[Buddha-l] curious

[Erik Hoogcarspel]

Curt Steinmetz schreef:
>
>
> In Europe the precedent is for people to be automatically assigned to a 
> religion in just such an arbitrary manner. By default it is whichever of 
> flavor of Christianity happens to be the officially established state 
> Church.
>   
That's how it all started, remember? Justinian and Clovis turned 
everyone into a Christian.
> Christianity forbids any form of idolatry, therefore it stands to reason 
> that anyone in possession of a Buddha idol is not a Christian, but 
> rather a Buddhist. This is far more logical than assuming a person's 
> religion merely by the hapenstance of what country you were born in.
>   
Which Christianuty are you referring to Curt, Catholic churches are full 
of idols. Even the Buddha used to be one the the depicted saints under 
the name of Josaphat.
> In fact why not just get it over with and declare that all beings with 
> Buddhanature are Buddhists? Only those who can provide documented 
> evidence of their status as icchantikas will be exempt from paying the 
> Temple Tax.
>
>   
Attractively simple, Curt, but apart from the commerce in fake icchatika declarations, the Christians will claim every descendent of Adam to be Christian and some Chinese will claim that mountains and rivers have to pay temple tax too.

Erik

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