I felt like writing about religion today. I wrote this essay a while ago about inter-religious understanding, you know if and how someone from one religion (or someone with no religion) can even have a meaningful conversion with someone of a different religion. I said yes but only if one accepts that the other religion is true. I figure there are 4 positions one can make in regards to another religion. (And since I'm Christian I'll use that as an example)
First you can say everyone else is wrong except those who share your faith (or lack thereof) -- obviously not much conversation happening here. Or you can say "Yeah, those guys say some great things, I lot of it is true -- I mean the parts that agree with my own faith. Maybe we had the same origins but they screwed if up somehow." This only sounds more tolerant at first but actually its no more tolerant than the first. The other guys still end up in Hell, or may Heck. The third position is to say that all religions are the same and only appear different. This sounds pretty good too, but it ends up being just as intolerant as the first position. Why? Well, first of all to say all religions are the same you have make pretty strict definitions of what religion is. One I often here now is "inner spirituality" or something. Or maybe morals. If you say that REAL religion is your own inner feelings or whatever, your saying all the millions of people that believe otherwise are wrong. Again, it amounts to the same thing as the first position.
So we seem to be stuck then. But there is a fourth position. Religions all claim some absolute and universal Truth. But why does there have to be just one? Why can't we say that different religions give their own interpretations of what Truth is and have their own religious "goals." Liberation is True according to the Buddhist way of life AND salvation is Truth in the Christian one. And what about Hell then? I say why deny it (I mean as a Christian) Hell means being without God. Now this is a moot point for A Buddhist who's world-view contains no God (and by God I mean Judaeo-christian-muslim God). Only then can we talk and learn from each other. There is no point in trying to find some one ultimate truth that ties everything together, and from a Christian point of view at least, this is something only God knows.
Well, this all sounded great. I can keep my own faith while accepting those of others. However, recently I've gotten interested in Islam. Now Islam and Christianity are talking about the same God! What I was saying might work great for Buddhists and Christians who are different enough from one another to talk about two ultimate Truths, but what about Muslims and Christians. We talk about the same God but say totally different things about Him. Can we even have a conversation with each other without saying "you're wrong"? If I admit that Islam is true, I have to admit that mohammed is a prophet and accept the Quran. If I do that how can I say accept the Trinity? Can I still be a Christian an not believe that Jesus is the living God?
And thats where we're ending today because I don't have any good answers.
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4 comments:
hello Shawn,
it was interesting reading your blog. i was reminded of an article i read last year about an episcopal priet's struggle with similar questions
http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1181062891496&pagename=Zone-English-Discover_Islam%2FDIELayout
i personally do not believe that the two faiths are compatible in their standard forms. as a muslim i can claim to be both a christian and a jew (in the sense that i believe i follow the 'true' commandments of prophets jesus and moses). obviously, this does not make me christian or jew in the eyes of the followers of these traditions and therefore i choose not to assert this.
i think it is considerably more difficult for a christian to regard himself as a muslim without compromising his faith. however, as the lady above shows if you are determined enough to do so... in islam we believe in individual accountability for our beliefs and actions in front of god alone. therefore, the lady in question is accountable for her interpretation of god's guidance. it is clear, however, that her understanding deviates significantly from mainstream muslim beliefs.
good luck on your journey seeking answers for yourself =)
That was a really interesting article. I was actually looking for something like that. I guess I do and I don't believe that two faiths can be compatible. I've been interested in Buddhism for a long time -- and although I would not call my self a Buddhist (or Buddhist-Christian) -- it is more than just an intellectual interest.
But like I said Buddhism and Christianity are compatible in the sense that they are not compatible (?!) I mean that they come from completely different starting points and have different ends. So I can accept both Truths but I am a little sceptical of people who say they are both. There was a point when I considered converting to Buddhism actually, and I remember being told by a monk that 'don't loose sleep over it but one day you'll have to choose.'
One of the things that attracts me to Islam though (and correct me if I'm wrong) is that christians and Jews, even if they maybe seen little off, are accepted as believers. Thats something most Christians can't seem to do. Many if not most won't even admit that they are worshiping the same God.
But I suppose that would be the first step to finding out how compatible our faiths really are.
That was a really interesting article <----- thank you =D
i can sympathize with your view that buddhism and christianity are compatible. in my opinion, this is because essentially what remains of christian religion is merely its theology. many believers seek concrete ways in which to be good and to discipline their mind and soul. buddhism complements christianity well because it lacks definite theology but provides a 'way of life'. a structure by which to live life, concrete steps that increase one's self discipline and help restrain desires.
in deed your observations on islam are true. muslims believe in the god of adam, noah, abraham, isaac, david, solomon, job, jacob, joseph, moses, aaron, and jesus (peace be upon them all); to name but a few messengers of god.
jews and christians in particular are given special recognition in the quran and are referred to as the 'people of the book' (because they follow scripture that has a divine origin). the quran say:
(003:064)
Say: O People of the Scripture! Come to an agreement between us and you: that we shall worship none but Allah, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside Allah. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him).
and regarding the christians in particular:
(005:082)
and nearest among them (men) in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say, "We are Christians": because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant.
with respect to salvation, consider:
(002:062)
Those who believe (in the Qur'an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
however. islam takes very strong exception against the divination of jesus (peace be upon him).
(004:171)
O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) a messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His messengers. Say not "Trinity" : desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is one Allah: Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs.
(003:059)
The similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him: "Be". And he was.
muslims regard jesus as one of the greatest messengers of god. his virgin birth, miracles, and his second coming are articles of muslim faith. muslims do not believe in the concept of original sin nor that jesus died for anybody's sins. islam teach individual accountability.
(006:164)
Say: What! shall I seek a Lord other than Allah? And He is the Lord of all things; and no soul earns (evil) but against itself, and no bearer of burden shall bear the burden of another; then to your Lord is your return, so He will inform you of that in which you differed.
finally i would like to iterate that the central belief in islam is the belief in one god, who has no partners. in fact, islam teaches that this was the message of every prophet sent to all nations from adam onwards.
(004:048)
Allah forgiveth not that partners should be set up with Him; but He forgiveth anything else, to whom He pleaseth; to set up partners with Allah is to devise a sin Most heinous indeed.
i fear that i over did it. my intention was only to give you a fair idea of the major points on which islam and christianity agree and disagree. i hope it helps you further along your journey in forming an informed decision.
another case of person claiming to practice christianity and islam. dennis o'brian
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