I believe Buddhism makes me a better Christian. Can one be Buddhist and Christia

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   Gina Welds-Hulseposted 7 years ago

   I believe Buddhism makes me a better Christian. Can one be Buddhist and Christian at same time?
   
   Recently I have been battling with the question, "Am I a Christian Buddhist or a Buddhist Christian," and is it even possible to be both?  I do believe that there are principles about Buddhism that makes me a better Christian, and I am exploring those.
   
   What are your thoughts on this topic?
   
   

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   Oztinatoposted 7 years ago

   Of course we can.
   Look at JC. He was a Jew who started Christianity which was a religion that welcomed all religions into the fold.
   Look at the Hindus who happily accept all religions as equal and practice several at once. Sikhs and Krishnas etc all have Ganesha in their repetoires.

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      Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      "Christianity" is not a RELIGION but a derogatory remark used by UNBELIEVERS "mocking" disciples (Acts 11:19-26) & JESUS doesn't "welcome anyone" BUT believers "into the fold!"
      Hindus & any other man-made RELIGION against Gal 1:6-9 are LIARS

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      Gina Welds-Hulseposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Norine, Buddhism is not a religion either.  It is a way of life.  On another note...I have met so many Christians who are some of the 'worst' type of people imaginable, and I try not to question Christianity based on a couple of people......

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   3. 52

      Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Gina, IF you knew "Christians" are supposed to be Christ Followers or Disciples of Christ (Who is THE CREATOR), you wouldn't have asked this question! Your belief is as mixing oil with water!  A material ("carnal") god w/THE CREATOR ("SPIRIT")!

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      Gina Welds-Hulseposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I'm curious, Norine.  What "carnal" god did I mention in my question. "A material ("carnal") god w/THE CREATOR ("SPIRIT")!"
      I have not referred to Buddha as a god.  Buddha was a man.

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      Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      WHATEVER one worships (man/mammon/money) or needs to "find a way" (via yoga, mediation, etc) to get to THE CREATOR it is considered "worshiping" another "god!" 
      GOD is JEALOUS (Exd34:14;Gal 1:6-9) like ur spouse!

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      Ericdierkerposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      That Bible verse does not say that. And you know it doesn't Norine.

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      Gina Welds-Hulseposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Seriously, Norine!?!? Wow!

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      Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      You know guys, if u would only READ Matt 6:21 ""For where your treasure is (man/mammon/money) there will your HEART be also."  The love of anything can be one's god!
      Ever heard "Love of money?" If so, it's ur god!
      Believe Bible not Eric!

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      Ericdierkerposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Good girl Norine -- "the love "can be".

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       Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       Not "good girl," Eric!
       
       Rather "GOOD WORD" from GOD!

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   Ericdierkerposted 7 years ago

   What a wonderful question to be asking. So many who have studied and learned from other philosophies think they are somehow betraying Christ. That precept needs to be smashed. Buddha was a man -- not a false idol. The principals for which his followers stand are nearly completely consistent with being a good Christian.
   This may shock some people but I have been under great leaders who were atheists. Just because they were not Christian did not mean that they could not lead or had intelligent wisdom to pass on to me.
   One of the biggest bummers a Christian just has to get over is that God created everything -- yes He even allowed evil into the world. How could one profess to love their enemies and yet not love those of other faiths and beliefs. And when we love we must come to understand the other or it is empty.
   My wife was a wonderful Buddhist. In true miracle fashion she was "visited" by Christ and became a very faithful Christian, trying hard to follow Christ in every facet of our lives. But in our home we still hold on to many traditions that are Buddhist in origin - especially that practiced in Southeast Asia.
   There is a book of the Bible that is left out of most versions of the Bible today. It is called the book of Wisdom. From the beginning it was a part of the Bible, but taken out due to politics of religion. If this is true, and it is, then how are we to eschew any source of wisdom? My doctors are wise and give me good advice. Having nothing to do with Christ.
   If you think Buddha is God or is in fact an idol that you worship then you may want to rethink that. If you think Buddha was very wise and you can learn from his teachings -- you are using your God given brain.
   There is a cool Paul written passage in the Bible: Phil 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. (the "think" here is really "meditate" but modernist revisionists of the Bible thought it sounded to eastern so they changed it)
   Love Christ but still learn from others.

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      Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Paul was speaking of things pertaining to GOD in Philippians 4:8! What is TRUE, NOBLE, RIGHT, PURE,  LOVELY, ADMIRABLE, PRAISEWORTHY, but GOD? IF you LOVE Christ, you would “read” to find out; NO MAN can teach one more than the Holy Spirit!

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      Gina Welds-Hulseposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Love Christ, but still learn from others!  I love that!!! "So many who have studied and learned from other philosophies think they are somehow betraying Christ."  This pretty much sums up exactly how I have been feeling.  Thanks for your thoughts.

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      Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      And is EXACTLY why you DEFY the WORD of GOD and "proclaim" Christianity!

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      PlanksandNailsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      So much for Buddhist Astrology being "compatible."
      
      Thus Yahweh says, "Do not start following pagan religious practices. Do not be in awe of signs that occur in the sky even though the nations hold them in awe. - Jeremiah 10:2

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   Dr CHE Sadaphalposted 7 years ago

   No. Why? Because Christianity and Buddhism each make exclusive truth claims. To hold two divergent opinions invariably equates to wavering between them. That doesn't even place a value on which one is "right."
   
   Christ, for example said, "**I** am the way" (John 14:6, c.f. Matthew 10:33, John 3:16). If this is true, then alternatives cannot. Christ was always very inclusive of people but was an exclusivist when it came to ideology. His truth claims in fact were so exclusive that He was killed for proclaiming them.
   
   Another example: the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta details the four noble truths and the eighfold path which enables a person to reach nirvana by what they can do (e.g. right thinking) or by "works." A central thrust of the Bible is the idea of salvation by grace through faith which is theocentric and independent of what a person chooses to do.
   
   Perhaps it is just coincidence that I published a hub today on the topic how to discern what is true: http://hubpages.com/education/TruthFind … eally-true

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      Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Brilliant HUB from a "carnal" point of view; yet it reiterates some of what Scripture says! 
      I will elaborate farther under comments of subject HUB!
      Blessings!

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      Gina Welds-Hulseposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      You say, "Because Christianity and Buddhism each make exclusive truth claims"  I'm looking at different principles that I think everyone could learn from within Buddhism.  I'll check out your hub.

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      Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Go ahead, use that "brilliant" mind of yours "looking @ diff principles" & see where that gets you!  U can just drop the phrase "Christian" fm your belief! You have chosen along w/anyone else who believes we should consider anything/one BUT GOD!

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      Gina Welds-Hulseposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Norine, studying about other "principles" or other "religions" does not make me a non-Christian. In fact anyone who goes to Seminary studies other religions.  Does that make them less of a Christian because they do?  I think it makes them wiser.

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      Dr CHE Sadaphalposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      That actually depends on the seminary that you attend.

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      Gina Welds-Hulseposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for the correction, Dr. CHE.  I was basing my statement on all the ministers I know and the curriculum that was studied.

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      Ericdierkerposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Very interesting I shall come over and read your hub. I grew up with Mexican Catholics and Native Americans. Learning their traditions and beliefs just seemed like the neighborly thing to do. To learn is not to shift faith.

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      Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      True Dr!  You are what you eat, Eric!
      I attended a university working towards Master majored in Theology for 2 semesters & GOD told me to drop out! Reason: They taught "The Trinity!" Couldn't maintain 4.0 there! NEVER agree w/LIES! GOD sees!

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      Dr CHE Sadaphalposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      To all: indeed there is huge difference btwn learning ABOUT and learning FROM; e.g., a sensible apologist can learn about atheism to engage others in dialogue. Tacit in learning from means you consider what you have to be deficient.

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       Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       Dr: Learning "about" opens "doubt!" I chose not to tell my young child about certain thgs which opens curiosity! So it is "in Christ;" "milk" first then "meat;"  "after FAITH" is STRONG!  We are "growing" (deficient) IAW 2Cor 3:18!

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   savvydatingposted 7 years ago

   Technically, you cannot be a Christian Buddhist, or a Buddhist Christian. With all due respect, that phrase or title is an oxymoron. It's like saying I am a skinny-fat person or a pacifist-killer. Christians are theists and Buddhists are non-theists. The distinction is quite clear. In fact, the Buddha  denounced the view of a Creator.
   
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nontheistic_religions
   
   However, if you are happy and more calm in combining the philosophies, then I say it's your prerogative.  But I personally would not use the term, Christian-Buddhist, because it doesn't make sense. No offense intended.

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      Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      When it comes to her "losing her soul," it's NOT "her prerogative!"  She's asked a question & we should respond according to what JESUS would say!
      Lev 19:17 "REBUKE your brother and don't suffer sin upon him!"
      II Tim 2:15 "CORRECT" w/HIS WORD!

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      Gina Welds-Hulseposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      No offense taken.  I appreciate your view. I posted this because I want your views, your responses.  I welcome the conversation.

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      Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I thought you wanted TRUTH but you only wanted someone to agree with your beliefs as MOST on HP!
      If you BELIEVE GOD is THE CREATOR; you MUST BELIEVE what HE'S SAID! "Thou shalt have no other gods ("Way of Life") before me" (Exd 20:3)!

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      Gina Welds-Hulseposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Norine, I asked this question to start a conversation.  Many have responded in a very professional manner.  Others haven't. No comments have been deleted because I want to hear what everyone has to say, even you......but remember ONLY GOD judges me.

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      Ericdierkerposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Savvy this is an interesting answer. I thought about it and went right away to Christ being born of the Jewish race yet I figure He must have been a Christian even though there weren't any. I think my wife's Buddhism was more a race/class deal.

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      Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      GOD'S WORD "IS" GOD "judging u!" READ if u "proclaim" Christianity!  GOD "loves" judgment (Is 61:8) & "begins @ the house of GOD" (I Pet 4:17)! Savvy is RIGHT w/1 except! She didn't "judge" w/WORD! Eric, get junk out of house! I could have witchd

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      savvydatingposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Eric, Jesus was a Jew in practice. The Christian movement began in earnest after the death of Christ when followers had to make some distinctions between Judaism and this new movement, which became Christianity.

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      Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Amen!
      Acts 11:18 ("rev"=Gentiles 2"); v19 (previously "preached ONLY 2 Jews"); v22 ("Barnabas sent 2 Antioch 2 tell "rev"=Gentiles 2") v26 ("first called "Christians" at Antioch") 2 distinguish "rev" of "Gentiles 2" r not only Jews!
      Thks Savvy

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   Norine Williamsposted 7 years ago

   OH GOD!  I wish you all would “read” the Bible to find out what God says before answering questions!  If “Buddha was a man,” listen to what God says: “Therefore let no man glory in men” (I Corinthians 3:21) and is why I keep telling Maniatta to STOP!  But WHO CARES what GOD SAID?  I always come across as “the bad guy” for giving TRUTH in HIS WORD, but that’s why I’m on HP! 
   Eric, your response violates so many Scriptures and I don’t know if it’s because you haven’t taken the time to “read” the Bible before answering; giving only “your opinion,” or because you refuse to “obey His commands!”  You should view the video on YouTube “Urgent Warning! God showed this man The Judgment Day” wherein a lady posted something on Facebook which lost 300K souls and had to give in account for her actions!
   The “precept doesn’t need to be smashed,” because GOD told men (us) to “Trust in the LORD with ALL our hearts and lean not to “our own” understanding” (Proverbs 3:5), but “your opinion” does!  No matter how “good” a man is (Atheist are “good” too!), he is not GOD!  Atheists are “wise” with “carnal” knowledge, but REMEMEBER; “This is a “Spiritual” Journey!” 
   Did Jesus LOVE “others of other faiths and beliefs?”  If you think HE “LOVED” the Scribes and Pharisees who represented RELIGION, read Matthew Chapter 23!  Based on your analogy, I guess Jesus was “empty!”  If your wife was “visited by Christ,” the Holy Spirit will “work” in her life IF she “Repents” from her beliefs in Buddha which I see you guys have not done by “holding on to many traditions that are Buddhist in origin…” in your home!  You can’t serve two masters!  I Corinthians 10:21 [paraphrasing] “You can’t eat at the Lord’s table and Satan’s!”
   You mentioned “A Book of Wisdom that was omitted from the Bible” and asked, “If this is true, and it is, then how are we to eschew any source of wisdom?”  Have you not read John 14:26; 16:13?  Did Jesus not say that HE would “lead and guide us into ALL TRUTH?”  You must not believe in the Holy Spirit?  How then can you “proclaim” to be a Christian? You mentioned “doctors!” Yes, they’re knowledgeable in the (carnal/physical) field, but as you say they “Have nothing to do with Christ” (Spirit)! 
   No, not because they think “Buddha is God, but because they “worship or glorify man” (Buddha) and in doing so, they defy GOD’S WORD!  "You can’t eat at the Lord’s table and Satan’s” or man’s!  GOD SAID “Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart,” HE didn't say "Trust in your brain!"

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      Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Eric, How could Jesus have been "a Christian" when we ("Christians" aka man) "fall short" (Rm 3:23) but HE was "w/o sin" (II Cor 5:21)?
      Yes, GET JUNK OUT! I could have witchdoctor based on  "race/class deal!"

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   tamarawilhiteposted 7 years ago

   Short answer, no.
   Buddhism = impersonal god, Buddha is messenger but not messiah
   Christianity = personal god, Jesus is the son of god and messenger

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      Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Explain I Tim 3:16?
      "GOD was "manifested in the flesh"..."believed on in the world, received up into glory?"   "And "without controversy," great is the mystery of godliness...?"
      What does this mean?

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   Aime Fposted 7 years ago

   You can be whatever you want to be.  It is your life and your spiritual journey. 
   
   Christians can't even agree amongst themselves what being a "proper" Christian means, so I don't see how it's logical to follow anyone else's definition but your own.
   
   I'm an atheist but I've called myself Christian and I've called myself Buddhist in the past.  I love exploring my beliefs.  I've never felt tied down by labels or felt that I needed to commit myself to something for the rest of my life because I am always, always growing and learning. 
   
   At the end of the day only YOU know what you believe in your heart to be the truth.  Only YOU know how you relate to any given religion.  So no one else can tell you what you can and cannot believe.  People might be sticklers about the labels but I honestly don't think the labels matter, do they?  I tend to think the smartest people reject being stuffed into a one-size-fits-all box, anyway.

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      Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Provide a book w/more accurate fulfilled prophecies, then tell one they should believe what they like & what GOD ("label") SAID doesn't matter!
      Yes, you "grew" ("logically") but not "Spiritually!"
      Tell GOD we don't belong in "a 1-sz-fits-all-box!

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      Aime Fposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Norine, take your preaching elsewhere.  You seem to have an unhealthy compulsion.  Not everyone has to believe the exact same things that you do, why don't you focus on your own stuff & let other people come to their own conclusions?

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      Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Aime, I'm not talking to u but that DEMON u have allowed possess u:  U DEFY WORD!  Matt 28:19 "TEACH ALL NATIONS!" 
      GOD created us & told us what to do via Bible!
      IF u don't BELIEVE, so be it; u've come to ur "conclusion!"

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      Ericdierkerposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Aime, it is such a wonderful thing that though much the same we are all different. If we truly celebrate others then we must first respect them which can only come from learning about them. I sure am glad life is a journey instead of a place.

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      Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Eric, this is a "Spiritual" journey (Gal 5:16)! Therefore, our "spirits" are not the same!  Satan possessed even "Peter" (Matt16:23)! I don't know Aime fm Adam but I do know she's allowed possession by speaking AGAINST WORD as "Peter!"

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      Aime Fposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Apparently not "so be it" because you're still talking to me about it after I've asked you not to. You can tell me I'm possessed or lost or whatever all you'd like but those words are meaningless to me, so don't bother. You do you, let me do me.

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      Ericdierkerposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Seems that as we are given the ability to listen to and learn from somethings. We have the corresponding right not to listen and learn from other things.

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      Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Aime: Girl, u've "done" u; BUT "His hand is still stretched out" (Isaiah)!
       
      Savvy:  They "think" I "know it all," but as I told the Dr, I'm "growing" too & love interaction w/BELIEVERS (saints) who "study" HIS WORD!

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      KingdomComeposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Aime an anti-christ atheist  in it's best form.

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       Aime Fposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       Oooh, in its best form!  I'll take that as a compliment.  Thanks.

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       KingdomComeposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       Aime- Well, of course YOU would take it as a compliment. There no surprise there.

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       Aime Fposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       Just to clarify, are you being snippy with me because I encourage people to think for themselves and let others do the same? Or because I don't want someone to waste their time preaching at me?

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       Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       Aime: If GOD SAID "Lean not 2 your OWN understanding" (Prov3:5) & u say "think for yourself;" what r we (Blvrs) 2 say when WORD says "U can't serve 2 masters" (I Cor 10:21)? We def what we BLV!
       Eric:U've exercised that "rt" not "listening" 2 GOD

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       KingdomComeposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       Aime- preaching to the spawn of satan is clearly a waste of time.

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   peter565posted 7 years ago

   Hmm...technically it is a bit difficult, Buddhist doctrine don't have a problem with Christian, but Christian doctrine is kinda different.
   
   John 4:1-3 [Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.]
   
   John 2:22 [Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.]
   
   So, according to the bible anything that is not subject to Christ, contradict Christ, not from Christ or independent from Christ, to be satanic, which the bible accuse it of been false, evil, lies, demonic. So, alternative religion such as Buddhism and Hindu, according to the bible is satanic and to follow such religion, make u a satanist, if u follow believe such as evolution and earth is over 6000 years, that make u a follower of satanic value, if u went to a public high school rather then Catholic school, u attend a satanic institution.
   
   The bible teach many problematic stuff, but also good stuff, my advice will follow good aspect of bible teaching, but stay away from the bad teachings. Buddhism, is much better and to the best of my knowledge, its teaching got no problem (and hopefully I am right.)

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      Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      "Buddhism, is much better and to the best of my knowledge, its teaching got no problem (and hopefully I am right.)!"  SORRY - You're WRONG according to the CREATOR! Yes, I'm sure MOST "hope u're right," for it satisfies the "flesh"but Gal 1:6-9!

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      savvydatingposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Those verses do not use the word "Satanic." They are referring primarily to those who say they represent Christ, but who are inauthentic.
      This has nothing to do with Buddhism, which does not make that claim.

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      Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I Jn 2:22 "say they rep Christ" (GOD)=ALL RELIGIONS! v19! "went out fm us but not of us!" Don't ALL say they serve GOD (2Kgs17:29-41) & have prophets/messengers (IJn4:1-3)? 
      Buddhism says "no Creator"=ANTICHRIST!

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    KingdomComeposted 7 years ago

    If you where a true disciple of Christ you wouldn't ask a stupid question like this. And for those who don't like my answer, I don't care about your opinion.

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       Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       You go Kingdom Come!  Has she not "studied" Scripture?  But that's why we're here KC, to "teach!" 
       So get BUSY!

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    PlanksandNailsposted 7 years ago

    The plain fact is Buddhists bow to and adore statues of Buddha, a graven image.
    
    The Bible strictly prohibits worshipping, or even the act of BOWING to any image of anything. We read in Exodus 20:4-5, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any GRAVEN IMAGE, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I am Yahweh thy God am a jealous God"
    
    
    “I am Yahweh: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to GRAVEN IMAGES.” - Isaiah 42:8
    
    In this link are 100 different titles and descriptions of of Buddha.
    http://www.dhammawiki.com/index.php?tit … for_Buddha
    
    # 1 is all-seeing
    # 36 is God of gods
    
    
    
    
    The believe in Buddhism is to attain enlightenment and be released from the cycle of rebirth and death, thus attaining Nirvana.   
    
    To believe in the Way of Christ is to love Yahweh by following in the example of Yahshua and the Apostles by spreading the Gospel of the Kingdom so that others may also be saved.
    
    To answer your question.
    No, one cannot be a Buddhist and a follower of Christ at the same time. They are incompatible.
    
    Jesus said to him, "I AM THE WAY, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. - John 14:6
    
    How narrow is the GATE, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it. - Matthew 7:14
    
    Notice that gate is singular that leads to life.

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       Norine Williamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       Amen! Amen! Amen!
       
       The gate sure is "singular!" 
       
       JESUS SAID (speaking through Paul), "If we preached ANY other gospel, we are "ACCURSED" (Gal 1:6-9) which makes "other gate" even "broader!"

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    Gina Welds-Hulseposted 7 years ago

    I have truly enjoyed, at at times, marveled at the discussion that took place here.  I want to thank all of you who participated.  Please look out for a hub that I will be writing called How Buddhism makes me a better Christian.

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