I'm a Christian & my husband was brought up that way, but is totally turned off by most Christians & thinks they are all a bunch of hypocrites. We all have our faults & yes even Christians make mistakes sometimes really bad ones. He's even told me that he thinks you don't have to believe in God necessarily, as long as you believe in something. You can believe in a tree or whatever. Is that tree gonna deliver you from your troubles? He bought a book about budda, zen, tao & is starting to get into it. It's scaring me a bit. I'm all for being positive and open minded, but it breaks my heart that he's starting to get into this crap. I don't think he gets that buddha isn't going to get him into heaven. This life on earth is only temporary, nothing here matters except having a relationship with Christ. Please help me find Christian points that debunk buddha, zen, tao, etc. Thank you & God Bless :o)
2007-02-20 07:13:08 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I understand that you are troubled by your husbands exploration of other faiths / Philosophies. I would like to point out a few things.
1. Put your faith in god, it is better for you to love your husband and have faith in god, than to try to convince your husband of something. Your husbands walk may be different than yours. If you have faith in Jesus than have faith in Jesus, pray for your husband.
2. When praying for your husband I would suggest that you pray for him to find his way and not to pray for him to find your way.
3. I am not a theologian or a Christian however I do believe that many Christian churches believe that we should go into the world and live in the way Christ showed us. All of the WWJD bracelets would be best for us to follow, weather we are Christian or not. What would Jesus do in this situation. What is the loving thing to do. I am pretty sure hurling scripture would not be the way Jesus would go about loving your husband.
4. When Jesus did confront people's beliefs, as he did with the Pharisees, he used their belief structure of the Pharisees. Maybe if you read the books your husband is reading and understand their philosophies either it will seem less scary or you will be able to defend Christianity the way you wish to. (I would suggest reading living Buddha Living Christ by Tich Naht Hunh)
May the peace that passes all understanding keep your heart and mind in Jesus Christ the lord.
2007-02-20 07:32:40 · answer #1 · answered by JC 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I am really not certain why you are attempting find something, but I really doubt that you are going to find exactly what you want.
Siddhartha taught that drunkeness was wrong, as does the Bible. Siddhartha taught that one should not lie, so does the Bible. The same goes for teachings on theft, sexual misconduct, and murder. There are far more similarities than differences in the teachings of the two religions.
In fact, if you read the writings of St. Jerome from the 4th Century, he speaks very highly of Buddha. There's also a Christian text from around the year 278 which does as well. Both even acknowledge that he was born to a virgin, like Jesus.
Even earlier than that, in book one of the Stromata, Clement of Alexandria wrote praising the philosophies of Buddhists, placing the Σαρμαναίοι Βάκτρων (Sramanas) higher in importance than he placed the 3 wise men.
Additionally, Jesus told a Roman Centurion with a young boy sexual servant that he would go to heaven, yet for some reason you think that a Buddhist can not get into Heaven?
I say, trust your husband. If he's a good man, then there is no reason to worry.
2007-02-20 09:46:35 · answer #2 · answered by Geoffrey J 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Oh wow you're really in a tough spot. There are alot of differences between Christianity and Buddhism! Take a look at these websites.
10 questions for Buddha: http://www.christiananswers.net/q-aiia/letter-buddhisminterview.html
Why I stopped following Buddha and started following Jesus: http://www.christiananswers.net/q-aiia/aiia-buddhism-harris.html
You also might want to check out these books on Christian apologetics (that means defending the faith). Lee Strobel's "The Case for Christ" also I Don't Have Enough Faith to be An Atheist" by Geisler and Turek. These can strengthen your faith. I would recommend the 2nd book for your husband to read. He will become educated about Christianity starting from square one.
2007-02-20 07:26:15 · answer #3 · answered by cnm 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The True Christian Faith is not in alignment with Buddhist thought... but I do not think any specific words from The Bible are directly pointed at Buddhists... You will have to determine exactly why he has come to his point of view and what events caused it... and then show him, or have strong Christian men show him, that what he blames God for... or what he calls hypocrisy is not... or show him that he is indeed correct that what he calls hypocrisy is... but... that it is not the Teaching of Christ that is at fault.. it is the actions of the individuals mis using the teachings... this is not easy to do with one who has been hurt by the hypocrites in some way.... you need to stay firm in your faith... stay connected with Godly people and sound Biblical teaching... stay involved with your church. continue to study and learn with God's leading.... be the example or The Truth you are commissioned to be and trust God to soften your husband... talk to the leadership of your church and see if you can recruit men who are compatible with your husbands non religious activities,,, fishing. cars, photography, what ever... see if they can connect with him at this level and keep the "religion" out of it for a time... just let them model the Christian life to him... but do not "preach" that will only drive him further away right now... it may take many years... I will pray you have the time to work on him.
2007-02-20 07:28:26 · answer #4 · answered by idahomike2 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The first article is a very throrough analysis on Buddhism from a Christian perspective and it may give you some good talking points!!
http://www.probe.org/content/view/64/65/
The second article gives a clear distinction between the two and may help you talk with your husband about it. The website from which I got these articles ( http://www.probe.org ) is a GREAT resource for just about any topic in the Christian faith and they have a great search engine which I recommend (it's how I found these articles). The Lord bless you and your family! :)
http://www.probe.org/probe-answers-e-mail/cults-and-world-religions/you-dont-really-understand-buddhism.html
2007-02-20 07:21:10 · answer #5 · answered by yoyomama 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
"He bought a book about budda, zen, tao & is starting to get into it. It's scaring me a bit. I'm all for being positive and open minded, but it breaks my heart that he's starting to get into this crap."
There is your problem... it is not CRAP and the reason he might believe Christians are hypocrites is because they proclaim to be open minded but yet you have basically just stated that any belief system that is different than your own is CRAP. That is not the case.
Buddhism teaches you to be at one with your self and nature and to me that is no where near crap. Buddhist do tend to live a far more peaceful and joyful life than other religions and I believe it's because it is such a calm and pleasant religion.
Christianity / Islam / Judaism all focus on a single deity and proclaim that it is the sole and right path and that all others are WRONG. When you fall into this mentality it is easy to become hypocritical in thinking.
Why must you disprove Buddhism? What if your husband decided the only way for him to be happy with you was to start debunking Christianity (which is VERY easily to do) and try to change the way you think and believe?
See my point? You start off thinking what he believes is crap and you are seeking out to prove you are right, yet you want to remain open minded. You can't be open minded by automatically thinking another religion is wrong.
2007-02-20 07:22:03 · answer #6 · answered by Pitchy 5 · 0⤊ 6⤋
PRAY, Girl... The devil is a dirty rotten LIAR.
Maybe these will help:
Proverbs 20:23 - Divers weights [are] an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance [is] not good.
Exodus 23:7
Psalms 27:12, 119:104 & 128
Proverbs 6:19, 12:17, 19:5
Jeremiah 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
Jer 23:32 Behold, I [am] against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.
Zec 10:2 For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because [there was] no shepherd.
Those are just a FEW! get yourself an up to date concordance and look up anything involving the occult, false gods, divination... things like that. Your church should be very willing to help you out too!
God bless!
2007-02-20 07:16:49 · answer #7 · answered by Little Tiger 2 · 5⤊ 3⤋
Exodus 34:14 You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, is a God who cares about his relationship with you.
Deut. 8:19
If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed
Deut. 29: 18
Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the LORD our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison.
Deut 11:16- Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them.
Praying for you and your marriage.... find others in your church to join you in praying too
2007-02-20 07:38:47 · answer #8 · answered by livinintheword † 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Buddhism is essentially a form of atheism, since it normally does not believe in any personal god or gods. It would be wrong for that reason.
There are no passages in the Bible that deal directly with this, since Jesus and the apostles never met any Buddhists, so they did not give any opinions.
If he doesn't like Christianity, then he is not going to listen to the Bible anyway.
2007-02-20 07:20:06 · answer #9 · answered by Randy G 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
2007-02-20 07:27:30 · answer #10 · answered by deacon 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋