[lit-ideas] Re: Comparative religion

Eternitytime1@xxxxxxx wrote:
> 
>In a message dated 3/9/2005 4:34:04 PM Central Standard Time,  
>JimKandJulieB@xxxxxxx writes:
>Then  there's the Assemblies of God movement which says that if you haven't   
>spoken in tongues.....
>
>
>Hi,
>Oh, that's so right!
> 
>and, what about the controversy about whether or not you can 'lose' your  
>salvation!
>  
>

In "Pure Land" Buddhism (Japan), one avoids rebirth by "recitation" or 
calling on the mercy of the compassionate Buddha.  There is a specific 
chant that is repeated in calling upon Buddha's power.  But Honen  
developed a doctrine that one did not need to continually chant; one 
could achieve nirvana (eventually) just by sincerely chanting just once; 
the repetitions were unnecessary.

Doesn't that sound familiar?

As far as "exclusivity" in religions, John McCreery's explanations can't 
be beat. Most religions see themselves as tools.  Why would one only use 
a hammer when a screwdriver might work better?  Confucianism freely 
adopted itself to Buddhism; Taoism and Buddhism are practiced by the 
same people for different results.  I even saw a book years ago "Zen 
Catholicism."  Or imagine going into a really great restaurant and being 
asked if one wants wine OR a salad OR an entree OR desert. Why not have 
some of each? They are NOT the same thing, after all.

On the othe hand, my ex-wife's younger brother once explained to me that 
when he was eight, he never watched Channel 11 on television (Public 
Broadcasting channel). I asked why; he said that it was "Public" 
television, and "Catholics" didn't agree with  "Publics."




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