RELIGION or POLITICS - Can we talk??

Hello friends.

For today just a little change of pace. As my title indicates, my first two posts were on politics, so now a bit of religion. Don't let that scare you off if you are not religious, because almost everyone is aware of their spirituality, so I think you will find it interesting and worth while, especially if you disagree. I enjoy controversy in honest and friendly dialogue.

Anyway, I was reading an article commentary by Bob Ray Sanders. I don't know him. The title of his article was "When religious zeal displaces the truth from history books".

On his way to work one day Sanders was listening to his car radio to a local conservative talk show. There was a caller who called to correct the Host of the show Mark Davis, who had offended the listener by implying or saying that Buddhism was older than Christianity. During the pursuing dailogue the caller continued to insist--as the Host attempted to interrupt--there was no religion older than Christianity.

The writer thought as he listened, "Surely he doesn't believe this".

Davis went on to delicately explain that Buddhism dates to between the 4th and 6th century B.C., as in before Christ and obviously a religion that preceded Christianity.

As the writer turned into his garage the last words he heard were from the caller, who vigorously explained, that the Creator was a "Christian God" from the very beginning of the world, and thus, Christianity had been in existence since creation, therefore, no other religion was older. As Davis headed into his office, he said he had to wonder what brought on such an intense conversation.

Being a Buddhist, I of course, knew all this about who was truly the oldest of the two, and I too wondered how the caller could be so misinformed. But, it is a good example of why I think religions actually cause separation between members. There are always fanatics in all of them and some can get pretty over wrought on the subject.

Now my friend I have to go somewhere shortly, so I will have to close for today. However, there is more to the commentary and it gets even better, so I will finish the story my next blog..

My email is: cjbnammyoho@gmail.com . Comments welcome. CJ