Originally posted by ThinkOfOneWell to me it just wordology or whatever. The reality is what matters. Was the historical Buddha as real as the historical Jesus? Their message may have differed on certain points but to someone like me, they are essentially saying the same thing- it is upto me to "walk the path". My path. Which is for me to recognize.
From what I gather, this would be true because of the belief that only through the belief that Christ is your saviour can one be freed from the "penalty of sin". So it's "saviour" from the "penalty of sin". It's the eternal "get out of jail free" card. Of course, Jesus didn't teach this when He walked the Earth, but that doesn't seem to deter Christians f ...[text shortened]... t "Buddha , the Zen and Sufi masters, and other assorted scallywags" provide this.
I've met many a (what I would call) "intelligent christians", who upon hearing my take on things and then observing the way I held myself, said I was alright and were sure I was doing Christs work.
These guys typically did not really stick to one church - some didn't ever go - and I could feel a mutual respect welling up inside me, so the "Christian" tag was no problem. Sometimes it is though.
But essentially "saving" to me is equavalent to the Buddha's "enlightenment" , even if others dont share this simplistic interpretation.
Originally posted by FMFYes it is. and I've said this before, how Christianity has done a lot of good,especially with those kind of base offenders.
If a belief that "Christ is the only one" means one doesn't beat one's children when one gets into black moods [and other damaging "follies"], isn't that a beneficial thing that we can welcome?
Now the topic of this thread is not where you are leading it, so I'm sure you will understand if I dont respond to any other questions that are trailing off into waters I wish not to discuss about 🙂
1 edit
Originally posted by karoly aczelFrom your OP, it sounded like you were asking about why many Christians take the view that "Christ is the only saviour". That's what I based my response upon.
Well to me it just wordology or whatever. The reality is what matters. Was the historical Buddha as real as the historical Jesus? Their message may have differed on certain points but to someone like me, they are essentially saying the same thing- it is upto me to "walk the path". My path. Which is for me to recognize.
I've met many a (what I would c uddha's "enlightenment" , even if others dont share this simplistic interpretation.
There's a distinction that needs to be made between the "message of Jesus" and the doctrine of Christianity. They are very different things.
Even at that, from what I can tell, the "message of Jesus" points to a different path than the "message of Buddha". To put it in a nutshell, it seems that Jesus points to a path of "righteousness" while Buddha points to a path for the "end of suffering". Doesn't seem like they are one in the same.
Originally posted by ThinkOfOneTo me all the histories and religions, gods and demons, all figure in this grand narrative. To me it is open ended to the extent to as much as you allow.
From your OP, it sounded like you were asking about why many Christians take the view that "Christ is the only saviour". That's what I based my response upon.
There's a distinction that needs to be made between the "message of Jesus" and the doctrine of Christianity. They are very different things.
Even at that, from what I can tell, the "message o ...[text shortened]... to a path for the "end of suffering". Doesn't seem like they are one in the same.
Essentially I am saying that it is only through ones perception of the world that one can choose.
Irony abounds in Buddhism and Christianity.
I'm pretty sure we are clear enough on each others position on this.
ps. It does seem like they are one in the same to me 🙂
(I may have more later-brain still firing up)
Originally posted by karoly aczelThis is too vague to find much to comment on. Perhaps you'll flesh it out when you're done "firing up" 🙂
To me all the histories and religions, gods and demons, all figure in this grand narrative. To me it is open ended to the extent to as much as you allow.
Essentially I am saying that it is only through ones perception of the world that one can choose.
Irony abounds in Buddhism and Christianity.
I'm pretty sure we are clear enough on each others ...[text shortened]... es seem like they are one in the same to me 🙂
(I may have more later-brain still firing up)
Originally posted by ThinkOfOneYes that was an awful post. upon consideration I have come up with this: Spirituality comes from within. Everyone has an inkling of it,if not a bit more to it. It seems major parts of christianity seem to focus on the messenger and not the message, thus making JC an idol and missing the point entirely.
This is too vague to find much to comment on. Perhaps you'll flesh it out when you're done "firing up" 🙂
To me Guatam Buddha and JC were similar guys with similar messages - it just seems as if the Buddhist doctrines have been better 'kept'.
1 edit
Originally posted by karoly aczelThe thing that makes Jesus different from all the others is the resurection. He died, was buried, rose and now is alive for ever more. Rev 1:18, John 11:25
To me Guatam Buddha and JC were similar guys with similar messages - it just seems as if the Buddhist doctrines have been better 'kept'.
-K
Originally posted by kd2aczThank you. Yes even Jack Sparrow had "seen a thing or two" when asked about the supernatural. I'd rather focus on the similarities as I believe we are all unique
The thing that makes Jesus different from all the others is the resurection. He died, was buried, rose and now is alive for ever more. Rev 1:18, John 11:25
-K
Originally posted by karoly aczelIt just seems as if the Buddhist doctrines have been better 'kept'.
Yes that was an awful post. upon consideration I have come up with this: Spirituality comes from within. Everyone has an inkling of it,if not a bit more to it. It seems major parts of christianity seem to focus on the messenger and not the message, thus making JC an idol and missing the point entirely.
To me Guatam Buddha and JC were similar guys with similar messages - it just seems as if the Buddhist doctrines have been better 'kept'.
I'm not so sure about this. Do you know of a resource that shows the original doctrine of Guatama Buddha?
Originally posted by kd2aczI'd think that that doctrine is part of what KA was referring to below:
The thing that makes Jesus different from all the others is the resurection. He died, was buried, rose and now is alive for ever more. Rev 1:18, John 11:25
-K
"It seems major parts of christianity seem to focus on the messenger and not the message, thus making JC an idol and missing the point entirely."
Originally posted by ThinkOfOneI think the point is that there is only one Savior, Christ Jesus. What do you think the point is? 😏
I'd think that that doctrine is part of what KA was referring to below:
"It seems major parts of christianity seem to focus on the messenger and not the message, thus making JC an idol and missing the point entirely."
1 edit
Originally posted by RJHindsBetter answer than I expected, but ....
I think Christ Jesus saves us from the death of the soul and the fate of being without a body. He also saves us from being separated from God. (Anyone else?)
"I think Christ Jesus saves us from the death of the soul and the fate of being without a body."
Do you think many Christians would agree with this? You must admit it raises way more questions than it answers - which is not always a bad thing - but "death of the soul"?
(Can I just start with that for now?) Was it not you that said that the soul was immortal? Are you implying that after physical death the "bad apples" will 'die' again as they come to the Pearly Gates and "God" sends them away? Something like that? (Or something else?)