Why so much Bashing on Western religion?

Great Debates
1

I’ve noticed this a lot more now that I’m at college, but its something I notice from lots of young ‘intellectuals’. They have a total disdain for Western religion, especially Christianity, and yet are really into Eastern religions.

I don’t have any religious affiliation, but I certainly see the redeeming qualities of Christianity. I also realize that like all holy books the Bible is mythology that overlays philosophy. Most people who are so high on Eastern religion often have just read ABOUT the religion, not actually read the sacred books. Even those that have seem to manage to seperate those myths from the philosophy, yet they can’t do that for Western religion. The mythic Christ is a symbol of love for your fellow man and a personal relationship with God. Something that lots of people can agree is a good thing.

Any thoughts on why so many so called open minds are so against wisdom right at home?

2

Only a few thoughts on your OP that I am sure will either be amplified or shot down by following posters…

Western religion, and since you mentioned Christianity I’ll use it as the example, tends to state “this is the way, the only way, and if you don’t accept that you’re (for loss of a better term) lost.” Where as many Eastern religions are more of a way of life, a guide instead of command.

Perhaps another reason (and mine in particular)why these “young ‘intellectuals’…so called open minds” do not choose the “home” religion is the fact that many (or at least the very vocal minority) interpet the bible to be factual, ie the world is only 6000 years old, or feel that if you disagree with anything in the bible you are wrong: see above.

While your thoughts are not unique, at least on this board, among Christians your views are not the ones trumpeted time and time again by the vocal “we are the right way/only way” group.

3

I think it’s because most Western RELIGION, not philosophy, is based on the premise that there is a god, where as most Eastern religion is actually more “philosophy” that is rather god-indifferent.

Taoism doesn’t require that I beleive in god. Christianity does. I agree with the basic “turn the other cheek, love thy neighbor” principal of Christianity, but that’s it. I can get the same thing out of Confucianism, without being told I’m going to hell because I don’t beleive in god.

My $.02

4

I have pointed this out from time to time, myself.

There is a perception that it is OK to bash “the majority”. This is part of it.

Also, Christianity is well known here. Since nearly all faiths are afflicted with “fingies”, here in the USA, we notice the Christian fringies the most.

5

It could just be that they reject western religions because they were raised in “western” religions. They’re adopting “eastern” religions, just because they’re not western.

6

The Tim said:

Don’t worry, Tim (or should I call you “The”?). Around here, we bash all religious equally.

7

‘Cause I don’t know enough about the other religions to start bashin’ 'em.

8

**The Tim wrote:

I’ve noticed this a lot more now that I’m at college, but its something I notice from lots of young ‘intellectuals’.
They have a total disdain for Western religion, especially Christianity, and yet are really into Eastern religions.**

I think a major part of your answer is in this statement; “now that I’m in college.” Lots of people continue the anti-authority or exploratory kick once they get into college and are exposed to new ideas and concepts. The old things, especially those embraced by their parents are seen as old, trite and hopelessly out-dated. Many people start to seriously examine their faith and find it wanting in several areas.

I don’t have any religious affiliation, but I certainly see the redeeming qualities of Christianity.

This is very true, until you get on the receiving end of one of their “your sinful and going to Hell!” tirades. Look at Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church. Yes, he’s an extreme example, but it gets the point across.

I also realize that like all holy books the Bible is mythology that overlays philosophy. Most people who are so high on Eastern religion often have just read ABOUT the religion, not actually read the sacred books. Even those that have seem to manage to seperate those myths from the philosophy, yet they can’t do that for Western religion. The mythic Christ is a symbol of love for your fellow man and a personal relationship with God.

You raise some good points here. Like I said above, most of these people, I’m willing to wager, are in the rebellion phase and still working things out. Give them time. They’ll either continue their exploring and have an actual change of faith or eventually come back to the faith of their family. And they’ll be stronger for it by learning to examine and evaluate their faith and find what it really means to them.

Something that lots of people can agree is a good thing. Any thoughts on why so many so called open minds are so against wisdom right at home?

What’s at home isn’t exactly the best thing sometimes. An example; almost EVERY major Christian sect has denounced homosexuality. Their governing bodies, acting officially, have pronounced homosexuality as something incompatible with Scripture.

Would a person, just coming to terms with his/her own homosexuality, want to remain in a church that has OFFICIALLY pronounced them anti-Christian or unable to be Christian because of a part of their personality?

As an aside to PolyC; Yes, I know, all Christians aren’t like that. It is rather unfortunate that you and those of your mind are in the minority.

9

I think part of your answer to the question “why so much bashing on Western religion” (and by this I assume you mean mostly Christianity) may be found at this thread. Fundamental Christians can get pretty obnoxious. But then again, many of them are very nice. Like many things, a vocal few give many a bad name.

10

Tim, a lot of people confuse the message with the messenger.

While there are plenty (yet still a vast minority) of Christians who are smugly self-righteous, and firmly belive that if you don’t toe their doctrinal line that you are going straight to hell, the rest of us are usually just as tolerant as the Eastern religions/philosophies.

So instead of ignoring or discarding the dross of Christianity and focusing on the underlying message, they instead focus on and become turned off by the demagogues.

Then there are those who will not or cannot accept on faith that there may (or, just to keep David B. happy ;)) may not be a higher power/being that can be observed and/or measured by scientific analysis or derived purely by rational thought.

Finally, there are those who just want to hear something different, and the novelty of a new philosophy is appealing to these folks.

Just my take in a nutshell.

ExTank
“Mostly Harmless :p”

11

It’s not necessarily bashing “Western” religion so much as it is bashing whatever religion you think is wrong/evil/whatever. Afer all, if you didn’t think your belief system was superior, you wouldn’t be inclined to follow it. The major difference is that as you get older, you’re more likely to run into folks that weren’t raised the same as you, or who were and rejected it (something they certainly have a right to do). Of course, it helps that the Major Western Religions tend to bash each other (Islam vs. Judaism vs, Christianity vs. “assorted”) whereas Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism have tended to coexist and even influence each other.

A couple of points:

  1. There is plenty of Eastern religion bashing around- just try to get through one of Bob Larson’s rants on Hinduism and demon worship if you don’t believe me (better yet, don’t).

2.For the record, Confucianism sucks. :stuck_out_tongue:
See, there’s some eastern religion bashing just for you…

12

How is Confucianism (or Buddhism) a religion?
There are quite a few Buddhist Christians online - it seems to be more a philosophy.

13

Most are interested in Eastern religions because they don’t require anything of a person. It’s easier to live with, “Do what you feel, as long as you are in harmony with nature” than it is with, “Thou shalt not…” They see the large amount of faithfulness it takes to be a good Christian compared with the easy-going Chinese and opt for that which is less challenging. Laziness is the reason for interest in Eastern religions, not truth vs. falsehood. If this offends you…well I’m sorry. :slight_smile:

14

Are you really?
“Do as you wilt” is a tenant of an invented Western religion.
Tell me, can you list the requirements of the eight-fold path?
Can you give me a few of the requirements of Confucianism?
How about listing the four goals of life according to Hinduism? Have you read any of the Sutras or the Bhagavad-gita or are you just spouting uninformed opinion based upon your particular religious preference?
In any case, I’m not convinced Buddhism, Taoism, or Confucianism really qualify as religions, but I’d like to see what you think Hinduism entails, as well as the above philosophies.

15

I’ve read the Bhagavad-gita, the Dhammapada, the Tao te Ching, and a couple of collections of Bhuddist sutras.

After more than a decade of mucking around with Eastern religion/philosophy, I finally wound up Byzantine Catholic.

We share the doctrines and dogmas of the Latin Rite, are in full communion with the See of Rome, but the theology and the view of the relationship between Man and God is distinctly, well, Eastern.

16

Well you weren’t the person I was ranting against. :slight_smile:
It annoys me that people associate leaving a particular branch of Western faith with seeking to avoid moral reponsibility.
Most religions are fairly functional and tend to advocate following the moral strictures of society.

Heck, the “thou shalt nots” he was quoting are divided into some things you should do to honor god, and some rules for living in society (granted, exactly what these are can be confusing, given the multiple sets of ten commandments in the bible). In any case, including rules for living in society is far from unique to western theology.

17

No, the question is, “Why so much bashing FROM Western religion?”

18

Umm, Judaism has “pronounced” Homosexuality to be an “abdomination”. The Muslim faith, to a large extent, is as intolerant as most Christian right-wing sects. Would you like to name a large religion that has “officially” pronounced Homosexuality as “A-OK, allright, you-betcha”? AFAIK, Buddism takes no stance, and Hinduism is mildly anti. Sikhism is as ‘anti’, as most, AFAIK. I would have to say the the most intolerant major religion, overall, is the Moslem church, altho that faith, similar to Christianity, varies.

Next- the “liberal” Christian sects have no major problem with Homosexuality. In the USA that accounts for more than 50% of the Christian population. Ie. MOST Christians are not “anti-gay”. (Note, the “middle-of-the-road” tenent is that Homosexuality is a “sin” on the level with drunkeness, ie to be forgiven).

Would you like to list the Churches that have officially denounced homosexuality, that is as far as saying thay are “anti-Christian & unable to be Christian”? They are very few- but very vocal, I will admit.

In my Church, admitedly one of the most "liberal’, they will marry a commited gay couple.

19

Why do you say that hinduism is mildly anti? Which branch of hinduism are you referring to? My version of the “real” kama sutra covers homosexuality, and not in negative terms.

Please refer to this link which covers various faiths and their views on homosexuality.
http://www.bridges-across.org/ba/faith_communities.htm

20

Daniel said:

Really? Who made this pronunciation on behalf of all of Judaism? Dr. Laura?

(And what’s an “abdomination”? Something that’s really bad for your stomach? :wink: )