christianity + other philosophies

[natural philosophy]

anybody here have an opinion on blending philosophies with christianity? i've met quite a few people that think they are incompatible, but others generally don't have a problem with it. I've been told that christianity is incompatible with other philosophies. as my parent's priest once said, 'some non-catholics may go to heaven'. i'm afrad that that is the opinion of most christians, that only christians (or whatever christian denomination) are 'doing it the right way' and that all others are false. influences like this are what originally made me question my beliefs.

any christians here have thoughts on this?

and what are your views on sacred texts other than the bible? are they divinely inspired (also) ? is there only one true god in heaven (yahweh and his son, jesus... or whatever your denomination believes god to be) ? or are there many incarnations of god that have inspired the sacred texts? or does god appear in different forms to the different nations and cultures?

I personally incorporate ideas of judaism, christianity, buddhism, hinduism, rastafarIanism, paganism, and a few others. some people call me crazy for having my fingers in so many religions so to speak, but i don't think any of them have it right... but none of them have it completely wrong either. i believe god to be present in every religion, each religion is simply the human interpretation of god.

your thoughts?

[Portalguy]

Hey NP how goes it? Actually incorporating parts of Judaism and Christianity work well together. Rastafarians are of Abrahamic religious decent. Buddhism I don't think would be a long stretch. I could see how Hinduism or Paganism could trouble some because of their polytheistic beliefs.

[natural philosophy]

well, i'm not polythieistic. i don't take the gods of the religions i deal with. i do believe in samsara and karma, at least in some form. the idea of brahman also interests me, as i do believe in a supreme being, but im not presumptious enough to give it a name or distinguishing qualities. i believe in the liberation from the cycle, but i wouldn't say that there is any dogma that fits everyone's path.

i'm a pantheist, so that's where i agree with the pagans. i believe that the earth and all her children(animals, plants, rocks, metals, etc.) have their own qualities that should be revered and held sacred. not necessarily worshipped like most pagans would do. i also agree in some rites and ceremonies, simply for the psychological desires that humans have, but that goes with all religions i guess. ceremonies fulfill needs that passive belief can not.

[Portalguy]

Interesting ideas NP.

[natural philosophy]

meant to say brahma, not brahman. a brahman is a human.

and thanks portalguy, i would like to hear more of your ideas on the subject.

[Maud'Dib]

meant to say brahma, not brahman. a brahman is a human.

and thanks portalguy, i would like to hear more of your ideas on the subject.Brahman is the Supreme Form, Brahma is the God of Creation :)
But, Brahman is also a preist :)
You were right the first time

[niranjan]

meant to say brahma, not brahman. a brahman is a human.

and thanks portalguy, i would like to hear more of your ideas on the subject.

Brahman is the name for the impersonal God in hinduism, and the vedas state that all the gods springs from the supreme Lord Brahman. Brahman pervades everything.

It is the brahmana or the brahmin who is the human being, not Brahman, who is everything. Hinduism in essence , is monotheistic, or strictly speaking, monistic.

[niranjan]

Interestingly Mahatma Gandhi shared your viewpoint.....



Later in his life when Gandhi was asked whether he was a Hindu, he replied:

"Yes I am. I am also a Christian, a Muslim, a Buddhist and a Jew."


Very sound wisdom, if you ask me.

Is it any wonder that Albert Einstein paid tribute to Gandhi in such a way....

Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this walked upon this earth in flesh and blood.

----Albert Einstein

[natural philosophy]

thanks for clarifying for me...i haven't done TOO much research on hindusim, but that's what i've been getting into learning lately.

and, maud'dib, you seem familiar....:D

[Merry Mab]

anybody here have an opinion on blending philosophies with christianity? i've met quite a few people that think they are incompatible, but others generally don't have a problem with it. I've been told that christianity is incompatible with other philosophies. as my parent's priest once said, 'some non-catholics may go to heaven'. i'm afrad that that is the opinion of most christians, that only christians (or whatever christian denomination) are 'doing it the right way' and that all others are false. influences like this are what originally made me question my beliefs.

any christians here have thoughts on this?

and what are your views on sacred texts other than the bible? are they divinely inspired (also) ? is there only one true god in heaven (yahweh and his son, jesus... or whatever your denomination believes god to be) ? or are there many incarnations of god that have inspired the sacred texts? or does god appear in different forms to the different nations and cultures?

I personally incorporate ideas of judaism, christianity, buddhism, hinduism, rastafarIanism, paganism, and a few others. some people call me crazy for having my fingers in so many religions so to speak, but i don't think any of them have it right... but none of them have it completely wrong either. i believe god to be present in every religion, each religion is simply the human interpretation of god.

your thoughts?
lol...My Deity doesn't play well with the others.

Seriously, though, I love learning about other religions, customs and cultures. I'll be lurking around.

One of my favorite online friends is in Wales, and worships the Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess. We're both interested in Arthurian legends, so we're always exchanging information we learn about the early days of Roman occupation and the spread of Christianity in the British Islands and beyond. What I've loved about our talks is that we do so without animosity to one another's beliefs. We've both learned things.

[dollydagger]

I am a christian that believes that there is truth in all religions. i have been studying buddhism, and i recognize the Buddha as a spiritual father. Now, im not sure if i beleive in reincarnation (but i dont discredit it because we dont really knows what happens next) but if itis indeed what happens, buddha and christ could be reincarnates of one another. (some christians would find that very appaling). I have also taken part in numerous native american ceremonies, most notably the pipe ceremony and a sweat lodge. In fact, not too far from where i live, there is a convent, and at that convent, the mother superior leads women in sweat lodges.

I believe that we are stewards of the earth, that the earth and everything in it IS God. It was created by God, why not respect and revel inthis great creation???

I also have friends of many faith, and i believe that God is in many persuasions/interperetations.

As a christian, i believe that we are here to love one another, to accept one another, and to not pass judgement on one another.

[Okiefreak]

You're the most open-minded Christians I've ever run into. I'm a blender, myself, especially with Buddhist beliefs. Buddhism seems more like a philosophy than a religion to me anyhow. Of course, the fundamentalists would disown us. Jesus said "I am the way, the Truth and the Light", and some take that to mean ONE Way, to the exclusion of others. A friend of mind remarked once that the "Devil has those people" in Buddhist countries. I think it's amazing that anybody could regard such an enlightened religion as demonic. I'm open to whatever I think is good in all religions: Islam, Hinduism, Native American,Wicca, etc. Of course, I draw the line at human or animal sacrifice, and Satanism is out. I knew a Satanist once, and I could get along with him, but he was an orthodox Satanist. Those unorthodox ones you have to look out for.
How many traditional, Bible-believing Christians do you suppose are still tuning into this site? If they're out there, I, for one, would like to hear from them--and I hope they won't be afraid of being bashed the way we all are on the main site.

[CSP101]

Christianity can easily blend with other religions, I mean all religons divert from the search of something beyond humanity and most have similar moral codes

[Okiefreak]

One of my favorite online friends is in Wales, and worships the Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess. Please tell me more about the Triple Goddess. I've been looking for non-Christian dieties that are Trinities.

[Liroy]

As a christian, i believe that we are here to love one another, to accept one another, and to not pass judgement on one another.

Wow, you have to be one of the first to come up with that,
nice ;)

I was wondering if you can agree that most christians that call themselves christians actually DO judge other people?

But now the question, isnt that a bit hypocrite because the bible says you should not?

Just wondering how you feel about that :)

[Creek]

Based On Your Post, Natural Philosophy, I Suggest Looking Into Gnostic Christianity.

[dollydagger]

Wow, you have to be one of the first to come up with that,
nice ;)

I was wondering if you can agree that most christians that call themselves christians actually DO judge other people?

But now the question, isnt that a bit hypocrite because the bible says you should not?

Just wondering how you feel about that :)
Yes, I know those Chrisitians that are judgemental.......in all honestly, we are all a bit judgemental (christian and non)

And where in the Bible says that? 1&2 Corninthians, Thessalonians, and all the New Testament books are about loving unconditionally because God is the only judge....not us.

[dollydagger]

Please tell me more about the Triple Goddess. I've been looking for non-Christian dieties that are Trinities.
Yes, Im very interested as well....all I know is the Triple Godess is the Virgin, the MOther, and the Crone.....virtually the three important "stages" of womanhood....right?

[Liroy]

True,
this appears to be in our nature, (which I think is quite unfortunate)
however, I meant the 10 thingy's, my apologies for lacking the english word for it,
but you know... the stuff Mozes got on that mountain.

I thought one of them was "Thy shall not judge others" or something in that direction?

[Okiefreak]

No, that was Jesus, not the Ten Commandments. But I agree the people who are the loudest in proclaiming themselves Christian (i.e., the latter-day pharisees) are judgmental.

[Liroy]

Ah yes,
forgot about that, you shall not judge so that you wont be judged,
or something in that direction.

[Okiefreak]

Based On Your Post, Natural Philosophy, I Suggest Looking Into Gnostic Christianity.
I don't think that will work for her. No other creed is as hostile to nature as Gnosticism. They thought it was evil, created by a wicked god, and that Jesus would liberate us from it. I'd suggest Saint Francis, instead. He was a good environmentalist and animal rights advocate, and a righteous hippie. I'm surprised his Canticle of the Sun didn't get him burned at the stake instead of canonized as a saint.

[natural philosophy]

Based On Your Post, Natural Philosophy, I Suggest Looking Into Gnostic Christianity.
ive looked into gnostic christianity and i think it's very interesting how they view the world. i cant believe that the world exists in such light/dark duality. but i do like how they practice denial of worldly pleasures.

[natural philosophy]

I don't think that will work for her. No other creed is as hostile to nature as Gnosticism. They thought it was evil, created by a wicked god, and that Jesus would liberate us from it. I'd suggest Saint Francis, instead. He was a good environmentalist and animal rights advocate, and a righteous hippie. I'm surprised his Canticle of the Sun didn't get him burned at the stake instead of canonized as a saint.
natural philosophy is a dude.

and saint francis was actually my chosen catholic name or whatever it is when you 'confirm' into the church. patron saint of animals. he's my favorite of the catholic saints. :D and he was a righteous hippie.

[Creek]

Gnostic Christianity, As I've Understood It To Be, Is Much Different Than What Many Perceive It To Be~I've Heard Absolutely Nothing Thus Far About Gnostic Christianity Being Hostile Towards Nature And Considering Nature To Be The Work Of An 'Evil God.' Gnosticism (From Thousands Of Years Ago) Is Far Different ThanThe Philosophies Of The Gnostic Christians You Find Today. Gnosticism And Gnost. Christ. Are In Fact Two Separate And Very Different Religions, With Very Few Similarities.

[peacechicka1]

Well those other religions that do not believe in just one god (monotheistic [sp]), like hinduism, paganism, or others, might conflict with christianity...However, the first 5 books in the OT in the Bible are from the Torah...if i am correct. I believe thats what it is. Correct me if i am wrong, I am only saying what Ive learned from sources. :)

Anyhow, Islam, in the sense of the one god thing, might not conflict with christianity. However, some of their beliefs might like a few of the 5 pillars, or somethings that are in the Hadith, might conflict.

It's all in everybody else's beliefs on that.
I dont wish to go into details with Islam, as I have my own opinion on it, and I tell what Ive read up on the Hadith, Quran, AND mohammed [and his follwers and wives] and might offend fellow brothers and sisters. Im just here to talk about the subject, not insult.

Anyhow, as Ive said, it is all in what others' opinions are...thats mine. God has no religion, Im just a Christ-loving Jesus freak lol