Long Vent Alert: Setting the record straight

[Vee]

Traditional, historical Christianity is not a list of do's and don'ts (like go to this church or don't watch this movie, or wear your hair this way!) or would even describe itself as a religion (such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam). It is more of a relationship of man with God, wherein God reaches to man and man responds to the love of God as demonstrated by the death of Christ on the cross so that man may gain eternal life and cleansing from sin and guilt.

Tracy,

I was born into Hinduism.

Buddha was born in my country.

Buddhism described as a religion strikes me as very odd. The term Buddhism to denote a religion is least prevalent in the land he was born, although many are guided in this country by his teachings. Interpretations of teachings is very personal. Many people in India believe Guatama Buddha transcended religion and creating a religion was furthest from his interest ot motives. He merely shared his wisdom and beliefs.

In Budhism, there is not even the equivalent of scriptures. No words from God. No rules. It is more like "if you are violent, it will hurt people and you are unlikely to find peace"

Hinduism is practiced as a religion by many. Deoending on how you interpret the Advaita scriptures, Hinduism is not a religion either. By my interpretation Hinduism says that religion is irrelevant. It says there is no difference between mankind irrespective of our beliefs because we come from the same source and will go back to it some day.

Whether people practice a scripture as a "rule book" or as a guide to spirituality depends on many factors like their curiosity to learn and how strongly they have been conditioned by those that taught them their religion.

I appreciate how respectfully you state your point of view.

I hope my message does not seem like I want to contradict. I offer my point of view and I respect everyone's right to hold a differing point of view.

 

[elsie3]

Tracy,

I was born into Hinduism.

Buddha was born in my country.

Buddhism described as a religion strikes me as very odd. The term Buddhism to denote a religion is least prevalent in the land he was born, although many are guided in this country by his teachings. Interpretations of teachings is very personal. Many people in India believe Guatama Buddha transcended religion and creating a religion was furthest from his interest ot motives. He merely shared his wisdom and beliefs.

In Budhism, there is not even the equivalent of scriptures. No words from God. No rules. It is more like "if you are violent, it will hurt people and you are unlikely to find peace"

Hinduism is practiced as a religion by many. Deoending on how you interpret the Advaita scriptures, Hinduism is not a religion either. By my interpretation Hinduism says that religion is irrelevant. It says there is no difference between mankind irrespective of our beliefs because we come from the same source and will go back to it some day.

Whether people practice a scripture as a "rule book" or as a guide to spirituality depends on many factors like their curiosity to learn and how strongly they have been conditioned by those that taught them their religion.

I appreciate how respectfully you state your point of view.

I hope my message does not seem like I want to contradict. I offer my point of view and I respect everyone's right to hold a differing point of view.

Vee, thank you for sharing your message. I greatly appreciate hearing another's point of view.