I could lie like the monk did if that cause served to bring about an effect that was beneficial to self or others. Renouncing my refuge in the three jewels to save my hide would not be beneficial to self or others nor would its effect be neutral. It would be extremely harmful to all concerned including the jihadis.
Shakyamuni Buddha never laid down edicts that would force anyone to make a choice between the Dharma and something else knowing that not everyone has the realization to fully understand the effect of their actions. To do so would be no different than the choice the Islamo-fascists offer. It would bring about a situation of confusion wherein someone would feel compelled to accept the Dharma which would not be Dharma. It would be a path away from true Dharma in spite of appearances and good intentions. (Style over substance.)
I do know what the effect would be so the decision for me is clear. Shakyamuni's compassion for those who are not clear about cause and effect doesn't change the nature of cause and effect. He was simply avoiding setting up a situation that would confuse someone into doing a greater harm to themselves than renouncing the Dharma under duress. Namely, clinging to the Dharma under duress. A self-imposed duress, I might add, through misunderstanding of the teachings.
Let me be absolutely clear here; I'm not saying that ignorance is the excuse. It has to do with the recognition that ignorance is the condition that a given person finds themselves in and the depth of that ignorance determines the conditions. Causes (actions) don't occur in a vacuum they play off of the conditions that exist at the time.
It's my choice and I know the effects. My current body is worth nothing next to my refuge vows. If you have made the assumption that I was criticizing or condemning Centanni's actions you have assumed incorrectly. I was merely pointing out the effect.
I would be the last one to argue that Christ's heart is not always open. But he himself said "I am in the Father and the Father is in me." If you remove Christ from your heart, even under duress, even for a moment, haven't you set up the conditions that make it harder to open your heart to let Christ back in? You see, it's not a matter of affecting Christ's openess to you that is changed. It is the effect of your actions on your own mind that removing him for temporary preservation of the body creates. You can start all over again (which is all that Buddha Shakyamuni was indicating you could do) but you'll be starting with a greater obstruction in your heart/mind than you had the first time you took refuge. The question is simply "is it worth it?" not "is it possible?" In order for me to say it's worth it I would have to see a greater benefit to someone. I don't. Start hacking! ; )
"The question is simply "is it worth it?" not "is it possible?" In order for me to say it's worth it I would have to see a greater benefit to someone. I don't. Start hacking! ; )"
I see a greater benefit to going ahead and saying the coerced lines on video: It exposes the stupidity, the hypocrisy, the utter evil of Islam. The vast majority of people in the world know that the words spoken by the captured men are not real statements of belief. I don't believe their words were harmful to anyone at all, least of all to themselves. To the contrary, they help embolden people to stand up against the scourge of Islam.
There is a difference between speaking from the heart, and speaking words like an automaton to free oneself.