horrible.
I thought of this when I read about the people who disappear in China, as I have heard before from my Chinese friends.
So it makes one admire even more the bravery of the Chinese protesters, fighting for freedom, and to contrast that to, say, Bellefonte and Penn, who are all too willing to embrace totalitarian dictators, or Yahoo and Google who turn in protesters for profit.
As we all rush headlong to grab a piece of the Chinese market.
3. Posted by Robert the Original | August 4, 2007 12:34 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2007 12:34
4. Posted by C-C-G
| August 4, 2007 12:59 PM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
My earlier flippant comment aside, I have mixed feelings about the Chinese market. The way I see it, there's good arguments on both sides. It's a tough situation with no easy solution, alas.
4. Posted by C-C-G
| August 4, 2007 12:59 PM |
Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2007 12:59
5. Posted by Robert the Original | August 4, 2007 1:22 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
C-C-G,
I agree, mixed.
But there is one thing I'm absolutely certain of: If I am ever asked to turn in some Chinese protesters I will tell them to go piss up a rope, I don't care how many billions are involved.
5. Posted by Robert the Original | August 4, 2007 1:22 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2007 13:22
6. Posted by C-C-G
| August 4, 2007 1:26 PM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
I'll agree with ya there. If they wanted me to look on my company's network for evidence, I think I'd have a really tough time finding it, ya know?
Where'd I put that DOD-compliant data erasure program?
6. Posted by C-C-G
| August 4, 2007 1:26 PM |
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2007 13:26
7. Posted by Robert the Original | August 4, 2007 1:57 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Would that Yahoo or Google would have found such a good, face-saving solution.
The problem is that they have become compromised and lured by the almighty buck.
And that is the rub with all who do business there; sooner or later you have to compromise your principles.
I see lots of evidence that we are slowly being bought: the above companies, MS, toys, pet food, music and video rights, etc.
On the other hand, I see no evidence that the central control of the Communist party is weakening. You?
7. Posted by Robert the Original | August 4, 2007 1:57 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2007 13:57
8. Posted by C-C-G
| August 4, 2007 2:05 PM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
I think the systemic problems of any socialist model is bound to catch up with them sooner or later, just like it did to Gorbachev. Perhaps it's finally doing so.
The question I have is whether whatever replaces it would be better or worse. Many people, myself included, thought that the Soviets couldn't do worse than socialism, but Putin seems hell-bent on proving us wrong.
8. Posted by C-C-G
| August 4, 2007 2:05 PM |
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2007 14:05
9. Posted by jpm100 | August 4, 2007 2:37 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
The Soviets made more reforms than starting capitalism. Reagan made trade with them contingient on reform. These reforms or cracks in the old power structure allowed someone like Yeltsin to get popular support. Also, States like Poland started to rebel.
China doesn't have the regional stress the Soviets had and we sure aren't holding the trade gun to their head. So I'm not really expecting China to reform anytime soon.
9. Posted by jpm100 | August 4, 2007 2:37 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2007 14:37
10. Posted by C-C-G
| August 4, 2007 4:22 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
China has a bit of its own stress, called Hong Kong. That example, now "integrated" with the rest of China, might be enough to push the communists into more reforms.
10. Posted by C-C-G
| August 4, 2007 4:22 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2007 16:22
11. Posted by marc | August 4, 2007 5:55 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Add Macau to your list of "reform incentives" C-C-G.
11. Posted by marc | August 4, 2007 5:55 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2007 17:55
12. Posted by cirby | August 4, 2007 6:25 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
If you think China doesn't have some severe internal stresses, look at the thousands of Chinese businessmen running around Beijing with cell phones...
12. Posted by cirby | August 4, 2007 6:25 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2007 18:25
13. Posted by nogo war | August 4, 2007 6:40 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
C'mon....how many consumer items have you purchased in the past few years that are not from China...
But...we are making a statement against Communism by our 40 years on sanctions against Cuba...
How much of the Bush debt do you believe has been purchased by China?
Bush has been elected and re-elected...outside of this http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/04/01/us.china.plane.02/index.html
What has he done to send a message to Communist China?
There is a Communist appeaser ...his Name is George Bush...and of course us for every purchase of an item made in Communist China...
....by the way...as a point of information...
There have been no known China products in our Moonbat home for 6 years...(hey just look at the tag and forget about saving a few bucks)
Ya want to send a message to Communist China?
Quit supporting them with your $$$
I would hope that those that toss the word "communist" around...don't buy products from China..
13. Posted by nogo war | August 4, 2007 6:40 PM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2007 18:40
14. Posted by Knightbrigade | August 4, 2007 6:48 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
No one can DIE with out written Chinese government permission, if die with out permission you will be severely punished.....LMAO
No external factors will get China to change, maybe make them dance a little on the topic, but CHANGE...NO.
ONLY internal forces can rock that country.
Physically and economically.
It will all just depend on how much shit the Chinese people will keep taking. When THEY have had enough.....the whole world will know.
14. Posted by Knightbrigade | August 4, 2007 6:48 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2007 18:48
15. Posted by Knightbrigade | August 4, 2007 6:52 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Holy Crap I AGREE with NOGO..........The man has principles. At least ONE that I agree with..........
Back later....gotta go check if the moon is blue.
15. Posted by Knightbrigade | August 4, 2007 6:52 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2007 18:52
16. Posted by nogo war | August 4, 2007 7:02 PM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Hey knight..and others...our similarities...are always greater than our differences....
Of course we disagree on what are really...minor points...as it should be....but I truly believe...in our lifetime...we will not focus on how different we are...but realize...how much we share...yeah maybe a moonbat attitude...but I truly believe...if my hands were full...and I dropped something...you would by reflex pick it up...just as i would do for you...
16. Posted by nogo war | August 4, 2007 7:02 PM |
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2007 19:02
17. Posted by C-C-G
| August 4, 2007 7:23 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
I'll be durned.
Nogo made sense.
Not once, but twice.
17. Posted by C-C-G
| August 4, 2007 7:23 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2007 19:23
18. Posted by kim | August 4, 2007 8:03 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Hey Mac, look at comments #'s 26 and 38 on Steve's unthreaded #17. Maybe the variable magnetism has something to do with the sun's distance from the center of mass of the solar system.
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18. Posted by kim | August 4, 2007 8:03 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2007 20:03
19. Posted by kim | August 4, 2007 8:08 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I, too, have a new appreciation for Nogo. Do not send to know etc., and your dollar is your ballot.
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19. Posted by kim | August 4, 2007 8:08 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2007 20:08
20. Posted by Henry | August 4, 2007 8:30 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
your dollar is your ballot, the essence of capitalism, kim
20. Posted by Henry | August 4, 2007 8:30 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2007 20:30
21. Posted by kim | August 4, 2007 11:42 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
And #98. N Johnson is a putz.
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21. Posted by kim | August 4, 2007 11:42 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2007 23:42
22. Posted by Mr Ho | August 5, 2007 5:27 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Mr Ho has been given order by top dragon.
Mr Ho say say this:
We know what you're thinking.-Wizbang
You know nothing of what I think and less of what you think you know.
22. Posted by Mr Ho | August 5, 2007 5:27 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 5, 2007 05:27
23. Posted by Mr Ho | August 5, 2007 5:29 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Jesus had but smal group and shared what they did own. Much like the Pilgrims to USA.
Jesus was communal.
23. Posted by Mr Ho | August 5, 2007 5:29 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 5, 2007 05:29
24. Posted by Mr Ho | August 5, 2007 5:31 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Mr Jay Tea, you not speak truthful.
Jesus, IsouV, was communal. He was Gods son.
Stalin killed many communal Christian. What you say is not so. Why you not speak truth?
24. Posted by Mr Ho | August 5, 2007 5:31 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 5, 2007 05:31
25. Posted by kim | August 5, 2007 9:14 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Religion is the opiate of the people, Mr. Ho. Another bad drug is mistaken ideologies based on a perversion of Hegel.
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25. Posted by kim | August 5, 2007 9:14 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 5, 2007 09:14
26. Posted by C-C-G
| August 5, 2007 11:06 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Mr. Ho, Jesus was also sinless. Mankind is not. Communism may work just fine in a society of sinless people; in a society of sinners, however, it has been clearly shown not to work. It's been tried many times in the USA, as well, as recently as the 60's and 70's the town of Warwick, MA had a commune in it. It isn't there today.
By the way, strictly speaking, the Chinese are not communist. They are socialist. Communism has no government at all. Socialism has a large totalitarian government. Surely you can see the difference.
26. Posted by C-C-G
| August 5, 2007 11:06 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on August 5, 2007 11:06
27. Posted by rrita m | August 5, 2007 11:43 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Mr Ho, Confusion say lay off the duck sauce before commenting, please. He also say a pseudo-logic walks the mistake past every conventional outlook.
27. Posted by rrita m | August 5, 2007 11:43 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on August 5, 2007 11:43
28. Posted by spurwing plover | August 5, 2007 2:55 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
The communists killed more then the nazis stalin has had more blood on his hands then did hitler and beware of the red dragon
28. Posted by spurwing plover | August 5, 2007 2:55 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on August 5, 2007 14:55
29. Posted by kim | August 6, 2007 1:39 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I'll make the mistake of walking this joke onstage right after rrofley rrita's.
Why did the chicken cross the road?
I dunno.
To get the Chinese newspaper. Do you get it?
Well, uhhh, no.
Neither do I. Neither did he. That's why he crossed the road.
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29. Posted by kim | August 6, 2007 1:39 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 6, 2007 01:39
30. Posted by rrita m | August 6, 2007 7:42 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Kim: Fried chicken say, "Two bucks, and two shay." :D :D :D
30. Posted by rrita m | August 6, 2007 7:42 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 6, 2007 07:42
31. Posted by kim | August 6, 2007 12:44 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Paul's blaming wheel bearings because he's ashamed to admit he hit a chicken crossing the road.
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31. Posted by kim | August 6, 2007 12:44 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 6, 2007 12:44
32. Posted by spurwing plover | August 7, 2007 12:17 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
HANOI JANE Once told a bunch of collage kids that IF YOU REALY UNDERSTOOD COMINISM YOU WOULD HOPE YOU WOULD PRAY ON YOUR KNEES WE WILL SOMEDAY BECOME COMMUNISTS screw hanoi jane screw communism STAMP OUT COMMUNISM STOP THE REDS
32. Posted by spurwing plover | August 7, 2007 12:17 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 7, 2007 12:17