My pastor has dedicated this block of six weeks towards studying various religions of the world. Our Pastor, Debra, wants to view other major religions of the world as how the compare or contrast to Christianity. This is only the second week and already it's two of the most interesting sermon's she's given. I don't often get worked up over sermons, even though my pastor is fantastic. She's an incredible orator and miles smarter than most people I know. Yet for some reason I just can't seem to get behind sermons. Mostly I just chalk it up to mild ADD and my addiction to my computer with it's quickly changing screens and pretty colors. Yet even so, these past two sermons I could help but stay focused, and dare I say, intrigued.
Last Sunday Pastor Debra spoke on Hinduism, a religion based on appreciating the body, the mind and the soul in all of its glory. A religion based on improving the good qualities in life in an effort to reach a level of enlightenment that they're soul can finally escape the confines of the earth. This is where their views in reincarnation come into play. Westerners view reincarnation as something exotic and acceptable, while Hindu's actually see it as the entrapment of a soul that has not yet reached it's level of enlightenment. Think of it as a no-soul-left-behind deal (only I'd imagine more effective than it's imitations). Hinduism focoses on the positive aspects of life, and a great balance in naature (Karma), it is thier open acceptance that so draws me to their religion. There is no one right way to practice Hinduism, and non-hindus are invited to join the ceremony.
Today Pastor Debra discused Buddhism. How the believe life is suffering, how all life is a distraction from enlightenment. That enlightenment is called nirvana--the ultimate goal. Nirvana is the ultimate state of reality, unreachable by the distractions of the world. Buddhists characteristly believe in non-violence, it is that absolute respect for life that I find so appealing.
Debra spoke both times on where the three religions diverge and what problems that has created over the centuries, but what really intrigued me were the points that all three religions held in common. Above all else all of these religions stressed the importance of being a good person. Be honest with yourself and others, be kind and compassionate, don't harm anyone else. Christian's call it the Golden Rule "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Obviously these various religions have had their differences (to say the least) but all have such similar core beliefs, in that life is precious and the protection of life is--or should be--the most importnat thing we could strive for. The problem I see is one of interpretaion. Hindu's have a different view on the make up of reality different than the Buddhists do, or the Christians. It's like plugging a european socket into an american outlet--they just don't fit (believe me I've tried). Christians do not know how to interpret religions such as hinduism into their own paradigm. Makes one wonder what all the fighting really is all about.
I do consider myself a spiritual person, but I've never really consdered myself the model of a potrait christian (nor have I ever particularly wanted to be). No one religion seems to have it down right, though everyone does seem to have some really good ideas. Instead I choose to be a spiritual student of the world. I take practices that seem to suit me, but most of all I will try to be a good person. I don't think anyone can really ask of me more.
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And, I think that is the point. I can't stand the idea of being inside the box of any one set of doctrines or beliefs. I can't do something I think is wrong because "Christianity" tells me I have to. So I won't. I feel as though that is the action of integrity... the truly Christian thing to do.
One of the problems with Christianity is that it was early on appropriated by Rome, since which point it has been dominated by Western epistemological and metaphysical frameworks, culminating today in the way modernism determines so much of Christian thought.
I don't think this is inherent; I don't think that to be a "Christian" you have to bow before modernity.
I'm struggling to explore other options, to reorient my spirituality in such ways that I live a better life. Hence my intense interest in Buddhism, and mild interest in Hinduism. It's hard to set aside habits that have held sway since they were drilled into my soul at childhood.
But that's what it's about, right? Living well today means: I find myself in a given situation -- there are things going on around me and inside of me, whether they're my fault or not -- and it's what I do with it that counts. And what I do with it transforms who I am tomorrow.
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