The relevance of religion
The relevance of religion
The title in today's ST caught my attention, "Buddhism may be dying out in Japan". Basically, the comments were such that Buddhism, often called "funeral Buddhism", seems to cater more to the needs of the dead, than meeting the spiritual needs of those living.
Having read the contents, it made me ponder about the relevance of Christianity today. No, I'm not comparing an apple to another apple, I'm thinking more about how relevant Christianity is to the living.
Humanity is created with a longing for God, whoever that God is, in differering beliefs. Somehow that connection with God, that touch from God, the realization that God is real and takes an interest in me tugs the heart of humanity in their quest for God.
I'm wondering whether Christianity, over the years, has effectively connected people with God. I know on one hand we have, but yet on the other, we seemed to have connected people with God, not through the Holy Spirit himself, but through material means that over time, and if not cautious, can become a subtle stumbling block that becomes an idol that replaces God. Just let your ears be more open to the sermons we hear in churches these days - how many sermons can truly be considered sermons, spoken to bring about conviction and changed lives?
The fate of Buddhism in Japan rings a loud alarm for us as Christians - are we relevant as God's ambassadors in this age and time? We all have a mission!
The title in today's ST caught my attention, "Buddhism may be dying out in Japan". Basically, the comments were such that Buddhism, often called "funeral Buddhism", seems to cater more to the needs of the dead, than meeting the spiritual needs of those living.
Having read the contents, it made me ponder about the relevance of Christianity today. No, I'm not comparing an apple to another apple, I'm thinking more about how relevant Christianity is to the living.
Humanity is created with a longing for God, whoever that God is, in differering beliefs. Somehow that connection with God, that touch from God, the realization that God is real and takes an interest in me tugs the heart of humanity in their quest for God.
I'm wondering whether Christianity, over the years, has effectively connected people with God. I know on one hand we have, but yet on the other, we seemed to have connected people with God, not through the Holy Spirit himself, but through material means that over time, and if not cautious, can become a subtle stumbling block that becomes an idol that replaces God. Just let your ears be more open to the sermons we hear in churches these days - how many sermons can truly be considered sermons, spoken to bring about conviction and changed lives?
The fate of Buddhism in Japan rings a loud alarm for us as Christians - are we relevant as God's ambassadors in this age and time? We all have a mission!
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