singasongofsixpins

I have a question that I really wanted to ask a religious scholar/smart person.

As a Taoist, I was curious about different attitudes that different religions have about life and death and suffering. Eastern religions focus on a more dispassionate response to life, and many don't look for (or are completely indifferent to) an afterlife. Western religions are so focused on the problems of the world being "tests" or "punishment" and that suffering is happening to you for reasons beyond just the nature of things.

Is there a notable reason (beyond geography) that the attitudes are so different?

The only western belief system I could similar to an eastern one is stoicism. But philosophy and religion are more divided in the west.

Thank you so much for responding! In fact, I'm going to bug you again!

Do you think this has anything to do with how East versus West handles new ideas? I mean like how Eastern religions (tend to) cannibalize new religious or philosophical perspectives into their own ideas. Western religions seem to be a bit more stringent.

Also

What do you think of the new atheist movement? I don't have any sort of problem with atheists, but I feel like the modern movement has ignored quite a bit of thought on the matter from previous thinkers (both theist and atheist).

Sorry for all the questions, this is the first time I've gotten in on an AMA. Not just any AMA, but an AMA by somebody who is an expert in something I'm interested in! I am fucking giggling! Thank you for your patience.