A Buddhist's Guide to Evangelical Christianity

[amoy]

Now Buddhist temples are amassing $$$ super rich they're nowadays.

Profit disputes between Shaolin Temple and local... | CCTV News

China's Shaolin Temple, famed as the birthplace of Kung fu may now be wishing it had also birthed a few lawyers after a dispute with local authorities seems to be brewing into a long legal battle.

In recent years, Shaolin has seen extraordinary profits (and rising criticism of over-commercialization). For long, the temple has worked under a profit sharing agreement with the local tourism commission of Songshan Mountain, that now appears to be unraveling.

Shaolin accused the commission of withholding ticket dividends of nearly 50 million yuan (about $8.1 million), and related penalty fees of 2.32 million yuan (about $378,114). Temple authorities point to an agreement signed between the two sides in 2009 and added that the funds are critical to maintaining their normal day-to-day operations.

A manager from the commission, however, shot back saying that they've already paid more than their fair share. "The two sides differ in ways of calculation", the manager said to the Chinese newspaper Southern Metropolis Daily.

Another official from the commission was even harsher in his words ominously demanding to know why the temple was asking for so much money and what "the monks" were spending it on.

The issue has then sparked a furious debate on Sina Weibo.

"The ticket fees should be distributed in accordance with the agreement and the law. It has nothing to do with whether they are 'monks' or not." @qiqianlvshi

"Admission should not be charged in temples. It, at most, could be called a scenic spot, not a qualified temple! Asking for money in the name of Buddha is really improper!"@chengzijiaquanqiugou

"If the admission fees for temples are cancelled, there would be no disputes like this." @neimengguwenzhen

 

[Ray]

Your not very polite, I always treat with respect all those hare Krishna guys in our streets. Now matter how funny they seem at the first glance.

Hare Krishna chaps that foreigners have organised is a great source of amusement.

I went to Mathura, one of their hubs and was amused to see little white monks at the Gurukul (seminary) with their heads shaven but with that little strand at the back of their heads chanting Hindu religious hymns or something.

We are a tolerant lot so long as one does not step on the corns.

Evangelism is a thing of the past. People are now educated and are too busy with their lives and not too steeped in religion. In fact, all these attempts are childish. It can work only in poverty stricken areas and with the illiterates.

That is why the evangelists of Abrahamic religions concentrate their efforts in a big way in these areas.

And that is why this backlash from Hindu groups, which find such vitriolic outbursts from the West and the Western media.

It is not that they find much support from the the people in India, but they are tolerated since as a thumb rule, Indians are not enamoured by the attempts to change anyone religion through skulduggery and fraudulent means like money, etc.

Religion is after all a matter of faith and not through the path of economic allurement.

 

[Ray]

So what exactly they do? Do you mean that they frighten you with their talks about hell? Do they do something else?

It seems that you have been senaitised from the discourse of the Fire and Brimstone Bible thumping US Evangelists who have made Christianity a commercial venture.

Heard of Billy Graham, Toufik Benedictus "Benny" Hinn, the televangelist, best known for his regular "Miracle Crusades"? Utter fraud!

Evangelist Benny Hinn cancels Bangalore visit after protests

The organisations were against the propagation of superstitious beliefs they think will be promoted by "miracle healing" sessions that Hinn had conducted in his 2005 visit. "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who was a deputy CM at that time, had himself said such sessions do not augur well for society. When he himself has said that before, it is for him to take a call. India is a country where all religions are given the right to preach, but nobody has the right to induce people to convert and use dirty tricks like posing to heal patients and lure them to convert. That is the main issue," Kumar added.
Evangelist Benny Hinn cancels Bangalore visit after protests - IBNLive

Imagine in this century there are folks who believe in miracles, though I believe it is a requirement for Canonisation in the Catholic regime.

And the West claims to be a 'modern' (sic!) society that is the beacon for the world!

Fortunately, the Vatican has a thinking Pope who is breast with the modern times and requirement.

His actions to quit certain dogmas that are antediluvian will give a greater to hold on to the flock and even increasing it out of sheer faith.

 

[jouni]

It seems that you have been senaitised from the discourse of the Fire and Brimstone Bible thumping US Evangelists who have made Christianity a commercial venture.

Heard of Billy Graham, Toufik Benedictus "Benny" Hinn, the televangelist, best known for his regular "Miracle Crusades"? Utter fraud!



Imagine in this century there are folks who believe in miracles, though I believe it is a requirement for Canonisation in the Catholic regime.

And the West claims to be a 'modern' (sic!) society that is the beacon for the world!

Fortunately, the Vatican has a thinking Pope who is breast with the modern times and requirement.

His actions to quit certain dogmas that are antediluvian will give a greater to hold on to the flock and even increasing it out of sheer faith.

They do the same "healing" things in Finland, nobody is attacking them for it, many people believe in it and it gives them hope, the vast amount of us, who thinks that it is nonsense tolerates it as long as law is not broken ( child abuse etc.). Like I said, it is sad that you form your ideas about western Christianity based on these small but prominent fractions. I think that for every evangelist aid worker in India, there are 10 main stream christian aid worker who just want to bring clean water and possibility to school for your children.

 

[Ray]

They do the same "healing" things in Finland, nobody is attacking them for it, many people believe in it and it gives them hope, the vast amount of us, who thinks that it is nonsense tolerates it as long as law is not broken ( child abuse etc.). Like I said, it is sad that you form your ideas about western Christianity based on these small but prominent fractions. I think that for every evangelist aid worker in India, there are 10 main stream christian aid worker who just want to bring clean water and possibility to school for your children.

What makes you believe I have not attended Sunday School or even what my religion maybe? You will be surprised.

Evangelism by fraudulent means is abhorrent and as a human being I am against fraud, in any form.

Aid workers is one thing, and using the cloak of being an aid worker and then exclaiming Jesus Save is a fraud that is most unChristianlike.

What clean water are they evangelists bringing?

It shows you Europeans are in a time wrap dreaming of Rajahs, elephants, snake charmers, and the Holy Cow blocking the road and being fed by half naked natives out of reverence.

Heard of Rice Christians?

Rice Christian is a term used, usually pejoratively, to describe someone who has formally declared himself/herself a Christian for material benefits rather than for religious reasons.

The term has also been used pejoratively to describe conversions by missionaries who exploit poverty and famine, where food and other allurements are given in exchange for conversion.

Evangelists are exploiting poverty to churn out Rice Christians.

Do you subscribe to the attempt to increase the flock of Rice Christians?

It is you who has quaint ideas the Christian are schooling children. India has moved ahead and all sorts are schooling the children. In fact, it has become one huge commercial activity where all and sundry are fighting for the space.

And by the way, Christianity is not a Western thing. It is an Asiatic awareness that the primitive folks of Europe and the West got enlightened with and have usurped as their own original.

 

[sam80]

So what exactly they do? Do you mean that they frighten you with their talks about hell? Do they do something else?

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[sam80]

So what exactly they do? Do you mean that they frighten you with their talks about hell? Do they do something else?

well Leave it , Generally I Avoid such discussions create lots of heat any way i think Finland is very far from this . Have some interesting discussions threads inform more about Finland ..... most closer Finnish thing to me is "NOKIA" , Ya ! I am hardcore Nokia fan and use Only Nokia..... (sad it grabbed by Americans)

 

[Ray]

@jouni

How would you like if the Chinese, who are the leading economic power, came and insisted and try changing you to their way of life and try make you Communist, promising you the moon and telling you that your socialist capitalism is a fraud?

I am sure you would like to be what you are and not what you can be if you fall prey to allurements.

 

[Singh]

 

[jouni]

@jouni

How would you like if the Chinese, who are the leading economic power, came and insisted and try changing you to their way of life and try make you Communist, promising you the moon and telling you that your socialist capitalism is a fraud?

I am sure you would like to be what you are and not what you can be if you fall prey to allurements.

Well, if they would come to convert us to communism, like our dear eastern neighbours came some 75 years ago. We would treat them the same way. Of course the Finnish saying "one Finn equals ten Russians" would have to be changed to "one Finn equals hundred Chinese"

If on the other hand they would come with peaceful means and could convince our government that communism is actually a religion. Our government would give them a piece of land to build their church, also some other funds would be available. That's how freedom of religion works here in the north.

 

[jouni]

well Leave it , Generally I Avoid such discussions create lots of heat any way i think Finland is very far from this . Have some interesting discussions threads inform more about Finland ..... most closer Finnish thing to me is "NOKIA" , Ya ! I am hardcore Nokia fan and use Only Nokia..... (sad it grabbed by Americans)

Yeah, Nokia is great. Too bad they went along with windows phone only. I just bought Lumia 520, their very cheap now. Just ask what you wanna know about Finland.

 

[Ray]

Well, if they would come to convert us to communism, like our dear eastern neighbours came some 75 years ago. We would treat them the same way. Of course the Finnish saying "one Finn equals ten Russians" would have to be changed to "one Finn equals hundred Chinese"

If on the other hand they would come with peaceful means and could convince our government that communism is actually a religion. Our government would give them a piece of land to build their church, also some other funds would be available. That's how freedom of religion works here in the north.

Freedom of Religion could also be

This is the type of 'religious freedom' that one does not want to happen.

They all come in peace to 'good work'.

And by the way, it has been said by an Anglican Bishop!

And remember the last to last Pope had said Asia is ripe for 'harvesting the souls'.

Therefore, the intent is so evident.

Extract from POST-SYNODAL
APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION
ECCLESIA IN ASIA
OF THE HOLY FATHER
JOHN PAUL II
TO THE BISHOPS,
PRIESTS AND DEACONS,
MEN AND WOMEN
IN THE CONSECRATED LIFE
AND ALL THE LAY FAITHFUL
ON JESUS CHRIST THE SAVIOUR
AND HIS MISSION OF LOVE AND SERVICE
IN ASIA:

In that same letter, referring to the Special Assembly for Asia of the Synod of Bishops, I noted that in that part of the world "the issue of the encounter of Christianity with ancient local cultures and religions is a pressing one. This is a great challenge for evangelization, since religious systems such as Buddhism or Hinduism have a clearly soteriological character".2 It is indeed a mystery why the Saviour of the world, born in Asia, has until now remained largely unknown to the people of the continent. The Synod would be a providential opportunity for the Church in Asia to reflect further on this mystery and to make a renewed commitment to the mission of making Jesus Christ better known to all. Two months after the publication of Tertio Millennio Adveniente, speaking to the Sixth Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences, in Manila, the Philippines, during the memorable Tenth World Youth Day celebrations, I reminded the Bishops: "If the Church in Asia is to fulfil its providential destiny, evangelization as the joyful, patient and progressive preaching of the saving Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ must be your absolute priority".3
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/j...f_jp-ii_exh_06111999_ecclesia-in-asia_en.html

 

[parijataka]

Your not very polite, I always treat with respect all those hare Krishna guys in our streets. Now matter how funny they seem at the first glance.

Well, many Christian missionaries who come to preach in India are not very polite either. Many come with tracts into our homes that tell how Hindus are Satan worshippers and other insulting stuff, some stand at street corners and even outside Hindu temples and harangue against Hinduism. Many come in the guise of do-gooders and it is common for Christian groups to congregate whenever some calamity such as floods occur where help to the needy and Bible go hand in hand.

 

[Ashutosh Lokhande]

the Finnish saying "one Finn equals ten Russians" would have to be changed to "one Finn equals hundred Chinese"

admit it, you guyz copied this saying from pakis.

 

[jouni]

admit it, you guyz copied this saying from pakis.

Pakis use it too? Damn, we started using that saying already 75 years ago. I think we owe it.

 

[Ashutosh Lokhande]

Pakis use it too? Damn, we started using that saying already 75 years ago. I think we owe it.

just joking
pakis use to say how 1 paki soldier equal 10 indian soldiers.
they stoped saying it when they realised they actually lost all the 4 wars they initiated on india