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DeCipher · Jun 5, 2007, 06:52 pm

What I would like to know is why many theists believe that their religion is the only "true" religion? For example, the teachings of Jesus are, to my understanding, almost exact reflections of the teachings of Buddha. So why would Buddism be the "wrong" religion and Christianity be the "right" ?

(This does not apply to Christianity and Buddism specifically, they are only used as examples.)

megadeth425 · Jun 5, 2007, 09:06 pm

Because most organised religions, hinging on the control of the masses, call theirs the "one true" religion, no matter how similar the message, to gain followers. Protestants and Catholics still fight over who's right despite both being Christian denominations. It's all because some guy with a wierd hat decided that some propaganda would get more followers.

Technosoul · Jun 5, 2007, 09:29 pm

Well, at least Jesus and Buddha did not wear pointed hats.

I was going to design a pointed hat in the shape of a pyramind so the energy could make our thoughts sharper. Tested it on a razar and it might work.

Anyway. Who is that red guy wearing a funny hat?

Now back to the real topic.

It comes back to the idea (which everyone avoids responding too) that if you are going to have a teacher or leader, it is best to have only one. Because if you had two then one might not say the same thing as the other and the followers (students) get confused.

If mother and father have the same authority and one tells a child to do something, and the other said do something else, then how can the kid obey one without not obeying he other. Even if both were telling the kid to do the right thing you cannot split your self in half and do both at the same time.

We have one President. Not two of them for the same reason. It makes sense. So it is like asking "how come you got only one President and do not also follow the Presidents of other countries". (assuming you are not a protestor).

Now let us say that you got two roads leading to the town "Lakeshore".
Both roads would work. You could just go for it and it would not matter.

But instead you ask someone. They say "this time of year it might rain and the road over the hills might get flooed out, but the freeway around the hills is problem free". Well, that means one way might be better then the other way. But it is only an opinon and not a fact. It might not rain after all.

At any rate. Saying that Jesus is the only way is bate so that you will ask why. Which opens the door for a nice long sermon.

like little more cheese with that wine? Hey, look fellows... he took the bate.

Alive · Jun 5, 2007, 09:45 pm

Quote:

Quote by: DeCipher

For example, the teachings of Jesus are, to my understanding, almost exact reflections of the teachings of Buddha.

I think your understanding is wrong.

Well, if religions contradict each other only one at most can be true. It makes sense.

Jagged · Jun 5, 2007, 09:55 pm

Because they have different names, duh. And if it appears different, it must be wrong.

DeCipher · Jun 5, 2007, 11:22 pm

Alive:

Quote:

[/b]I think your understanding is wrong.

Would you be able to clarify for me?

Technosoul:

Quote:

It comes back to the idea (which everyone avoids responding too) that if you are going to have a teacher or leader, it is best to have only one. Because if you had two then one might not say the same thing as the other and the followers (students) get confused

But I've heard some people believe that Jesus and Buddha are prophets of the same god, so that would lead to one teacher. How then, would you define a religion "right" ?

nilan3000 · Jun 6, 2007, 06:28 am

Quote:

Quote by: DeCipher

[But I've heard some people believe that Jesus and Buddha are prophets of the same god, so that would lead to one teacher. How then, would you define a religion "right" ?

Someone told you Buddha was a prophet???

OratorDeVeritas · Jun 6, 2007, 12:17 pm

Quote:

Quote by: DeCipher

Alive:

Would you be able to clarify for me?

Technosoul:

But I've heard some people believe that Jesus and Buddha are prophets of the same god, so that would lead to one teacher. How then, would you define a religion "right" ?

That would be an absurd belief, considering Jesus said he is the only way, and that he is the Son of God. You can think of Jesus in two different ways, either he is who he says he is, or he is a lunatic. I believe the former.

Aud · Jun 6, 2007, 01:58 pm

It seems as if Christianity would only be compatible with the denominations of Buddhism that don't worship Buddha as a deity, but praise him as an admirable historical figure. This 'religion' is more of a philosophy, but the ideas here are similar to the teachings of Christ.

One could worship God and Christ while simultaneously respecting Buddha's philosophies. But I think that as soon as worship of Buddha as a deity enters the pictures, a Christian will view this as blasphemy, as Christianity only promotes worship of the holy trinity.

ZNFYRH · Jun 6, 2007, 02:09 pm

The normal person in me wants to disagree, but the Buddhist in me thinks you're free to possess your own mind.

But Buddhism, for the most part, frowns on worshiping any single thing that you have deified.

Buddha is not meant to be worshiped. Buddha represents the ideal to strive for.

In a sense, Buddha is the same as Christ.

I can picture both of them saying, "Stop worshiping me and acting in my name and instead just aspire to live the way I did!!"

Jun 5, 2007, 06:52 pm	#1 (permalink) (top)
DeCipher Molten Ash Posts: 26	Tolleration and Acceptance What I would like to know is why many theists believe that their religion is the only "true" religion? For example, the teachings of Jesus are, to my understanding, almost exact reflections of the teachings of Buddha. So why would Buddism be the "wrong" religion and Christianity be the "right" ? (This does not apply to Christianity and Buddism specifically, they are only used as examples.) "I won't take my religion from any man who never works except with his mouth." -Carl Sandburg "The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible." -Oscar Wilde

Jun 5, 2007, 09:06 pm	#2 (permalink) (top)
megadeth425 Air Guitar Hero Location: Canada Posts: 60	Because most organised religions, hinging on the control of the masses, call theirs the "one true" religion, no matter how similar the message, to gain followers. Protestants and Catholics still fight over who's right despite both being Christian denominations. It's all because some guy with a wierd hat decided that some propaganda would get more followers. "People always associate long hair with drug use. I wish long hair was associated with something other than drug use, like an extreme longing for cake." ~Mitch Hedberg

Jun 5, 2007, 09:29 pm	#3 (permalink) (top)
Technosoul Volcanic Erupter Posts: 8,663	Well, at least Jesus and Buddha did not wear pointed hats. I was going to design a pointed hat in the shape of a pyramind so the energy could make our thoughts sharper. Tested it on a razar and it might work. Anyway. Who is that red guy wearing a funny hat? Now back to the real topic. It comes back to the idea (which everyone avoids responding too) that if you are going to have a teacher or leader, it is best to have only one. Because if you had two then one might not say the same thing as the other and the followers (students) get confused. If mother and father have the same authority and one tells a child to do something, and the other said do something else, then how can the kid obey one without not obeying he other. Even if both were telling the kid to do the right thing you cannot split your self in half and do both at the same time. We have one President. Not two of them for the same reason. It makes sense. So it is like asking "how come you got only one President and do not also follow the Presidents of other countries". (assuming you are not a protestor). Now let us say that you got two roads leading to the town "Lakeshore". Both roads would work. You could just go for it and it would not matter. But instead you ask someone. They say "this time of year it might rain and the road over the hills might get flooed out, but the freeway around the hills is problem free". Well, that means one way might be better then the other way. But it is only an opinon and not a fact. It might not rain after all. At any rate. Saying that Jesus is the only way is bate so that you will ask why. Which opens the door for a nice long sermon. like little more cheese with that wine? Hey, look fellows... he took the bate.

Jun 5, 2007, 09:55 pm	#5 (permalink) (top)
Jagged 99 Red Balloons Location: Washington DC Posts: 274	Because they have different names, duh. And if it appears different, it must be wrong.

Jun 6, 2007, 01:58 pm	#9 (permalink) (top)
Aud Pirate Wench Location: Grass Valley, California Posts: 34	It seems as if Christianity would only be compatible with the denominations of Buddhism that don't worship Buddha as a deity, but praise him as an admirable historical figure. This 'religion' is more of a philosophy, but the ideas here are similar to the teachings of Christ. One could worship God and Christ while simultaneously respecting Buddha's philosophies. But I think that as soon as worship of Buddha as a deity enters the pictures, a Christian will view this as blasphemy, as Christianity only promotes worship of the holy trinity.

Jun 6, 2007, 02:09 pm	#10 (permalink) (top)
ZNFYRH Volcanic Erupter Posts: 4,375	The normal person in me wants to disagree, but the Buddhist in me thinks you're free to possess your own mind. But Buddhism, for the most part, frowns on worshiping any single thing that you have deified. Buddha is not meant to be worshiped. Buddha represents the ideal to strive for. In a sense, Buddha is the same as Christ. I can picture both of them saying, "Stop worshiping me and acting in my name and instead just aspire to live the way I did!!"