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Evangelicals hope to 'reach' Buddhists
Sun-Times ^ | April 4, 2007 | STEFANO ESPOSITO

Posted on 04/05/2007 5:05:09 AM PDT by Daffynition

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To: Gengis Khan
Just because they have stopped killing for now does not mean ideologically they have changed.

Actually, if you study the history of Christianity, the period where the inquisition, etc occurred was the exception. There is nothing 'ideologically' in Christianity that calls for the killing of those who will not convert. As you know, if you are honest, the opposite is true of Islam. The periods of peace with others have been the exception.

And this could be not because of but in spite of what it teaches.

Well, yes, in spite of, because mankind has a pretty strong sinful nature.

I dont claim I do.

Okay, so you are, by implication, saying that your statement about 'them' not having any real understanding of God is just your feeling on the issue and not any real statement about the character of God.

And you too would be in for a surprise if you claim you do.

How do you know since you have admitted you don't have any real understanding of God?

161 posted on 08/13/2007 12:07:17 PM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
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To: MEGoody
I have known Indian Christians who belong to the Lesser Eastern churches, Eastern Orthodox or follow some pristine form of Christianity. They believe themselves to be Christians but think very differently form you. They dont believe that non believers will go to hell or all so-called “Christians” will get to heaven. Christianity according to them is not a free bus ride to heaven for every (and only) Christians. Western Christianity has developed a wrong understanding of the message of Bible and Jesus.

“And they believe you have no real understanding of God.”

I hope you are not saying that on behalf of all Christians. Christians come in many different shades and I dont think you represent all of them.

162 posted on 08/13/2007 12:21:23 PM PDT by Gengis Khan
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To: Vaquero
I don’t like prosthelytization by members of any religion or cult.

I find it quite distasteful....especially when they go door to door....I have absolutley no patients...

Why, did one of your patients file suit for malpractice? :)

163 posted on 08/13/2007 12:27:11 PM PDT by stillonaroll (Rudy: pro-abortion, pro-gay, anti-gun)
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To: Vaquero
I don’t like prosthelytization by members of any religion or cult.

I find it quite distasteful....especially when they go door to door....I have absolutley no patients...

Why, did one of your patients file suit for malpractice? :)

164 posted on 08/13/2007 12:27:18 PM PDT by stillonaroll (Rudy: pro-abortion, pro-gay, anti-gun)
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To: Gengis Khan
Western Christianity has developed a wrong understanding of the message of Bible and Jesus.

Exactly right. But don't expect to convince the Old Testament Retributionists who make up the majority of the FR Religion Forum's membership.

I'm always surprised to see the Inquisition dismissed as Christianity's sole act of violence against non-believers. The sixty thousand women burned as witches in fifteenth century Germany might beg to differ.

165 posted on 08/13/2007 12:33:10 PM PDT by Mr. Jeeves ("Wise men don't need to debate; men who need to debate are not wise." -- Tao Te Ching)
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To: bilhosty
I personally believe in all religions and that they are linked together by an esoteric thread.

That's a remarkable statement. I've a few questions:

1) How many gods are there?

2) Can one know God (or the gods) personally?

3) Is there a heaven, and if so, how does one get there?

166 posted on 08/13/2007 12:35:14 PM PDT by stillonaroll (Rudy: pro-abortion, pro-gay, anti-gun)
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To: Gengis Khan

You, sir, have absolutely no clue whatsoever what you are talking about when it comes to Christianity. None. You have no business spouting off in such a public forum on something that you are so demonstrably ignorant about.

I also cannot sit idly as you attempt to paint Christianity as, in effect, yet another mildly-tamed death cult or “quasi-political organization”. That is so ludicrous and inane .


167 posted on 08/13/2007 12:37:16 PM PDT by RightOnline
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To: Gengis Khan
I am not a Buddhist but I consider myself fortunate to have been able to actually visit Dharmashala and Rumtek (to get the real experiance). Karme Cho-Ling sounds good and not too far from where I am right now.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Lots of folks go there from the Eastern US and Canada as well as Europe, especially Germany. Many are not "buddhists", but people who want to train in sitting practise and other arts, such as Archery.

http://www.zenco.org

http://sports.webshots.com/album/379997652VPijyU

There is a lot happening there over the next few months,let me know if you are ever up this way, and we can meet for a few cups of sake.

168 posted on 08/13/2007 1:00:25 PM PDT by Candor7 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Baghdad_(1258))
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To: stillonaroll
1. There is super conscious, Conscious and Sub conscious. Gods exist in the subconscious because they are created thee in a partnership between the Superconsncoius and the Conscious. They are created by the religions based on a shared symbolic language,concentration and will of the worshipers as they are created by the imagination and have a definite reality if you open yourself psychically.

2. yes. I personally invoke many gods from different pantheons and have had quite a few memorable experiences.

3.Most religions taught reincarnation secretly(like Christianity) or publicly. To get there you complete the great work.

does that make sense (grin). understandable it sounds foreign to most people. But, if you begin by looking at all of the similarities of the religions, The mythologies and and the rites etc one begins to find a lot that is shared. When you then find out that the ancients hid there secrets and did not give them out where they could be misused. You had to earn the right to receive by illumination (mysticism). Then and only then can you understand the real nature of religion(at least from my perspective. Pagan Christs by Carpenter and 12 crucified saviors by Kersey Graves are beginnings but by no means the end of a path that can be very revealing to the right mind. They did "not give holy things to the dogs. They will rend them (in argument) and turn on you. It is like throwing Pearls to the Swine."

169 posted on 08/13/2007 1:01:14 PM PDT by bilhosty
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To: Daffynition
"It's what evangelical Christians say -- the idea that you have to be saved in a certain way or you're doomed to eternal damnation, that's what we have a problem with."

Every time I bring this objection up with an evangelical, I get that same allegory about the fact that I'm drowning and Christ is trying to throw me a life preserver.

Anyone out there remember how it goes?

170 posted on 08/13/2007 1:05:37 PM PDT by GunRunner (Come on Fred, how long are you going to wait?)
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To: bilhosty
The gospel stories, parables and teachings came from Buddhism and that is in fact where Christianity comes from.

I humbly disagree, and I think any one who has studied the Bible would also disagree

171 posted on 08/13/2007 1:13:15 PM PDT by Magnum44 (Terrorism is a disease, precise application of superior force is the ONLY cure)
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To: GunRunner
Scripture doesn't say that you are drowning and need Christ to throw you a life preserver. You are dead and need Christ to give you life.
172 posted on 08/13/2007 1:16:02 PM PDT by Theo (Global warming "scientists." Pro-evolution "scientists." They're both wrong.)
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To: BritExPatInFla

I saw quite a few different “ways” in multivariate calculus, and each had believers who wholeheartedly believed their “way” was correct.

That does not mean that there isn’t a correct way or that they shouldn’t be corrected.


173 posted on 08/13/2007 1:19:57 PM PDT by dan1123 (You are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. --Jesus)
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To: Theo
Scripture doesn't say that you are drowning and need Christ to throw you a life preserver. You are dead and need Christ to give you life.

The line fed to me was a metaphor for the beliefs of those who believe that anyone who does not believe in Christ went to Hell.

This person said that they were not condemning all of non-Christian humanity to Hell, but they were in fact throwing a life preserver to those who didn't believe in Christ, because they were drowning......or something.

I don't remember how the exact example goes, but my response was that hopefully those who believe this way will find peace in the fact that heaven must be so special, and so wonderful, that it will make you forget the fact that some of your loved ones who did not accept Christ and lived righteous lives will be in hell for all eternity.

I don't find this unreasonable, just a strange and less than perfect way to manage the afterlife.

174 posted on 08/13/2007 1:48:24 PM PDT by GunRunner (Come on Fred, how long are you going to wait?)
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To: Magnum44
I think if you will study Buddhism you will be shocked at some of the things that are alike. The saying of Christ and Buddha and there views and teachings and parables.Some things may be different but as you go along I think you will find even the differences are not that much. And then you make a study of other religions that were current at that time and you make a deeper understanding. Carpenters “Pagan Christs” and Graves “Twelve crucified Saviour's” both give an excellent view of the similarities of the mythologies. They will give you an eye of what to look for when you examine things more closely. If you do not look further than these excellent books it probably will not be meaningful.You have to take a good look at them individually. I spent years doing it. Boy I thought this thread was dead a long time ago!
175 posted on 08/13/2007 1:56:40 PM PDT by bilhosty
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To: bilhosty

I have nothing against the “philosphy” of Buddhism. I know a little about it so I dont think I am ignorant of it. But the Christain religion, with the Bible, Gods’ Word to us, is clear in His will for us, and that the only way to Him is through His Son. Jesus was not another prophet. He is God in Man on earth. He rules not by law or by philosophy, but by His Love and His Grace. No other religious figure promises salvation, only laws to live by, with each of us kowing full well we are too flawed to live up to those laws. Without his Grace to save us, we are nothing but dust.

This is the message we are called to share, by words, by deeds.


176 posted on 08/13/2007 2:34:29 PM PDT by Magnum44 (Terrorism is a disease, precise application of superior force is the ONLY cure)
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To: Celtjew Libertarian
I hate when people portray God as some petty tyrant,some Buddhist's have better chance of going to heaven then some so called Christians I have met
177 posted on 08/13/2007 2:50:56 PM PDT by Charlespg (Peace= When we trod the ruins of Mecca and Medina under our infidel boots.)
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To: MEGoody
“Actually, if you study the history of Christianity, the period where the inquisition, etc occurred was the exception. “

Inquisition and killing of Jews and Pagan worshipers are not exceptions but were pretty much widespread in space and time. It pales in frequency and magnitude when compared to Islamic genocides but does not mean they can be simply dismissed as exceptions.

“Okay, so you are, by implication, saying that your statement about ‘them’ not having any real understanding of God is just your feeling on the issue and not any real statement about the character of God.”

About the character of God, its all about “feeling on the issue” and your feeling is as good as mine. In other words its all personal belief, faith, opinion, reasoning, best guess etc. I dont claim to have first hand knowledge about the character of God. And I am pretty certain not many have either.

However this is has hardy anything to do with character of God. Its all about religio-politics, more to do with understanding of human character. You can easily tell when someone is using God and religion to forward their religio-political agenda, and you know they are wrong.

“How do you know since you have admitted you don’t have any real understanding of God?”

How do I know? As I said, “belief, faith, opinion, reasoning, best guess etc”..... at least I dont claim I have 100% knowledge, but basic human judgment allows me to distinguish the right from wrong. Thats how you can tell when someone is totally wrong.

178 posted on 08/13/2007 4:10:36 PM PDT by Gengis Khan
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To: Candor7
Sounds like an interesting place. Haven't much time to travel around but sure will let you know when I plan on going there. Thanks for the invitation anyways.
179 posted on 08/13/2007 4:14:59 PM PDT by Gengis Khan
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To: Gengis Khan
Well , freepmail me if you do come up and rest assured ,sippin' sake will be a waiting.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

In Shambhala , warriorship is not optional, nor is hospitality.

180 posted on 08/13/2007 4:37:19 PM PDT by Candor7 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Baghdad_(1258))
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