mangoe@umcp-cs.UUCP (Charley Wingate) (10/29/84)
Chuq's missive concerning his problem with Christianity's seeming intolerance towards other religions deserves a reply (other than flatly stating that it is the true religion and all the others are wrong, as I expect several people to reply). First, let me start by saying that as I see it, Christianity does not in and of itself deny ANY other religion; in particular, it invests Judaism with a certain validity (although it claims to supersede it). One question we must ask, therefore, is whether or not other religions can be harmonized with Christianity, given the fact they do not actively acknowledge its claims concerning Jesus. We must also examine Christianity's attitude towards non-believers. I am going to limit my discussion to Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and (very briefly) Islam, since they are the ones I know anything about. (I must admit to not having looked at my Buddhist and Hindu sources in a while.) The central absolutely essential doctrine of Christianity is the ressurection. Equally as important is the divinity of Jesus. Anything which conflicts with these cannot be reconciled with Christianity; this knocks out Islam, which contests both, and Buddhism, which contests the second. Although many hindus (especially those wonderful Krishna Conciousness people) want to claim Jesus as an incarnation, I personally cannot reconcile their doctrine of man with Christianity. This basically leaves us with Taoism. I personally think that Taoism has a lot to teach Christianity, seeing as how Christian teaching has not until recently (post-reformation) really concerned itself with living in harmony with the world. St. Paul really spends too much time on what people are doing wrong to tell us much about what to do right, and by and large his predecessors have followed his example. The question of how to deal with non-believers is more troublesome. Christians do have a commitment to preach to the whole world; in general it has been done with a lack of christian virtues. I am willing to argue for my religion with anyone; on the other hand, they are free to disbelieve me. I have to say I have a problem a lot of groups trying to sop up weak Christians by making vague claims upon Jesus. I once got into a violent argument with a Krishna-type who was tossing out claims of Jesus as a Vishnu avatar out of one side of his mouth, and lots of anti-christian theology and morality out of the other. I make no claims on other people's religions (except Judaism, where I have no choice), and I expect some solid justification for claims on Christianity. Charley Wingate umcp-cs!mangoe