Question about world religions


jb789
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But does that make Adam a Christian? The term was not used until thousands of years later among Nephites and in the Middle East, even the early believers didn't call themselves that. You are mistaking Adam's faith in Christ with Adam being referred by a term that did not exist at the time.

If we're going by the word rather than the meaning (a follower of Christ) there weren't any Christians in the Book of Mormon, they wouldn't have spoken English (and thus called themselves "Christian"), nor would they have called themselves Χριστιανός as they didn't speak Greek.

Edited by Dravin
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I'd feel fine saying that individuals were inspired and enlightened, if by nothing else by the light of Christ, and applied the light and knowledge they possessed. It really depends what you mean by inspired, in my mind saying Buddhism was inspired by God makes it seem as if God set out to create Buddhism. Where as saying Buddha was inspired and recognized eternal truths has Buddhism arising from an incomplete but nevertheless inspired principles. It's the difference between saying God inspired the creation of the Lutheran Church and saying God inspired Martin Luther (which, incidentally is an idea stated in The Restoration pamphlet handed out by missionaries) and him using and teaching those inspired principles and the Lutheran Church being an outgrowth of that.

Is the distinction making sense? Or does it only exist in my mind?

Yes, this makes sense, thanks =) Definitely a difference between being inspired by the light of Christ, and receiving actual revelations/visitations/etc, to specifically form a Church (Joseph Smith).

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What are people's thoughts on the origin and nature of the world's religions, including Eastern religions such as Buddhism, Daoism, Hinduism, etc?

I fully believe the LDS church is true and of God. At the same time, I've read a lot about Eastern religions (Buddhism, Taoism), and to be completely truthful, they've been a great help to me also, and I've found nothing in them that contradicts truth I've learned through the Book of Mormon, LDS teachings, etc. Indeed, at some level, they both seem very much compatible, teaching one to be a "peaceable follower of Christ", yet in the case of the Eastern philosophies, it's almost like they know the truth/have followed the light within themselves, yet know not from whence it comes (Christ).

What are other's thoughts on the validity/truthfullness of the world's religions? I've thought about this a great deal, and truly believe that people like the Buddha, Lao Tzu, etc, were very spiritual and inspired people, living in a time/place where the gospel was not restored. Like all religions (Christianity as well), the pure original teachings can be corrupted, turn into idol worship, lose their purity, etc. But, from my understanding, these other religions are truthful as well, perhaps without the "fullness" of the restored gospel, yet nonetheless inspired speak of truth.

Thoughts?

(Sorry for the two back to back forum questions, these thoughts just came to me now =))

We all are very spiritual people, we all had intensive spiritual training before this life.

I think our spirit still carries some memory of our previous life but is radically altered by the corrupted brain circuitry so it remembered in an altered way. The brain does a good job of filling in the blanks of pieces of information, like the disappearance of the blind spot in our visual field or the fact that when we snap our fingers in front of our face the brain hears the sound a lot quicker than when we actually see the image but the brain makes it seem that they occur at the same time.

With those creative frontal lobes of ours, a story or set of beliefs can be created around some basic beliefs we carried through from the previous life. Because they carry some of the basic beliefs, a certain portion of people can begin to agree with those concepts which gives it the potential to eventually turn into an organized religion or described set of beliefs.

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BTW, this is what Preach My Gospel has, so this would be the sort of thing elders (and sisters) with little exposure to eastern religions might be expected to share.

Just as the Christian world was blessed by the courage and vision of the reformers, many other nations and cultures have been blessed by those who were given that portion “that [God] seeth fit that they should have” (Alma 29:8). Teachings of other religious leaders have helped many people become more civil and ethical.

Buddha (Gotama): Born in 563 B.C. of a Hindu chieftain in Nepal.

Concerned with the suffering he saw around him. Fled from his father’s luxurious palace, renounced the world, and lived in poverty. Seeking enlightenment, he discovered what he called the “path of deliverance.”

Claimed to reach Nirvana, a state of oblivion to care, pain, or external reality. Became a teacher for a community of monks.

Confucius: Born in 551 B.C. Orphaned as a child. China’s first professional teacher. China’s greatest moral and social thinker. Said little about spiritual beings or divine powers. Believed that heaven had entrusted him with a sacred mission as champion of the good and true.

Mohammed: Born in 570 A.D. in Mecca. Orphaned in childhood. Lived a life of poverty. Gained reputation as a trusted peacemaker. Married at age 25. In 610 prayed and meditated on Mount Hira. Said the angel Gabriel appeared to him and delivered a message from Allah (God). Claimed to receive communication from God through Gabriel from 620 to 632.

These communications, which he recited to his disciples, were later written in the Koran, the sacred book of Islam.

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