In Reply to: Re: actually posted by ray on March 16, 2003 at 04:47:34:
I can't claim to be an expert on the Buddhist or Hindu or other religions as well, I am just starting to study them and there is much I don't know or understand, I don't know that I ever will either as I don't want to get so deeply involved in them, I am just curious to know the basics of each.
But from what I have read, the beliefs of the afterlife according to them aren't negative but are in ways simultaneous with Christianity. At the same time, I don't think the Bible is all that positive. The Bible teaches that there is none good, no not one, that we are all evil and wicked, that the heart of man is despeartely wicked above all things, who can know it, that it is not us but God in us. It is the same teaching isn't it. That we of ourselves cannot behave good, but we must attain to reach a higher state of goodness through whatever means we choose, whether it is through Jesus and God, Allah, Yaweh, whether through mediation or doing good works, etc. But the overall message of Christianity would seem to be the same, you cannot possibly be good so you need help and here is your help...
Buddhism and Hinduism so far, and I might include Confuscianism, are a bit more relaxed to me. It seems to allow you to accept yourself more as you are and to move at your own pace towards this state of perfection. Confuscianism actually is more along the lines of a set of teachings to live by rather than the embracing of a god-figure(s). Buddhism runs along the same line and the Buddha didn't teach a belief in a god, but that we, the individual, are what count.
Jesus taught Christianity, Bin Laden is supposed to be Islam, isn't Maharaji Hindu? The basic religion of each leads to the same goal of union with god, in whatever form of God that religion has chosen to embrace. This is the confusing part of religion for me, the constant fighting between the religions, constant claiming that "We are the Truth!!". Bin Laden is just as convinced as Berg that he held (holds) the truth from God, and the screwy thing is that both Christians and Muslims originate from the same God, the God of Abraham Isaac and Joseph.
So, yes, it is confusing when men take religion and interpret it to their advantage and hoist it on an unsuspecting populace to gain control over their minds and hearts. The essence of the religion is lost in the rules, traditions and beliefs of the individual and then comes in the fighting and fanatacism.