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Always for reasons that made theological sense? Exactly how is the Catholic aspect integrated into the ancient religion? Are Muslims more likely to borrow from Buddhism or convert to Buddhism on that basis? If so,maybe we should add "resemblance of ritual" to the "interesting and easy" criteria...

Of course. Instead of giving each other grout cleaning tips on an interfaith discussion forum! :) I would deduce that you have a problem with orthodox religion of any kind. Mostly all I do is discourse analysis and semantics. It's not for me to make definitive statements about anything. More...

I'm glad you have no problem with that. :)

Isn't the transition from possible to actual itself a kind of change? You seem to be saying that all possibilities represent all actualities. Therefore, how can you argue G-d contains all possibilities and all actualities? A fully realized being would have no possibilities because they would...

I was talking with a Buddhist about accepting all of a religion to be true or just part of it. I think that issue is relevant to borrowing. Buddhism borrowed quite a bit from Hinduism, but rejected the stature of the priesthood. The Buddha seemed to have had very good reasons for it. It was...

Isn't the Christian position that we do need Grace? There is no reason to equate these things. Why would you equate them ?

ok, well my point is that the view that God is aware of a possible event eternally is yet another example of developing a characterization that fits in with a philosophic definition. Looks like you are trying to confirm an implication of a premise that is itself at issue. I think we need to look...

He may be open to interfaith dialogue, but it looks to me like he is not at all interested in crossfertilizations and evidently wants religions to remain separate:Buddhists should implement what we believe in daily life and our Christian brothers and sisters should also implement their teachings...

Yes and no. Problem is: If it's all so personal and idiosyncratic, then there no hope for communication. In that sense, your individualistic slant is untenable. Most of the time we assume that someone will know what we mean when we tell them about ourselves. I suspect that this has generally...

Hi Thomas, To which you replied: The first part about the word "perfect" being used to signify completion and finality is probably a fairly accurate rendering of the medieval G-d concept that was based on Aquinas:God is perfect (in the sense of) lacking nothing. That is, God is distinguished...

On the contrary, he has encouraged competition between religions. Where was that? What words did he use when he suggested to nonBuddhists that they substitute images from their non-Buddhist traditions? (I don't know if you read any of my posts quoting the Tibetan Buddhist blogger.) Btw, I've...

Seems a it glib. I suspect you could find fundamentalists who maintain that these folks are not.

Nicely worded. I would add that when people enact a ritual associated with a religion, they are in effect (1) agreeing that the ritual is valid and (2) affirming that the religion it came from is valid. This is why borrowing bits and pieces from other faith traditions is so problematic.

Hi Thomas, This appears to be yet another instance of you making up positions and ascribing them to panentheism in order to cast aspersions on it. Please cite a panentheist who maintains that the Holy Spirit should be identified with the world or who has said that the Holy Spirit is "of this...

Hi Thomas, Thanks for your reply. I think I understand your attachment to medieval philosophy and the notion of a static G-d. But I do believe no one should e persuaded by your flippancy to hold back from exploring the theology we have available to us today that can show the way to a more...

Thomas, The line of argument is familiar. Unfortunately, the basic assumption you are making that G-d is above time is a problematic view. Yes, and then some..... Let's see where this ends up. An Immutable, unchanging G-d would not relate to Creation in an immanental and sympathetic way. But...

It was relevant to Mort's assessment of you were saying, and that's what I was responding to. You're not the center of my universe, Thomas. :p Sorry.

Please note my post above. What about G-d changing because He chooses to? Or are you unwilling to attribute volitional power to Him? I wanted to add: In discourse, the word "perfect" is used to signify completion and finality. However, it does not follow that G-d's nature matches a...

Hi Thomas, I was wondering: who is it that has espoused this position that you seem to have a problem with. Offhand, I can't think of any panentheist who would maintain that nature can limit G-d. It seems to me that you have made up a position you ascribed to Panentheism in order to the...

Alteratively, G-d can be seen as supremely relative. In theology, the word "Absolute" is just an abstract term we use to denote a certain quality that characterizes a state of affairs or the extent of divine power. The Biblical G-d is shown to be absolute in his faithfulness toward humankind...