Comments on: Dalai Lama urges Christians not to convert to Buddhism

By: Ann

Ann — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 19:48:40 +0000

It is a parent’s responsibility to teach their children how to live, and what’s important. When a parent teaches a child about their faith and traditions, they are not “imposing” anything, they are doing their parental duty. When children become adults, it is their own responsibility to learn more, to go beyond what their parents taught them, and decide what to believe and why.

By: Arnie

Arnie — Wed, 30 May 2007 03:56:02 +0000

I thought I agreed with you:

“Let me put it this way: if I had a faith that meant that people outside of that faith would die and go to Hell, and that they are missing out on unconditional love because of their lack of or wrong faith, I would surely convert the people I love. I wouldn’t want people who I hold dear to go to Hell.”

I just don’t think such a view in the first place is required, or good.

By: James

James — Wed, 30 May 2007 01:55:55 +0000

What about faiths that aren’t so exclusive – if you believed you could teach someone to live a better life by showing them how to reach enlightenment – isn’t that something you would share?

If you believe that you have a way to God, or even happiness isn’t that something you would share? Thinking about it now – it seems strange that people so often jump to the conclusion that those who share their faith are doing so out of insecurity.

By: Arnie

Arnie — Fri, 25 May 2007 16:12:30 +0000

Yes, I’d have to agree with James. As much as self-affirmation and fear can lead to the urge to convert everyone to a religion, I think it’s often out of love. Let me put it this way: if I had a faith that meant that people outside of that faith would die and go to Hell, and that they are missing out on unconditional love because of their lack of or wrong faith, I would surely convert the people I love. I wouldn’t want people who I hold dear to go to Hell. I’m just glad that I do not have such beliefs. I sometimes feel sad that people are forced to change others because their beliefs suggest that otherwise it means Hell for these “others.”

By: James

James — Thu, 24 May 2007 08:05:58 +0000

I think a lot of times trying to convert others to ones religion CAN be done out of fear, a way of not only reaffirming your own faith to yourself, but proving that faiths worth in an external context. However, i disagree that all people trying to convert others are doing so out of such selfish motivation…I mean, for many poeple this desire to see others convert is a true heartfelt desire for them to experience the love that only God can give. You might disagree with theirs views of God, find them restricting etc, but to say that all act out of fear and even a lack of faith is a bit unfair.

By: sydspace

sydspace — Tue, 22 May 2007 09:26:01 +0000

Ahh the Dalai Lama, now here’s a GURU that I can understand. Sometimes, I have the urge to convert people from idiotism to tolerancism. But I suppose that is also unfair on those who were brought up differently to myself. Being brought up in an Hindu household in an ‘adopted’ country, it’s a little different because there were many reasons why my parents advocated tolerance. We were different ourselves, and I think that helps understanding people better. Whether this was due to being an immigrant family, or being a Hindu, or whatever, but now it does not bother me. Why? Well, I think I am at a comfortable place right now. I believe in Love, Freedom, Grace and Karma, the ability to being different is much more appealing than being like everyone else.

I have a question though? Why do you or anyone else think that people out there believe it is their duty to convert in the first place? Cynically, I believe someone needs another person to reaffirm their own beliefs. Optimistically, I believe that we all wanna be loved for being who we are. I do not condone conversions instigated by others, but I know that when I am listening to someone speak, who I want to know about, I try to absorb their ideas and their moral standards. I wanna figure out what all this stuff means to them and eventually to me. I think if people out there have the courage to believe in their own convictions, they would not have the urge to go out try to convert another person’s belief. Whether that is hypocritical or not, well, I have to look at my response some other day.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 14 May 2007 11:28:23 +0000

I agree that it is often true that parents impose beliefs on their children. Whether or not they mean it is another matter.

I mean everything that a parent insists, their children are brought up believing that this is the “Right” thing to think, until they are old enough to reconsider things.

I was baptised catholic, and went through all of the sacraments that are associated with this religion. Is it wrong for me to disagree with everything my parents have taught me and say I don’t agree.

I don’t know. But what I do know, is when I say something that doesn’t quite agree, some people I know, who are much more religious than me, cannot understand where I am coming from.

Its a difficult situation…