Out on the trail that day the guys joked with me a bit about being Buddhist, which I didn't mind knowing it was all in fun. But it did lead me to ask them, as well as myself, "What is it to be Zen and what's so bad about it?" I was surprised to hear that they didn't have much of an idea, and neither do I some 270 pages into the book. But then again I don't think the author would claim to have a firm understanding or dare give a definition of it either.
I have been reading through this book with an open and earnest mind, doing my best to give every train of thought of Robert M. Pirsig a sufficient amount of dwelling time, sifting through his ideas and information, and grasping onto that which I believe to be of value and worth and allowing it then to tweak my perspective towards the things.
So why is it sometimes looked down upon to have an open mind towards those things we are unfamiliar with?
And why do we look at those things that aren't deemed to align with the Christian religion as therefore against it?
5 comments:
I didn't want to comment on this one because I was hoping other people would, but they haven't. I am sure you already know my answer to questions like this, but of course, I think that religions aren't opposing each other and that you could be Buddhist and Christian if you want. Some people might call that blasphemy, but I think reading things that open your mind is always a good thing- we could use more open-minded people in the world. Then maybe we wouldn't have so much death or destruction. What do you think?
I think this is a nice thought, but unfortunately it just doesnt work out in reality. Sure you could be a "Christian" and a "Buddhist" at the same time, if you sacrifice vital parts of each and take the watered down version. But whats really the point in that? I have an open mind and I dont think its a bad thing to read other religious texts (In fact I have a Koran sitting next to me right now!) with an open mind but the problem is not when they disagree with Christianity but rather with Christ Himself.
Just on the surface of the issue Zen Buddhism is a pantheistic religion where as Christianity is just theistic, you cant hold to both of these because they are opposing views. Pantheism is the idea that God is the world, or God is this tree, rock, mountain etc. rather than God created this tree, rock, mountain etc. You cant believe these both cause that would mean that God created himself, and logically that just doesnt work out. Oh and its not Biblical.
I could give you a thousand cases where religions oppose each other, I mean, I dont even know what to say to that. Read the Koran and the BIble, they dont fit together in anyway at all, unless of course you take out all of the actually important parts (Jesus, the resurrection, the crucifixtion,). Now saying this, I do believe that all people today treat people of other religions stupidly, but on the muslims part, thats because their text, the Koran, says that it is ok to do this! I think this other huge movement, that Brooke is talking about, this religious pluralism is also pretty bogus. Why should we think that Christianity is untenable in the face of religious diversity?
And anyway there are inherent fallacious claims in the claims of religious pluralism that are important to notice. First it is usually assumed that holding to a "Christian particularist" view is immoral and arrogant because to do this is to assert that anyone who disagrees with you is mistaken. But this is logically invalid, it is trying to invalidate the position by attacking the the morality of those who hold it. The truth of a position is entirely independent from the moral qualities of those who hold it. Suppose that I have searched and searched through all religions and have come to the conclusion that Biblical Christianity is true, and other religions are false, is this then arrogant or immoral? I think not. It also is incredibly ironic that pluralists claim that their view is right, yet if you are a "Christian Particularist" then you are wrong...interesting how that works.
I can go on but I fear I have already written too much! Sorry I just got done with school, I need somewhere to write something! LEt me know what you guys think:) looking forward to the wedding!
Dusty, I think that I am trying to find commonalities where you are trying to further polarize religions. By saying that the Koran and the Bible don't fit together in any way at all seems a bit extreme. There are many similar themes throughout both books. Yes, Muslims don't believe that Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected, so if that is the only important thing to you as a Christian, then I can see why you can find no commonalities with other religions. To me, there are many other important things about being a Christian, so I like to emphasize the commonalities I have with others rather than further set myself apart from them by claiming that God has revealed The Truth to me and not them, because I don't think that is true. If you come to relationships with others from that perspective, you will have no relationships with people of other faiths. You may say that I am sacrificing vital parts of Christianity, but I think I am embracing vital themes throughout the Bible like love and not judging others. Okay, bring on the criticism!!!
I understand you are trying to find commonalities but why? I have no need to have commonality within religions to have relationships with people just the same. Cause truly, at least in the cases of Islam and BIblical Christianity there more differences than similarities. Does this matter to me? Not really, whether or not I agree with someone on religious matters does not determine my relationship with them, I just find religion in general interesting. I do find commonalities with other religions but they are usually surface things.
I also find it interesting that you talked about Jesus' death and resurrection. As a Christian it is important to realize that without the crucifixtion and ressurection humanity (you and I) would be absolutely doomed. This is clear through out the Bible, so to say that it is not central to our faith is simply illogical. Paul speaks of this in 1st Corinthians 15 when he says "For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."
I do not see how I am judging others at all. Is it wrong to disagree with someone? Does not the very act of tolerance presuppose disagreement? Would I not then be forced to sacrifice my beliefs to love?
finding commonality with someone, and loving them are two different things.
I can find commonality with Buddists, I can find commonality through a lot of different directions, but it is that heart behind the issue.
Love is a huge theme through the Bible. That is truth. Jesus hung out with people that he was not supposed to, he loved people that he was not supposed to. Tax collectors, prostitutes; I mean if you were not supposed to hang out with someone, Jesus came and hung out with them, but the main question is why?
Why did Jesus hang out with these people?
Was it to piss off the teachers of the law, the 'religious' leaders?
Or
was it to change the view of that culture, to love that person by SHOWING them the truth in love.
Jesus is the ONLY way, the ONLY truth and the ONLY life.
By no means do I believe that I am superior, better, more awesome than anyone because of that belief, I believe that, i follow that, and I tell people that because JESUS said it. Because it is the truth. And if I am going to call myself a Christian, I am to hold to that truth.
finding commonalities with someone is not wrong... but the following or justification of those commonalities without pointing to the truth in Christ is walking a very fine line.
Jesus came to HEAL the sick, not just to have a good conversation with people, or finding commonalities with people. Repentance (which all of us need to do, me included) changes people, to follow Christ.
If you are a Christian, we are called to love people. That is true.
But in the end,
the MOST loving thing we can do is point people to Jesus.
period.
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