Posted on 09/13/2013 7:17:47 PM PDT by jodyel
You are listening to Search the Scriptures Daily, a radio ministry of The Berean Call. Still ahead, Dave and Tom continue their weekly in-depth study of the doctrine of salvation, please stay with us.
CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH
In this regular feature Dave and Tom respond to questions from listeners and readers of The Berean Call. Here is this week’s question:
Dear Dave and Tom: I have friends who are conservative Roman Catholics, and they just went through the experience of seeing their daughter become a Roman Catholic Buddhist. I know that sounds like a contradiction in terms but it’s literally true. Since you both know a lot about Roman Catholicism, I wondered if you could give me some insights that I could share with them because they are quite shaken over their daughter’s conversion. This may be an opportunity to share the gospel with them as they are truly questioning their faith. Thank you for your help.
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Not true at all- #1) Since we know that God created this world, you and I.. #2) He wouldn’t make salvation hard to understand nor make it dependent up on human “wisdom”, He’d give us this salvation directly (as He did both in physical form-and in written word when He wasn’t “here in the flesh”). 3) God doesn’t use pagan societies to inspire scripture, and never has, He supernaturally revealed His word, Himself through His chosen peoples.
>> Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.
So who decides what is “personal”, and what is “issues”?
Are there published standards, or is it your opinion alone?
If it’s published standards, where are they published?
If it’s you alone, what standards do you employ? And how do your firewall against your own preferences entering into the decision?
Please be precise.
Thanks and FRegards
Ephesians 2: 8-9 “By Grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of you yourselves. It is a gift of God that no man may boast”..
After you have this, then Buddhism, what’s the point? (there would be none).
>> I never said all ideas were borrowed
Well, yes, you did. You said (and I quote):
“When Christianity evolved in Europe, it >>only<< appropriated/borrowed cultural ideas and practices”
unsaved.
I believe RM has already left for the evening, but being as how you pinged me, I will oblige. Please do not give our moderators a bad time. We ask those who wish to post on our Religion Forum to be polite and respectful. No personal attacks. No potty language. No confrontations with others or with the RM. Those who do not already know the proper decorum for a polite, respectful religious discussion, should just avoid the RF altogether.
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Hope this helps.
There are plenty of Christians that suffer unhappiness and emotional pain. Being Christian doesn't exempt you from life. Buddhist philosophy teaches how the mind works and how to avoid the suffering in life. It does not ask you to worship some other god and it doesn't have the typical elements of a religion. It is a philosophy about the workings of the mind.
It would be more accurate to say that Buddhists don't have a teaching about god either way. Whether he exists or doesn't. You can believe in god and be Buddhist, and you can be an atheist and be Buddhist.
>> It would be more accurate to say that Buddhists don’t have a teaching about god either way. Whether he exists or doesn’t.
Really?
“Buddhanet.com” says otherwise. They clearly state in unequivocal language that Buddhists believe that God does NOT exist.
Or the worlds smallest giant.
Praying is when we talk to God. Meditating is when we listen.
Wow... fairly new to FR and provocateur... and regarding Catholics! Interesting.
“Buddha wasn’t a Christian, but Jesus would have made a good Buddhist.”
- Ray Wylie Hubbard
I am aware, of course that early Christianity was also developed in Egypt, Ethiopia, or might be India (if the story about St. Thomas is correct. )
Yes.
But they are not Catholic.
No. Opposite approaches. Jesus says to make disciples of all nations. Buddha said to avoid attachment. Proselytization is attachment big time. Both give alms but fro very different reasons. Christians do it to sacrifice for the poor. Buddhists give alms to minimize contact with and attachment to the poor. Giving alms occasions less attachment than persistent begging. For the Buddhist it is better to not encounter the alms seeker at all.
I grew up Buddhist and became Catholic at 40. I never was good at asking God for stuff and was never comfortable with scripted prayers but meditation does it nicely.
In Việt Nam after 1975 the Buddhists and Catholics who had disdained each other for centuries discovered they had a common enemy and learned that they were compatible after all. The Buddhists did not become Catholic and vice versa except in mixed marriages (they don't stay "mixed.") Buddhist and Catholic charitable orgs cooperate with each other and will combine for actions too much for one of them. Families are tied with marriage connections now whereas before '75 Bs and Cs shunned each other. They attend each other's weddings and funerals. B and C Boy Scouts camp together. I, a Catholic taught a Buddhist the first steps to learning to meditate and steered him to a pagoda whose "abbot" I knew for more extensive instruction.
No, but they are an example of an amalgamation of the two. In a sense I might term them as Catholic Buddhists. They are primarily Buddhist, but they embrace some things in Catholicismthat they see lacking in their own faith. By extension, perhaps the person who considers herself a Buddhist Catholic is indeed primarily Catholic but brings in some things from Buddhism, such as meditation as has been pointed out.
I don’t know if that was the intent, I’m just suggesting it as a possible interpretation of her use of the phrase.
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