21st century Christianity.

I continually ask myself about other faiths constantly. Now, comparative religions is what initially brought me towards Christianity. Though I believe nothing can hinder that, nonetheless, other religions often times provide something that Christianity lacks, acceptance.

     This acceptance is more like tolerance, Christianity is made up of fallen people coming together as a Church attempting to follow the example of perfection--God's son Jesus Christ. Tolerance is something that is often talked about in church, sermons, and among the evangelicals in discussion. The fact is that Christianity holds to ultimate truth to the point that if something doesn't seem familiar it's regarded as foreign and most likely will not be looked upon as vitally important. Christianity IS guilty of ad hominem; the act of disregarding ones argument or experiences solely based on what they follow or what kind of person they are. 

Let's be honest here... If you were presented two books, lets for the sake of saying Dynamics of Faith by Paul Tillich or Islamic Theology by Binyamin Abrahamov. You and me both would pick Paul Tillich's book. The initial response is to read the Christian book to gain knowledge or to reaffirm already held beliefs. But, what if I told you that both were just as healthy to your spirituality? The Christian book no doubt would have amazing doctrinal insight. The Islamic book could even be a Buddhist, Mormon, or Hindu book for that matter. The truth is all these religions doctrines are the compilations of many years of scholarship and organized beliefs of people who have devoted their lives teachings and understandings to that system of beliefs. And should not be considered as nonsense.

     All truth is God's truth. No matter who says it, under what circumstance or location any truth spoken has its origin from God. The Dalia Lama a peaceful-humble leader of the Buddhist faith reminds me of what many Christians should attempt to be more like. Christians have a tendency to look through a microscope with a Christian film already shaping the view. Now this is acceptable when determining orthodoxy or orthopraxy, but should be avoided when looking at the world. What if the Dalia Lama's insight on spiritual matters actually in a sense reflects the humbleness Christianity continually tries to accomplish? 

     In the case of the Dalia Lama he is much like Christians for he affirms the use of faith to come first, but not because we are to willing to see the world through our faith, but because out of necessity we must see the world through faith. Throughout his writings he frequently states that whatever the simplest answer is usually the most correct one, but not always. He views faith (to me at least) as a somewhat inferior yet humbler way of viewing events and experiences. Not inferior in importance but in understanding, he realizes that natural events can be explained by science but affirms some simply cannot. Nature to him is like God, where science lacks clarity or understanding faith takes over for spiritual awareness of the littleness of humankind. The Dalia Lama shows that he attempts to harmonize nature with his faith.

     It's almost as if science or nature for this matter is always ahead of faith, but for certain instances faith must take over to ensure natures survival; to comfort it, to direct it, to save it. All while working together to come to an understanding that we are a grain of sand on a beach full of ongoing struggling--knowledge.

     What if the Jehovah's Witnesses are right about the constant awareness and reminders of the last days? What if Mormons are right about the eternalness of Family? What if the Muslims are right about theocratic rule? We generally disregard ideas because it doesn't fit into the common mold used by our theologians, philosophers, or church leaders; and as a result we become ignorant of potential knowledge in the universe--true or false, knowing which one it is-is the difference between ignorance and awareness. 

     I attend a Christian college for Theology, often times I get puzzled looks from other people even seniors when I tell them there is some truth to most religions. The concept of accepting something foreign invades their own bubble. They have indoctrinated into themselves the idea that certain religions or ideas are false without giving it any thought, instead, they rely on leaders or people in a position of power to think about these concepts for them. This is pure ignorance. To claim something as false you must have sufficient evidence of falsehood, quoting others to substantiate "evidence" does not cut it. 

     Now I understand (I included) cannot read up on everything being thrown at us and keep up to date. But, realizing the ad hominem in our beliefs we can come that much closer to truth. If one were to exam members of other faiths and then contrast them with Christians you would find that in some cases Muslims, Mormons, and Jews, and in most cases Buddhists and Hindu's seem more receptive and contemplative of spiritual matters. They are not condemning or damning anyone. They do not preach as if their knowledge was 100% true. Because theology and understanding is ever so changing, one cannot be entirely consistent in their own beliefs when they read others. These religions have an advantage--they are not ignorant, but accepting and understanding which is what Christianity will need to adapt to reveal to the world that we are not ignorant. 

     Affirm the Christian creeds and doctrines but be aware of the revolving wheel--whose center that all religions attempt to understand, the one constant remaining factor the--Great Spirit.