- Jan 25, 2009
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Loving to study comparative religions, I have to say it can be difficult living in secular/atheistic or humanistic environments that have biases against Abrahamic religions while saying they value others more accepting. Bernie Sanders called out someone recently in a hearing.
I was disturbed by when saying a Christian with beliefs about Hell or Judgement could not hold an office because it was prejudiced. My response was slaves in chains since the founding of the U.S believed in God bringing judgement against unjust slave masters, just like he did with the Hebrews in the Exodus fleeing Pharoah (Exodus 5-12). The same goes for Muslims slaves brought over to the Americas...and MLK / others believing in the Jeremaid concept that Puritans did.
But it seems very out of order witnessing the way Christians (and anyone similar) are villified due to exclusive beliefs when other religions are just as exclusive. I am reminded on the 6 levels of existence in the Buddhist world, as many Buddhists are not outside of saying others will be lost if on the wrong path. There is a Buddhist concept of Hell and other Eastern religions have the same ideology, to be consistent.
For more, this is an EXCELLENT review on the matter:
Tectonically, in Buddhism, there are 6 levels of existence and Hell is one for those not enlightened. So if discussing paths, it is not a matter of "Your view is not tolerant!"...but rather which view you can tolerate more
... a matter of others showing what you feel the best path is....
And for that matter, look at Chinese culture. Chinese Folk Religion notes the Ten Courts, King Yama and his fellow Judges, and the specific ordered system of hells that evil-doers are assigned to before, prior to the drinking the draught of forgetfullness and being reincarnated on Earth. And those ten courts of Hell exist in a city called You Du (or “Dark City”) which is an analog of Chang’an surrounded by darkness. There is also Avinci – described as “a cube buried deep in the divine earth” were those who are damned for eternity are held.
The concept of Hell is more than present...
Thus, as a follower of the Jesus Way (and a Biblical Inclusivist), there are tenants I believe regarding the historical person of Christ which I can never applogize for - him being the best example of what mankind was meant to walk like and reflecting the heart if God. I believe as he said that those trusting him truly have life (John 5) and I have seen the miraculous in my life too much to believe he is not real. I believe that following the way to Christ (and to note, I did not say following the religion of Christianity) is the most logical course one can take, with beautiful things found in every walk of life...but ultimate truth confirmed in the person of Christ ....and the Bible being historically verifiable.
With all that said, I believe what I do wholehearted and I would expect the same of someone who believes wholeheartedly what they believe if they were Buddhist or into Shintoism and so forth. When I am in the workplace working on common issues, it is a marketplace of ideas.
I am aware at all times that everyone has a worldview/lens - and many groups feel their path is the best one...and yet they are still willing to work with each other. My work with Christian communities across denominational lines is as important to me as a Muslim valuing having differing sects come together to deal with certain social issues impacting the world.
But much of the world is already exclusive in their views on the world to come. What we have left then is discussing which view makes the most sense or has the best understanding of humanity...and we have to be aware of that at all times in any conversation. Whatever view you hold, at least be willing to share why you hold to that
(
).
I was disturbed by when saying a Christian with beliefs about Hell or Judgement could not hold an office because it was prejudiced. My response was slaves in chains since the founding of the U.S believed in God bringing judgement against unjust slave masters, just like he did with the Hebrews in the Exodus fleeing Pharoah (Exodus 5-12). The same goes for Muslims slaves brought over to the Americas...and MLK / others believing in the Jeremaid concept that Puritans did.
But it seems very out of order witnessing the way Christians (and anyone similar) are villified due to exclusive beliefs when other religions are just as exclusive. I am reminded on the 6 levels of existence in the Buddhist world, as many Buddhists are not outside of saying others will be lost if on the wrong path. There is a Buddhist concept of Hell and other Eastern religions have the same ideology, to be consistent.
For more, this is an EXCELLENT review on the matter:
There's also another presentation on the issue that gives some food for thought on the issue:
Tectonically, in Buddhism, there are 6 levels of existence and Hell is one for those not enlightened. So if discussing paths, it is not a matter of "Your view is not tolerant!"...but rather which view you can tolerate more
... a matter of others showing what you feel the best path is....
And for that matter, look at Chinese culture. Chinese Folk Religion notes the Ten Courts, King Yama and his fellow Judges, and the specific ordered system of hells that evil-doers are assigned to before, prior to the drinking the draught of forgetfullness and being reincarnated on Earth. And those ten courts of Hell exist in a city called You Du (or “Dark City”) which is an analog of Chang’an surrounded by darkness. There is also Avinci – described as “a cube buried deep in the divine earth” were those who are damned for eternity are held.
The concept of Hell is more than present...
Thus, as a follower of the Jesus Way (and a Biblical Inclusivist), there are tenants I believe regarding the historical person of Christ which I can never applogize for - him being the best example of what mankind was meant to walk like and reflecting the heart if God. I believe as he said that those trusting him truly have life (John 5) and I have seen the miraculous in my life too much to believe he is not real. I believe that following the way to Christ (and to note, I did not say following the religion of Christianity) is the most logical course one can take, with beautiful things found in every walk of life...but ultimate truth confirmed in the person of Christ ....and the Bible being historically verifiable.
With all that said, I believe what I do wholehearted and I would expect the same of someone who believes wholeheartedly what they believe if they were Buddhist or into Shintoism and so forth. When I am in the workplace working on common issues, it is a marketplace of ideas.
I am aware at all times that everyone has a worldview/lens - and many groups feel their path is the best one...and yet they are still willing to work with each other. My work with Christian communities across denominational lines is as important to me as a Muslim valuing having differing sects come together to deal with certain social issues impacting the world.
But much of the world is already exclusive in their views on the world to come. What we have left then is discussing which view makes the most sense or has the best understanding of humanity...and we have to be aware of that at all times in any conversation. Whatever view you hold, at least be willing to share why you hold to that
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