I have been raised with Christian beliefs my whole life but I always question things and piss people off. I have studied a lot into different religions and philosophies. My heart and my mind are leaning towards Buddhism but I just can't seem to shake off the way I was raised. Any advice?
2006-09-19 09:30:49 · 42 answers · asked by Ramond 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Go with your heart and your mind. When you are sure of how you feel, that will be the time to decide.
2006-09-19 09:32:26 · answer #1 · answered by AuroraDawn 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was raised as a christain too, got a BA in philosophy and like you, I studied a few religions (even practiced some Buddhism for a couple of years). But after a couple of years of Buddha, I realized that I still didn't have a relationship with God. I still knew that there was a God to have a relationship with, and I could not deny to myself that I was estranged from him.
Be very honest with yourself. If you can't shake off Christ, perhaps there is a reason for it...He knows you.
Sometimes the draw to other religions is the sense of discipline that taking on the new faith requires. And face it, most other faiths are alittle more disciplined than Christianity. But it really doesn't have to be that way. The old Christain disciplines are sometimes the best. Check out the desert fathers.
It is not a bad thing to have questions and to be a seeker. The people who followed Jesus were certainly not the traditional religious crowd; and they pissed people off too. I think Jesus went out of his way sometimes to piss off the religious crowd and traditionalists..(I mean "eat my flesh" "drink my blood"! He certainly knew how to thin a crowd in a hurry!)
It sounds like you have people around you who are alittle intimidated by your questions and your seeking. Don't worry about them....but don't despise them either. They can't be the ones to make or break your faith: that has to be a relationship you build with God yourself.
Hoping the best for you...
2006-09-19 10:03:19 · answer #2 · answered by Debra N 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should listen to your heart to find peace with what you truly believe. Try to find others who've been raised in the Christian faith but have not had their spiritual needs met. Trust me, there are many others who feel as you do. You may not want to completely "shake off" your Christian values. In my opinion, there's no reason you can't integrate some of the Buddhist and Christian beliefs. You're still growing spiritually, so be patient with the process.
2006-09-19 10:04:46 · answer #3 · answered by rosecitylady 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say study Buddhism just to learn and you can gain that one benefit of becoming a more peaceful and centered person. Choose what you want but keep in mind that Christianity is not a religion, its a way of life. And whatever you do, have faith
2006-09-19 09:38:25 · answer #4 · answered by Sonyja 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing wrong with incorporating aspects of both beliefs. I am the same way and have turned towards the idea of Buddhism as such a peaceful and mind inspiring religion but still have very strong Christian beliefs. Thats one of the greatest things about the idea of Buddhism which is mainly the belief in the mind so incorporate both in your life. They both have a lot to offer and there is nothing wrong in believing in both. Buddhism in no way states you have to give up any of your beliefs.
2006-09-19 09:34:47 · answer #5 · answered by dmwilson91 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I highly recommend J.P. Moreland's Scaling the Secular City. He gives an extraordinarily well put defense of the Christian Faith together. He is head of the Masters Dept. of Religion and Philosophy at Talbot University. But I praise you for trying to find if your beliefs are your own or just something force fed into you. I think it's very important that we truly own our beliefs. While examining other beliefs just be sure to examine your own.
2006-09-19 09:34:52 · answer #6 · answered by westfallwatergardens 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christianity is about questioning things...
What do you think Jesus was doing to the Sanhedrin?
That's why he was killed...
Any Christian who gets pissed off because of you questioning some ideas of our faith really isn't practicing all of what their faith includes.
You are supposed to question...
but speaking of Buddhism, do you really think you are reincarnated into a snail??
If you look at all religions, there are things you are going to question...
so then your job is to look back historically, and find where man took ahold of the religion to use it for their benefit...
and that is why I think you may have a problem with Christianity... because you are listening to man, who has been lied to and who has lied...
And not to the actual word of God...
Think twice about changing your religion.
God made you a Christian from your earthly beginning for a reason.
He has a plan for you.
2006-09-19 12:41:30 · answer #7 · answered by the nothing 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps for you Christianity has been a "religion" instead of a Way.
Don't be as concerned about what you should do about Christianity; but do be VERY CONCERNED of what you will do about Jesus Christ and His claims.
If you can't seem to "shake off the way" you were raised, maybe that is just "habits"; or it very well could be the Holy Spirit still seeking you and calling you. Don't reject the call of the Holy Spirit!!
2006-09-19 09:36:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
What does buddhism offer you? Oneness with the universe?
Ther is no heart in buddhism it is strictly a methodology for inner calmness. Christianity never said it would be easy. If it were, eleven of the twelve apostles would not have been executed.
There is a price to pay, we live in a world filled with evil men. Sitting in the corner contemplating your navel wil only get you into the corner comtemplating your navel!
2006-09-19 09:37:34 · answer #9 · answered by zero 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Only you know your heart soul and mind. In the end you will do what you want to do. I don't think I'd toss God aside for Buddhism or any other thing for that matter. But God did give you a mind and you will make it up one way or the other. God doesn't want you doing it just because someone tells you to. It wants you to want him in your life because you want him there.
2006-09-19 09:34:33 · answer #10 · answered by purrfectsandcastle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stay with Jesus! Search the lost books of the bible, Book of Enoch is the most fascinating. You will reach a higher state of spirituality and go far beyond the average Christian. Learn the whys before the reasons why to become. God is vast in knowledge and doesn't want to limit the closed minded individuals. God Bless and take care.
2006-09-19 09:34:15 · answer #11 · answered by stickinthemud 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋