|
|
Post by clusium on Apr 20, 2017 3:30:19 GMT
Which religions are polar opposites of one another?
(In terms of belief, practices, etc.)
|
|
|
|
Post by Aj_June on Apr 20, 2017 3:33:55 GMT
Buddhism and Hinduism are polar opposite in terms of main philosophy. Hinduism believes in one absolute unchanging self/soul. Buddhism believes that everything keeps changing and that there is no soul.
But they are very alike in many cultural practices and both adhere to concept of cycle of rebirth. But in ultimate philosophy they are polar opposites.
|
|
|
|
Post by clusium on Apr 20, 2017 3:44:01 GMT
Buddhism and Hinduism are polar opposite in terms of main philosophy. Hinduism believes in one absolute unchanging self/soul. Buddhism believes that everything keeps changing and that there is no soul. But they are very alike in many cultural practices and both adhere to concept of cycle of rebirth. But in ultimate philosophy they are polar opposites. Yeah, I heard that Buddhism doesn't believe in the soul either. Yet, they do believe in the afterlife, so what do they believe exists within the person (or creature), if not a soul? |
|
|
|
Post by Aj_June on Apr 20, 2017 3:56:48 GMT
Buddhism and Hinduism are polar opposite in terms of main philosophy. Hinduism believes in one absolute unchanging self/soul. Buddhism believes that everything keeps changing and that there is no soul. But they are very alike in many cultural practices and both adhere to concept of cycle of rebirth. But in ultimate philosophy they are polar opposites. Yeah, I heard that Buddhism doesn't believe in the soul either. Yet, they do believe in the afterlife, so what do they believe exists within the person (or creature), if not a soul? The answer to your question is very complex. But a very good question in itself. I am not very learned in Buddhism and may misrepresent their position. But I will still try my best to answer your question, Splash. Just give me 3 or 4 days time. In the meanwhile, I invite The Lost One to give her views if she feels like doing so on your question. |
|
|
|
Post by pennypacker on Apr 20, 2017 5:49:50 GMT
Buddhism and Hinduism are polar opposite in terms of main philosophy. Hinduism believes in one absolute unchanging self/soul. Buddhism believes that everything keeps changing and that there is no soul. But they are very alike in many cultural practices and both adhere to concept of cycle of rebirth. But in ultimate philosophy they are polar opposites. Hinduism juxtaposes many religions. It's one of the few that I know is polytheistic, where most are monotheistic (though I understand some argue Christianity is not really monotheistic). |
|
The Lost One
Junior Member
@lostkiera
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1,297
|
Post by The Lost One on Apr 20, 2017 6:08:29 GMT
Yeah, I heard that Buddhism doesn't believe in the soul either. Yet, they do believe in the afterlife, so what do they believe exists within the person (or creature), if not a soul? The answer to your question is very complex. But a very good question in itself. I am not very learned in Buddhism and may misrepresent their position. But I will still try my best to answer your question, Splash. Just give me 3 or 4 days time. In the meanwhile, I invite The Lost One to give her views if she feels like doing so on your question. Not sure I have much to say on the matter. I read an article about this some time ago. The conclusion was it is impossible to know from outside Nirvana what might be possible within it. Not a very satisfying answer! |
|
The Lost One
Junior Member
@lostkiera
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1,297
|
Post by The Lost One on Apr 20, 2017 9:28:28 GMT
Which religions are polar opposites of one another? (In terms of belief, practices, etc.) I think it's quite hard to find religions that are complete opposite to one another. Not sure I quite agree with AJ that Buddhism and Hinduism are opposites in terms of their main philosophy. I think both rely on dismissing individualism, the difference is Hinduism expands the individual to encompass all things while Buddhism says the individual simply does not exist. One can argue that they're actually two ways of expressing a similar truth.
|
|
|
|
Post by Aj_June on Apr 20, 2017 10:17:56 GMT
The answer to your question is very complex. But a very good question in itself. I am not very learned in Buddhism and may misrepresent their position. But I will still try my best to answer your question, Splash. Just give me 3 or 4 days time. In the meanwhile, I invite The Lost One to give her views if she feels like doing so on your question. Not sure I have much to say on the matter. I read an article about this some time ago. The conclusion was it is impossible to know from outside Nirvana what might be possible within it. Not a very satisfying answer! Yep, there has been no agreement between philosophers regarding the state of Nirvana and complete dismissal of soul in Buddhism. I wouldn't disagree with you if you look at it that way. But my main contention was Hinduism's insistence that there is one eternal, unchanging consciousness while Buddhism's (especially Mahayana) insistence in doctrine of impermanence which says nothing is permanent. if you look from this angle then they are polar opposites. If we look at your way then it can be argued that both are two ways of saying the same thing. |
|
The Lost One
Junior Member
@lostkiera
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1,297
|
Post by The Lost One on Apr 20, 2017 10:47:46 GMT
I wouldn't disagree with you if you look at it that way. But my main contention was Hinduism's insistence that there is one eternal, unchanging consciousness while Buddhism's (especially Mahayana) insistence in doctrine of impermanence which says nothing is permanent. True. Wiki sums it up quite well: |
|
|
|
Post by Aj_June on Apr 20, 2017 11:03:19 GMT
I wouldn't disagree with you if you look at it that way. But my main contention was Hinduism's insistence that there is one eternal, unchanging consciousness while Buddhism's (especially Mahayana) insistence in doctrine of impermanence which says nothing is permanent. True. Wiki sums it up quite well: yes...Look at the bolded part in the sentence I took from the same article. Impermanence, also called Anicca or Anitya,[1] is one of the essential doctrines and a part of three marks of existence in Buddhism.[2][3][4] The doctrine asserts that all of conditioned existence, without exception, is "transient, evanescent, inconstant".
It's the "without exception" part that makes a big difference. That is also the reason why it is not possible to have Soul/God/Brahman in Buddhism in the first place. Their central doctrine is that nothing is permanent. that will include everything sentient/non-sentient and even state of consciousness. I once posted Jain Dharm's refutation of Buddhist doctrines of impermanence and momentariness. I might put that topic again. |
|
The Lost One
Junior Member
@lostkiera
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1,297
|
Post by The Lost One on Apr 20, 2017 11:32:14 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Aj_June on Apr 20, 2017 11:42:36 GMT
I will put the Jain religious teacher's refutation of Buddhism soon. I might also put Nyaya ( Hinduism's logic school's) refutation by Buddhist greats and vice versa too in future. Will now read the article you posted. |
|
|
|
Post by Arlon10 on Apr 20, 2017 12:12:51 GMT
Which religions are polar opposites of one another? (In terms of belief, practices, etc.) The most opposite are some "Christians" and some other "Christians." (Perhaps not all of them are really Christians.) Some Christians have many very strict rules that mostly are not in the Bible. Some Baptist denominations in the Midwest do not allow dancing for example. Other Christians have no rules whatever and often make a nuisance of themselves where violations of sensible rules become a problem. Many of them while allowing themselves to proceed without any rules do not allow any people not in their denomination to do much freely. If the "Christians" do it, then it's okay, if anyone else does it, almost anything, then it's not okay. Buddhism, insofar as it is a "religion," is just one for the "working" man, for people who have other occupations than religion, that is. Of course there are Buddhist temples with monks whose "occupation" is indeed religion, but those are successful because of their better relationship with working people on the one hand and their better appreciation for various traditional scriptures on the other. Hinduism is more "inclusive" (in some senses) and necessarily more complicated than Buddhism. Hindus are generally more scholarly because they have to be. That can put them at a distance from the "other workers" in society. |
|
|
|
Post by clusium on Apr 20, 2017 13:40:01 GMT
I just thought of 2 polar opposite religions, myself:
Jehovah's Witnesses vs the Druze.
The only thing they have in common with one another is their strict monotheism. Other than that, everything both religions believe in, oppose one another.
JWs do not believe in patriotism to one's own country, believing that it breaks the First Commandment: Druze emphasize being loyal & patriotic to one's own nation.
In relation to this, JWs do not serve in the Military. Druze will serve in the Military of their particular countries, precisely because their faith emphasize loyalty & patriotism to one's own country.
JWs only believe in the Afterlife for only 144,000 people (all of whom are JWs, btw), whereas the souls of all other people die along with the bodies. They do not believe in reincarnation; Druze believe all people are reincarnated.
JWs, a breakaway from Christianity, run heretical to Christian beliefs, by rejecting the Trinity. That means they do not believe that Christ Is God Incarnate; Druze, a breakaway from Islam, run heretical to Muslim beliefs, by believing that Al-Hakim bin-amr Allah was Allah Incarnate. In fact, they believe that there may have been as many as 70 incarnations of Allah.
JWs, believe in proselytizing & bringing people into the faith (as everyone who has ever had the friendly-neighbourhood JW come knocking on their door, knows); Druze do not accept any converts.
|
|
|
|
Post by clusium on Apr 20, 2017 21:29:19 GMT
Which religions are polar opposites of one another? (In terms of belief, practices, etc.) I guess Islam & Shinto can be considered total opposites of one another, as Islam is monotheistic, whereas Shinto is polytheistic. Even the very names of the 2 religions indicate their monotheism & polytheism. Islam means "surrender to God," whereas Shinto means "way of the gods." |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
@Deleted
Posts: 0
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2017 23:11:33 GMT
Jainism and Islam - Jainism is the ultimate non-violent religion and Islam was spread 'by the sword' and Muslims are constantly engaged in acts of violent terrorism against non-believers (and fellow Muslims) in the name of their religion. |
|
|
|
Post by captainbryce on Apr 20, 2017 23:57:33 GMT
Buddhism and Hinduism are polar opposite in terms of main philosophy. Hinduism believes in one absolute unchanging self/soul. Buddhism believes that everything keeps changing and that there is no soul. But they are very alike in many cultural practices and both adhere to concept of cycle of rebirth. But in ultimate philosophy they are polar opposites. Yeah, I heard that Buddhism doesn't believe in the soul either. Yet, they do believe in the afterlife, so what do they believe exists within the person (or creature), if not a soul? Some Christians don't believe in the soul either. |
|
|
|
Post by gadreel on Apr 21, 2017 0:27:10 GMT
Yeah, I heard that Buddhism doesn't believe in the soul either. Yet, they do believe in the afterlife, so what do they believe exists within the person (or creature), if not a soul? Some Christians don't believe in the soul either. I have to say (at the risk of committing the no true philosophy) that I would have thought belief in a soul was integral to Christianity. |
|
|
|
Post by clusium on Apr 21, 2017 1:18:16 GMT
Yeah, I heard that Buddhism doesn't believe in the soul either. Yet, they do believe in the afterlife, so what do they believe exists within the person (or creature), if not a soul? Some Christians don't believe in the soul either. Which ones? |
|
|
|
Post by captainbryce on Apr 21, 2017 1:42:32 GMT
Some Christians don't believe in the soul either. Which ones? Well, Jehovah's Witnesses don't. |
|
