| Subject: Wonder what happened to Raven? |
Author:
Diane
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Date Posted: 19:59:57 03/21/02 Thu
In reply to:
Tammy
's message, "Hi Diane" on 15:22:03 03/21/02 Thu
>Well I'm glad that you've decided to read it. Just
>remember that the Bible is just a tad longer, *L* so
>it may be a little harder to dive into for some
>people.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Well...the arrangement was supposed to be conditional to us both reading - at the same time, so I thought. And I specifically wanted him to start with the New Testement because he had been basing all his opinions of Christianity on the Old Testement, without mention of the New.
>I think that I gave it enough of a chance for the
>approx. 10 years I considered myself Christian. I have
>read it entirely, and also went to study groups for a
>while during my youth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~Well, that explains a lot. The secrets of the Bible aren't revealed so easily to people who don't want to spend time meditating on it - expecially if God reads the heart and knows that they are moving away from him. And I don't get much out of study groups myself, so I can't say I'm surprised that you didn't. Studies are typically calculated to keep us away from important truths, and to keep us boxed into the status quo - not to reveal anything new.
I believe I gave the book a
>fair chance. And I don't believe it's "so straight
>forward". Perhaps that's why people create their own
>interpretations.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~Not everybody 'creates' their own interpretation, Tammy. Some of us truly do get our knowledge from higher sources.
I'm not sure about Raven's reasons,
>as I've really only skimmed through the postings here.
>But my leaving "Christianity" for numerous reasons,
>also had a lot to do with some attutudes I've
>encountered from people who call themselves Christian.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Aah yes. That is the most common reason that I have heard from others also.
>But that's a rather long story... But I'm sure you
>know what I mean, or have encountered those people
>yourself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I certainly have - and from all types of religious backgrounds, not just from Christians. But then, I also know that we tend to attract those types to ourselves when that is what we project out to others. I'm sure that's in your Buddhist teachings too somewhere, isn't it?
>I agree, there are misconceptions about many
>religions. That's why I think it is so good of you and
>Raven to try to see the other's point of view.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I was mostly looking to find some common beliefs, so we could build something on those commonalities. But if and when we had questions about each others' reading material we could also come back to each other and raise those questions in sincerity - again hopefully, to find common agreement.
>Not paradoxical exactly. I think the bible contains
>some contradictions, and other material that simply
>can't be understood by some in today's society.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If you believe it has contradictions, then you have missed some important points. Other material that can't be understood is sometimes exactly what was intended, so that we would seek and ask the right questions. Until we ask questions, with the right attitude, God doesn't have to answer us at all.
And
>people living when the bible was written, made
>mistakes just like people do today.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Are you saying that there are mistakes in the Bible because of this? Well then, we'd have to admit that it isn't really God's word, wouldn't we?
>I think there are more than two sides. *L* But, an
>understanding unity between Christianity and other
>belief systems would be a beneficial thing in my
>opinion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I agree.
>I think it's normal, at least at some point in your
>life, to question things, and try to find your way.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I agree with this too. But if you're going to set a website, with the stated purpose to clarify some misconceptions about your beliefs, it would help to know what you actually believe, wouldn't it? And to know what you opposition believes? How can you know your own argument otherwise?
>Just keep in mind, that there's an answer to that
>man's side of the debate out there somewhere. I've
>just been unable to find it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Does he not state his purpose somewhere?
>I think I'm about as open-minded as they come. *L*
>Buddha encouraged people to search for the truth in
>his teaching before accepting anything. Buddhists also
>practice tolerance, meaning that we try to live in
>harmony with all, regardless of race or religion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Jesus teaches the same thing.
>Prince Siddhartha was born before Jesus, (500 or so
>years, I believe) so I don't think he would have
>pointed people that way exactly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~According to the Bible, Christ was the first-born of all creation. Everything that was made, was made through him. If you look at it from God's point of view, this shouldn't be so hard to understand. To God, there really is no time. But maybe Buddhists don't believe in an all-powerful Creator.
But Buddhism
>encourages some basic points that I believe are, or
>should be common in both religions. Such as the love
>for all beings, how to grow in wisdom, to understand
>yourself, and to have concern for the welfare of
>others.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~These are already common to both. Is there anything more that Buddhist teachings could offer me that isn't already in the Bible?
>Ok, I'll stop before I end up writing a book. *L* But
>if you're looking for similarities between religions,
>maybe you should pick up one of the Dalai Lama's
>books. You may be surprised. And they're not written
>for only those that are Buddhist, but are meant to be
>beneficial to all people.
>-Tammy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I'm looking for common beliefs between me and Raven, and now maybe with you also - that is true. If I meet someone else that thinks the Dalai Lama is 'all that', I might also look at those beliefs. In the meantime, I think I'll just take on one at a time.
Diane
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