Buddhism books: throw, recycle, donate, pass on, burn?

[Kerensa]

Honestly... the number of replies on here essentially saying "burn them, it's a false religion, you don't want to help lead people to hell" is pretty worrying. That attitude can do far more to put earnest seekers OFF Christianity than any number of books about Buddhism or other teachings could. I'm serious. If that was truly what Christianity was about — striving to silence and destroy every other religious teaching on earth on the grounds that "we're right and everything else is of Satan" — I for one wouldn't be a Christian. It was partly that mentality among some Christians (fortunately not the majority, as I eventually realised) that turned me completely off Christianity for years. I doubt I'm the only one that has happened to.

And you know, if you stop and think about it logically... if someone is interested in Buddhism — considering taking it up, or needing to research it academically, or anything in between — then if they don't find your particular books, they'll find others, or else look it up online. Burning or else destroying your handful of Buddhist books won't get rid of Buddhism. It won't stop people out there from being drawn to Buddhism. (It might even have the opposite effect, like I said before. Nothing like banning an idea for making people think there must be something in it. )

 

[trulytheone]

If you are to share Christ with Buddhists, it would be better to keep their books just so that you would avoid misrepresenting their beliefs.

 

[section9+1]

If people are truly seeking Christ, they will find him. He guarantees that. They don't need to read other religions. If they don't find him they weren't looking.

 

[Petros2015]

Who said anything at all about burning? Now who is judging?

Uh... quite a few of the other thread posters? The end of my post was directed at the ones who were doing so directly (you were not one however, though I started my post with a unrelated quote from yours). My apologies for the confusion and implicitly associating you with that view.

Mine is, take them back to a monastery. "Render unto Buddha that which is Buddha's". In doing so kindly, who knows? They might even ask why. And if they do, you might even get a chance to witness to a Buddhist monk.

 

[section9+1]

Can I ask by what criteria one can tell whether they are truly Christian?

How do I tell whether you are truly Christian?

 

[Verv]

A year ago I would never have thought I'd ask a question like this! But in clearing out my book shelf I am faced with issues about passing on the Buddhist philosophy, or the worship of other idols. What are we Christian's supposed to do with these things?
I mean ... book burning? No way! But really - if Jesus is the Way then why would I pass on books about any other "way"? Yet it feels disrespectful to dispose of these books. I threw out a couple of Buddha statues from my garden though ... so what would you do and what do you think? What does the bible say?
Some guidance here would be helpful.

I am a very conservative Christian -- at least, I think so...

I have a graduate degree in Buddhist philosophy and still love the content. I even listen to some of the local Korean monks podcasts and Dharma talks from time to time. Of course, I am never confusing Christian prayer with meditation or talking about these things in a super holistic way, like its' all good. But, there's nothing wrong with studying and learning about these things, and if you can get some inspiration from them, that's great.

I also know that many of the Christians here, Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox, are interested in Eastern and Buddhist philosophy because it is their heritage. There's really nothing wrong with it -- just know that Christ is God, and the Bible is truth, and that is the lens through which we see the rest.

 

[Beloved2018]

I've read through all of the replies and there are a few things I don't understand.
Why do so many seem to fail to make a distinction between A) there is good in other religions (in this case Buddhism) and B) God chooses to work through that good: And Therefore, said religions are safe to promote (pass on to others via books)
-----
Furthermore, that we can infallibly decipher the good from the bad and so not reject the good. But can we? Can you positively assure yourself of such impeccability? I know I can't.

 

[Petros2015]

How do I tell whether you are truly Christian?

Lions don't eat Christians

Often.

Well, sometimes.

But if they do, the Christian doesn't hold a grudge against the lion.

 

[RaymondG]

And little wonder...

John 1:1 (KJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

I guess, to you, this is interpreted as " In the beginning was the Bible, and the bible was with God and the Bible was God".......and then the bible became flesh? What Version, may I ask, do you believe this bible was?

 

[archer75]

How do I tell whether you are truly Christian?

What does that have to do with anything?

Christians are knowm for disagreeing strongly with other Christians. They even think, often, that other Christian teachings lead away from God.

So I'm just asking which Christian materials and books should be burned. You said "not if they're truly Christian," so I assume that means that some are not. Just asking how you would tell which are and which aren't.

 

[RaymondG]

Buddhism, If followed lands someone in hell.

Do you know of anyone who followed Buddism an d ended up in Hell? If not, how can we make this claim?

I can show you a account of people who call Jesus , Lord Lord, who will end up in hell. Wouldnt it be better to focus on that which we know...?

 

[RaymondG]

They should be gotten rid of. Burn, shred, throw away, and the like. Eventually God will burn everything he doesn't agree with. Christianity is not a democracy

So the message is......folllow what you believe, and burn everything that sounds contrary to it? Is this the message of Christ?

 

[RaymondG]

When

When i left national socialism and started my journey with Christ

Mein kamph was ripped up and thrown in trash with all the flags

What a great feeling this was

Do you believe that ripping up these materials made you more holy or more deserving of Grace........? At least, moreso than one who doesnt burn them?

 

[Gregory95]

Do you believe that burning these materials made you more holy or more deserving of Grace........? At least, moreso than one who doesnt burn them?

How in the world did you pull that out of what i said

And no to awnser your question

 

[Tropical Wilds]

If it were me, I would hang on to them, but otherwise donate them. They are a great addition for a little free library if you have one nearby. I’m not a big fan proponent of burning books regardless of their content... It’s disrespectful, but even if disrespect doesn’t factor in, its giving something you’re trying to distance yourself from too much attention and energy. The opposite of following an ideal isn’t destroying it when you don’t, it’s having total apathy to it. Giving it no energy.

 

[Gregory95]

Na

How in the world did you pull that out of what i said

And no to awnser your question

National socialism is hate and pride doctrine

It felt good to be freed from my chains of darkness all i was saying

 

[RaymondG]

How in the world did you pull that out of what i said

And no to awnser your question

I am one, who deem is wise to listen to a whole matter before answering.....which is why I asked the question.

You stated that after choosing Christ you ripped up books, and this action made you feel good. It is helpful to read to know whether you are promoting the burning of objects as a indication of loyalty to Christ...

 

[Gregory95]

I am one, who deem is wise to listen to a whole matter before answering.....which is why I asked the question.

You stated that after choosing Christ you burned books, and this action made you feel good. It is helpful to read to know whether you are promoting the burning of objects as a indication of loyalty to Christ...

friend i said i ripped them up and threw them away with the flags

Why keep false doctrine

i don't believe in censorship as that is bad

The books were MINE that i paid for thus i did with my property as i felt need to

 

[RaymondG]

friend i said i ripped them up and threw them away with the flags

Why keep false doctrine

i don't believe in censorship as that is bad

The books were MINE that i paid for thus i did with my property as i felt need to

What if, while you were "in sin", those in sin with you felt that they needed to rip up every christian book around. What if those from other religions censored bibles?

No censorship isnt bad....unless it is something you desire to be uncensored that is being censored.

I dont want bibles burnt......so I dont rip up or burn other books based solely on the content therein. I would think that all who like to keep bibles un-burnt/ripped.....would feel the same as I do........ As we reap what we sow.....without exception......and the sowing is committed with the thought.....not the action..

 

[samwise gamgee]

In Matthew 4:4 Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." For the Christian the Bible is food that nourishes our souls. If the Bible nourishes us then books that contradict what the Bible says will harm us. If you found that some food you had was contaminated and would harm anyone who ate it I am sure you would throw it out and make sure that no one can eat it. Shouldn't you have the same attitude toward anything that would harm people's souls?