Mixing religious ideas

Salma M · Post by **Salma M** » 07 Mar 2019, 01:52

I am a Muslim and appreciated the authors understanding of Islam.I love that he understands there is diversity when it comes to what people believe and takes his time to fully explain his teachings and experiences.

soccerts · Post by **soccerts** » 07 Mar 2019, 02:48

Kibetious wrote: ↑07 Mar 2019, 01:50
soccerts wrote: ↑06 Mar 2019, 20:46 I like having multiple religious perspectives; I think it enriches the conversation! What I appreciated less was him taking religious ideas and renaming them in order to claim them as his own.

He takes the vast majority of his spiritual philosophy from Buddhism. At first, I thought maybe he'd come up with these insights independently, but it quickly became apparent that he was very familiar with Buddhism from his time in Japan. I'm not sure why he doesn't give the origin for most of the principles he presents. He's a fan of re-naming and acquiring his own system, which is fine. It just seems a bit dishonest to leave out references where you got the concepts from.
I think this is what I identified as well. The new discovery of self through unfolding and unbecoming was probably new but the basis of this teaching was drawn from many other religions such as Buddhism and also Christianity.

Unfortunately, he's even less original than you think. He took unfoldment, the concept of self as he describes it, and the principle of unbecoming from Buddhism as well. Those are not new ideas. He's relabeling and changing the presentation slightly.

Helen91 · Post by **Helen91** » 07 Mar 2019, 03:21

While I agree that the author probably got a wider range of audience for his work by inculcating diverse religious view, I will also state that this method those not wholly appeal me. It's a bit confusing mixing up different views

Kelyn · Post by **Kelyn** » 07 Mar 2019, 11:23

It definitely makes the book more likely to be read by a variety of people across different beliefs. Many belief systems have very similar beliefs, just stated in a different way. There is no harm in learning about religions other than your own and benefit to be gained, even if it's just the knowledge itself.

Philip Chepsingil · Post by **Philip Chepsingil** » 07 Mar 2019, 11:32

PGreen wrote: ↑01 Mar 2019, 13:10 I agree! I think there is insight and truth that can be gained from many different religions and they have a common thread. I don't hold to belief in reincarnation, but I like that he says it isn't necessary to believe it.

I also don't belief in reincarnation. It's quite hypothetical according to me.

Post by **Kibet Hillary** » 08 Mar 2019, 04:14

It seems that mixing the different religious teachings indeed will work in two-ways; appealing to some while at the same becoming somehow 'offensive' to some.

Post by **Kibet Hillary** » 08 Mar 2019, 04:15

It is a fact that remains that the reason as to why we have many streams of faith is that at the center of all them lies something that differentiates it from the others. Hence, a Christian believes in life after death through resurrection and not reincarnation as seen in the book.

Post by **Kibet Hillary** » 08 Mar 2019, 04:18

Kelyn wrote: ↑07 Mar 2019, 11:23 It definitely makes the book more likely to be read by a variety of people across different beliefs. Many belief systems have very similar beliefs, just stated in a different way. There is no harm in learning about religions other than your own and benefit to be gained, even if it's just the knowledge itself.

I totally agree with this aspect about the importance of learning about other religions. The point where I see a big flaw is in the need to maintain the authenticity of these religions. The need to pass on Jesus' teaching as it was, without dilution is the primary reason why the author began his mission.

Moddesser Elahi · Post by **Moddesser Elahi** » 08 Mar 2019, 06:05

Richard L. Haight wants to convey the message that all the religions are the same in a certain aspect as all the religions prime motive is to spread unconditional love for mankind. If we as human understand it, then it would help us in meditation.

Rosebella · Post by **Rosebella** » 08 Mar 2019, 07:47

I think it opens the door for anyone to benefit from the techniques despite whichever religion you practice. I feel sometimes religion of in itself has a tendency to sideline from things that may benefit you.

briellejee · Post by **briellejee** » 08 Mar 2019, 10:03

Salma M wrote: ↑07 Mar 2019, 01:52 I am a Muslim and appreciated the authors understanding of Islam.I love that he understands there is diversity when it comes to what people believe and takes his time to fully explain his teachings and experiences.

I'm glad that you took his understanding in a positive note.

Many people here have been pointing out that mixing these beliefs could have offended most religions.

briellejee · Post by **briellejee** » 08 Mar 2019, 10:05

Life In Books wrote: ↑08 Mar 2019, 06:05 Richard L. Haight wants to convey the message that all the religions are the same in a certain aspect as all the religions prime motive is to spread unconditional love for mankind. If we as human understand it, then it would help us in meditation.

I agree that this the main theme of the author's book: love for mankind. He even said that if affection is spread, then people would see that there is no point in violence.

Philip Chepsingil · Post by **Philip Chepsingil** » 08 Mar 2019, 10:33

briellejee wrote: ↑08 Mar 2019, 10:05
Life In Books wrote: ↑08 Mar 2019, 06:05 Richard L. Haight wants to convey the message that all the religions are the same in a certain aspect as all the religions prime motive is to spread unconditional love for mankind. If we as human understand it, then it would help us in meditation.
I agree that this the main theme of the author's book: love for mankind. He even said that if affection is spread, then people would see that there is no point in violence.

By the way, ecumenism is good. It makes us understand that despite having different rituals and beliefs, the bottom line for all believers of monotheistic denominations/religions that they beliefs on one sovereign God.
In this way, you find the doctrines of these religions are mainly centred in the love of God towards human and love between human beings as required by God

Moddesser Elahi · Post by **Moddesser Elahi** » 09 Mar 2019, 00:25

briellejee wrote: ↑08 Mar 2019, 10:05
Life In Books wrote: ↑08 Mar 2019, 06:05 Richard L. Haight wants to convey the message that all the religions are the same in a certain aspect as all the religions prime motive is to spread unconditional love for mankind. If we as human understand it, then it would help us in meditation.
I agree that this the main theme of the author's book: love for mankind. He even said that if affection is spread, then people would see that there is no point in violence.

EvaDar · Post by **EvaDar** » 09 Mar 2019, 12:11

soccerts wrote: ↑06 Mar 2019, 20:46 I like having multiple religious perspectives; I think it enriches the conversation! What I appreciated less was him taking religious ideas and renaming them in order to claim them as his own.

He takes the vast majority of his spiritual philosophy from Buddhism. At first, I thought maybe he'd come up with these insights independently, but it quickly became apparent that he was very familiar with Buddhism from his time in Japan. I'm not sure why he doesn't give the origin for most of the principles he presents. He's a fan of re-naming and acquiring his own system, which is fine. It just seems a bit dishonest to leave out references where you got the concepts from.

I also enjoy Haight's blending of ideas and practices from more than one religion and world wisdom tradition. I find it possible, and necessary, for me to assemble everything that works to bring me closer to spirit. If that is a blend of Buddhism, Gnostic Christianity, and Hinduism, then so be it. I think Haight could have given more credit to the practices he was drawing from. But this is the beauty of religious freedom. We can choose what works for us, and then choose to tell others about it. There is really nothing new under the sun. Just different combinations of traditions and beliefs that have been alive for eons.