Eastern vs. Western view on knowing God...which do you agree with and why?

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   Tawl Pawlposted 12 years ago

   Eastern vs. Western view on knowing God...which do you agree with and why?
   
   In Eastern (Orthodox) Christianity, it is believed that we come to know God through experience, while in Western Christianity (Roman Catholisism, Protestantism) it is believed that we come to know God through logic. East = Heart, West = Mind...Which one do you agree with and why?

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   Sarah Christinaposted 12 years ago

   I agree with both. In my opinion, when doing anything in life, you should never base it solely on how you feel or solely on logic, because human beings are comprised of both a heart and a mind. You only find peace when you have a balanced approach, catering to both--in my personal experience, I have only felt the most connected to God when both my mind and heart were united as one. It is difficult to do sometimes, but it is possible. I also think it is different for everyone...each person's relationship with God is personal, and how they approach it differs depending on who they are. I suppose a more logical person takes the western approach, while a more passionate or feeling based person takes the eastern approach. Neither one is wrong, really...just a different way of connecting to God.

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      WillWynn2posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent points! We are all unique, so why should our approaches to this entity we call God be the same?

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   Darrell Robertsposted 12 years ago

   I agree more with the Eastern philosophy pertain to God.  The over all view is that God created the material nature so that the spirit soul could come and try to enjoy material nature.  There is both heart and logic in the presentaton of the Eastern view.  The first thing is to konw that we are spiritual beings having a physical experence.  We are supposed to be the servants of God the creator. 
   
   God allows us to go and play in the universe like children.  Based on what we do we will have karma to face.  We are only allowed to go back home to God head i.e the spititual world once we burn off all our Karma and accept God in a loving relationship.  Karma is the balance, there is no eternal damnation.  Every one is rewarded according to all their deeds in this life and in previous lives.  This is what I call fairness,
   
   It answers the question why does bad things happen to "good" people.  THe answer is karma.  It also anwers why do good things happen to bad peple.  That is also karma. 
   
   The heart and mind has to be pure to make it to the spiritual world so the eastern philosophy is a combination of both. 
   Best wishes.

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   ginjill ashberryposted 12 years ago

   Hi Tawl Pawl,
   That is not true. Since you mentioned Christianity, i shall share with you what i came to know as the truth. There is no eastern or western Christianity. East and west has always joint hands in spreading the truth by having regular conferences with leaders from all nations around the world. Encouraging one another as one body of Christ by visitation and sharing of sermons, missions and ministering to a needy world. One belief, one vision.
   
   When you speak about logic and heart, you are referring to the logic and emotional side of the mind(brain). The heart is an organ. But the phrase 'a wicked heart' is actually the core of a person's intent/motive; which is also part of the brain. A person can only 'know' God by the conviction of the Spirit of truth (Holy Spirit). Even then, a person may 'know about' God by another person. There are not of the same thing. Knowing God and know about Him are not the same. That perhaps, is the differences of mind and heart you are referring to.
   
   
   There would not be any agreeable sides between east or west because in truth if they so term themselves as Christian, then there was never a 'differing' issue. Because friends, there is only one body of Christ; the church is of one spirit. If in fact you are referring to a different set of religion and beliefs altogether, then it may be the issue of differences.
   Thank you for giving me a chance to share this.

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      Sarah Christinaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I am glad you shared this today. I'm a christian, so I agree with your point. But how I see it is that each person's relationship towards God, and Jesus, is personal and just like the gospels vary in style, so do people's way to knowing God.

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      ginjill ashberryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi, Christina.
      That is right. How the Holy Spirit works with each one is different as everyone is unique in background, life's experience, culture and so on. Means each person relates to God with their own personal way to convey depth of devotion:-)

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   Garifaliaposted 12 years ago

   OK, I'm a Greek Orthodox by birth, but by choice I have my own beliefs. First of all, I agree with the Eastern mentality not because of my religion but because this is how people really do come to believe. Since I was twelve and up to a few years ago because of extremely discouraging  events in my life I had become an atheist. Despite the wonderful man that became my husband and wonderful children, the past I was lugging around with me did not allow me to believe. Then one day my two older children (then 12 and 10 yrs old) got lost. No matter what I did, I couldn't find them. After hours of fruitless search, I asked the Virgin Mary for her help. It came from deep within my soul almost without my control over it. Both my children were found close to midnight in separate areas of the city we'd been visiting. My little girl was found completely by accident (or was it?) and the man who had taken her to the police station had an angelic face. With each passing day I have come to believe all the more. For me it was experience.

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   JThomp42posted 12 years ago

   I would have to agree with the Eastern beliefs. God has put us on this Earth and has given us free will to do as we please. Not always pleasing to him. My beliefs are you have to accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ who died for all sin. This is where the Heart accepts him. Accept him into your heart and confess it with your mouth and you will spend Eternity with our Savior Jesus Christ and Almighty God in Heaven. This is the divine plan.

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