I was baptized and raised as a Roman Catholic. After I turned 30 I started studying and eventually converted to Buddhism, I found a peculiar trend during my studies, I found that a large amount of the people I talked to that had "converted" to Buddhism were previously Roman Catholic. I am curious as to why this trend exists? Why are so many converts Catholic? I converted because I did not believe what I was taught or that there is a "creator" God.I never felt comfortable with Catholicism. I would like to know other peoples reasons. (I am not trying to bash Catholicism, my Mom is still devout Catholic) Just curious.
2007-01-11 14:41:23 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My_opinion....I know exactly what you mean, I felt that way so many times.
I am getting alot of great reasoning and responses!
2007-01-11 15:01:37 · update #1
Sianpu....I have more peace now than I have EVER had in my whole life. The strength and peace I feel being Buddhist, the overwhelming compassion I've developed and feeling of knowing the truth has changed my life and attitude.
2007-01-12 02:44:23 · update #2
Sweet Willy...The Buddha is not a "god", therefore we do not worship him. We do however bow in respect to the teacher of the Dharma.
2007-01-12 02:47:37 · update #3
I think there are so many conversions 'from' catholicism as we are not given a 'choice' in choosing which teachings we wish to follow. We are baptised and raised as a catholic, we did not choose that. I too am catholic and find the religion to 'structured'. I went to a catholic school and was taken to mass regularly. There isn't a lot of room for personal freedom in exercising our beliefs, it is too out of a 'book'. We follow along with the service in a book. I just follow along so I can see when it is going to end. I seek more freedom in how to exercise my beliefs. I hope you understand what I am trying to say as I am not sure that I explained it adequately.
2007-01-11 14:54:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not Catholic or Buddhist, but a couple of years ago I did some extensive search on Buddhism,and I must say that if I ever decide to choose a religion, it will be Buddhism. It's a religion that makes sense. Its a religion where you are always working to seek and find enlightenment, its a religion where you can only grow from helping other and sharing of yourself. Buddhism is peaceful. In America, anyone with open eyes can see the financial and political propaganda of the "Christian Right" and the Catholics with all of the pedophilia...it's just a turn off. Buddhism is like the polar opposite of all of that madness. If we had more Buddhist and less Muslims, Christians and Catholics in this world, we wouldn't have ANY war, ever.
2007-01-11 14:55:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps because Buddhism doesn't teach a philosophy of do this and that or be tortured forever! There is also no God figure!
Then there is the aspect that there is no dogma in Buddhism.
The idea of believing something because it was said many times or because some person even the buddha said it is not a good enough reason.
There is also the aspect that no Buddhist will try and convert anyone. If a person wants to know about it they must seek it out for themself!
When the student is ready the teacher will appear!
2007-01-11 14:47:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Father William Johnston, Father Thomas Merton, Former Father Mathew Fox ,along with Thich Nhat Han and the Dalia Lama have written about the relationship between Buddhism and Christianity.
They all clearly explain that at the heart of Both traditions is
Compassion
For the Lovers of Mary there is also Kwan Yin the Bodhisattva of Compassion who are remarkably similar
I maintain that when we look from the west to the east we are most likely to be attracted to what be both recognize and miss in our western Faith.
2007-01-11 15:35:21 · answer #4 · answered by Joseph M 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I studied all major religions in detail for years. I didn't align myself with any set of teachings until I was 18 when I became a Buddhist. It was the path that has afforded me the most spiritual knowledge through the constant pursuit of insights on myself and the world around me.
I as well, logic aside, could not morally align myself with many religions, but I do encourage the striving for knowledge in whatever path an individual chooses. Structures can be used for good or bad, and all too often they bring evil out in people.
2007-01-11 14:45:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was raised Roman Catholic and even studied theology. I was very serious about my former faith. One day I realized I was having to force myself to believe in all of it and I knew it was time to go. I am now an atheist, but I do follow Buddhist principles. I think the idea of non-attachment is brilliant!
Part of my crossing over the line was, ironically, because of my catholic education. I learned to think critically and thought myself right out of a religion. I am like you, in that I do respect catholics and feel like they do a lot of good.
2007-01-11 14:47:46 · answer #6 · answered by sngcanary 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm a convert TO Catholicism, and I have found that the vast majority of Catholics/ex-Catholics don't understand the Catholic faith. That's why so many fundies are former Catholics, too. People aren't going to be inclined to stick with a religion they don't understand.
2007-01-11 14:52:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess a lot of Catholics want to go atheist but don't want to give up the spiritual angle. Buddhism is an atheistic religion so I suppose it satisfies all their needs.
2007-01-11 14:44:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Most non-Christian religions get their converts from Catholicism.
2007-01-11 15:02:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prettier idols to worship?
2007-01-11 20:03:48 · answer #10 · answered by Sweet Willy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋