To believe is defined as the state of mind in which a person thinks
something to be the case, with or without empirical evidence to prove that something
is the case with certainty. When it comes
to our spiritual life, believing is at the core of any religion or faith-based
system.Every religion also has a "moral code" which is a set of beliefs about how humans should act. Each religion usually has their own type of "acts of devotions" when people worship or pray. In December of 2009 I read an article based on a survey of Americans that reported many Americans like the mix and match build your own approach to their faith. It also reported that large numbers of Christians attend Services of traditions other than their own and blend Christianity with Eastern and new age beliefs. So, is this a problem?
This photo shows President Obama and
secretary Clinton at a Buddhist temple making an offering to Buddha but they
both claim to have the belief system of Christianity. Years ago I attended a
yoga class in which the Eastern religion affiliated with this form of exercise
was prominent.
We’re
we worshipping other gods in these acts? The only one that knows the answer to
that question is God. He judges the hearts of men, beyond their actions. I can
say for myself, during the yoga class, I was purposefully attentive to the
instructor’s words and cautious when she spoke of the Eastern religion
instructions and the meanings of each movement. I purposed to focus my mind and
my heart on my God. I hope God was pleased with my Worship to him alone even
though I was engaged in an activity from another religion. Perhaps Obama and
Clinton we're doing the same; we don't know.
Other
religions can offer wonderful enhancements to our Christianity and our walk of
faith. Most other religions have more formalities, celebrations and liturgical
acts that can bring about a deeper sense of reverence and worship. Some of
these acts might include lighting a candle, holding prayer beads, strictly honoring
the Sabbath, knelling, designated prayer times, recitation of verses or declarations
of faith and offerings. Personally, I do not see anything wrong with taking
information and practices from other religions and applying it to my faith if
it brings me closer to my God. The problem for Christians occurs when we put
our faith in these acts and assign power to another deity.
There
are a couple of group of believers called Jews for Jesus and Messianic Jews.
They observe many of the Jewish holidays and keep Jewish traditions alive in
their homes, while also professing their faith in Jesus. Because Judaism is
also a culture and a lineage, these Jews for Jesus enjoy the practices found in
the Jewish faith. This does not diminish their faith in Christ; it enhances it.
In
today’s Western society we really do have the “playlist” mentality and the tendency
to personalize our spiritual lives just like we personalize our iPhones. Scott
Thumma, a psychologist from the Hartford Institute of Religion Research, stated
in the article from 2009 that pop culture and the internet are probably more
powerful teachers about religion then Sunday school teachers ever were. He also
states that many Christians believe in astrology, reincarnation, mysticism, the
spiritual power of nature and the power of crystals. He also states that
Western Christians have shown a tendency to take what they need from each
religion and leaving the rest behind.
"Put your
heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of
success."
-Swami Sivananda
-Swami Sivananda
Although
in Christianity we do have some basic rules to follow, it is more about having
a relationship with God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17
reads, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of
eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Could the sight of President Obama cause fellow
Christian to engage in practices found in Buddhism and lead them astray?
Perhaps. With this freedom in Christianity also comes some responsibility. We
are also told in 1st Corinthians 8 to practice our faith in such a
way as to not cause a brother to stumble:
"In this matter, then, of eating meat which has been offered
to idols, knowledge tells us that no idol has any real existence, and that
there is no God but one. For though there are other gods both in heaven and
earth, to us there is only one God, the Father, from whom everything comes, and
for who we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom everything
exists, and by whom we ourselves are alive. But this knowledge of ours is not
shared by all men. For some, who until now have been used to idols, eat the
meat as meat really sacrificed to a god, and their delicate conscience is
thereby injured. Now our acceptance of God is not a matter of meat. If we eat
it, that does not make us better men, nor are we the worse if we do not eat it.
You must be careful that your freedom to eat meat does not in any way hinder anyone
whose faith is not like yours. Surely you would not want your faith to bring
spiritual disaster to a brother for whom Christ died? And when you sin like
this and damage the consciences of your brethren you really sin against Christ.
This makes me determined that, if there is any possibility of meat injuring my
brother,
I will have none of it as long as I live, for fear I might do him
harm.”
(The New Testament in Modern English
by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips.
Administered by The
Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission.)
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I am the LORD, that is My
name;
Do not give My glory to another,
Nor
My praise to graven images”
Isaiah 42:8
|
"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out
of the land of Egypt,
out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other
gods before Me.
You shall not make for yourself an idol,
or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the
earth beneath
or in the water under the earth.” Exodus
20:2-3
"Let there be no strange god among you;
Nor
shall you worship any foreign god” Psalm
81:9
As Christians, we know that there are varied ways
of practicing our Christ based faith.
These are not different religions, but are called denominations such as Methodist,
Four Square, Presbyterian, Catholics, Lutheran, and most Non-Denominational
Churches. Denominations may also have different ways of practicing faith but at
their core, God is the same. Finding a home church or denomination is
simply finding other people who enjoy practicing their faith in the same
manner. God wants our hearts to love Him, our minds to be set on things of His
kingdom and our souls be dedicated to Him and Him alone. If we do that, our
iBelieve practices can be a range of options.
Our Prayer
Click here to see a music video “God, you are my God” https://youtu.be/UJj1TGdpSmY With lyrics: https://youtu.be/EP7w5rdees8
Bonus Challenge:
The Illuminated Soul
- “A little bit of light dispels
alot of darkness” Rabbi Schneur Zalman (Juddism)
- “A spiritually illumined soul lives in the world, yet is never contaminated by it.” Swami Bhaskarananda (Hinduism)
- “Indeed, My lord is the hearer of supplication” The Quran 14:30 (Islam)
- “If the problem can be solved why worry? If the problem cannot be solved worrying will do you no good.” Śāntideva (Buddism)
- “To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.” (Confucianism)
Read these verses below taken from other
religions and find the matching verse in the Christian’s Bible
- “A little bit of light dispels
alot of darkness” Rabbi Schneur Zalman (Juddism)- “A spiritually illumined soul lives in the world, yet is never contaminated by it.” Swami Bhaskarananda (Hinduism)
- “Indeed, My lord is the hearer of supplication” The Quran 14:30 (Islam)
- “If the problem can be solved why worry? If the problem cannot be solved worrying will do you no good.” Śāntideva (Buddism)
- “To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.” (Confucianism)
You can see my answers at my website : www.simplycindyrowe.com
awesome post, thanks
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