Is Catholicism compatible to Eastern philosophies (Taoism, Confucianism...)

[Contarini]

I am saying that it is the height of hubris to say “Confucianism is OK for me to adhere to in addition to Christianity because learned and venerated theologians such as Augustine and Aquinas read Plato and Aristotle.”

They didn’t start out as venerated theologians. No one does. Your recipe would ensure that there are no more great theologians in the Church.

Edwin

 

[TheAtheist]

Ah - something for the OP.

ancientfaith.com/specials/christ_the_eternal_tao

Ancient Faith radio (which recently introduced to by an Orthodox friend) did a particular special on a book - Christ the Eternal Tao, by an Eastern Orthodox priest who was a disciple of Fr. Seraphim Rose (that name i keep encountering, but i don’t know who he is in Orthodox circles).

Its an Orthodox perspective of Taosim, although i am told it is not a “syncretist” work but a valid understanding of Taoist thought through the eyes of a rather conservative Orthodox outlook.

amazon.com/Christ-Eternal-Tao-Hieromonk-Damascene/dp/1887904239

In my experience, it seems that the Orthodox and Eastern Catholics have a much more nuanced understanding of these types of situations regarding philosophies that fall outside of the Western tradition - probably due to their own historical understanding of “What is Theology” and how that relates to something like Aristotle or Plato.

Your own Church is…frankly it seems at least…a battleground…or debating ground. Is for instance someone like Thomas Merton aberrant? Or perfectly Catholic in his appreciation of Buddhism for instance. How about Von Balthazar?

The Spectrum of opinion is quite wide.

 

[tata888]

One reason why many Western Christians reject Eastern thought is perhaps due to the way Easterners think of “philosophy”. Philosophy in the East is not static nor does it stand alone. Nobody just sit down and think about the nature of love or the nature of ethics. Ethics, compassion, reality, congruity… are all part of the socio-religious fabric that makes up Eastern society. While Aristotle is a good read, Confucian ideas are actually applied in ancient oriental societies.

Since these ideas are so rooted and influential on the ways Easterners think, to apply them in a Christian context would yield great harvest to the Church in the East. The Tao for example can be interpreted as Jesus Himself who said “I am the Way”. The Confucian ideas of propriety are completely compatible to the Christian teaching of “There’s a time for everything”. Even Buddhism, despite many of its errors, preaches the message of compassion. Perhaps since the major religions of the world reflect God’s holy truths, the Church, being built on the solid foundation of the Truth, can utilize these reflections,absorb these beauties in order to bring the Truth of Christ unto the world.

 

[TheAtheist]

Perhaps since the major religions of the world reflect God’s holy truths

That’s the line that may “cost you” tata, at least on this particular forum.

While some people have expressed ideas along the lines of what you are saying - others especially those emanating from the Traditionalist position would essentially, if i may paraphrase, consider those things that fall outside of Western religious thought (which conveniently also excludes their Orthodox and Non-Chalcedonian brethren) as part of the machinations of the Devil.

Again, a very interesting bifrucation.

 

[tata888]

That’s the line that may “cost you” tata, at least on this particular forum.

While some people have expressed ideas along the lines of what you are saying - others especially those emanating from the Traditionalist position would essentially, if i may paraphrase, consider those things that fall outside of Western religious thought (which conveniently also excludes their Orthodox and Non-Chalcedonian brethren) as part of the machinations of the Devil.

Again, a very interesting bifrucation.

Most major religions reflect RAYS of God’s holy truth. In other word the truths they possess are partial but not fully. Jesus is the Truth

 

[TheAtheist]

Most major religions reflect RAYS of God’s holy truth. In other word the truths they possess are partial but not fully. Jesus is the Truth

Wrong person to be addressing - i’m just here collecting opinions and perspectives.