Part One: Afghanistan Issues on FRONTLINE

1) Effect of Opium Production on US forces- Many farmers in Afghanistan have stopped growing crops such as wheat and corn that generate little money so that they can produce opium, a lucrative crop. Because of the fact that the Taliban sells these crops through the black market, the Taliban will become wealthy, which means they have funds to use to purchase weaponry to fight against the US soldiers. This directly relates to the cost and death of US forces, which are described below. Essentially, by farming opium, the Taliban is able to use their acquired funds to fight against the US, creating more violence, chaos, and death in Afghanistan.

2) Taliban- The Taliban are extremely difficult to fight for a multitude of reasons. One reason is because the Taliban are not an established group, and are often difficult to differentiate from other people. The war on "Terrorism" is difficult to fight because of the fact that terrorism is based on a personal opinion and definition, and terrorists are often not an established group. Also, the Taliban are difficult to defeat, because they will often hide in Pakistan when US forces in Afghanistan are trying to fight the Taliban.

3) Death- One of the more obvious problems/effects on US forces is the amount of soldiers killed each day in Afghanistan. Because of the Taliban violence such as suicide bombings, innumerable US soldiers are killed, which then creates the need for more US soldiers, which costs the US more money, which may eventually lead to this new soldier's death. Similar to the thought provoking questions that the cost of the war has brought to light, the death and injury of these soldiers forever affects their lives and the lives of others such as their family, which raises the same ultimate question as price of the war: Is staying in Afghanistan best for our country and theirs?

4) Pakistan becoming a failed state- the US is worried about the Pakistan becoming completely unstable and a "failed state." Because Pakistan possesses multiple nuclear weapons, Afghanistan could take advantage of Pakistan's weakened state and use these weapons for their own. Because the Taliban hate the US, these weapons could potentially be used against the US. However, the US does not have a right to go into Pakistan without consent from Pakistan itself, and therefore, there is little the US can do directly to prevent Afghanistan from taking possession of these nuclear weapons.

Research and Response: Eastern Religion (Mahayana Buddhism)

1) Mahayana Buddhism

This particular form of Buddhism came to be as a more liberal, accessible form of Buddhism. It made it so followers did not have to be from a particular section of society, and could rather pick up the religion because they shared the same beliefs. Theravada Buddhists believe that the ultimate goal in life is to become a perfected saint/nun and reach Nirvana. Mahayana Buddhists, on the other hand, hope to become enlightened, but also to purposefully delay Nirvana so that they can help others attain it as well.

Mahayana Buddhists believe that abortion is murder and that all violent acts are not to be tolerated and should be punished severely. the view on homosexuality often varies by region, and is not condemned. Rather it is up to the single person to decide their views on it. Divorce is accepted and although women and men generally fell into "traditional roles," women work more due to the fact that today's society often demands it.

One important aspect of Mahayana Buddhism is the fact that there is no single ruler God, as there is in many religions. They believe that the origin of earth and life was not from God. Usually modern science theories are not considered to be contradictory of Mahayana. There are three forms of Buddha. There is "infinite bliss" called Nirvana, and anyone is eligible to reach "Buddhahood." It is believed that there are countless Buddhas on earth.

After death, there are a few possibilities. It is believed that if one has negative karma (has done wrong in their life) then they will continue living lives in a continual cycle of rebirth until their intentions become involuntarily wholesome. Once this has occurred, ultimate bliss (Nirvana) has been reached. This is a deathless state where one becomes Buddha. Modern Western Buddhists often do not believe in this literal rebirth, but rather a spiritual rebirth. Mayahana Buddhists believe that life is the ultimate suffering, and also that people have the free will to commit wrongdoings such as greed, hatred, violence and cravings or attachments to material possessions.

2) I feel that I possess some of the views described in this above overview. One of the facets of Mayahana Buddhism that I find to be important is the fact that it is made accessible to anyone who wants to join. I dislike religions that discriminate people due to what social class they come from and what religion they may have belonged to previously.

However, some of my contemporary views do not match that of Mahayana. For example, I am pro-choice and do not believe a religion should tell women what choices to make. I also believe that homosexuality should not be discriminated against whatsoever. Although this is a person to person basis, I believe that homosexuality should be completely accepted. However, this also deals with societal influences and not just religion, and judging that certain parts accept homosexuality, it seems as though many are indifferent.

As for Deities, I do not believe in one higher power. But I do believe in the idea of reincarnation, but not necessarily in the form that Mahayana Buddhists believe in. I don't believe that Nirvana will be reached, but rather that people will continue in a cycle of rebirths. The holiness of their next life will depend on how they lived their current life.

Overall, I believe I possess some of the views described in Mayahana Buddhism. However, I do not agree with all aspects of this religion and have my own views for some subjects. I do not feel that this religion fits me entirely, but I think this exercise has put me more in touch with what I believe. I think you could say the jury's still out on what religion I fit into. I possess views from a couple different spiritual beliefs, and therefore continue to uphold my view that spirituality and religion can be pursued without an organized congregation and holy text. I knew about Buddhism before taking this survey, however I did not know that it is split into two forms. I also did not know much about their beliefs and how they feel about key parts of our lives. I am very happy that I was able to take this survey and expand my knowledge on different religions from different parts of the world.

Sweet dreams!

Initial Reaction to the surveys

Regarding the first survey, I completely agree. I do believe that there is an after life and other spiritual ideals like that, however I do not believe that organized religion is necessary. I think spirituality is such a personal topic, that it can be explored without the need for a church or holy text.

With the second survey I was actually quite surprised. I hadn't heard of many of the religions the survey found me to be highest ranked with. Up until now, I hadn't really developed concrete ideals and views on my religion. In fact, I sort of brushed off the whole idea of religion because I wasn't quite sure what to think. This survey actually really made me say to myself "ok, what happens after we die? Is there a god?" However, when presented with the questions, I usually chose my answer right away. I fell in between two answers once or twice, but I found out that my views seemed to be clearly defined by this survey.

I was a little surprised with the results though! Once I read the descriptions, they seemed to mostly fit my views, however I had never heard of a Neo-Pagan or a Unitiarian Universalist. I figured the results would spit out something like Episcopalian, however I was pleasantly surprised to have been matched up with a view religions that might be considered unusual. I believe I do not fall concretely under one of my top three religions chosen, but I do possess qualities of all three. I really enjoyed taking this quiz and found the answers to be interesting. It also gave me a chance to learn about some new beliefs that have some good ideas!

Information about Mahayana Buddhism

Belief in Deity Mahayana Buddhism (like Theravada Buddhism) posits no Creator or ruler God. However, deity belief is present in the Mahayana doctrine of The Three Bodies (forms) of Buddha: (1) Body of Essence--the indescribable, impersonal Absolute Reality, or Ultimate Truth that is Nirvana (Infinite Bliss); (2) Body of Bliss or Enjoyment--Buddha as divine, deity, formless, celestial spirit with saving power of grace, omnipotence, omniscience; and (3) Body of Transformation or Emanation--an illusion or emanation in human form provided by the divine Buddha to guide humans to Enlightenment. Any person can potentially achieve Buddhahood, transcending personality and becoming one with the impersonal Ultimate Reality, which is Infinite Bliss (Nirvana). There are countless Buddhas presiding over countless universes. Bodhisattvas--humans and celestial spirits who sacrifice their imminent liberation (Buddhahood) to help all others to become liberated--are revered or worshipped as gods or saints by some.
	Incarnations The historic Buddha, the person Siddhartha Gautama, is considered by many as an emanation or illusion of the highest power (which is also called Buddha). Many believe there have been countless Buddhas on earth.
	Origin of Universe and Life No Creator God. All matter is illusion or manifestation of the Ultimate Reality. Generally, Mahayana Buddhist beliefs don't find modern scientific discoveries contradictory to Buddhist thought.
	After Death There is no transmigration of individual souls, but through the law of karma, one's wholesome or unwholesome intentions become imprinted in the mind. Negative mental states persist through continual rebirth until one's intentions become wholesome. Once fully enlightened, one is liberated from rebirths, reaching a state of absolute selflessness resulting in ultimate bliss called Nirvana--the "Deathless State." One becomes Buddha (or one with Buddha). Some Buddhists, especially modern Western, don't emphasize or believe in literal rebirth.
	Why Evil? People have free will to commit wrongs. Evil results as cravings, attachments, and ignorance accumulate through perpetual rebirths, thus perpetuating greed, hatred, and violence.
	Salvation The goal is enlightenment, leading to Nirvana--liberation from cycles of rebirth and suffering--which is life. All are already endowed with Buddha-nature but need to come to realize fully that only the Ultimate Reality (the great "void" or "emptiness") is real (or nonconditional) and permanent. The Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path show the way, along with worship of the essentialBuddha. One must work to extinguish self: All worldly cravings, desires, and attachments, through loving-kindness, compassion, charity, moral conduct, wisdom, and meditation. Renouncing worldly possessions and goals is not necessary for the laity, if balanced. Buddha taught the middle path, moderation. Human and spirit world Bodhisattvas are sought for help in gaining enlightenment. Pure Land Mahayana Buddhists aim to find a place of eternal Nirvana in a paradisiacal Pure Land, attainable by calling out the name of the Buddha ruler of the Pure Land.
	Undeserved Suffering Life is suffering. Suffering results from this and past life greed, hatred, and ignorance, which, unless mitigated, returns as suffering (karma). Intense suffering may be viewed as the release of karma, hastening one's liberation. Suffering is illusion or ignorance of one's true nature as Buddha.
	Contemporary Issues Abortion is considered murder, and all violent acts cause horrific karmic consequence. Homosexuality in itself is not specifically condemned by scripture, but opinions vary, especially among various Buddhist cultures--e.g., American Buddhists are generally very accepting, while Asian Buddhists are generally strongly opposed to homosexuality. It is believed that divorce wouldn't occur if one follows Buddhist precepts, but a couple is not condemned if they separate due to vast personal differences. Gender roles are generally traditional (e.g. women are child caretakers and men are providers), but are growing less rigid as society inflicts more and more contemporary demands (e.g. women working in increasing numbers).

Religion/Spirituality Quiz Results

Active Spiritual Seeker � Spiritual but turned off by organized religion

I think this is an accurate description

1.	Neo-Pagan (100%)
2.	Unitarian Universalism (97%)
3.	Mahayana Buddhism (89%)
4.	Liberal Quakers (86%)
5.	New Age (83%)
6.	Jainism (77%)
7.	Sikhism (77%)
8.	Reform Judaism (75%)
9.	Secular Humanism (72%)
10.	Theravada Buddhism (72%)
11.	Hinduism (69%)
12.	Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (65%)
13.	Baha'i Faith (62%)
14.	Taoism (56%)
15.	Orthodox Judaism (54%)
16.	New Thought (51%)
17.	Nontheist (47%)
18.	Scientology (47%)
19.	Orthodox Quaker (47%)
20.	Islam (43%)
21.	Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (28%)
22.	Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (23%)
23.	Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (21%)
24.	Seventh Day Adventist (19%)
25.	Eastern Orthodox (14%)
26.	Roman Catholic (14%)
27.	Jehovah's Witness (10%)