Taoism to Take Over the World by 2020, Report Says

Tim Elston · Postby **Tim Elston** » November 22nd, 2008, 6:41 pm

Distribution of the World's Taoists (courtesy http://www.worldmapper.org)

crispfin · Postby **crispfin** » November 22nd, 2008, 7:30 pm

I was confused about the map at first, but then I went to the site. Speaking of Taoism, earlier this year I found a book at the library called The Jesus Sutras that explored writings from early Christian missionaries in China who syncretized Christian and Taoist teachings. What I got to check out was really interesting.

Tim Elston · Postby **Tim Elston** » November 22nd, 2008, 7:34 pm

crispfin wrote:I was confused about the map at first, but then I went to the site.

Yeah, it was supposed to be a little mind game. From one angle it looks like they are taking over the world. From another, you realize they aren't much of a threat for that.

crispfin wrote:Speaking of Taoism, earlier this year I found a book at the library called The Jesus Sutras that explored writings from early Christian missionaries in China who syncretized Christian and Taoist teachings. What I got to check out was really interesting.

That would be interesting. I've met some Christians who were into Taoist thought (a Western version, of course) and claimed that Christianity and Taoism were compatible. Their claim, not mine.

crispfin · Postby **crispfin** » November 22nd, 2008, 7:44 pm

Tim Elston wrote:
That would be interesting. I've met some Christians who were into Taoist thought (a Western version, of course) and claimed that Christianity and Taoism were compatible. Their claim, not mine.

I've heard that too, but I don't know enough about Taoism to have an informed opinion. Guess I need to read my Tao Te Ching more. :wink:

Tim Elston · Postby **Tim Elston** » November 22nd, 2008, 10:57 pm

crispfin wrote:I've heard that too, but I don't know enough about Taoism to have an informed opinion. Guess I need to read my Tao Te Ching more.

I read it last year. It's actually a pretty cool little book. It reminded me a lot of the OT wisdom literature. I had some gripes about it, though, as might be expected. Here it is online, in (undoubtedly westernized) English translation:

http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/core9/phalsall/texts/taote-v3.html

crispfin · Postby **crispfin** » November 23rd, 2008, 7:05 am

Tim Elston wrote:I read it last year. It's actually a pretty cool little book. It reminded me a lot of the OT wisdom literature. I had some gripes about it, though, as might be expected. Here it is online, in (undoubtedly westernized) English translation:

http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/core9/phalsall/texts/taote-v3.html

I've got a copy and I've read about a third of it. What I've read I've found interesting and thought provoking--but then again I find religion fascinating and love learning more about them. I was thinking about picking it up last night and starting over but I was too tired. Maybe today, and I could compare the link to my translation.

biblemanryan · Postby **biblemanryan** » November 23rd, 2008, 7:48 am

Tim,
You listen to NPR don't you?

Tim Elston · Postby **Tim Elston** » November 23rd, 2008, 7:51 am

biblemanryan wrote:Tim,
You listen to NPR don't you?

Yes, I do. I like the weekend programming the best. But I saw this on their website. I haven't been listening much for the last several months. Since I got cable television, both my reading and radio listening have taken a hit. (I haven't watched any TV this weekend, though!)

Do I presume correctly from your question that you heard the radio program about these maps?

biblemanryan · Postby **biblemanryan** » November 23rd, 2008, 11:32 am

Yes, I think that I heard it yesterday and was meaning to get on and check it out.

Jude 2