07-23-2006, 11:18 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-sankara+Jul 23 2006, 12:57 AM-->QUOTE(sankara @ Jul 23 2006, 12:57 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-annamma+Jul 22 2006, 04:30 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(annamma @ Jul 22 2006, 04:30 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin--> I think all of us have sinned, though; Hindus , Muslims and Christians [right][snapback]54314[/snapback][/right]
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In christianity, everyone is born a sinner, until he or she is saved through christ.
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, etc., do not hold the concept of man being born a sinner. On the contrary, these faiths hold the view that all souls that take human birth are essentially good, and that our actions exerted through free will during the life-time will either bring us closer to the divine or take us away from the path of divinity.
It is definitely more appealing to a human being to believe in the inherent goodness of man, than to condemn him as a born sinner. Isn't it more lovelier to be looked upon as a divine being than as a sinner? This may explain the inherent appeal and attractiveness of Hinduism to many people, including westerners, who are tired of being constantly told that they are 'born sinners,' 'once a sinner, always a sinner,' and that they would need a fixed, non-negotiable entity called 'christ' to deliver them from their sins. How sad and depressing is a 'religion' that constantly derides a human being as a sinner.
[right][snapback]54355[/snapback][/right]
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Yes, i know, that is a difference between religions.
But, if we are arguing the case, I'd prefer to be realistic. I agree that its more appealing to see ourselves as divine!! But how do we excuse our shortcomings and tendency to be mean, and cruel and angry at the drop of a hat...that cannot be divine, sadly! Haven't we just discussed how people from every religious background have hated, killed, persecuted and been perpetrators of violence and abuse? Which of us has not had "un-lovely" thoughts or done un-lovely actions?
But you have also not got the whole picture of Christianity. It doesn't "constantly deride humans as sinners"; it accepts the reality of our tendency to sin; but offers us a way out. In Christ, our punishment for sin and our tendency to sin both are dealt with, and we have the hope/ promise of becoming more like God in love and goodness. IMO, it is the most realistic and yet the most positive belief system, which is why I am a Christian. But <shrug> thats each person's choice.
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In christianity, everyone is born a sinner, until he or she is saved through christ.
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, etc., do not hold the concept of man being born a sinner. On the contrary, these faiths hold the view that all souls that take human birth are essentially good, and that our actions exerted through free will during the life-time will either bring us closer to the divine or take us away from the path of divinity.
It is definitely more appealing to a human being to believe in the inherent goodness of man, than to condemn him as a born sinner. Isn't it more lovelier to be looked upon as a divine being than as a sinner? This may explain the inherent appeal and attractiveness of Hinduism to many people, including westerners, who are tired of being constantly told that they are 'born sinners,' 'once a sinner, always a sinner,' and that they would need a fixed, non-negotiable entity called 'christ' to deliver them from their sins. How sad and depressing is a 'religion' that constantly derides a human being as a sinner.
[right][snapback]54355[/snapback][/right]
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Yes, i know, that is a difference between religions.
But, if we are arguing the case, I'd prefer to be realistic. I agree that its more appealing to see ourselves as divine!! But how do we excuse our shortcomings and tendency to be mean, and cruel and angry at the drop of a hat...that cannot be divine, sadly! Haven't we just discussed how people from every religious background have hated, killed, persecuted and been perpetrators of violence and abuse? Which of us has not had "un-lovely" thoughts or done un-lovely actions?
But you have also not got the whole picture of Christianity. It doesn't "constantly deride humans as sinners"; it accepts the reality of our tendency to sin; but offers us a way out. In Christ, our punishment for sin and our tendency to sin both are dealt with, and we have the hope/ promise of becoming more like God in love and goodness. IMO, it is the most realistic and yet the most positive belief system, which is why I am a Christian. But <shrug> thats each person's choice.