or can you still cling to say Chinese culture and beliefs and still be Christian?
Thank you for your input
2006-11-28 12:29:07 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Friend - Nearly everyone else is going to tell you know, so I will speak up for the minority. Yes, you can. As a United Methodist I have often been asked if I was a Christian Buddhist, lol. I have several Christian friends who have studied Buddhism. Now...as Christians we know we must have no other God, but Buddhism is more about living your life and a style of living. Okay...I better stop there or I will be bombarded with hate mail again. GBU
2006-11-28 12:33:50 · answer #1 · answered by Dust in the Wind 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋
Those are two very different questions.
On Buddhism:
It may be a hard fit. If by Christianity you mean the teachings of Jesus, then there is a possible accommodation. But if you mean the teachings of Paul, or the traditions based on Paul, then the task will be much more difficult. An ethical philosophy about how to conduct your life will clash with a dogma whose emphasis is blind faith and the irrelevance of this life.
On Chinese culture:
First let's admit that Chinese culture is not as uniform as the question implies. It covers a whole range of beliefs and tendencies. But again, I would suppose that the greater the Buddhist influence, the more difficult it would be to incorporate the mainstream (Paulist) views of Christianity without considerable compromises.
2006-11-28 20:50:08 · answer #2 · answered by JAT 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Buddhism is an accepting and peaceful religion, Christianity is not. Buddhism has no problem with you being a Christian, but Christianity will hate you being a Buddhist. Christians will try to turn you against your Buddhist beliefs, mark my word. A possible solution may be to take on board the good parts of Christianity (love they neighbor - that's it!) without all the garbage (virgin birth, resurrection etc, etc).
2006-11-29 00:10:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
There millions of Chinese that are Buddhist,Christian,Muslim,etc..but they still have their Chinese culture!When you accept, say Buddhism you don't become Indian;similarly you don't become Arab when you accept Islam!
I am a Buddhist,and I have no problem with Christian belief.By the way I am also Chinese!
2006-11-29 00:45:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anger eating demon 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You still have to discover what makes a Christian a Christian.
A christian is a christian because he or she believes in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and puts all their trust in Him. He's the 'faith object' that Christians must see as the truth, over all other things and circumstances.
Jesus did say that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Those that trust in Him for their literal life are a part of a heavenly kingdom. Their bodies will be resurrected as He was resurrected.
So I ask you, how different is that to what Buddha said?
2006-11-28 20:36:46 · answer #5 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm a big fan of syncretism--looking at how religions are similar and how they influence each other. I think it's arrogant for religions to say that they're "the only one"--they ALL say that! They can't all be right!
Pick what works for you and go with it. If that means picking parts of different religions, God doesn't mind. Keep an open mind and heart and keep searching for the truth. I don't think Buddhism and Christianity are really all that different, and I think they can coexist if that's what works best for you.
2006-11-28 20:34:26 · answer #6 · answered by SlowClap 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
There will be plenty of fundamental Christian boneheads on this message board that will tell you no (they hang out here and at their other favorite topic - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender). But the truth is yes you can believe in both and be accepted by Jesus. Christianity embraces all people from all religions, and unfortunately all boneheads too. Good chance though the other religions exclude Christianity, I am not an authority on that.
2006-11-28 20:39:06 · answer #7 · answered by johnatplayct 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Ummmm.....yes! I do.
They are compatable if you look past what the
"christians" try to tell you what Jesus meant in his teachings. Jesus taught about love & non judgement, etc.
Buddha taught about living & acting right, (short version).
Basically, I think "christians" are the ones that put human
qualities on God & made Him a jealous, sulking, angry brat parent who sends His children to bed without dinner, (hell), because they didn't act the way He thought they should! Wahhh!
The God that I believe in is way stronger & healthier than that! Yes, God can handle someone looking into other belief systems. He welcomes it! He created many great masters.
2006-11-28 20:52:35 · answer #8 · answered by Mar C 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Honey, a lot of closed-minded people are going to stampede on here and tell you "no!" I say "yes" and here is why.
What is a "democrat"? A person who follows the ideas of the democratic party. What is a "christian"? A person who follows the teachings of Christ. Can you follow the teachings of Christ and Buddha? Sure you can. Just as you can be a democrat AND be an animal rights activist (or a democrat and a conservative with economics).
A friend of mine was a nun who wrote a book. In it she claimed that the most christ-like people she ever knew, were Buddhists. I say, "go for it."
2006-11-28 20:32:48 · answer #9 · answered by Black Parade Billie 5 · 7⤊ 1⤋
yes, Christianity is a religion, Buddhism is a way of life. There is no god in Buddhism, only Buddha, who is not a god, just an example for all to follow.
2006-11-28 20:33:31 · answer #10 · answered by liuxuande 4 · 6⤊ 1⤋