Nov 29, 2011 -- 11:39AM, Aka_me wrote:

any why wouldn't we include Buddha in the list?

on this theory... it would be the same mental illness which created his happiness.

You statement proves once again that you don't really don't know anything about Buddhism. There's a vast difference between understanding one's true nature and someone with a messianic complex.

Nov 30, 2011 -- 9:44PM, Ferretling wrote:

I don't think there's a blanket statement that applies to any founders of any religions. Some of them may well have been whack-jobs, and some of them may have been truly spiritual, perceptive people. And I don't know as everyone on the list intended to start a new religion or intended to be more than a teacher.

Very wise words indeed, Ferret. I don't know if a Jewish nutjob with a messianic complex would be able to say anything half as sensible and insightful as the Sermon of the Mount, or an Arab loonie reveal something as meaningful as this, or his Persian latter-day spin-off anything as powerful as that.

My bet, all the three were truly "spiritual and perceptive people", to quote your apt definition. Let each judge for themselves, but let them do it without palpable animosity and betrayed bias.

With kind regards,

LilWabbit 

Nov 29, 2011 -- 12:20PM, wohali wrote:

Why leave out:

L. Ron Hubbard

Joseph Smith

Wovoka

Gerald Gardiner

Michael Harner

?????????

(Buddah (also mentioned in the post before this one.)

I didn't purposely leave them out, Wohali.  Just wrote the first ones that came into my mind.  But I think we all know most of these.  There are a few I've never heard of.  Wovoka, Michael Harner, and probably quite a few others.  riv