Good stuff!
The proof of life after death is the Resurrection — the pivotal point of Christianity. With no Resurrection — there is no proof of life after death. That was the second point of the Resurrection that Christ was to show us the promise of our future glorified bodies when we are all resurrected.
As for the Eastern Religions, coming from an Eastern Background originally — I can tell you that most of the Eastern Religions are self centered spirituality and are heavily works based (on your self).
You see in Christianity, after accepting Christ (and not in a superficial way) — your salvation is secure. Which then frees you up to follow the example of your Savior and pursue the lost.
However in Buddhism, Hinduism, etc... you have to continuously work on *yourself*, meditate — etc. It also opens up the “I’m more spiritual than that person” mentality. I think you can see that in the East with the misery that abounds there. What great and noble organization like the Salvation Army or the Red Cross (originally anyway) have they produced? Who sends missionaries to the armpits of the world in order to bring the Word of God — putting their lives on the line so that others may have eternal salvation — if not clean drinking water?
It’s not the Buddhist. In fact, there is no good basis for the claims of the Buddha other than to “trust him”. No miracles, no testimony that was even written in the generation in which he lived.
No one predicted the coming of the Buddha either. Whereas Christ is predicted in the Old Testament — and not in a superficial Nostradamus like way.
Also, the Buddhist concept of the Universe doesn’t even jive with reality — unlike Christianity / Judaism which tells us that time had a beginning (just as scientists tell us now) and that there was a moment of Creation (just as scientists tell us), and that the universe is subject to entropy (just as scientists tell us). In fact, the Bible even tells us that the Universe is expanding (which science tells us)! What would provoke men living hundreds or thousands of years before Christ to even think such things unless it was the Spirit of God?
Buddhism in contrast teaches us that the entire Universe is Eternal (impossible thanks to the 2nd law of thermodynamics) and is basically an illusion. Okay. Then you have that reincarnation thing — where you keep coming back even though you have no clue what you did wrong in your last life. That’s kind of messed up.
In Christianity, we are all equal Children of God. The Apostle Paul will tell us, “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:7)
I am not feeling good right now and realize that this post is all over the place :), but please continue to run hard after the Truth. I think ultimately it points squarely at Jesus of Nazareth :) I am of the opinion that science shows us the glory of the Creator just as the book of Romans says. It makes us appreciate how mighty indeed He is.
There is no proof of resurrection, other than very old stories and eye witnesses.
So, what did the Buddha discover under the Bodhi tree? Self, or no self?
In the interest of truth, the Buddha never told anyone to trust him. In fact, he said just the opposite.
Buddhism in contrast teaches us that the entire Universe is Eternal (impossible thanks to the 2nd law of thermodynamics) and is basically an illusion. Okay. Then you have that reincarnation thing — where you keep coming back even though you have no clue what you did wrong in your last life. That’s kind of messed up.
Buddhism teaches the illusion of time, of a past and future that does not exist in reality but are mental constructs. In reality only now exists. One sees or one doesn't, and it isn't that hard to see.
The Western version of Buddhism has strayed very far from its roots. Christianity as well.
Yes, you are supposed to follow a variety of precepts, much the same way a Christian follows the 10 Commandments, and in some branches of Buddhist thought much attention is paid to "right action" and the doing of good deeds. Meditating is often called praying in other religions.
What great and noble organization like the Salvation Army or the Red Cross (originally anyway) have they produced?
Major portions of the civilizations of Asia, but since the spread of the religion occurred a long time ago, you probably aren't familiar with them. A number of ideas that grew up within Buddhism may well have informed or influenced later religions, such as Christianity.
In fact, there is no good basis for the claims of the Buddha other than to “trust him”.
Actually, the Buddha himself rejected the idea of "trusting" him, but instead challenged his disciples and followers to conduct the same explorations and experiments in life that he did and to discover what he believed to be truths for themselves. This is perhaps the primary reason why you don't find many Buddhist missionaries - doing so is inconsistent with core beliefs of the religion as interpreted by many of its branches.
No one predicted the coming of the Buddha either.
And that is completely consistent with the message of the Buddha - he never claimed to be any kind of God, or anything other than a person who discovered a bunch of important and interesting truths about life. Many of those truths are as applicable to life as a Christian believer as they are to a Buddhist.