Religion Going Mountain High, What Religious Path will you Take?

Father John Martin, the spiritual director of Shantivanam, a Christian ashram (learning community) in southeastern India that focuses on the relationship between Christianity and the religions of India (particularly Hinduism and Buddhism) asserts that all the major religions of the world can be compared to a group of hikers climbing up different sides of a high mountain. Each hiker (and religion) takes a unique route to the top. While they are climbing the mountain, they cannot necessarily see one another. They may not even be aware that those in the other climbing parties are also ascending the mountain. They think they are alone as they make the ascent. Yet when they reach the peak, the climbers are surprised to find one another. Think back over the religions studied this semester. Then answer the following:What do you think Father Martin is saying about the different world religions?Do you agree with him? Why or why not?


Father Martin, talks about Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism he talks about all of them going up the mountainside. They are not going up together, they are going up separately. George Bernard Shaw wrote, “There is only one religion”(Shaw). They just take all different approaches. Similarities are more important than the differences in these major religions. In Hinduism Brahman is the God. Nirvana is heaven. God is a real entity. Buddhism focuses on the now, making it as good as possible. We are responsible for our own lives. We should be involved in our community to improve it. The reincarnation is a form of rebirth. Just like in the Christian religion, when we die our soul goes to heaven. We then begin a new life. Buddhism focuses on the now, making it as good as possible. We are responsible for our own lives. We should be involved in our community to improve it. The Bryn Marwr Presbyterian Church also focuses on making the community as good as possible. They welcome new immigrants to United States of America, by offering them language and computer classes. As well many different types of community and special events. Our Catholic Church St Bartholomew’s in Yonkers welcome all children of the community. They have an elementary school for the great community of Yonkers, New York. They have religious and Bible study courses at night. Every Sunday they have food drives for the poor and ill. At Christmas time, the church celebrates with the Christmas Giving Tree. This is a symbol of Jesus Christ’s love for everyone one. The parishioners bring in gifts for needy children of the community. The church also has clothing drives for families who experienced disaster, whether it has been a hurricane, earthquake or severe flood. In the Christian religion we have a lot of Budda’s, (Caring giving people in the Christian religion). Father Martin’s ideas are valid that the similarities amongst the three major religions of the world are more important than the differences.


Chris Thoma
Relg109DFB
Wed 6:15pm to 9:05pm
Fall 2007
Professor Susan De George