Problems of comparing religions
Thesis: Scriptures of different religions suggest a shared recognition of the indwelling divine spirit.
Thesis: Scriptures of different religions suggest a shared recognition of the indwelling divine spirit.
Some evidence for the thesis
Judaism: “The spirit in man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts.” Proverbs 20.27
Judaism: “The spirit in man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts.” Proverbs 20.27
Christianity: “The kingdom of heaven is within you.” Luke 17.21
Christianity: “The kingdom of heaven is within you.” Luke 17.21
Islam: “We created man. We know the promptings of his soul, and are closer to him than his jugular vein.” Qur’an 50.17
Islam: “We created man. We know the promptings of his soul, and are closer to him than his jugular vein.” Qur’an 50.17
Hinduism: the atman, the eternal spirit Self
Hinduism: the atman, the eternal spirit Self
(Mahayana) Buddhism: the Buddha-nature within
(Mahayana) Buddhism: the Buddha-nature within
Objections to the thesis
Objections to the thesis
Apparent similarities can be misleading when you rely on
Apparent similarities can be misleading when you rely on
texts--which do not necessarily portray insight or experience.
translations into a single language--which cannot express subtle, foreign vocabulary.
phrases taken out of context, which greatly affects the meaning.
Replies to objections
Replies to objections
Texts may express experience.
People sometimes find kindred minds and spirits across alleged boundaries of language and culture.
Context does not completely determine meaning.