Comments on: Accosted by a Christian

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 01:10:01 +0000

@Brian, I would have to say it’s the protestant churches that are the primary source of the problem, as Martins Luther’s sola fide, that is salvation by faith and faith alone, is how modern christians justify aggressive prosylitization. It is a belief held by most protestants, but it originated with Martin Luther, and is in direct conflict with the official opinion of the catholic church that mankind is redeemed by the grace of god through good works, without which faith is meaningless, and therefore nonchristians are able to reach heaven through good works.

By: Brian

Brian — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 17:19:40 +0000

@Michael – I agree with you on your second point; the spreading of “hatred.” However, as to the first, it is the single narrow minded attitude on the part of militant proselytizers that has done more to inspire anger in my heart to the point I stopped going to Mass more than 10 years ago. The Catholic Church I grew up in as a boy as changed significantly from my point of view. The American Church has made an “Unholy” alliance of sort with the “radical right wing of America’s ultra conservative protestant churches (of course, that could be the other way around-I’m not sure). The direct result has been that like so many other hard-line churches, the Catholic Church has grown intolerant in some ways – especially politically. And they can’t claim that that’s only in the “secular sphere!” Whatever we do or say in the world, tends to reflect our core, spiritual values [or lack thereof].

I have noticed the “inability” of hardline Christians [Modern Day Pharisees] to show respect to individuals, even when they disagree.

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 19:57:14 +0000

My biggest problem with aggressive proselytization isnt even that it drives people away from christianity, its that it spreads hatred. Not only is it, in many ways an expression of hatred (i see anger often coming from christians trying to convert people, more than i ever do i kindness), it also leads people to feel hate for christians. how can you not hate the cruel and naive? Im sick of trying not to hate people. It would be so much easier, if they would stop hating everyone else first.

By: Diana

Diana — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:17:49 +0000

I concur with John. I've had many encounters with scary evangelizing type Christians and with that kind of Christian, professing to believe in Jesus is never enough (never-mind any of the other religious beliefs.) With that kind of Christian, you have to believe exactly as that particular type Christian believes, using exactly the same words that type of Christian uses or else you will be hounded and harassed until you do so (or, until you get away from them–whichever happens first.)

What CordieB says about worrying about the fate of non-Christians as a child also rings a bell for me. I used to worry about my best friend's parents because they didn't believe in God.

By: carolyn

carolyn — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 14:56:58 +0000

i found this on a facebook group re. soto zen buddhism to which i belong. i have never met a zen-student-turned christian. given my own experience as zen student and former christian and history of interest in most things religious, i thought i'd reach out and ask…what commonalities do you see between zen and whatever form of christianity you practice? (btw, i was raised "culturally" catholic, became an evangelical christian in high school, dabbled in mainline protestantism–episcopal–during college and infrequently attended late-night catholic mass while in seminary. then, didn't do religion for a while till i discovered zen).

By: aleey

aleey — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 05:08:16 +0000

You sure can shave. And "sinful idolatry of Zen" must be a registered trade mark.

By: John Shore

John Shore — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:53:42 +0000

Are you kidding me, Rachel? I mean, you’re joking, yes? Of course this happened. There’s nothing even almost extraordinary about it. If you’re not a Christian, interactions like this are hardly unknown to you. It’s just … something that happens. Could have been worse, of course. Could have been Ray Comfort with his TV crew, or whatever. Anyway, yes. Typical of this sort of exchange.

By: Rachel Cabal

Rachel Cabal — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:46:59 +0000

please tell me that didn’t really happen…just so I can calm down a tiny bit…please?

By: cordieb

cordieb — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:22:40 +0000

@YCS. I can feel your comment. I am a Christian and was raised in the Baptist Church. My parents were Baptists, as were all of my family. As a child, I was afraid to ask questions about any other beliefs or doctrines. I was afraid of God too. It was actually very awful. I was baptized, afraid to tell anyone that I had any doubts. I remember faking shouts, because everyone else did it, and wondering was something wrong with me. My father, who became very religious after years of "sinful" acts, confessed to the church of all or most of his transgressions, which included the names of the married women with whom he had affairs; He also felt that God somehow punished him because he married my mother who was a divorcee, and of course that me me a bastard according to the word. But through all the religious dogma, my father truly loved me, and I only knew of these things through family telling me stories and overhearing grown folks talking. As a child and teen, it was blasphemous to read other teachings, accept Muslim flyers and books, read the horoscopes, etc. As a child, I felt so sorry for Jews and Muslems, and Jehova's Witnesses, because I was taught they were going to Hell. The "Jew Man, who sold me penny candy, and whom I adored was going to hell, because he was a Jew. There were times when I even though my mom wasn't going to make it because she had a tendency to drink of the spirits. How frightening this was for me. Of course I grew up and found God in my own way. My mother had taught me that the most important thing was "the Golden Rule." So many so-called Christians have commited the most awful crimes against humanity in the name of Jesus Christ, such as slavery, hanging, etc. Most of my godliness, so far, has come from the workings of Christians, non-traditional Christians, and non-Christians alike. I truly love the Spirt and Essence of Jesus Christ, and his Spirit and Essence is what I strive to be more of each day. Peace, Light and Love to you and yours. . . . CordieB.

By: ycs

ycs — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 06:57:34 +0000

Jesus is my savier and he led me to the wisdom of the Buddha after years of praying. Jesus had to withhold deeper teachings (refer to John) due to the capacity of the people at that time and place. Once the deeper teachings were revealed to me via Buddha's wisdom, I can truely verify what Jesus was saying about the 'kingdom of heaven'. It is indeed within everyone of us, we just need to open up to it by 'BE STILL AND KNOW'!!! What is it? If medication can not train you to be still I don't know what can? Would judging, arguing, attacking others make you still?

There is only one truth, one mind and they can be manifested into varieties of things and they all have to be respected. That's why Christianity teaches 'love thy neighbor…'.

I can understand and appreciate Christian's view through the window of the Buddha's view, but can the other way around be said?

Christians, if you have enough courage, read up on Buddha's teaching and get a bigger picture. Jesus was absent for 18 years for spiritual cultivation before he came down to take the cross to save us sentient beings. He lived as a monk, no different from that of a Buddhist monk. Jesus said to be quailified to be his disciple he has to sell everything (including family relationships) and to follow him in spiritual pursuit. Is it anything different from Buddhist monastics? Who can truly qualify to be Jesus disciple nowadays? Who is to say that they alone got it all right? Certainly, Buddha's teaching is much higher level and is against popular believes, just like in Jesus times, people killed him because of his radical sayings. Likewise, Buddhism is widely misunderstood and even hated among those who have neither a clue nore any comprehension of it. However, as time goes by, we will eventually awake like Buddha did and there will be no more fights among people.

Didn't Jesus say when you pray go to the closet and close all the (sensual) doors, why bargain or ask favors from God? He know you before you are even born. So, to me, meditation is the proper prayer and it makes a great deal of sense BIG TIME! Only through meditation is when I can connect with Jesus Christ, is when I can testify that Jesus is my Lord and savier.

I have Buddha to thank for, because he gave me Jesus!