In many circles today Buddhism has a reputation for being a compassionate religion. Christianity is not viewed that way. This is ironic since the chief goal of Buddhism on earth is to eliminate desire and avoid suffering which includes intimate relationships that could cause suffering. Jesus embraced suffering , especially sacrificial suffering for others. Buddha believed in compassion but did not value sacrificial love and suffering nearly as much as Jesus . There is no God in Buddhism – it is agnostic. In Christianity we discover a loving personal God.
So why does Buddhism have a better reputation for compassion for many people? Is it possible that too many Christians present themselves as adversarial inside and outside the church, that many are focused on defending Christian doctrine and morality with people who aren’t even Christian?
Is this okay? Should anyone who has experienced both religions have any doubt which is the most compassionate religion?
Jesus died for us, Buddha taught his followers to meditate alone until they removed all desire from their lives because desire leads to suffering. Christianity is fundamentally relationship-centered; Buddhism is fundamentally individualistic. Shouldn’t Christianity have the highest reputation for compassion among all religions and philosophies?
For this to happen wouldn’t we have to place love and relationship at the center of our spirituality? And then make sure this is wholly integrated with our theology. We need to have solid doctrine, but the purpose of truth is to set us free – to love and be loved, ie to be in friendship with God and others.
Thus, shouldn’t churches have a reputation as centers for training and healing people for healthy relationships with God, self, and others? And shouldn’t churches should be places where that is happening? And shouldn’t pastors should be relationship “coaches”?
