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How to Deal with the Flames
I live in "The South" (USA), and attend a small, fundamentalist Christian school. My classroom consists of students (many who are close minded, this-is-what-I-grew-up-with-so-it-must-be right attitudes) that have hardcore-conservative views on Christianity. My question, how can I avoid the tongue lashings and "you're going to burn in hell" speeches for the rest of my senior year?
Thanks,
Meg
Thanks,
Meg
0
Comments
Of course, if you do any of those things with hard core right wing "Christians" you'll be in a no-win argument, so it's really not worth it. The best you can do is to point out that you respect their religious beliefs with great humility, and ask that they respect yours with equal humility. It was their individual choice to be (or remain) "Christians", just as it's your choice to embrace Buddhism (or Islam, or Ba'hai, or Hinduism, or shamanism, or whatever).
As for the "you're going to burn in hell" thing, tell them that in order to burn there, one would first have to believe that there is such a place and thus be afraid of going there. If neither of those things is true, then it's not a worry. Also, tell them that people who live in glass houses....
My best suggestion would be to move to a more enlightened place. Not easy to do, I know, but ultimately you'd probably be much happier.
And smile, and offer them a really nice sweet.
if they take it, they can't really hate you that much, can they?
Nope, not a one of 'em. :P I doubt I will tell them, because just as Mountains stated, I'll be up for a no-win argument. I've watched these people bash other religions in the ground with chunks of metaphorical brimstone (lemme tell ya, NOT pretty ). Honestly, I don't think it would be worth my time to tell them, go thru with a cornered argument, let it interfere with my education, and ruin my future.
Compassionate Warrior AND Mountains:
Uprooting at this time is a no-go. :-/ For one: I'm expecting a baby sister in May (first sibling
Good luck! :-/
That isn't actually true. There are roughly 1.5 billion Muslims in the world while Christians number over 2 billion.
It’s a pretty horrible thing to really believe in hell. For instance when you really believe that someone you love (like your child) will be burning in flames for all eternity.
Anyone who believes in hell is in some kind of hell already – the hell of fear.
The best connection we can make with Christians is on the softer parts of their religion; love and compassion, forgiveness, turning the other cheek; the things we have in common.
The fundamentalists are ignoring essential (the happy and friendly) pieces of their own religion.
Another opening can be that fundamentalist “thinkers” are really arrogant. They seem to know it all. That too is basically not a very Christian attitude. Christian people could be expected to be more humble next to “God’s greatness”.
Sometimes some inter-religious common ground can be found in this humble not-knowing.
Anyways, good luck to you.; and keep in touch with kind people.
Stay in touch, Meg; let us know how you're doing.
Nirvana is to accept the way things are (though not despair) and develope curiosity (new eyes) not assuming you know everything. Wide open.
BTW, told my cousin yesterday that I converted.. He was cool with it, surprisingly
When Christians tell you that you will end op in Christian hell, you can tell them that – on the contrary – they are going to end up in Buddhist hell.
Isn’t religion a beautiful thing?
:rolleyes:
also a funny thing, a Buddhist can go to "heaven" in this very life, without having to die to find out
I had an interesting discussion with a person who sees the different realms as part of the human existence - more as a state of mind than actually being reborn as an animal or such.
http://www.drgabormate.com/ghosts.php
I think if we're honest, we've all visited them at some time or another, during any ordinary day.
I know I probably stop off at more than one....
I'm in agreement.
This is why in Buddhism, the state of your Mind at the moment you cease living this life, is so important as a stepping stone into the next existence.
If you buy that kind of thing, that is.
I am not saying that you have to do the same. In our case, it was the fact that it got physical and some of the things the boy said crossed a certain line for me. Also my child (in 2nd grade at the time) was starting to dread going to school. Anyway, but if anyone acts out in a physical way, or if the things said start to depress you or interfere with your schoolwork, you may want to consider talking to a trusted teacher or counselor.
But I also encourage my kids to work these things out by themselves if they can do so safely.
This may not be the case, but sometimes fundamentalist Christians are just trying to help, like someone telling you not to smoke so you don't get lung cancer. In that case it may help to realize they mean well.
OTOH students your age often do not mean well! I have noticed a lot of teens at our local schools run in packs, dressing the same way, liking the same music, etc... There's a lot of pressure for everyone to conform and anyone who doesn't can seem like a threat. They are insecure and you could try being compassionate about that, though of course it's hard when they are working out their issues on you.
I hope some of this helps and wish you the best.
Nirvana is liberation of the heart. From these realms.
The difference between heaven and nirvana. In heaven you love the people who make you feel good. In nirvana you will let yourself feel bad (not doormat I mean worry sadness) in order to love people.
"The God Virus: How religion infects our lives and culture" by Darrel W. Ray
"God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything" by Christopher Hitchens
"The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins
Today the other senior (yeah, there's just two.. :wow: )at my school noticed me reading a book on Buddhism, preceded to ask me about it and if I was a Buddhist.
I explained about the eightfold path, noble truths and life of Siddhartha. Of course, she quickly tried to pull my soul off this path. :rolleyes: We discussed how we felt about our religions, and agreed to be respectful to one another.
I suggest that you do not speak this quote to the Christians around you. They will take offense.
I come from a fundamental Christian family (Calvinists) and my oldest sister, referring to our niece, said "Oh, I hear that Marie is a Buddhist!" (spitting out the last word). I said "Yes, she is." But I totally wimped out about saying that I am as well. My approach growing up in that family was just not to bring up topics that I thought would be upsetting or controversial for them, since they would feel honor bound to argue with me and to try to save my soul. I would just step aside.
Don't worry, Meg. To follow and understand Buddhism does not mean, that you have to claim to be a Buddhist. It's very irrelevant and can even become a nuisance on the path.
Journalist/Interviewer: "Mr Gandhi, what do you think of Western civilisation?"
Gandhi: "I think it would be a very good idea."
Haven't you heard of the Amritsar Massacre?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jallianwala_Bagh_massacre