I am constantly wondering whether or not a soul will be sent to hell if a religion is practiced that does'nt fully surround the teachings of God. Like Buddhism for example. I'm constantly hearing that if you don't believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins then you will not be able to enter Heaven and your soul will be sent to Hell.

I am also wondering that if it is a possibility that two religions or certain aspects of religions can be practiced at once. I am 14 years old and a Catholic. I believe in God and that Jesus Christ died for my sins but I also want to practice aspects of Buddhism. But I think I heard somewhere that buddhists don't believe in Jesus Christ or maybe even God. I am a peaceful person and do not like to inflict hurt upon others. I fear two things. One being that if I practice two religions that I will be sent to Hell and two my Dad. I did'nt tell him that I wanted to practice aspects of Buddhism yet but he along with my mom ( my mom continues to raise me as Catholic but is not as strongly involved with it as my Dad, like she does'nt go to church but she has the same beliefs as my Dad) raises me as Catholic andI am afraid that he won't let me practice Buddhist itself or both Catholicism and Buddism at once and he will push me away from the thing that will make me most happy... remaining a Catholic but also practicing aspects of Buddhism. I fear of my family's response and my judging in the spirit world when I pass on. I need some help and advice.

Fr_Chuck

Your posts makes it sound like Christains don't like peace ? and you have to be a Buddist to be peaceful.

But you can not fully accept being a Buddist if you are a Christian, the two just do not mix. I don't know what you want to practice, meditation, no problem, but you can't have reincarnation.
There are many denominations that are christian that practice varous things, and even in the Catholic Church various practices ( in the American Indian churches part of thier culture are expressed)

Religousman3

So are you saying that I can practice the 8 principles of Buddhism:

1.) Right of Understanding
2.)Right of Thoughts
3.)Right Speech ( Refraining from falsehood, stealing, slandering, harsh words, and frivolous talks)
4.)Right Action
5.)Right Livlighood ( Negative Trade such as trading animals for slaughter, weapons and the like)
6.)Right Effort ( Prevent Extent of arised Evil and all Evil, Raise all arised good and cause Good)
7.) Right Mindfulness
8.) Right of Mediation

and still practice Catholic beliefs along with aspects of Buddhism just not both full blown religions at once and as long as I truly believe in God and that Jesus Christ died for my sins and I will be able to enter heaven and if I ask for forgiveness of sins I will enter Heaven?
I also have one more question: I heard Buddhists don't beleive that Jesus Christ died for our sins and him himself, and maybe not even God. If they practice a peaceful religion do they still get sent to Heaven or do their souls get sent to hell as depicted as Atheists do. Not that I have anything against Atheists but thats what I heard happens.

Fr_Chuck

Name me one of the 8 that is not a Chrsitian principle ????
some may argue the medication, but I know many people that use forms of meditation.

I don't know each of the principles in detail but I don't see where these are not "christian" as long as they are based on Jesus, not just nothing.

** now I don't intend to offend any of our buddist friends here, this is of course spoken from a Christian perspecive.

No buddhists don't believe in Christ, and the such, so it is the losing of Christ as your savior in thier teachings.

it is the same with those in the martial arts, the mere practice is not the issue, it is when you adopt the religioius teachings over the teachings of Christ.

I believe we can all find our personal way to do private worship, as long as it is Christ centered. It is when Christ is no longer the center it is the problem

Pheobelike

In order to practise any faith religiousman you must first question it and see if it resonates true deep in your soul. At 14 it is natural to be curious and you should indulge that curiosity and learn about other faiths so that you're certain you've found the one you believe is right.

Talk to your parents and your Priest. Ask them questions and encorage open and honest discussion. One thing is for certain, if you hide your spiritual journey from your parents it will only make them think the worst. At the same time talk to those who practise other religions. One website I can recomend is Beliefnet.com.

When you are comfortable within your faith you will not worry about your judgement in the next life.

Best wishes,
Pheobelike

Religousman3

Thank you for your advice. I went to the website and it helped me feel better about the whole thing.

Thank you very much for you tachings and advice. I do focus my prayers around Christ every time I pray or meditate silentley, comfortabley, and easily. I don't know where these people that say Buddhists don't believe in Christ and God get their facts from. I understand now, thank you.

So I can follow the eight principles and the four noble truths, meditate, refrain from harsh language and the like but still pray to god and christ when I meditate?

Religousman3

Is the god Buddha a false god in Buddhism?

If I or anyone decides to enter Buddhism, instead of praying to Buddha can it be replaced with God or Jesus Christ in a Chrisitan meditating perspective?

NeedKarma

I believe if you are a good person, treat others well, do good things, you will not go to hell regardless of which religion, if any, you practice.

Skell

In my opinion if your as kind and gentle person as you appear to be here then you will have no problem entering heaven, whatever that may be.

Dont let it eat away at you. There is a lot of room in this world for kind and peaceful people, and i dare say in the next one too.

Religousman3

Thank you very much for your kind words and advice.