A Buddhist really wanting Christian answers

[Pandemonium]

I'm considering sending my ds to a Christian infant/primary school and am worrying endlessly about it. I'm a Buddhist but this school is the best one in my catchment area (amongst other poorer performing Christian schools) so my concerns are that I really do not understand the concept of God and what ds will be taught about 'Him'.

As a Buddhist I appreciate the teachings of Jesus, sometimes referred to as a Boddhistva by buddhists; but what is God? I really was brought up to understand in that God was an omniscient male who created the world, an external kind of spiritual presence who understood everyone's deepest souls.

Do Christians currently think the universe is overviewed by this supernatural figure and is this taught to children? Or do Christians believe that God exists as a force within themselves only? Does anyone believe in Heaven, really?

what about earhquakes and cancer?

Please explain earthquakes and famine?

Hedonia if there is a God, he creates humans not murderers, thieves etc. The ten commandments state a reasonable way of behaviour, a morality if you like. 'Thou shall not kill'...is one of them.

earthquakes? i understand tectonic plate movement - this is a living, breathing planet - its just the mechanics of it - is what keeps it going.
as for cancer, our bodies are frail and dont last - theres all sorts of ailments that can kill us off.

but natural disaster and famine? Why? If he really was all good and all powerful why would he cause such suffering

God gave us all free will to make decisions for ourselves. If we followed the life He wants us to there would be no murderers, no sinners, nothing bad would happen but that isn't what happens. People make mistakes all the time because we don't live as we are supposed to.

Some would argue that he does show himself because he created the world and that world is his work.

A sinner is somebody who doesn't follow the will of God. A sin is any action that goes against that will. How do we know what God wants us to do? That is where prayer comes in - having a conversation and relationship with God and finding out what he wants of us as well as receiving his love and support.

Pandemonium (are you Pan?) - why are you going to send him to this school if you don't agree with its teachings?

Just curious- am struggling with the religion thing myself- I am atheist and secularist, DH is buddhist- well Taoist actually.

Will you or ds be expected to attend church? Are you going to do that so that he gets a place?

my kids go to c of e and I'm an atheist! Seems to me that it's a very inclusive multi cultural welcoming school..and of course the results are god.we all had christian upbringings didn't we? COE is nice and benigh..but don't get me started on catholisism

yes but you still haven't explained natural disasters etc..

hedonia- So you're happy for them to be taught that one religion is the 'right' one rather than they decide for themselves?

yes..but i know they know that it's not true just as I did from about 8 years old..

I'm assuming 'the results are god' was 'good' really

yes!!! funny.. but wonder why all religious schools get such good results..

hedonia - how did you learn the truth at 8?

Well- they don't all actually.

But many of them do- probably down to the fact that they are SELECTIVE

and a least we get proper nativity plays..lovely

yes I think the only reason we got in is that they looked at our profession and dediuced we were middle class!

How about George Bush, famously active Christian, responsible for a million deaths in Baghdad? Or Tony Blair who supported this war?

Do we consider these Christians to be 'turning the other cheek' as proposed by Jesus Christ when struck by a Roman?

because I learnt about charles darwin

exactly! as sson as we theow off the dogma of religion and embrace learning teh world will be a better place..believe it will happen

Hah- well if they are your examples of christians- may I present Mr Abu Hamza for Islam?

The Japanese in second world war were in the main buddhist too.

absolutely - the way foprward is education - Briatain lead teh way and we turning our back in droves against eh church..

hedonia- then why are you colluding with the hegemon and sending your children to a faith school?

any logical mind can deducte there is no god let alone wasted our time following dogma..soon all of society will be educated and abe to throw of the shackles

as for the wars - can only be seen as the greater good - isnt a line i would follow tho. if the wars were to bring an end to the troubles there they were ill conceived and carried out.

and charles darwin - i studied his ideas a while ago and struggled to understand them. ive studied prehistory and archaeology in my 30's and found it hard going. well done at 8.