Vajradhara
One of Many
Namaste all,
given the nature of the forum here, i thought that this would be the ideal place to ask a question and get some intelligent, honest opinions on something that's been on my mind recently.
a friend of mine has been having some "issues of faith" as it were recently and has asked to read some of my books on Buddhism. i believe that he is a Christian though if this is by choice or by upbringing i cannot say at this time. i realize that it makes a huge difference from a theological perspective, though that is not something that he and i, yet, have discussed.
i have a feeling that is going to change quite soon.
my inclination and my particular school of Buddhism hold that any spiritual path that teaches a moral and ethical path is a valid spiritual refuge. i say this because i often feel the need to explain that i consider Christianity to be a valid spiritual refuge, even though i don't happen to agree with it. this is difficult for some Christians to conceed, let alone believe.
having said that, my question is mainly directed towards the Chrisitans on this site, however, i'll welcome all discussion and opinions that are on point.
in all candor, i believe that my friend has let his emnity with his father, a Christian, influence his choice in a religion. i.e. since his father is a Christian, he will not be as a show of rebellion or to demonstrate to himself and those around him that he didn't grow up to be "just like his father."
i do not believe that he has honestly investigated Christianity to make an informed decision about this. it is very difficult to leave the religion that one has had inculcated since thier birth, for some people, even if they want to, they cannot leave. further, there is usually a cultural difference that makes some aspects of the other traditions difficult to understand without a proper understanding of the culture and traditions that existed at the time.
given this, my primary question is this, if you were in my position (that of the good friend with "spiritual" insight) what would you recommend? please understand that this man would define the word "skeptic" in the dictionary![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
as a secondary question.. realizing that i'm not a Chrisitan, would you know of a good book that isn't... how should i say this... condescending... that would be of some value in presenting Christianity to a "modern" world angry man?
given the nature of the forum here, i thought that this would be the ideal place to ask a question and get some intelligent, honest opinions on something that's been on my mind recently.
a friend of mine has been having some "issues of faith" as it were recently and has asked to read some of my books on Buddhism. i believe that he is a Christian though if this is by choice or by upbringing i cannot say at this time. i realize that it makes a huge difference from a theological perspective, though that is not something that he and i, yet, have discussed.
i have a feeling that is going to change quite soon.
my inclination and my particular school of Buddhism hold that any spiritual path that teaches a moral and ethical path is a valid spiritual refuge. i say this because i often feel the need to explain that i consider Christianity to be a valid spiritual refuge, even though i don't happen to agree with it. this is difficult for some Christians to conceed, let alone believe.
having said that, my question is mainly directed towards the Chrisitans on this site, however, i'll welcome all discussion and opinions that are on point.
in all candor, i believe that my friend has let his emnity with his father, a Christian, influence his choice in a religion. i.e. since his father is a Christian, he will not be as a show of rebellion or to demonstrate to himself and those around him that he didn't grow up to be "just like his father."
i do not believe that he has honestly investigated Christianity to make an informed decision about this. it is very difficult to leave the religion that one has had inculcated since thier birth, for some people, even if they want to, they cannot leave. further, there is usually a cultural difference that makes some aspects of the other traditions difficult to understand without a proper understanding of the culture and traditions that existed at the time.
given this, my primary question is this, if you were in my position (that of the good friend with "spiritual" insight) what would you recommend? please understand that this man would define the word "skeptic" in the dictionary
as a secondary question.. realizing that i'm not a Chrisitan, would you know of a good book that isn't... how should i say this... condescending... that would be of some value in presenting Christianity to a "modern" world angry man?