To Christians: Why should I chose Jesus? Please read below carefully?

Question

I used to be Christian but I didn't see much change in my life. I converted to Buddhism and I am seeing real results. I feel the Christianity just offers empty promises and Buddhism offers results. Christianity depends on a savior to somehow come and show you the the way. Buddhism teaches that no one will save you, only you can save yourself. Buddhism requires that you improve yourself rather than God improving you. I see it like a teacher giving an exam. If the teacher was to give the student all of the answers, would that really help the student? Or would it be better for the student to grow on his / her own and use his / her own mind. I feel that if there was a God, like the teacher, he would want to see us grow spiritually stronger on our own. Thats the way we truely grow, its called the school of hard knocks. I see Christianity as the teacher giving you all of the answers. You never really grow that way. What do you think of my analogy?

Answer 1

Well, when your kneeling before God one day, try saving yourself.

Answer 2

I think you make some very good points. The teachings of Jesus and the prophets, however, can be applied to real life and make a difference in the life of the believer, as well. Buddhism may have a more "this life" orientation while Christianity focuses a lot of attention on "next life". Perhaps that is why Buddhism is more satisfying to you.

Jesus and his apostles taught many things that can be valuable on a number of different interpretive levels. An in depth academic study of scripture requires, in my opinion, a solid knowledge of Greek and Hebrew, as well as an effort to know the historical context within which those teachings were pronounced. But, you don't need all of that to get great value and personal enrichment from scripture. You need faith and prayer and a sincere heart.

I do not pretend to know anything profound about Buddhism, but from what little I do know, I would conclude that much of what Buddhism teaches is at least compatible with many of the teachings of Jesus and the prophets... and, vice-versa.

Since you come from a Christian background, perhaps a comparative study would be of benefit to you. It could make your personal religious experience richer.

At some point, however, you must face the question of what is true. I hope you have the courage to face it head on and commit to embracing it when you find it.

Answer 3

First off I would ask you what made you a Christian then and not one now. Being a Christian is a matter of accepting the death of Jesus as the sacrifice for all of your sins past, present and future and turning from those sins to live for Him. You say that you see yourself growing personally now in Buddhism, but what does your improved life now do for all of the things that you have done wrong before this? As a Christian, you cannot just sit around and hope that you will grow stronger just because you've been saved longer. You need to read the Bible, pray for God's help and make a personal effort to get rid of the things in your life that are not pleasing to the God who gave His all to save you. Also it is impossible for a Christian to live a life that is pleasing to God apart from the power of the Holy Spirit. If you were not praying for that power to fill you and strengthen you to walk in Him everyday, then you were bound to fail. The word Christian means "little Christs." Not that we ultimately become saviors like He was but that we live like He did and that our lives can remind people of His.

Answer 4

SIGN OF CHRIST’S SPIRITUAL PRESENCE That Christ’s presence in glory would be invisible is clearly proved by the fact that he saw the need to give his disciples a sign whereby they would know that he was actively present. Indeed, it was in connection with this sign that he told all Christians to keep on the watch. (Mark 13:33-37) We invite you to take any Catholic Bible and to read the details of this sign in Matthew chapters 24 and 25, Mark chapter 13 and Luke chapter 21. Commenting on these chapters, The Catholic Encyclopedia states: “The Scriptures mention certain events which are to take place before the final judgment. These predictions were not intended to serve as indications of the exact time of the judgment, for that day and hour are known only to the Father, and will come when least expected. They were meant . . . to keep the end of the world present to the minds of Christians.”—Volume 8, page 552. Identifying some of the foretold “events” that would precede the destruction of the ungodly world, the same Catholic reference work states: “Christ had clearly stated that the Gospel was to be preached to all nations before the end (Matt., xxiv, 14). . . . Various other signs are spoken of as preceding or ushering in the end, as a great apostasy (II Thess., ii, 3sqq.), or falling away from faith or charity (Luke xviii, 8; xvii, 26; Matt., xxiv, 12), the reign of Antichrist, and great social calamities and terrifying physical convulsions.”—Volume 5, page 533. When, more than since 1914, has there been such a combination of “great social calamities” (wars, revolutions, famines, pestilences), “terrifying physical convulsions” (destructive earthquakes, tornadoes, freakish weather) and “a great apostasy,” or “falling away from faith”? On the last point, writing in The Catholic Herald Citizen under the headline “Catholic Apostasy Rate Up,” Catholic priest-sociologist Andrew Greeley admitted recently that the rate “is continuing to climb,” and added: “People are leaving in droves.” This is also true of the Protestant churches. If you perceive that the Catholic Church is not doing this, then why remain within a church that has failed to keep “on the watch” for Christ’s second coming and that is doing nothing to preach throughout the world God’s kingdom as the only hope for mankind? The magazine you are reading is proof that Jehovah’s Witnesses have kept awake and that they are actively engaged in announcing publicly the good news of Christ’s presence. Why not let them help you to do likewise?

Answer 5

Christianity gives you all the answers on how to grow and how to live your life productively. The Bible is an instruction book that very clearly tells us that we have to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. This to me means that God is not going to drop down out of the sky and make the way clear for me. I have to do some searching and I have to find the way. Just because I'm forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ doesn't mean my life is all in order and my way is clear to Heaven. I still live in a very human body and in a very sinful world. There are obstacles to overcome every day. Do you feel that the Word of God leads you to believe that you shouldn't try to improve yourself? Where is that written? The Bible calls us to be Christ-like. That's not an easy thing to do. It requires a lot of strength and a lot of "self-help" to pursue that. The one promise that Christianity can offer you that Buddhism can't offer is eternal life. Jesus Christ was the only Messiah. "No man comes to the Father (God) except through Him." John 14:6 Budda may offer you a false sense of security while here on earth but placing your belief in him - a man who is dead and gone - will keep you from being with the one true God in eternity.

I'm praying you find your way back home, prodigal son. The Father is still waiting to welcome you back with open arms.

Answer 6

I think your attempt to think about a comparison is noble, but I don't agree with it nor really think it is a strong analogy. The biggest flaw in your argument is saying that Jesus/God is giving us ALL the answers. That's not true. God tells us what we need to know and not everything.

And, your focus is just on you, you, you. (Or the individual human.) The world is much bigger than man alone and personally I think that such levels of self focus are what causes such clashes in the modern day world.

In short, Buddhism might be all about you, but Christianity is about Jesus and NOT the individual. Yes, God loves us no matter what, but you must first make a choice to be with Him. And that's choosing Jesus.

Answer 7

Some have said that Budda and God are the same.

Im sorry you did not have a good experience with Christianity. But I do not believe that christians just sit around waiting on a savior to show them the way. Christains better themselves to show god how we love him. Just you do in buddhism, you improve yourself, you just do it for Budda, we do it for God.

Answer 8

That's a good analogy. I follow the Buddhist philosophy but I do believe in the teachings of Jesus too. I don't discount the love and greatness that he teaches to all of mankind. After you take responsibility for your actions and your affect on the world, Jesus does have great advice on how to live a good life. Best of luck to you with your journey.

Answer 9

I like your analogy, however I think it still points to Christianity. I don't know why you get more from Buddhism, but that has little to do with it. Allow me to explain...

In your analogy, the Christian 'teacher' gives you the answer. What you left out was the strugle to ~accept~ the answers as given. Some...well, most...people have trouble with this. They seek a balance between these answers and their lives...only to find that the answers are THE answers, and any balance is to adopt these standards.

Sure, the Buddhist 'teacher' makes you work harder to get answers. But, how can you be sure that ~your~ answer is THE answer?

Remember, there IS one answer. It is not a many-fold path.

Amen.

Answer 10

I think it is good that you're comfortable with your new beliefs and just let the others comfort with their beliefs also if you really follow the Buddhism path, cause Buddhism requires to search within urself instead of pointing fingers on the external factor.
May all beings be happy!

Answer 11

I can only tell you what Christ has done in my life. He has rescued me, picked up the pieces of my once broken life an put them back together in a way that I could NEVER do in my own strength. Bless you in you spiritual journey and may you always have peace and contentment.