Weldon

Buddhism makes the claim---at least the Buddhism I have studied---that there is no individual "I" seperate from the rest of the "emptiness". I have tried to understand the proofs given for why this individual doesn't exist and all of the reasons seem to be founded on illogic and misunderstandings. Can someone fully describe how it can be shown that there is no individual independent of its surroundings?

Does every single human being worship and become slave to something in their lives? If it's not religion, is it science, another person, a pleasure, or something else that is made into a god? Is it the human condition to worship something? At least three sentences, please, and no ad hominem's or other logical errors.

Clearly Adam and Eve and their future offspring would have to eventually die in order that the Earth be sustained. Death is the only motivator for action and, without it, every endeavor would prove meaningless. Was temptation, sin and ensuing death part of a comprehensive cosmic plan, leading to redemption from God in order to have a personal relationship with our Creator and to, at the same time, provide us with purpose in our lives---inevitable death giving meaning to our strivings (art, ect)? Provide at least three sentence answers; no ad hominem's or other logical errors, please.

If so, what are the experiences and associations?