@Alien: Tibet was a feudal serfdom before conversion to Buddhism. In as much as a theocratic state has at it's core a god or deity it is improbable Buddhism, which has neither a god or deity, could organize one.

I didn't address atheism at all. Also, I can't follow your points on atheism. I am not an atheist although I don't concern myself about whether there is or isn't a god or gods.

The Buddha did not address the issue of god in any way. Hinduism, on the other hand, is polytheistic to the max. Neither postulates atheism.

I am not sure what is proved by evolution theory as it backasswards to think an unproven theory could prove anything.

As for Creation, perhaps some of our Christian friends can tell us how long, in terms of how we measure time, is a day in the life of the Christian God?

Interestingly, The Big Bang Theory was originated by a Jesuit priest. Galileo must be enjoying that one.

From theatlantic,com

BEIJING—There's a joke going around: "Santa Claus was descending into China from the sky. Due to the heavy smog, he fell to the ground, but no one dared help him up. While he was still lying in the snow, his bag was ransacked for presents, and his reindeer and sleigh taken away by the chengguan. Therefore, no Christmas this year."

As a long time student of the buddhadharma, I would like to wish all Christians a joyous and happy Christmas season.

An economist, Don Boudreaux, posted this on Christmas day:

... is from Ayn Rand's December 1976 The Objectivist Calendar,...:

"The best aspect of Christmas is the aspect usually decried by the mystics: the fact that Christmas has been commercialized. The gift-buying . . . stimulates an enormous outpouring of ingenuity in the creation of products devoted to a single purpose: to give men pleasure. And the street decorations put up by department stores and other institutions – the Christmas trees, the winking lights, the glittering colors – provide the city with a spectacular display, which only "commercial greed" could afford to give us. One would have to be terribly depressed to resist the wonderful gaiety of that spectacle."

Boudreaux adds: "I add here, as many others have noted in many other places, that this commercial spirit entices non-Christians to cater peacefully and creatively to assist Christians' to better celebrate their religious holidays – especially, of course, Christmas. To mention only two famous retailers: the Bloomingdale brothers were Jewish, as was Adam Gimbel. And in northern Virginia, where I live, the largest and most vibrant shopping mall is Tyson's Corner, which at Christmas is packed with customers and done-out to the hilt with Christmas decorations. This shopping mall was developed by Ted Lerner, who was raised in an orthodox Jewish family.

Oh, don't forget that the iconic Christmas song "White Christmas" was composed by another Jew, Irving Berlin. (Berlin also composed "Easter Parade.")"

@Alien: Prior to 1959, Tibet was essentially a secular feudal serfdom. The Tibetan government employed mutilation until as late as 1949. Mutilations were carried out by untouchables (ragyaba).

What part of mutilations, gouging out of eyes, cutting off of ears, arms and legs by untouchables do you not consider 'barbaric?'

Some here exalt culture. Some decry the Han efforts to eliminate other cultures, I am one of them. But sometimes there are cultural components that really suck and ought to be eliminated.

@neddy: Matt, either you are astounding ignorant viz Christian/Christmas traditions or you have reverted to blatant trollism.

You have whacked Christians. Christmas, Americans and white folk in one post. You are more, in a sick way, clever than I had given you credit for.