World religions and the christian faith

[Onesiphorus]

I have been meaning to include a thread in this section for some time , not as a negative thing , but for balance , because we agree to include in our membership friends from across the world from a number of beliefs philosophies and denominations , there should be a thread where individuals can post without going off topic in the various threads .AS a Christian forum I know some do not like this freedom we give for other faiths to have their say , but we in Admin do not agree , however , this thread will be a chance for a christian viewpoint to be aired , however , if what an individual has to say is relevant to any thread then please use that thread and not this one

Now I intend that this thread if someone wishes to post here, will not be an instrument of anti other beliefs , but a way of redressing some points of imbalance , and I shall be policing it very closely and should any posts be written here which are not backed by scripture and only shows intolerance and hostility and prejudice they will be unceremoniously binned , so beware what you say and how you say it

Also the members who contribute within this section can post here as well



MOre importantly this thread can be used by anyone who wants to know where we as Christians stand scripturally with regards to certain aspects that may be attractive and appealing and sound harmless or helpful on an individuals circumstances yet as christians we must not do and believe me there are many , and there is scripture to support this , so it is also a protection against enticing words and tempting practices which definitely would do spiritual harm to them

[TaraMaiden]

This is most thoughtful and considerate of you Onesiphorus.
I would add one further thing:

It is ordained that Christians proselytise and preach the word of God in order to bring lost sheep to Christ's flock.
This is obeying God's word, and commendable....
However, I would venture to suggest that such proselytising should really not take place here.

I am as adamant that I would never try to divert anybody from their chosen Path. The thought is troublesome to me, and besides, very definitely not a part of our doctrine.

Requested to clarify and to give information, I will gladly do this.
but any attempts at conversion, or coercion to think differently should, within this sub-forum, be discouraged.

Just as it would be completely inappropriate for me, as a guest, to criticise my Host's abode and way of living, so too would I consider it inappropriate for my "host" to tell me I should not be wearing this coat, or be sitting in this manner, or be criticised for even thinking of walking anywhere in these shoes!

I look forward to constructive discussion and engagement.

Thank you once again, to Admin for being so open, warm and welcoming.

_/l\_

[Bloodbought]

Religion is a set of rules by which people try to get closer to God.

Christianity is a faith by which people become Sons of God..

Should Christians Proselytise?
If you had discovered the secret of eternal happiness would you not want everyone to know how to be happy?

[Onesiphorus]

I have never and will never proselytise , I have no denominational or religious tub to thump , my concern is one of balance as I have said and I must protect the more spiritually vulnerable who do not understand the spiritual harm some things can cause .

I would not attempt to persuade you away from anything but likewise i would warn some of the dangers of moving in certain areas of ritual behaviour and practices which from a christian perspective is spiritually damaging

[Galaen]

Is it not a good thing to look at other denominations or faiths even if this only convinces us we were doing the right thing for us all along? Perhaps as Christians there are things we could learn from other religions for example learning to live at peace with others and looking after one another. This would not necessarily mean that we would adopt all of the others religion but take to heart that which is consistent with our own beliefs and in the case of Christianity,consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ. To be discerning does not mean we have to be intollerant of others. Our Lord did not turn his back on those who believed differently - wht a good job He didn't

[TaraMaiden]

Speaking from a Buddhist perspective, Buddhism is the only one of the World Major Religions* that does not ascribe to an Almightly single omnipotent Deity.
People often ponder therefore, whether Buddhism can be classified as a Religion, or not.
It has been described also, as a philosophy, and in fact, to my way of thinking, it is both a Philosophy AND a religion.
We have monks, nuns, devotees and temples.

Buddhism, because of this, is adhered to by many who already have a deity, but also wish to implement into their practises some of the core structural premises of Buddhism.
I have already stated, I lead meditation classes at a local church, and I attend a christian youth group to talk to these kids about Buddhism, and how to intergrate some aspects of it into their own faith.
There is nothing "un-Godly" about Buddhism.
Consider Thomas Merton.

Consider Insight meditation for Christian worshippers.
And this Buddho-Christian group is alive and well....

To be frank, I think many people are concerned about exploring other avenues outside their belief structures, out of fear.
fear of what?
I'm not sure, I would not like to hypothesise....
That would be for them to say.
But Buddhism, as can be seen from the above, is no less godly for there being no God.

(*Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism)

[Onesiphorus]

There is no point in pretending that as a christian we can embrace buddhism , I did not single buddhism out but
I immediately want to point out that you do have a state of union (Swamji)with the "divine" , or the "universal consciousness"

It is completely centred on ego or sel

You have 3 main "gods"

Vishnu, brahma ,and shiva

You do not believe in a crucified CHrist who died for sins and we have the free gift of salvation

you believe in self perfection where you can freely enter nirvana but can reincarnate yourself to help others find self perfection




Why is it that some want to have an all inclusive club , why can we not acknowledge and accept each faith and belief , and live side by side respecting each others differences but not wanting to be as one because spiritually we cannot .

whether you say it or not such practices as yoga,reiki ,etc should not be accepted spiritually in any christian gathering as they go agains christian belief and it never ceases to surprise me how some do agree that it is ok when we as saints should be looking to Christ for our rest and peae you teach we should look at our selves (ego) and how we should react to situations

I am also tired of many saying that we as christians should embrace other beliefs when you have said it yourself that we should not try and convert you well you must be acknowledging a difference so why cant we


DEar Galaen , noble thoughts expressed there but just show me a country anywhere in the world where any religious or philosohical belief pattern has led to peace , nowhere Im afraid and as christians we know why , because unsaved man is still in Adam in a corrupted cosmos

As far back as the garden of Eden , who would have thought that the eating of such a lovely fruit by the persuasion of one so beautiful using such fine words as God really didnt say that and everything will be just fine ,could have led to disaster , well nothing has changed ,the temptation is still there to veer from Gods truth and we must always be vigilant

[ByHisGrace]

AMEN onesi. Totally right, may God Bless you for you clear interpretation

[Galaen]

Absolutely, I totally agree with what you are saying. I was merely pointing out we should be winning hearts for God by loving them and accepting them rather than having an argument with them. In this way they see God in us rather than being told that God is in us. This would seem to be a more productive way of increasing the Kingdom of Heaven, and be more in line with Biblical teaching. However, we must at all times be vigilant and not let go of our roots and teachings in Christ.

[TaraMaiden]

There is no point in pretending that as a christian we can embrace buddhism , I did not single buddhism out but
I immediately want to point out that you do have a state of union (Swamji)with the "divine" , or the "universal consciousness"

It is completely centred on ego or sel

You have 3 main "gods"

Vishnu, brahma ,and shiva

This is Hinduism. This is not Buddhism.
Hinduism is a Yogic religion, Buddhism has nothing to do with this.
You are quite mistaken.

You do not believe in a crucified CHrist who died for sins and we have the free gift of salvation

you believe in self perfection where you can freely enter nirvana but can reincarnate yourself to help others find self perfection

here, you are correct.

Why is it that some want to have an all inclusive club , why can we not acknowledge and accept each faith and belief , and live side by side respecting each others differences but not wanting to be as one because spiritually we cannot .

I am extremely happy to do this.
I am all for the 'Live-and-let-live' philosophy. If religious groups have decided to form alliances, then that is just as much their right to do so. better than to go decrying, defaming and insulting, don't you think?

whether you say it or not such practices as yoga,reiki ,etc should not be accepted spiritually in any christian gathering as they go agains christian belief

First of all neither Yoga nor reiki have anything to do with Religion. They are physical therapeutic practices. There is a spiritual sense to them, but they have nothing to do with a specific religious practice. Can you show me where these are solely to do with religion please? I'd be grateful for any educational links.....
Secondly, show me anywhere, where Yoga or reiki go against Christian beliefs.
One of the priests I know, attends yoga classes. And he's not Roman Catholic, by the way, he's Baptist.

and it never ceases to surprise me how some do agree that it is ok when we as saints should be looking to Christ for our rest and peae you teach we should look at our selves (ego) and how we should react to situations

I don't understand this paragraph.....

I am also tired of many saying that we as christians should embrace other beliefs when you have said it yourself that we should not try and convert you well you must be acknowledging a difference so why cant we

I acknowlege a difference, of course I do, but what's your point? If you also acknowlege it, I don't see a problem.....Conversion is different to embracing a belief... you embrace yours, and I embrace mine.... why the problem?

DEar Galaen , noble thoughts expressed there but just show me a country anywhere in the world where any religious or philosohical belief pattern has led to peace , nowhere Im afraid and as christians we know why , because unsaved man is still in Adam in a corrupted cosmos

Now I am confused.
Who am I speaking to...???

As far back as the garden of Eden , who would have thought that the eating of such a lovely fruit by the persuasion of one so beautiful using such fine words as God really didnt say that and everything will be just fine ,could have led to disaster , well nothing has changed ,the temptation is still there to veer from Gods truth and we must always be vigilant

tell me anything I have explained about Buddhism that in any way actually goes against What God teaches.....