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catscradle Jul. 2nd, 2003 09:19 am)
catscradle Jul. 2nd, 2003 09:19 am)That's the title of a book one of the staff suggested for the students on the Project Nepal trip. So What's the Difference by Fritz Ridenour is a book on Hinduism and Buddhism written from a Christian perspective, so the staff person thought that since most of the students on the project were Christian, it might be a good book for them to read. Now, I agree that in theory this sounds like a good idea. However, grabbing any old book just because it sounds like it has the right credentials is perhaps not the best idea as I will illustrate with the following quotes.
Interesting. Because I always thought that Gandhi and the Indian National Congress did that from within. Christians represented about 2% of the population and had even a less influence than Muslims in the region did.
But it gets better. . .
Where to start. . . that it's calling it a false religon is a very good reason not to give this to students. Um, and let's see. . . that it's claiming people are more vulnerable to satanic activity is another. Tantra is not the offical religion of Tibet. It's practiced there, yeah, but all aspects of Buddhism are. Tibet is considered the heart of Buddhism. They used to have the world most extensive collection of Buddhist literature until it was destroyed by the Chinese government. That said, Tantra is only one element of Buddhism that's practiced. I'm surprised they don't get into the misnomer of the sexual activity involved in Tantra, but I suspect it would embarrassed the author, hence why he hides under the blanket of demonic activity and leaves it at that.
And now, my favorite:
Are we saying that God would command the smiting the Shiva worshipers just like he commanded the smiting the Canaanites?
Well, needless to say, I'm not recommending the book. I've made the suggestion of Thomas Merton to read if students want to know about Buddhism and Hunduism from a Christian point of view.
When India became a nation in 1947, the government officially outlawed discrimination against Untouchables. The greatest force for changing these laws and customs, which kept Untouchables in virtual slavery, has been the influence of Christian missionaries, who have played a major role in challenging the social-economic-religious power blocs in India (91).
Interesting. Because I always thought that Gandhi and the Indian National Congress did that from within. Christians represented about 2% of the population and had even a less influence than Muslims in the region did.
But it gets better. . .
The third major division of Buddhism is called Tantrism, a blending of Mahayana Buddhism with the ancient occult practises of Tibet. Tantric Buddhism uses incantations and occult signs. It contains strong elements of animism (attributing consious life to inanimate obects or objecs in nature) and is one of many false religions that can leave it's followers open to demonic activiy. Tantrism is considered the official religion of Tibet and is practiced extensively in Nepal (103).
Where to start. . . that it's calling it a false religon is a very good reason not to give this to students. Um, and let's see. . . that it's claiming people are more vulnerable to satanic activity is another. Tantra is not the offical religion of Tibet. It's practiced there, yeah, but all aspects of Buddhism are. Tibet is considered the heart of Buddhism. They used to have the world most extensive collection of Buddhist literature until it was destroyed by the Chinese government. That said, Tantra is only one element of Buddhism that's practiced. I'm surprised they don't get into the misnomer of the sexual activity involved in Tantra, but I suspect it would embarrassed the author, hence why he hides under the blanket of demonic activity and leaves it at that.
And now, my favorite:
Shiva can be linked to the ancient pre-Aryan fertility god of the Dravidians. Rituals performed by Shiva worshipers are not unlike the worship of the Canaanites, whom God commanded the Israelites to destroy (93).
Are we saying that God would command the smiting the Shiva worshipers just like he commanded the smiting the Canaanites?
Well, needless to say, I'm not recommending the book. I've made the suggestion of Thomas Merton to read if students want to know about Buddhism and Hunduism from a Christian point of view.
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