[Religousman3]

I am constantly wondering whether a soul will be sent to hell if a religion is practiced that doesn't 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 doesn't 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 Buddhist to be peaceful.

But you can not fully accept being a Buddhist 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 various things, and even in the Catholic Church various practices ( in the American Indian churches part of their 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 arose Evil and all Evil, Raise all arose 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 believe 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 that's 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 Buddhist 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 their 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 recommend 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]

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

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

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

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.

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)

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.

Don't 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]

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

Thank you very much for your kind words and advice.

[Scared_and_Confused]

Well I grew up Catholic, mainly because my dad is very religious and made us go to church ever weekend for many years. When my parents divorced and we lived with my mom, we stopped going to church so much and I asked why. From when I was 9 my mom has always taught me that as long as you have your faith that you believe in and you trust who you are how you live your life and that God is there for you and Jesus did die for our sins, then church doesn't matter. As long as you feel you believe enough then that's what counts, not what you practice. Its what is in your mind and heart.

[Fr_Chuck]

Of course if you had not been going to church you would not have had a lot of the knowledge about God and about Jesus, so it does matter in the fact often that is where we gain a lot of our knowledge, also the fellowship of other Christians to share our burdens and for us to help share thiers is important, Each Christian has their own gifts, each for the buidling and for the supporting of the church, teachers, preachers, singers, and all. So if they were not important God would not bless them with these gifts.

Church does not matter is merely an excuse used by those tired of getting up on Sunday morning, or those mad at God for something that happens in their life that don't want to deal with God in his house.

Can you find God by yourself, yes, can you worship God by yourself, do you need never to be together no, the gathering together is important, so important the early church risked dying just to meet.

[Matt3046]

Listen to Chuck. He very wise