Protestantism

» paper_turtle - Dogmatism & Buddhism

Another excerpt from the source cited in message #1:

(not italicized to make it easier to read)

The appearance of a variety of schools of Buddhism marked the entrance of dogmatism into Buddhism and dependence on authoritative interpretations. Today, different schools of thought have arisen in Buddhism due to the unquestioning acceptance of "authoritative" interpretations of the scripture. This new dogmatism goes against the non-dogmatic spirit of early Buddhism, and is therefore the beginning of degeneration. It is important to emphasize that this dependence on authorities and belief rather than on understanding for oneself, is to be regarded as a degeneration of Buddhist practice rather than progress. It is a natural human weakness to depend on others rather than to rely on oneself. But the aim of Buddhism is to overcome this weakness through the practice of Buddhism. Dependence on authority is inconsistent with Buddhist scripture.

[end of quote]

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I think much the same could be said for Christianity. When we insist there is one, and only one, way to believe (or interpret scripture) we abdicate the responsibility to figure things out for ourselves.
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In addition, we may find it easy to be deliberately blind to some point of truth simply because it doesn't fit in with what our belief system *dictates.*
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Not only that, if we try to force our minds and spirits into someone else's way of thinking we do violence to ourselves. We deny our own reality. We punish ourselves for being who we are--and how we were born.
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Understanding comes through interaction with the world around us. Belief (as in an article of faith) comes from an intellectual exercise which may or may not involve interaction with the outer world. Understanding leads to inner transformation. Belief in dogma leads to external acts, very often intended to demonstrate to others how "holy" we are.

peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle