Siddhartha (the book, not Buddha)

[scapularkid8]

We’re reading it in Lanuage class and when I hear some of the passages or discussions between the characters I can’t help but think that it sounds like very Christian ideas. I know Herman Hesse was a Christian, but it’s still weird that he would try to communicate Christian phhilosophy through a Buddhist-approved novel. Other things I read though, it just is something I can’t agree with. I don’t like reading books like this because some how I feel guilty that I’m exposeing myself to all this Buddhist thought. Some ideas? I always try to reconvince myself of the Truth of our faith through prayer and Scripture, but then I just get thoughts like “Buddhists think this is false. How can it be true.” or “Muslims have recieved a revelation that you haven’t. Don’t you feel excluded from God?” or “All Hindus think Jesus was is a reincarnation of one of their Gods. That makes Him false.” I’m know it’s just the evil one whispering those thoughts, but they’re really distracting and harmful to my spirituality because I’m so easily discouraged. Advice?

 

[JimR-OCDS]

We’re reading it in Lanuage class and when I hear some of the passages or discussions between the characters I can’t help but think that it sounds like very Christian ideas. I know Herman Hesse was a Christian, but it’s still weird that he would try to communicate Christian phhilosophy through a Buddhist-approved novel. Other things I read though, it just is something I can’t agree with. I don’t like reading books like this because some how I feel guilty that I’m exposeing myself to all this Buddhist thought. Some ideas? I always try to reconvince myself of the Truth of our faith through prayer and Scripture, but then I just get thoughts like “Buddhists think this is false. How can it be true.” or “Muslims have recieved a revelation that you haven’t. Don’t you feel excluded from God?” or “All Hindus think Jesus was is a reincarnation of one of their Gods. That makes Him false.” I’m know it’s just the evil one whispering those thoughts, but they’re really distracting and harmful to my spirituality because I’m so easily discouraged. Advice?

Reading such things is nor harmful, if your rooted in your faith.
In fact, Pope John Paul II said that all religions have germs of truth in them. So, it is good to learn about other religions, and see the similarities. You don’t have to sacrifice your beliefs when learning about other religions.

Jim

 

[CatholicSamurai]

Indeed. And we do have to acknowledge that there are **grains **of truth from other religions… It’s just that they don’t have fullness of truth.