How is the religion of Christianity different/similar from Buddhism? 

 

Let us start with how they are different. While Christianity believes in ONE GOD (monotheism), Buddhism DOES NOT believe in the presents of any god, (nontheistic). “Buddhism is, at its core and atheistic religion meaning “no God.” Buddhism generally does not name worship of a God or deity as a key to achieving nirvana or as a central to taming unenlightened desire, So the Buddha is not a God to be revered the where the deities of Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity or Islam are worshipped, (Carroll, pg. 79/80, Buddhism). In the religion of Christianity, Christians believe in the Trinity, where the presence of one God is projected as one: 

God the Father 

God the Son (Jesus)

God the Holy Spirit  

(Carroll, pg. 101) 

 

Christianity and Buddhism can relate to one another on how the aspects of their religion can influence one’s spiritual well-being and the spreading of one’s teachings. “Buddhist generally respect Jesus, not as divine, in the way that Christians do, but as a spiritual leader worthy of respect and a sage whose teachings offer benefit for those wishing to make progress on their own spiritual path,” (Carroll, pg. 118). As we remember from Buddhism, as the teachings of Hinduism failed the buddha from reaching his spiritual goals, he rested upon a Bohdi tree and meditated for several weeks. “During which he went into trance states, experienced terrifying visions, and endured painful inner battles, he achieved enlightenment. He gathered disciples and began to teach what he’d come to see as the truth of reality, (Carroll, pg. 75, Buddhism). To his followers and disciples for the next 45 years he taught the truth of dharma which can contribute to the Buddhist community known today. Similar to Jesus Christ when he was sentenced to death by crucifixion, “After three days according to Christian belief he rose from the dead and soon afterward ascended into heaven leaving instructions for his disciples to spread his teachings of salvation called the gospel or good news to all the world,” (Carroll, pg. 100). Christians follow the beliefs of Jesus to achieve salvation, while Buddhist follow the teachings of the buddha to reach enlightenment.  

Mary Magdalene  

Mary Magdalene was known as one of Jesus’s followers that travelled beside him, and also witnessed the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. “Mary Magdalene’s reputation as a prostitute originated not in the Bible but in a sixth-century sermon by Pope Gregory in the year 591: She whom Luke calls the sinful woman, whom John calls Mary, we believe to be the Mary from whom seven devils were ejected,” (Rodman ICollege, Spotlight on Christianity: Gender & Race). Mary Magdalene was considered a prostitute because she tried seducing men with her fragrance. “It is clear that the woman previously used the unguent to perfume her flesh in forbidden acts,” (Rodman ICollege, Spotlight on Christianity: Gender & Race). Mary Magdalene being assumed as a prostitute and adulterer is perpetuated by much Western medieval Christian 
art known today. (Rodman ICollege, Spotlight on Christianity: Gender & Race). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is Atonement and Salvation? How do they relate to each other?

Particularly important to the religion of Christianity is salvation. Salvation means the deliverance or disablement of suffering or evil. “Salvation is the act of delivering (or keeping away) from evil or saving from sin,” (Rodman, ICollege). While a sin is an immoral act that goes against a divine law. Atonement can be referred to as an individual’s reconciling to God through Jesus’s self-sacrifice. “The idea of salvation is a very important part of Christianity and is closely connected with the idea of atonement. Christians believe that Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross to make salvation possible for humans, (Rodman ICollege). This clarifies what Atonement and Salvation are precisely and how they work together. While salvation is the process of being saved from evil, attornment is the repair done at sake of the relationship between God.

 

 

 

Praised in All Shades 

 

Attributed to Dr. King, racial segregation in Christianity can still be seen today in churches of America, but not in a way that causes dispute between one another like in the past. “Race and religion, intersect, change, shift and intertwine, (Rodman ICollege, Spotlight on Christianity: Gender & Race). Not through hate or significates of color, but by individual perspectives or backgrounds can be influential on how Jesus looks, or how the teachings of Christianity are depicted. “Religion plays a vital role in the construction, deconstruction, and transgression of racial identities and boundaries,” (Rodman ICollege, Spotlight on Christianity: Gender & Race). As in beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the same goes for the religion of Christianity, the perception of Jesus is subjective, as is beauty. People can have differing opinions on how he looks. It might seem normative for many people to see Jesus a certain way, which is perfectly fine. It deals with how faith resonates with them and how they wish to be represented. Jesus can be in any shade of your own image. It is not a concept of reality, but a personalization of Christ that echos off one’s unique experiences culturally.

Christmas or Easter? 

 

Some may believe that Christmas is the most important holiday in the religion of Christianity, but in reality, that is not the case. Although Christmas is celebrated by many Christians as the day that marks the birth of Jesus, the holiday Easter holds the outmost significance in Christian belief. This secular holiday is celebrated during the springtime festively by Christians and many others. “People attend services, share a meal, and adults may hide Easter eggs for children to find. Symbols of eggs, rabbits and other such things point to Easter’s coinciding with pre-Christian springtime festivals, which celebrate new life and “resurrection” from winter, (Carroll, pg. 99). Christmas is not the most important holiday in Christianity, because it does not signify the resurrection of Christ and the true birth of the faith of Christianity like Easter elucidates. Easter is celebrated as the initial day of Jesus’s death and resurrection. Easter is considered as one of the most notable and oldest holidays out of Christianity, “Traditional Christianity views Jesus’ death not merely as a tragedy but as a sacrificial death that is redeemed or “atoned for” the sins of all humankind. Jesus’ death (and his blood) functions for all of humanity,” (Carroll, pg. 106).  

 

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