What really intriqued me at first about Christianity was its absolute discipline in all areas of life, including even thought!
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Yes, the Buddhist faith has even more emphasis on this area. Controlling one's thoughts is key to controlling one's actions, so it does make a bit of sense. For example, it's like the liberals throwing money at a problem instead of getting to the root of the problem. :)
I don't believe Christianity is overly restrictive of sexual pleasure? or? I think all relgions recognize the vice of Lust is a terrible vice. It might be true that some expand on this farther what was meant to be. Although the old testemate has a lot of emphasis on 'purity', 'virginity' etc...
"That, I think would be a deal breaker if there ever was one. "
lol! too true...
Buddhism, as I know it, has the user define what is right and wrong. That is easy. "I won't think sexual thoughts between 2-3pm AND I won't have sex with more than 2 women at a time!"
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Christianity says even sexual thoughts are equivalent to the act! As a college student and a Marine, I assure you this is quite frustrating and also an endless source of energy!
The difference is Christianity has objective values, while Buddhism is about self-discovery. As I understand it, there are very few objective criteria by which the Buddhist judge will use once you die, if there is a judge at all.