Two great scholars of Zen (and Shin in Suzuki's case) Buddhism. :-) Nhat Hanh is especially a great teacher of Buddhist pacifism; a true hero that Martin Luther King Jnr. nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967 (there was sadly no award that year).
__________________ "Before reaching enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After reaching enlightenment, chop wood, carry water" - Zen Proverb
"Blessing! Neither fire, nor moisture, nor windcan destroy the blessing of good deeds, and blessings enlighten the whole world." - The Enlightened One
Last edited by Dharma Wheel; 19th July 2009 at 09:19 AM.
Hello!!!!!!! Its so nice to see a spot on a Christian Forum where I feel comfortable, you all seem very nice and reasonable!!! Thanks for setting up the thread.
I say I am a non-Christian because I am so in-transition. I grew up Christian, but I am really finding a home in Buddhism (it really started when I live in Japan for a while). But, remnants of my Christian background are still bothering me, so I am trying to sort things out before I go one way or another (I have to empty my cup, if that rings a bell with any one).
Part of me wonders, can one just throw all of Christianity out the window but keep the Christ part? Could I just love and respect Jesus and try to follow his example the best I can? Or do I have to truly buy into the entire he's the son of God thing. I am not sure if he is. I am not rejecting that he is, and if he is, I will willingly believe it, but...I am just not sure. I want to be a good person, I want to respect God, and let him show me, but, I dont want to just run off worshiping some great teacher because other people do.
I am a Tengriist, it's a Shamanistic/Animist tradition of Mongol origin. There is only one issue between me and my wife's faith; the issue of God's love. In Tengriism, Tengri; Lord of the eternal blue sky does not care about us human beings.
In Christianity it's the opposite. Everything else however... it's rather similar, but Tengriism as a pagan religion focuses on nature, and worshipping the beauty of nature. Respect of nature is utmost, harmony with nature is the goal of Tengriists as nature is our daily bread - such as it was amongst Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes in the past.
It's quite interesting however, to note that it was actually under a Tengriist leader that Nestorian Christianity, Sufi Islam, and Tengriism existed in harmony and intolerance was punished most harshly. Unfortunately, with global pressures, Tengriism and Paganism in general is suffering and in risk of extinction - hence I have dedicated myself to upkeep the morality of respect for nature, meritocracy, religious and racial tolerance.
As such that's why despite the influence from my wife who has dedicated her life to Christ, I am still a "Pagan", but God's message of love - I can't help but be so fond of. We are learning from each other, and we can see many similarities as both religions are monotheist.
Very interesting... thanks
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Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others. ~ Buddha
I posted here a while ago, but forgot all about this part of the forum. I mostly spend time in Ethics & Morality but I get sick of it because it's mostly discussions about homosexuality. I just came here to say hi.
__________________ "Women all over the world in different backgrounds are working in ways suited to their context, and not necessarily "western feminist" ways" Shelina Zahra Janmohamed
Two great scholars of Zen (and Shin in Suzuki's case) Buddhism. :-) Nhat Hanh is especially a great teacher of Buddhist pacifism; a true hero that Martin Luther King Jnr. nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967 (there was sadly no award that year).
I have very much enjoyed reading several books by Thich Nhat Hanh since I last visited these forums. When I was here before I remember this forum being made after a certain amount of petitioning.
It's nice that y'all welcome people of all faiths in your little section here. I like that.
I'm Muslim, and while I'd say I'm quite conservative when it comes to my views, I'd like to say I'm quite liberal when it comes to my attitude. lol.
I really feel there's a great divide between people of different faiths here in the States. We really need to establish good united efforts to bring people together. Everyone is afraid of what they are ignorant of... education is key.
I can't answer any of your questions because I'm not sure any of them have answers, at least none that wouldn't be the product of cognitive disonance. It does seem to me, however, that you have so many objections to Christian doctrine that it's almost hard to believe you were ever Christian. My question to you would be, "Based on what you know of him, from the Gospels or whatever, what is your opinion of the person of Christ?" Answering this question sincerely would probably be a good first step on your spiritual journey.
__________________ The father Somnus chose from among his sons, his thronging thousand sons, one who in skill excelled to imitate the human form; Morpheus his name... - Ovid Metamorphoses
Have you ever had a dream, Neo, that you were so sure was real? What if you were unable to wake from that dream, Neo? How would you know the difference between the dreamword and the real world? - Morpheus The Matrix
Isn't it just like...almost like a play enacted for us to make us love God? "Look at what I am doing for you. Sending my son to die for you...LOVE ME." Not only does it keep people thinking they need God, but it also assures him of our devotion. He set the system up so that was necessary. I feel like I'm being manipulated.
I know just how you feel. The best I can come up with is that I need to forgive God. He set it all up, I'm part of his game. To love him, I have to forgive him for doing that.
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