When most Christians come face-to-face with Taoism for the first time, there tends to be a lot of head scratching and questions. How do you know what to believe? How does a person know what is right or wrong? How can you survive in the world without [a] God to talk or pray to?
More than a few fundamentalist Christians have tossed Taoist thought aside because, in their opinions, it's far too individualistic.
Of all their various criticisms, I find this one the most absurd. Every single religion or belief system is based on personal experience, observation and interpretation. The main difference between Taoism and Christianity is that the former readily acknowledges this fact, while the latter seeks to camouflage it at all costs.
I don't know of ANY Christian denominations that agree on all interpretations of the bible or the proper practice of faith. The Baptists, Lutherans, Church of Christ, Presbyterians, Methodists, etc. have splintered into different incarnations of their particular denomination.
Even within specific denominations or congregations, you will rarely find any two people who agree on every single aspect of that church's doctrine and belief. Yes, many people may agree with almost everything, but there always seems to be at least one thing that each person has a problem with or misgivings about.
Stand on any street corner and you're bound to find Christians who are
More than a few fundamentalist Christians have tossed Taoist thought aside because, in their opinions, it's far too individualistic.
Of all their various criticisms, I find this one the most absurd. Every single religion or belief system is based on personal experience, observation and interpretation. The main difference between Taoism and Christianity is that the former readily acknowledges this fact, while the latter seeks to camouflage it at all costs.
I don't know of ANY Christian denominations that agree on all interpretations of the bible or the proper practice of faith. The Baptists, Lutherans, Church of Christ, Presbyterians, Methodists, etc. have splintered into different incarnations of their particular denomination.
Even within specific denominations or congregations, you will rarely find any two people who agree on every single aspect of that church's doctrine and belief. Yes, many people may agree with almost everything, but there always seems to be at least one thing that each person has a problem with or misgivings about.
Stand on any street corner and you're bound to find Christians who are
- For & Against the death penalty;
- For & Against abortion;
- For & Against war;
- For & Against basic social programs; and
- Open or Not Open to homosexuality;
If there is but one truth and this truth originates from the Christian God, why can't corporate and individual Christians seem to agree on what that truth is?
A Taoist knows the simple answer -- Each person must find their truth on their own. And, in fact, that's what each Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Taoist or atheist does.
Ultimately, each of us makes our own final call.
A Taoist knows the simple answer -- Each person must find their truth on their own. And, in fact, that's what each Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Taoist or atheist does.
Ultimately, each of us makes our own final call.
Andrew,
ReplyDeleteI would highly recommend you read Scott Adams' God's Debris. It offers a very interesting discussion of the concept of "free will". I plan to tackle this issue at a later date.