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CTP (S3EJulSpecial3) Buddhism as Philosophy, Not Religion
Exploring more of the world of fascinating Guests, Health, Human Nature, Music / Movies, Mysterious, Politics, Social Issues, and much more
G. Scott Graham joins us to explore how Buddhist philosophy and its ethical precepts can complement rather than contradict Christian values, breaking down misconceptions about Buddhism as strictly religious. We discuss how the Eight Precepts offer a framework for mindful living that can benefit people of all faiths, focusing on mental volition rather than rigid rules.
• Buddhism functions more as a philosophy than a religion in many contexts
• You can be a "Christian Buddhist" by adopting philosophical principles without religious worship
• Scott shares his journey working in corrections and discovering Buddhist meditation
• The Eight Precepts include abstaining from killing, stealing, lying, and intoxicants
• Mental volition and intent matter more than the action itself
• Buddhist ethics focus on reducing agitation and finding personal balance
• Practicing these principles can help address underlying insecurities
• Gray areas exist in all ethical frameworks, requiring personal discernment
• Buddhist practice encourages trying principles to see if they benefit you
• Understanding Buddhist philosophy doesn't make someone "less Christian"
Find G. Scott Graham's book "Living the Eight Precepts: How Ancient Buddhist Ethics Can Help People" anywhere books are sold or visit gscottgraham.com

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Exploring more of the fascinating intersection of Faith / Religion, Human Nature, Politics, and beyond
CTP (S3E108) Plant, Don't Preach: The Christian's Guide to Meaningful Impact (aka: Memes part 2 episode)
We explore the critical balance between prayer and action in Christian life, focusing on the principle that our job is to plant seeds while God's role is to change hearts. This episode challenges the notion that prayer alone is sufficient, urging Christians to take meaningful action in alignment with biblical teachings.
• Christians must understand the balance between human responsibility and divine intervention
• Prayer must be accompanied by action—"Change from wicked ways" implies personal responsibility
• Like gardening, we must plant seeds of goodness before expecting God to help them grow
• Inaction makes us complicit in the evil that results—"Only thing required for evil to prevail is good people do nothing"
• Getting off our knees and taking action is essential to seeing God's work manifested

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CTP (S3EJulSpecial2)(PG-13) The Soul's Direction: Navigating Right and Wrong w/ Raymond Comeau
Exploring more of the world of fascinating Guests, Health, Human Nature, Music / Movies, Mysterious, Politics, Social Issues, and much more
Raymond Comeau joins us to discuss his book "What Bad We Do: Don't Ever Cross the Line" and the moral choices that shape our lives and society.
• Born in Haverhill, Massachusetts and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey in a multicultural environment
• Raymond explains how his book identifies 34 common moral problems people face
• Understanding the difference between making mistakes and crossing moral lines that harm others
• Exploring how lying can escalate from small infractions to life-altering harm
• Discussing the concept of "nephoria" (negative euphoria) that drives addictive behaviors
• Examining how digital temptations create dangerous cycles that exploit vulnerable people
• The importance of godly self-esteem versus worldly self-esteem in making ethical choices
• How the "me-me-me" mentality undermines personal responsibility and social cohesion
• Why bystanders who remain silent become complicit in the evil they witness
• The need for Christian unity around core values rather than denominational divisions
To learn more about Raymond Comeau's work, visit OurSoulsDirection.com
Ep. Rating: PG-13 (Adult themes)

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