Can a christian be a buddhist?

[ArkangeMikail]

I know. My question wasn’t directed to him, nor to anyone in particular.

So, why would a Cristian ever want to be a Buddhist? There’s only one reason I can think of, but there may be others.

to learn about other religions and other thoughts

We must compare different religions to know the truth. If we only stay in our own religion while ignoring others, then we are close-minded.

 

[Bob]

to learn about other religions and other thoughts

We must compare different religions to know the truth. If we only stay in our own religion while ignoring others, then we are close-minded.

Thank you for the comments. We almost agree.

Certainly to understand better our own faith, we need to understand the faiths of others. Also, as a Christian, one might say, “I am going to live as a Buddhist for a period of time” in order to fully understand it. (See, for example, the book “A Year of Living Biblically” The Year of Living Biblically - A.J. Jacobs - Official Website)

For someone to abandon Christianity and become a Buddhist would imply that person was extremely disillusioned with Christianity, or was never serious about the faith to begin with, or perhaps did it to win the heart of a special person, or . . . .

Peace.

 

[Debp]

We must compare different religions to know the truth. If we only stay in our own religion while ignoring others, then we are close-minded.

When I was in Bible college, I minored in Missions. We studied World Religions and Cults. However there is a difference between studying those in order to help others and believing in them.

Once you come to know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior...have the peace of Christ in your mind and heart through the indwelling Holy Spirit, there is no need to go elsewhere for truth.

 

[ArkangeMikail]

When I was in Bible college, I minored in Missions. We studied World Religions and Cults. However there is a difference between studying those in order to help others and believing in them.

Once you come to know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior...have the peace of Christ in your mind and heart through the indwelling Holy Spirit, there is no need to go elsewhere for truth.

I agree with you.

However, in Christian countries, most people have abandoned the faith and fallen into sin. If Christian nations had the religion of truth, why did they abandon it? Why did they go into wars with each other? (world war 1, world war 2... many wars between christian kingdoms in medieval age)
It seems that having the Savior does not prevent nations from sinning and killing.

Muslims, while they certainly have an austere and military religion, at least seem more attached to God's law today - or at least their interpretation of God's law. For example, Muslims people seem to like more family values and chastity, while "Christians" often fornicate and abort their babies.

Personally, I love animals and I am vegetarian, and I do love the Hinduism take of respecting every living being (Hindus are supposed to be vegetarians). I am sad to hear Christians saying that animals are made to be eaten and used by humans, or that animals don't have souls. Christians seem to exploit and use nature, which is a marvelous creation from God, rather than take care of it.

That's for these reasons that I am also interested in other religions, not to convert (I am definitely converting to Christ), but I believe other religions contain true wisdoms.

 

[Debp]

I agree with you.

However, in Christian countries, most people have abandoned the faith and fallen into sin. If Christian nations had the religion of truth, why did they abandon it? Why did they go into wars with each other? (world war 1, world war 2... many wars between christian kingdoms in medieval age)
It seems that having the Savior does not prevent nations from sinning and killing.

Muslims, while they certainly have an austere and military religion, at least seem more attached to God's law today - or at least their interpretation of God's law. For example, Muslims people seem to like more family values and chastity, while "Christians" often fornicate and abort their babies.

Personally, I love animals and I am vegetarian, and I do love the Hinduism take of respecting every living being (Hindus are supposed to be vegetarians). I am sad to hear Christians saying that animals are made to be eaten and used by humans, or that animals don't have souls. Christians seem to exploit and use nature, which is a marvelous creation from God, rather than take care of it.

That's for these reasons that I am also interested in other religions, not to convert (I am definitely converting to Christ), but I believe other religions contain true wisdoms.

You have to remember that just because a country is considered Christian, that doesn't mean everyone in that country is a Christian. Many people are just secular. If you press them for a religion, they might say Christian...but they don't really know about Jesus or the Bible. That Jesus needs to be our personal Savior.

As Christians we don't believe in fornication, adultery or abortion, etc. Although there is forgiveness if one should somehow fall. When you read other parts of the New Testament, you will see that.

Some wars like WW2 were against Hitler who was murdering innocent people so he had to be stopped.

I also love animals and believe in being kind to not only people but also to animals. Here in the USA, animals are humanely killed for food so they won't suffer.