Why won't christians touch Buddhas?

Eurasia said:

I remember we once had a Buddhist statue in our house it was more there for decoration purposes, which my Mum bought.. I was a Christian and every time I passed the Buddhist statue I felt spiritually uneasy.. Eventually my brother got rid of Buddhist statue and as result I felt more at peace in my own home.. We now have a plague which reads God Bless our Home and every time I look at it I feel peace ..

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There are different sects of Buddhism and there are other Buddhas besides the original Buddha, Gautama Buddha. (Buddhism allows for the possibility of there being many Buddhas; anybody who was sufficiently enlightened could be one. Rather like Catholic saints, there's no limit to how many there can be.)

While I have no problem with Zen Buddhism (which is essentially a secular philosophy with Buddhist trappings) or with Gautama Buddha, I do feel "spiritually uneasy" around anything having to do with Nichiren Buddhism. There are some Buddhist sects that aren't wholesome, and IMHO that's one of them.

So, I can't necessarily say you're wrong. The particular statue that made you uneasy may have had a history that gave it negative spiritual influences.

mpok1519 said:

I'm surprised Christians feel uncomfortable about images of Buddha, but feel no qualms against images of Saints, Mary, Apostles, etc, etc....

according to the ten commandments, people arent supposed to make images of them either.

But we still do. =)

So why is there a level of uncomfort when it comes to non-christian idols, when there are plenty of idols within the realms of Christianity?

No one should feel uncomfortable about pictures and art.

which is exactly what a statue is; ART. It doesnt matter what it is of; its just art.


((a plague that says God Bless? (lol side note: Plaque. that reminds me of a Simpsons joke. "Its time we give him, the plague." "Uh, you mean the Plaque Mr Burns?" "Hmm? Oh yess thats what I meant."))

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Statues of Mary and of Saints or Apostles is mostly a Catholic or Eastern Orthodox thing. Protestants tend not to be comfortable with that, to varying degrees.

I wouldn't mind having a painting of Jesus, except for one thing. No one knows what he really looked like, so the painting would necessarily be inaccurate.

Izdaari said:

Statues of Mary and of Saints or Apostles is mostly a Catholic or Eastern Orthodox thing. Protestants tend not to be comfortable with that, to varying degrees.

I wouldn't mind having a painting of Jesus, except for one thing. No one knows what he really looked like, so the painting would necessarily be inaccurate.

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many protestant Christians have no problem with having a Nativity scene, complete with Mary, Joseph, Magii, and cows, sheeps, etc.

My point is as a collectively complex society, the norms evaluated with such values tend to fluccuate, but in more simple societies deviations from norms tend to be dealt with harshly; people shouldn't feel uncomfortable about things which's intent was not that of negativity, but rather to inspire positivity.

If people gravitate towards a perception of negativity whose original intent was one of good, the only bad that can result out of that perception is towards one's self.

mpok1519 said:

many protestant Christians have no problem with having a Nativity scene, complete with Mary, Joseph, Magii, and cows, sheeps, etc.

My point is as a collectively complex society, the norms evaluated with such values tend to fluccuate, but in more simple societies deviations from norms tend to be dealt with harshly; people shouldn't feel uncomfortable about things which's intent was not that of negativity, but rather to inspire positivity.

If people gravitate towards a perception of negativity whose original intent was one of good, the only bad that can result out of that perception is towards one's self.

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In general I'd agree, but I think it can be more than just perception, as I do believe the supernatural is real and that angels and demons are actual spiritual beings. I don't see any issues with a Nativity scene, but I think negative spiritual influences can get attached to particular objects. I wouldn't want anything in my house that had been used in, say, a voodoo ceremony, as there's a lot of potential for "bad juju" to have gotten attached to the item.

Izdaari said:

In general I'd agree, but I think it can be more than just perception, as I do believe the supernatural is real and that angels and demons are actual spiritual beings. I don't see any issues with a Nativity scene, but I think negative spiritual influences can get attached to particular objects. I wouldn't want anything in my house that had been used in, say, a voodoo ceremony, as there's a lot of potential for "bad juju" to have gotten attached to the item.

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Yes, I can see how if you are not Buddhist, you wouldn't want Buddha in your home.

but it doesn't mean that a statue of Buddha is going to do you spiritual harm, whether its in your home, the store, in the garbage, etc, just because you don't 'believe' in Buddha. Now if you FEEL that its hurting your spirit, then it is. Not because of what the statue symbolizes or represents, but because you will negativity to control how you percieve something, affecting your overall perceptions, judgement, etc.

Its our own negative thoughts that do negative harm to ourselves.

Thats why you gotta make your spirit stronger than any idol.

mpok1519 said:

Yes, I can see how if you are not Buddhist, you wouldn't want Buddha in your home.

but it doesn't mean that a statue of Buddha is going to do you spiritual harm, whether its in your home, the store, in the garbage, etc, just because you don't 'believe' in Buddha. Now if you FEEL that its hurting your spirit, then it is. Not because of what the statue symbolizes or represents, but because you will negativity to control how you percieve something, affecting your overall perceptions, judgement, etc.

Its our own negative thoughts that do negative harm to ourselves.

Thats why you gotta make your spirit stronger than any idol.

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Again, I would have no problem with a statue of Gautama Buddha in my home (so long as that particular statue had never been worshiped or used in ceremonies). However, I would have a problem with a statue of Nichiren, because I consider his sect (which I was very briefly involved in) to be an unwholesome cult.

It isn't so much negative perceptions on my part that I'd be worried about (though that certainly is a consideration with regard to Nichiren), but rather the possibility that an "unclean spirit" had attached itself to the object.

Hi!

Please note that Questions by Non Christian forum is specifically for answering the op post and their follow up questions or posts only.

Should posters desire to discuss a topic can do so in the theology forums. Also, please note there is no debating allowed in Questions by Non Christians.

Thanks,
tapero

swdee said:

Thankyou for all for taking the time to respond.
I see now that not all christians are like that and I will pass your comments on to him.
To the last post I'd jut like to say that that really is psychological.
Steve

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I wouldn't say my feelings are psychological because there was a time when I didn't even have any reaction to the Buddhist statue as soon I became a born again Christian, I became more aware of the spiritual influence and could sense a spiritual uneasiness with that particular statue. I have heard that having idols in your house can attract demon spirits..

Something you might have difficulty understanding if you are not a born again Christian..

I'd say statues, idols, and icons are all different; therefore, they'll all be treated differently from one another of any creed, especially as time passes.

Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.. Hebrews 13:8

Idols are idols, and never deserve more respect than God. God is the creator of even all spirits, and in the end all will confess Jesus Christ is Lord. Philippians 2:11
An idol is a statue created by man influenced by spirits and it is not psychological. Spirits do not exist because of a mental problem, and a soul does not exist because of a birth defect.
an idol, whether you like it or not, is put in the place of God and that is why it is called an idol. you want to know why committed Christians don't want an idol? Deuteronomy 5:7 "You shall no other gods before Me."

also:

Deuteronomy 4: 15 You saw no form of any kind the day the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire. Therefore watch yourselves very carefully, 16 so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman, 17 or like any animal on earth or any bird that flies in the air, 18 or like any creature that moves along the ground or any fish in the waters below. 19 And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven. 20 But as for you, the LORD took you and brought you out of the iron-smelting furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of his inheritance, as you now are. 21 The LORD was angry with me because of you, and he solemnly swore that I would not cross the Jordan and enter the good land the LORD your God is giving you as your inheritance. 22 I will die in this land; I will not cross the Jordan; but you are about to cross over and take possession of that good land. 23 Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the LORD your God has forbidden. 24 For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
25 After you have had children and grandchildren and have lived in the land a long time—if you then become corrupt and make any kind of idol, doing evil in the eyes of the LORD your God and provoking him to anger, 26 I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you this day that you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. You will not live there long but will certainly be destroyed. 27 The LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive among the nations to which the LORD will drive you. 28 There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. 29 But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30 When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him. 31 For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath.

Aye, Joshua, but I think you're preaching to the choir. There is no Christian here saying it's ok for Christians to have anything to do with idols (objects that are worshiped). We've had a non-Christian saying it's all psychological and there's nothing spiritual involved, but what would you expect?

if you're Christian, but you do have a statue of a buddha, you aren't supposed to worship it.

That's silly!

I believe Buddhism is a very respectable religion and I believe you can be Christian and Buddhist at the same time. The teachings go hand in hand and you aren't commanded to reject other religions. In most sects I've heard of, you're called to respect other religion. I've never heard of Buddha being considered a god or being worshiped and I certainly have no problem with statues of Buddha any more than cross necklaces.

Also, idols don't have to be statues. Idols are anything and anyone that is placed above God.

mpok1519 said:

if you're Christian, but you do have a statue of a buddha, you aren't supposed to worship it.

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I think most Buddhists don't so I don't see why Christians would.

mpok1519 said:

if you're Christian, but you do have a statue of a buddha, you aren't supposed to worship it.

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Absolutely true. I know that Gautama Buddha was a wise man and nothing more, a man who never claimed to be divine and who never wanted to be worshiped. It'd be like worshiping Socrates or Marcus Aurelius. They were cool guys and all, the wisest men of their times even, but still they were only human.

I think the cheap figurine should be broken and thrown away.

Likewise, I would not have a problem touching a Buddha. Some who are weak in the faith have difficulty with such things [Romans 14:1-23], but the mature understand that idols are mere rock, wood, or some other physical substance.

swdee said:

This is very confusing for me.
I work in a place which sells stone carvings and some of those are Buddhas. Now the christian that works there refuses to touch it, even if it means losing sales.

I have asked this question to him and he responded saying Buddha is a god and the old testament says hes not allowed to touch foreign gods. BUT BUDDHA IS NOT A GOD!
He was simply a very wise man who taught the same teachings as Jesus - love, peace, loving your enemies etc. He lived many years before Jesus so his teachings were a loving light to the world at that time.
Another point he made was Buddhas worship him. NO THEY DON'T! A lot of Buddhists don't even believe in god and a carving of him is simply a reminder of the wise teaching that he spoke that they can meditate on them, like a christian would meditate on the words of Jesus.
This is a classic and sad case of a chrisian not knowing what they are talking about.
Lastly, and this seems the craziest to me, he told me that Jesus is 'the Teacher' (with a capital T) and Buddha is 'just a teacher'.
Oh well that makes all the difference.

So can somebody please explain to me in plain english, apart from what I've explained above, why christians refuse to touch images of Buddha.
I know what might spring to mind is the old testament saying not to worship images, but anyone with any knowledge of Buddhism wil know that Buddha is not worshipped as I've explained above. I use the staue as a helpfull reminder to me of his teachings to be more kind and considerate and I also love reading Jesus' teachings with the same message.

Peace, Steve

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well, some christians are funny about some things, and then again they can be right. i don't think it's necessarily a sin to touch a budda statue if you're just touching it as an object and nothing else.

TerrorTwilight said:

well, some christians are funny about some things, and then again they can be right. i don't think it's necessarily a sin to touch a budda statue if you're just touching it as an object and nothing else.

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I agree

Eurasia said:

I agree

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thank you.