Can one person be two religions at once?

Question

I once knew a guy who said he was Mormon and Buddhist.

Answer 1

Have only come across a few evangelical Born Again Christians who also practise Buddhism - experiencing little conflict; however they did not believe in Rebirth of the mindstream.
One who believes in an 'eternal' heaven usually chooses not to believe in Rebirth in Buddhism.
However he or she may still follow much of the Noble Eightfold Path, especially that of
Right {Skillful) Action - which contains the Five Precepts. ~He or she may also be daily committed to the practise of Mindfulness Meditation and Loving-kindness Meditation.

Have come across Catholic Christians who practise the Noble Eightfold Path along with the Bible and the traditions of the Catholic Church, experiencing no conflict whatsoever.

Have come across many Christian Mormons
who practise the Noble Eightfold Path 'in depth' - seeing many similarities between Buddhist Philosophy and the Christian Religion of Mormonism.

Those who follow the Noble Eightfold Path to lesson the unsatisfactoriness (suffering) in life
to be happy - do 'not' view The Buddha, the Dhamma (The Buddhas teachings) or the Sangha
as a god(s) - so in reality there is no conflict: there are no two masters in the sense of gods or Lords.
It is all a matter of perspective - what a Buddhist might call right (skillful) thoughts/intentions and right (skillful) view.

If following the Noble Eightfold Path along with another religion brings one guilt, condemnation; causes one 'much' suffering {mental anguish; unsatisfactoriness) then it is not advisable for that particular person to practise the Eightfold Path for happiness. From seeing answers from some (not all) evangelical Born Again Christians who have answered previous Buddhist related questions, they may view Buddhist philosophy as a threat or something which may possibly somehow cause them harm, so thus it would be advisable for them not to practise this philosophy.

Buddhism is 'not' for everyone and practising Buddhists realise this: The Dhammpada Chapter 14 makes this clear, how difficult it is the walk the path: the Noble Eightfold Path. It is a path that is quite challenging to pursue for human beings, for their is no savior - except the Buddha-Nature that lies within every human being (eliminating all delusions, ignorance, hatred, cravings, and
selfish-attachments). Dhamma teachings of The Buddha guide us along as we daily practise The Noble Eightfold Path.

The 14th Dalai Lama personally advises that practising evangelical born-again Christians not 'entirely' convert to the Buddhist Philosophy of Life - in his book: "Healing Anger: the Power of Patience from a Buddhist Perspective." He advises this because many of those who have tried have experienced inner fear, guilt and condemnation. One would have to read "Healing Anger: the Power of Patience from a Buddhist Perspective" to truly understand what the Dalai Lama means by this. *'Buddhists truly wish all sentient beings to be happy and free from suffering!'* If the one religion they practise brings them happiness, then it actually contributes to the happiness of practising Buddhists.
*Buddhism does not set out to convert others; if others ask questions about this philosophy or way of life - a practising Buddhist may answer or refer the person to a website or teacher/monk who has been practising Buddhism for many years longer.

Hope this helps, some.

Answer 2

Some people practice parts of two religions at once. One cannot be fully committed to two paths at the same time though. Some Christians try to do this because they see the beauty in a particular religion, but have become so programmed by Christianity that they are fearful to adopt a different faith. They fear hell, (or in the case of the Mormons, the Terrestrial Kingdom, rather than the Celestial).

Answer 3

When things in one religion don't seem to answer all of the questions anymore, but other religions have aspects that are impossible for the person to believe, he often tries to find the truth by believing parts of different religions.

By this, I mean trying to find the true path without lables, boundaries, or fear for one's eternal soul. For someone truly seeking the truth, it is not a matter of picking and choosing what is easiest or what you like best. It is about finding what is the right way.

It is true that MOST religions speak against this. Of course they do. If everyone followed what he believed God truly wants and refused to follow out of fear, what power would religious leaders have over people? THAT is the question that everyone should ask themselves.

Answer 4

It tends to be more the creedal religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) that presume you can only practice one.

There was a poll some years back of religious affiliation in Japan, for instance, were something like 3% said they were Christian, 77% said they were Confucian, 79% said they were Buddhist, and 82% said they were Shinto. They'd do things like go to a Buddhist temple for funerals, a Shinto shrine for a marriage, and see a Confucian astrologer on the occasion of a birth, etc.

There is a Zen practice center in Texas called Maria Kannon Zen Center. It is founded by a Jesuit, Ruben Habito, who is also a Zen teacher.

And for those of us who put practices before words, and experiences before ideas, and realizations before dogmatic concepts ... it is completely possible to be utterly devoted to "one" path and to use any and all that humanity has to offer us by way of wholesome support and teachings to guide us on that path.
.

Answer 5

since Buddhism is really more of a philosophy than a religion, it can be compatible with theism.
So yes, it is possible to be a Mormon and a Buddhist

the five basic precepts of the Buddhist moral code:
1. Do not kill or harm living beings.
2. Do not steal.
3. Do not engage in sexual misconduct.
4. Do not lie.
5. Do not use alcohol or intoxicating drugs.

Answer 6

God gives us space to be any religion we want, but there are only two churches, and they are one. One is the church of believers, and God has them everywhere, even atheists will be called. The other is a physical organization--that is where the saints meet each sabbath. It may be a cathedral, home, or by the wayside, but Jesus says where two or more are gathered in My name, I am in the midst.

He told the woman at the well, the time is coming, and NOW IS, that you don't worship in Jerusalem, but in Spirit and truth.

More on this in the Bible code at http://abiblecode.tripod.com

Shalom, peace in Jesus, Ben Yeshua

Answer 7

It depends on the religions. Buddhism is more of a philosophy, so it could be compatible with almost any other religion. But you couldn't be, say, Christian and Pagan at the same time.

Answer 8

His Karma is to come back as a crafter at the largest flea market in Hell, and Heaven

Answer 9

You can be whatever you want to be. However, doing so may render you unacceptable and a heretic by the followers of one or both of those same religions.

Answer 10

One person can be many religions at once, none at times...this is the wonder of choice.