I found this paragraph from Val’s blog: I have been chatting with many buddhist friends recently and the talk ended up being rather spiritual haha. it’s quite astonishing to find out how much they detest Christians, especially when the really staunch and fervent ones start evangelising. They tell me Christians think highly of themselves and dislike the way they glorify their religion by building such glamourous churches when the $ could have been donated for a better cause. Plus they never understand the logic behind the requirement of having to donate 10% of your monthly salary to your church. To buddhists, these donations should be voluntary and dependent on your financial status. renling said she once attended this ceremony or sth and the person asked them to close their eyes and imagine themselves kneeling in front of god. Then they were to open their eyes and realise they were all alone, without their family and friends. Finally the person said “You want to know the reason why? That’s because none of them are Christians and they will not be able to go to heaven.”. Renling was stunned upon hearing that. So what does that make of muslims, free-thinkers and indians? Well honestly as a Christian, I obviously feel kinda hurt by what Val’s buddhist friends said.
- Building glamourous churches with lots of $$ ????
Yup, I admit this happens many times, but then what about temples asking for donations to build gold stautes for Buddha? Or like recently to build something to host the relic tooth, that many experts are wondering if it is real. I mean I have nothing against other religions, but I don’t like one-sided/biased opinions. Well if you tell me there is a religion out there that makes a business to funds itself to represent its love for ite religion, I am fine with that. But honestly I don’t think there is one religion that is like that right? Correct me if I am wrong.
- The logic behind the requirement of having to donate 10% of your monthly salary to your church
Well those who have faith in the religion would just donate. I mean when the faithful buddhists heard that there was a temple going to house the holy tooth relic, they also went to donate their gold and all that right even if they don’t know what the experts said about its authencity. But they still donate. Why? BECAUSE OF THEIR FAITH. Likewise, what is wrong with donating to your faith? Do you know that there is this mega big temple in Taiwan that is like some sort of palace? I mean yeah, we heard of mega churches, but don’t say we are the ONLY one with mega buildings of worship. When you go there, many followers of Buddha also bombard you, telling you to donate to this staute, that statue, cause each statue is for different aspects of life. I don’t have anything against other religions. But I HATE it when people just have to criticise what I believe in, cause it is stereotyping all christians like they are some wicked bunch people. I mean if you want to criticise another faith, then ask yourself if your faith is so perfect without any similar problems. That’s all I ask. Plus I feel that anything that is with regards to religion is interconnected to faith. I mean is it wrong to donate to what I believe in? Yah, I know people may not understand the thing about 10%, but that is what my religion teaches. Like for Muslims, they have to pray 5 times a day, non-Muslims might not understand why they need to pray 5 times daily, but still that is what Muslims believe in their faith right? Oh yeah, and churches don’t use the entire money for just building churches. Like there are mission trips to help poorer villages overseas, teaching them english or building schools for them. It is about faith. That’s all.
