Can one be a Buddhist and still be a Christian or a Muslim?

Question

Probably the 2 most violent religions are Christianity (Crusades) and Islam (Jihad). The most peaceful I heard is Buddhism. Can one practice Buddhism and still believe in the Christian/Muslim God? What are your thoughts?

I meant keeping the Christian/Muslim faith and belief in God, but practicing Buddhist values of peace and living in harmony with nature.

Answer 1

The thing is, as a Buddhist you can believe in any kind of metaphysics that you like. Buddhism is not about BELIEVING in this god or that god or spirits or whatever. But you can still believe in those and be Buddhist.

Buddhism is about ACTION. Treating other people well, treating yourself well. Learning to be at peace with yourself. Knowing peace in yourself creates outer peace. Focusing single-pointedly on things to become zen. Reciting mantras to free your mind from samskara's.

All these things can be done by ANYONE of ANY religion. Therefore, anyone who does any one of those things I can call a Buddhist.

Answer 2

Depends on how open minded you are. The Bible and Koran both advocate peace over hostility, but that obviously doesn't stop religious maniacs from taking some script out of context and running rampant with it, destroying all who dare to get in their way. I think, also, it depends on how you define a "Christian" or "Muslim". As in, is a Christian a follower of Christ or someone who believes he is really the son of God? If you are Buddhist and follow the teaching of Christ as well, you might consider yourself a Buddhist-Christian (though you will have many people argue with you what Christianity means). Same for Islam. But keep in mind that Buddhism, while not absolutely poly- or monotheistic itself, was based on polytheistic beliefs. If, like many, you believe that God and Allah and Yaweh and other gods are the same, it will be easier for you to reconcile with two seemingle incompatable faiths.

Answer 3

You can always believe the Buddhist philosophy, and be a Christian or a Muslim.

It will do the world a ton of good, to dilute the violence in some of these religion with the peaceful message of Buddhism

Answer 4

nope
Islam and Christianity teach u to worship one God and they r almost same
except in Islam Jesus is a Prophet and in christianity he is son of God
so u cannot have 2 faiths at a time
u cannot think of Jesus as a Prophet and son of God at the same time so the same way u cannot be a Budhist and a Muslim or Christian at the same time
Islam and Christianity may look violent but they r the only ones which teach peace and brotherhood with all human beings
and fight those who oppress innocent and steal their freedom
"Today Muslims and Christians are not close to their religion.......they no longer follow the teachings and most of them don't bother to read teh Holy Books........that's why they r not the respected ones

Answer 5

Since religion is really judged by the person practicing and it is a concept invented by man, then yes. Also, from what I understand Buddhism does not necessarily have a god, it’s more of a belief system. Therefore, you can practice Buddhism, and believe in god.

Answer 6

The most peaceful religion is Islam. Read history. Today's troubles do seem to involve a high majority of Muslims. However, read history and you will see all the peace Islam brought to the world.

Answer 7

I would think so. Buddhism isn't so much a religion as a search for spiritual purity and peace (Nirvana) I don't think very many Buddhists are also other religions, but I doubt there are very many teachings, if any, that say you can't be other religions.

Answer 8

Matthew 6:24 say No man can serve two masters:for either he will hate the one,and love the other;or else he will hold to the one,and despise the other.Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Revelation 3:15-16 say I know thy works,that thou art neither cold nor hot:I would thou wert cold or hot.So then because thou art lukewarm,and neither cold nor hot,I will spue thee out of my mouth.This is God word,you can find it in the King James Version.

Answer 9

You can be whatever you wanna be!
For a resource, check out Thich Nhat Hanh. He is a Buddhist monk who appeals to a wide array of religious philosophies. I would recommend 2 books in particular: Going Home and Jesus and Buddha as Brothers.
Do what your heart tells you, man.

Answer 10

I heard they tried that before. but the conflicting views of buddhism and christianity whould have most people choosing one or the other because they dont agree. actually dear mammon means MONEY its funny how that one strange phrase can mean whatever you want it to because its in a different language. as for islamics they should try sufism........