..續本文上一頁 of the Christian Concept of God” has mentioned, ”I see that though the notion of God contains sublime moral strands, it also has certain implications that are extremely dangerous to the humans as well as to the other beings on this planet.
G.達瑪斯利在他的著作《佛教與基督教的比較》中說道：「通過『神』的概念，我發現了崇高的道德規範，但是，它也潛在著影響整個世界和一切衆生的危險性。」
”One major threat to humanity is the blindfold called ”authority” imposed on the humans by the concept of God. All theistic religions consider authority as ultimate and sacred. It was this danger that the Buddha was pointing at in the Kalama Sutta. At the moment, human inpiduality and freedom are seriously threatened by various forms of authorities. Various ”authorities” have been trying to make ”you” a follower. On top of all our ”traditional” authorities, a new form of authority has emerged in the name of ”science”. And lately, the mushrooming new religions and the menace of the Gurus(as typified by Jim Jones), have become live threats to the inpidual”s human freedom and dignity. The Buddha”s eternal plea is for you to become a Buddha, and He showed, in a clearly rational way, that each and every one of us has the perfect potentiality and capacity to attain that ideal.”
「對人類最大的威脅，就是以神權來控製人類。所有的一神論宗教，都認爲神是最權威和最崇高的。佛陀在《KalamaSutta》經典裏指出了這種危險性。人類的個性和自由受到這些權威的威脅，這些權威令你追隨它。在這種傳統的權威，又建立了一種新的權威，那就是科學。新的宗教不斷的産生，已經嚴重的威脅到人類的自由與自尊。佛陀指示大家以圓成佛道爲人生的目標，他清楚的說明，每一個人都有潛在的能力去達到這個理想。」
God-religions offer no salvation without God. Thus a man might conceivably have climbed to the highest pinnacle of virtue, and he might have led a righteous way of life, and he might even have climbed to the highest level of holiness, yet he is to be condemned to eternal hell just because he did not believe in the existence of God. On the other hand, a man might have sinned deeply and yet, having made a late repentance, he can be forgiven and therefore ”saved”. From the Buddhist point of view, there is no justification in this kind of doctrine.
某些宗教認爲：「沒有『神』就無法得救。」就算他已抵達道德的頂峰，過著正道的生活，完備了神聖的本性，他一樣被宣告「有罪」，要打入地獄接受煉火的煎熬，因爲，他不相信「神」的存在。反過來說，一個人無論罪孽多深重，只要忏悔並相信「神」的存在，就能因此而得救。從佛教的觀點來看，這種教義是不合理的。
Despite the apparent contradictions of the God-religions, it is not deemed advisable to preach a Godless doctrine since the belief in god has also done a tremendous service to mankind, especially in places where the god concept is desirable. This belief in god has helped mankind to control his animal nature. And much help has been granted to o, thers in the name of god. At the same time, man feels insecure without the belief in god. He finds protection and inspiration when that belief is in his mind. The reality or validity of such a belief is based on man”s understanding capacity and spiritual maturity.
雖然佛教與「神」的信仰有明顯的矛盾和沖突，身爲佛教徒也沒有必要刻意的去宣揚沒有「神」的存在，畢竟信仰「神」的宗教，也爲人類做出巨大的貢獻，特別在某些地方，對「神」的信仰還是有必要的。信仰「神」也有助于人類克製自己的「獸性」，很多社會貢獻都是以「神」的名譽做出來的。同時，人類或許會覺得沒有「神」的信仰是不安全的，當他們有了信仰，才發現受到保護和鼓勵。信仰的存在也提升了人類的理解力和心智的成熟。
However, religion should also concern our practical life. It is to be used as a guide to regulate our conduct in the world. Religion tells us what to do and what not to do. If we do not follow a religion sincerely, mere religious labels or belief in god do not serve us in our daily life.
宗教與我們的實際生活息息相關，宗教調整了我們在世間的行爲。宗教指導我們什麼是應該做的，什麼是不應該做的。如果我們不正確的追隨正信的宗教，而只是借助宗教的外衣，或迷信于「神」，那麼，對我們的生活一點幫助也沒有。
On the other hand, if the followers of various religions are going to quarrel and to condemn other beliefs and practices
especially to prove or disprove the existence of God
and if they are going to harbor anger towards other religions because of their different religious views, then they are creating enormous disharmony amongst the various religious communities. Whatever religious difference we have, it is our duty to practise tolerance, patience and understanding. It is our duty …
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