Emergent Christianity and Tibetan Buddhism

Why is it necessary to “compare and contrast” Christianity to Buddhism in a way that is (intentionally or not) condescending toward Buddhism? If you are going to pick a bone with Buddhist polytheism, why not think about the theological logs in our eyes that seem just as odd to non-Christian outsiders? And why rehash old arguments about “works righteousness” that just seem passé? What’s wrong with simply admiring Buddhist devotion to peace and working together toward our common goals? Must we continually revert to apologetics when working with sisters and brothers of other faiths or religions?

Works righteousness is “passe”? Which planet are you living on, friend? You must have never seen what Buddhism does to a society. I have. Things that sound very enlightening are dreadful realities to people who have been brought up around religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, etc. You might want to think through your understanding of the Gospel a little bit more.
Respectfully,
Nathan

“Why is it that the world seems so taken by Tibetan Buddhism?
“Why isn’t Christianity the religion of peace?”

because buddhism didn’t start the spanish inquisition, the crusades, the iraq war (bush did and he was voted in by followers of what faith), and many others.

now buddhism does have it’s conflicts but we don’t see those because of our context and cultural history. like Verst stated, why must we revert and look to outshine our fellow religions? @Nathan, no faith is without blood on it’s hands. just look at what “dreadful realities” we get into as christians with this “war for peace” or bombing abortion clinics, all in the name of Jesus, a pacifist.

Hello Luke – there is no doubt that Christianity has much blood on its hands – but the question we must ask is “Can that bloodshed be JUSTIFIED from the teachings of Christ?” I say “no way!” Can bloodshed be jusified from the teachings of the Muslim religion? Can injustice be the logical outworking of the Buddhist faith? “Absolutely” – this is why I mention that I witnessed some horrible things in my travels to China. I saw some terrible things but those things CAN coexist in consistent Buddhism – they can not so in Christianity.

Instead of asking questions like “How does this or that religion make you feel?” We have to ask “What does this religion teach?” How else can we come to conclusions about faith, the world and reality?
Respectfully,
Nathan

knowing what i know about my studies of Buddhism and Islam… i don’t see how any violence can be justified by any religion… save for maybe the tribal Judiasm found in Joshua or various red herring pagan religions of old. what teachings have you seen that call you to come to these conclusions?

Sorry for the time lapse Luke. Have you studied the Qu’ran and the life and teachings of Mohammed? If so you will know how violent the Islamic faith is. Are you familiar with the wars of apostasy? Also have you read Surah 9 in the Qu’ran? I studied these writings each week for four years back in college with a friend of mine. Buddhism on the other hand has a whole different set of problems. In Buddhism there is no personal God and therefore here is no standard for establishing a difference between right and wrong; good desire and wrong desire. Therefore, you see a devaluation of human beings that is widespread across Buddhist nations. Lastly, you mention Joshua in the Old Testament, what was the REASON God commanded Joshua et al to clean out the land of Israel?
Respectfully,
Nathan

The book of Joshua historically never happened. Jericho was empty 200+ years before Joshua ever got there based on when we think the exodus happened and how long they took to get there.. Christianity is just as bloody as Islam and Buddhism… as for Buddhism having no personal god… and then devaluing humanity, i think you’ve VASTLY misinterpreted Buddhism. “right” and “wrong”, good and bad are funny terms that you bring up… There’s no objective meaning to these words. Good essentially becomes “whatever a true Christian does.” That’s no way to evaluate what “good” is.

Essentially this leaves me with an atheist and a Christian feeding the poor, both because they know it’s the right thing to do — the good thing to do. Only the Christian is the only one actually producing good fruit, and not because s/he’s feeding the poor. It’s because of the Christian’s faith.

However, if we reversed this, and had both a Christian and an atheist killing innocent people, we would say that both are doing something evil. It’s not because of the faith/non-faith that either one has, it’s because the act of killing an innocent person is considered immoral. Why does murder get considered a bad fruit based on the merit of the action itself, and feeding the poor or being compassionate get considered a good fruit not based on merit, but based on the person’s belief system?

as a student of Buddhism and Christianity i see only INCREASED mindfulness of my actions and how they affect others. this would mean i would not kill my neighbor as i love and am mindful of them.

Buddhism and Islam both have their own problems and violence… but so does Christianity.

” good desire and wrong desire”

PLUS! desire would be moot in Buddhism.. because to become Buddha you must reliquish all attachments and desire is the first thing to go.. i don’t think you know too much about Buddhism as what you suggest goes against the four noble truths.

1. Life means suffering.

2. The origin of suffering is attachment.

3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.

4. The path to the cessation of suffering.

http://www.thebigview.com/buddhism/fourtruths.html#truth2

Hello,

I’m glad you related Tibet Buddhism so negatively. You were very soft however. According to Christianity, Tibet Buddhism is occultic and satanic. The Lama is probably demon possessed by a high fallen angel where they are awaiting his company in hell.

Jean Cauvin

Jean,

that is the least christian thing i’ve ever heard. what’s the old addage? if you don’t have something nice to say….

I think most everything you just said Luke, is fraught with contradictions and you seem to be uninformed about Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, logic and the Bible. I don’t see this conversation going anywhere unless we can meet face to face :) – else, we’re just throwing sound bytes back and forth… If you’re ever in Atlanta – feel free to get a hold of me. I’d like to discuss this further, my email is: nathanparker@yahoo.com

Take care Luke –
In Christ,
Nathan