I just didn't like the concept of Christianity anymore. I didn't like feeling guilty and that I should constantly spread word about the Bible. I didn't feel connected and I felt out of space during church ceremonies. It seemed Church was more about comparing and competing who was better than who rather than sticking to the foundation of the teachings.
I fell in love with Buddhism because it was a way to reach an enlightened point of perspective. I feel more free and open without Christianity. Buddhism just touches my heart in a way Christianity never could. I'm not saying its better, but for me personally, it has made my life so much more fulfilling.
I feel more involved with the world in a logical way and I seem to respect and earn respect because I'm open to listen, rather than preach. People just seem to enjoy my company more and for the first time, I feel they actually want to hear out what I say because it provokes more wisdom in my opinion.
I love it, I'm free
2007-05-01 10:16:57 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sounds like you are on the right track. However, it is not nice to criticize on Christianity like this in the public.
Most people here don’t even know anything about Buddhism but worshiping a statue. You can only become a Buddhist by understanding the Great 4 Noble Truths and coming to the Noble Eightfold path. Not by worshiping a statue and that is something completely irrelevant to Buddhism. Buddha asked the people to see him self from the doctrine of Buddhism. Not from a statue.
2007-05-04 13:35:01 · answer #1 · answered by Tim 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You seem to know exactly why you follow the Buddha, so I suppose you want my opinion on why you "converted". It could be a cultural thing or it could be philosophical. When I was younger, a lot of my peers looked into Buddhism as a reaction to the predominant Christian based culture, and Buddhism was seen as exotic. For some it was a passing fad, but for a small few, the philosophy resonated with them. I can appreciate the elegance of the philosophy but I'm not comfortable with the notion of having to experience thousands of reincarnations in order to attain nirvana.
People often say to Christians, "How can a loving God allow suffering in the world?" But to me, this is very similar to the Buddhist equation: "Suffering leads to wisdom" or words to that effect.
People also complain about Christians who pay lip-service to their God every Sunday, and then go about their sordid little lives for the rest of the week. Well, having spent some time in Asia, I can tell you that it's no different over there. People will go to the temple, rub some gold leaf on the statue, pray to it, then continue on with their lives, often in an extremely selfish way. If you look at their karmic "balance sheet" you might wonder if they will ever see nirvana.
This has all been my opinion, which is what I believe you were asking for. It's not an apology for Christianity, nor a condemnation of any other "religion". If you get fulfillment from following the Buddha, then that has to be a good thing.
2007-05-01 11:06:40 · answer #2 · answered by Dr Know It All 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with 1saintofGod.
There are many who claim the title "Christian" who may have had a false conversion. Christianity requires placing our faith in Christ and following Him.
You ask the question why? From what you say, you were depending on feelings rather than putting your trust in faith.
As you put it, you "didn't like feeling guilty " " felt out of space"
and now you "feel more free".
Now you are in a feel good place in your life. You say "I'm not saying its better, but for me personally, it has made my life so much more fulfilling."
I hope that you would consider reading and studying the bible. Being a Christian doesn't mean that we will automatically 'feel great and all of our problems in this life will go away'. It does mean that our eternal destination is secure.
That is something that you will want to contemplate. So the bottom line is - is how you feel and how you are treated in this life more important that where you will spend eternity?
Please consider this. What you consider freedom is by default slavery to the prince of the power of the air (satan).
2007-05-01 10:56:23 · answer #3 · answered by redeemed 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
if you didn't want to feel guilty, all you had to do was not be immoral. how hard is that to get? conviction only comes to those who HAVE something to be convicted about.
and no offense, but if you aim to be a nice guy, I suggest you don't use terms such as "turned your back on".
not all are called to be a part of a church. there are evangelists (not the denomination), those who spread the gospel and exhibit God's love constantly without going to church all the time. ceremonies in my opinion aren't needed, as Jesus only told us to be baptized and have communion, which can be private if you want.
and for me, Buddhism would be a stifle to wisdom. I don't believe the natural can help us attain the spiritual. incense and praying to a non-deity seem illogical in my opinion.
I'll stay having my relationship with God thank you.
2007-05-01 10:43:07 · answer #4 · answered by Hey, Ray 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I can't tell you why you turned your back on God, that is something that only you can say, no one can answer that question for you.
But, my thoughts on why you turned your back is that you got connected to a church where God doesn't live. there are churches out there that are of the world but professing God. the problem is that this is an age old tactic that satan has used to turn people away from God. as the word says (and I'm Pharazing) every one out there calling on Christ and saying that they love and follow God are not real. if the church you attended was real it would have helped you to see that serving God is a choice and a privilage not a competition. and from what you said it seems that you were looking at the people not the word of God for answers, if you follow the people you will always fall back but if you keep your eyes on God and your trust and faith in him you will walk in him forever. my prayers for you to walk back into the light will be there always as i will add you to my prayer list as a permanent person to pray for. I hope that one day light will wrap you in the love of God once again.
2007-05-01 18:38:35 · answer #5 · answered by Erica M 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Christianity is not a concept.Salvation is a life changing experience,and a commitment to Jesus Christ for the rest of ones life.Whom the son sets free is free indeed.A life altering experience like when you have been saved from all your sins and cleansed from all unrighteousness with a clean record to start your whole life over with,and you dont even have to worry about eternal punishment in hell fire wher the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched,I cant understand why you wouldnt want to tell everybody unless you are ashamed of what you believe in.Jesus said if you confess me before men I will confess you before my Father and if you deny me before men I will deny you before the Father.Buddah is dead. Jesus is Risen.He is alive making intercession for the sins of all who will accept his sacrifice in blood. What can Buddah offer you as far as benefits now and in your eternity?Jesus offers eternal Life with wonderous benefits for now and our future in eternity.Idolatry was one of the sins that God hates most of all.Jesus said men love darkness rather than light because their evil deeds were reproved.they just didn't like to be made to feel guilty .If you are looking for inner peace and love,you need look no further than a prayer to God Almighty,who hears all our prayers and is touched by all our infirmities,who knows our thoughts and the intents of our hearts and our dreams and hearts desires.A God who loved us enough to send His only begotten son into the world to die on a cross,shed His righteous blood,and redeem mankind from the curse of sin placed on man through disobedience. Every time this attonement is rejected and trodden under the foot of man they crucify Him in His heart again with rejection.Yet He is married to the back slider.He would gladly take you back if you will sincerely seek Him and desire Him and love Him with all your heart.You will never find true peace and satisfaction in anything else you do or any other God for there is no other name under heaven whereby we may be saved,Jesus said I am the way the truth and the light ,No man cometh to the Father but by me.So my friend any old god just wont do when you take your last breath on this earth.No man knows the day or hour but God when our time is up.A minute from now ,a hour,a day ,aweek etc.Do you really want to gamble it all away.If the Church you were going to didn'help you,or feed you spiritually find one that will.Make sure you read the Bible and pray and learn the truth.so no man can decieve you.The Holy Ghost can fill you up when you become ready and lead you into all truth. There is the real thing and the counterfiet thing.I refuse to let people 's hypocracy,and bad attitudes and unlearned behavior in churches keep me from going to church and worshipping my God.The devil don't run me nowhere.and he wont run you if you dont let him.What God requires of me is to Love the Lord my God with all my heart and body and soul and to love my neighbor as myself.I love everyone,but I hate it when evil causes people to get hurt. God loves mankind but hates the sin.He doesnt put anyone in Hell they put theirselves there if they turn down the only way of escape.Please choose wisely.We only get one lifetime to decide.
2007-05-01 11:30:51 · answer #6 · answered by sylvia 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
While I commend your choice, I still feel that the only true way to find answers is to look within yourself.
Organized religion has the fatal flaw of being tied to societal laws and morals, without being distilled down to the individual truth. Your path may follow a Buddhist route, but never follow blindly.
2007-05-01 10:25:36 · answer #7 · answered by John S 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
both had basic messages of discarding the complicated dogmas of their figure's faith and specializing in surely being a extra effective man or woman. both had human beings coming after them that re-complexified what they reported. regrettably, their similarities are lost on maximum cutting-side Christians who view their own dogma as something that ought to receive their undying loyalty, as hostile to a reasoned set of regulations that ought to make experience (and that i purely element to Christians because Buddhists don't have a tendency to assert such issues as "there is not any similarity").
2016-11-24 19:03:16 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are a perfect example of what I have been saying for years. There is no right religion, only the right religion for you. No religion has cornered the market on morality, and no religion will ever be able to make sense for everyone in the world. Although I am an atheist, I respect everyone else's beliefs. I just wish they would do the same for me. It's nice to hear you have found something that makes sense to you. Good luck.
2007-05-01 10:28:07 · answer #9 · answered by seattlefan74 5 · 6⤊ 2⤋
Congratulations for choosing Buddhism ,the path of love,freedom,peace and Nirvana.
2007-05-01 18:21:31 · answer #10 · answered by Shehan 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋