Redefining religion for our modern world: Can we find a balance

[challupa]

It is true Eastern religions are not completely subjective. They are a lot more flexible than Abrahmic religions though, I am sure we can grant them that. They also tend to be a lot more science friendly. I don't meet many Eastern religious people who deny evolution and old-earth. Although you do get the odd few questioning gravity lol

It has been my experience that eastern religions are more willing to question what they don't understand. The Abrahamic religions have been told that questioning is heresy in some denominations of it. True more and more are questioning, but the ones that are not, cannot, are causing those who do not believe like they do to be resentful when they try to change laws to reflect their beliefs. Especially when these beliefs are not shared by a majority of other people. I guess that is why eastern religions are seen as more tolerant and fundamentalists of any faith are considered less tolerant.

 

[Caladan]

It has been my experience that eastern religions are more willing to question what they don't understand. The Abrahamic religions have been told that questioning is heresy in some denominations of it. True more and more are questioning, but the ones that are not, cannot, are causing those who do not believe like they do to be resentful when they try to change laws to reflect their beliefs. Especially when these beliefs are not shared by a majority of other people. I guess that is why eastern religions are seen as more tolerant and fundamentalists of any faith are considered less tolerant.

Heinrich Dumoulin, a historian of Buddhism makes a very true observation, there was/is a tendency in the west to think of Buddhism as being intellectual, philosophical, and easy to embrace in intellectual circles as it supposedly has no God, but the widespread Buddhism among the people who's ethnic belief is Buddhist, is just as superstitious as 'Abrahamic religions', they have gods, demons and every kind of entities that didnt fit in the European intellectual's desire to embrace this eastern philosophiy.

 

[challupa]

Heinrich Dumoulin, a historian of Buddhism makes a very true observation, there was/is a tendency in the west to think of Buddhism as being intellectual, philosophical, and easy to embrace in intellectual circles as it supposedly has no God, but the widespread Buddhism among the people who's ethnic belief is Buddhist, is just as superstitious as 'Abrahamic religions', they have gods, demons and every kind of entities that didnt fit in the European intellectual's desire to embrace this eastern philosophiy.

That's very interesting and I would have to say I'm not all that surprised really. I think that as humans we tend to invent what we need to find comfort in our world. Gods give us comfort and demons ensure someone else's discomfort (which I have found can be very comforting to some people). So do you believe there is just as much prejudice against other religions in Buddhism as there is in the Abrahamic religions?

 

[Caladan]

On the whole I don't get that 'vibe', religions like Buddhism did achieve a reputation for non violence, although as someone who's living in a nation with Abrahamic cultural background the liking for eastern philosophies is actually very strong here and not prejudiced either.
what I get from eastern religions is that they are pluralistic and not as exclusive in theology, that can help Buddhists have their beliefs co exist with those of others.

 

[Storm]

Forgive me for jumping in so late.

I would like see what people think of the following excerpt from the book named for the above subject title:

"Love, forgiveness, caring and generosity are important core beliefs for many religions. Loyalty to one God is uniquely important to Christians, Muslims and Jews. Eastern religions respect all of nature and believe everything is interconnected. The almost universal flaw in different relgions is the followers' belief that their religion is right while other religions are wrong. In my mind, this is one of the biggest obstacles our world has to overcome if we want to live harmoniously. Only a few religions respect other religions, believe in a united humanity, and try to live these beliefs."

Okay, what I am asking people is what do you think of that paragraph? Is there any hope that religions will accept each other? Do you think they will ever accept each other?

ITA. I would add one thing, however: every religion I'm even passingly familiar with also teaches that God is beyond human comprehension. IOW, we're all just effing the ineffable, to steal the line from jhuger.com.

I think remembering this simple truth is the key to harmony between the religions. None of us know what we're talking about. We're all wrong. But we all seek the same understanding.

From that perspective, it doesn't matter what you believe.

 

[challupa]

On the whole I don't get that 'vibe', religions like Buddhism did achieve a reputation for non violence, although as someone who's living in a nation with Abrahamic cultural background the liking for eastern philosophies is actually very strong here and not prejudiced either.
what I get from eastern religions is that they are pluralistic and not as exclusive in theology, that can help Buddhists have their beliefs co exist with those of others.

I think I would have to agree with that. In a sense they are not predestined to rule out other's beliefs as much as the "One God" religions. Those religions can be quite dogmatic and strict in what beliefs are allowed. I think we are seeing a widening gap between what I call progressive christians and the most strict and literalistic christian. The progressive christians are almost what you would call humanists and the literalistic christians are leaning further towards fundamentalism. That's what I have been seeing anyway...

 

[challupa]

Forgive me for jumping in so late.
Thank you for adding input
ITA. I would add one thing, however: every religion I'm even passingly familiar with also teaches that God is beyond human comprehension. IOW, we're all just effing the ineffable, to steal the line from jhuger.com.

I think remembering this simple truth is the key to harmony between the religions. None of us know what we're talking about. We're all wrong. But we all seek the same understanding.

From that perspective, it doesn't matter what you believe.

I think that would certainly go a long way towards humanity narrowing the gap for sure. When everyone thinks they are right, then they set things up to be divisive. That doesn't ever work imo. Any one who thinks they have the only true way usually believes that they are also superior in some way to others. There can not be harmonious relationships between different groups as long as one group, or both, groups think they are superior to each other. By thinking you have the only "truth" you are basically saying to everyone else that they are "wrong" and that usually causes defensiveness (which I'm likely doing here just by stating this LOL). However, I hope people understand what I'm trying to say...