Christian Taoism

[Pariahprose]

Though I am not a big fan of labels when it comes to spiritual beliefs, but I would say if you had to put a name on what I consider myself that it would be a "Christian Taoist". Odd combination right? Christianity in a "religious" sense and Taoism as a philosophical mindset, combining to become a more complete spiritual concept.

My question is,would anyone else consider themselves this or is it impossible to combine these two things in your opinion? Also,anyone else have what they would consider a unique pairing of ideas that they would like to mention?

Pariahprose

 

[TheAppleCore]

Wow! I can't believe this thread popped up when it did.

Yes, that is exactly what I would consider myself.

I think that God = Tao. Humans observed the same phenomenon, the same property of nature, West and East. One culture decided to anthropomorphize it, and refer to it as an almighty Being; the other culture regarded it as more of an unconscious naturalistic law, like the law of gravity. (I tend to side with the Taoists here.) What they both share, is that they are considered the source of life on earth, and they are considered eternal.

I also believe that Tao / God represents a pattern that can be found in nature, which is not only real, but important to acknowledge. In fact, I think we are coming to such an age of cultural and scientific advancement that it will become entirely necessary to acknowledge the existence of God / Tao, because those without the power of this knowledge will not be able to keep up with those that possess awareness.

 

[casualuser]

You have your way.
I have my way.
As for the right way,
the correct way,
and the only way,
it does not exist.

 

[TheAppleCore]

^ Yeah. One aspect of Christian thinking I don't like is morality. IMO, morality - the ideas of right and wrong - are obsolete.

 

[Pariahprose]

^ Yeah. One aspect of Christian thinking I don't like is morality. IMO, morality - the ideas of right and wrong - are obsolete.

I agree with you to some extent, and whole heartedly when it comes to conventional views of Christian morality and them being obsolete. However, when you incorporate a philsophical framework of Taoism with a religious view of Christianity, the morality of Christianity changes due to the philosophical implications created. Christian morals,once archaic and lacking any form of influence besides that of religion become more complete with Taoism as your philosophical base. A persons general philosophy of life typically comes before their views on religion are solidly formed.

A philosophy is a rational and logical explaination of why things function as they do presented in a common sense or scientific manner. Religion on the other hand is an attempt to justify the irrational things we do not comprehend that defy logic,common sense, and science.Taoism fulfills this need for rationality and logic in the tangible world when applied philosophically because of its idea of doing less but doing more. A Taoist Christian is not lacking morals but applies the morality of Christianity in a manner to where they express their morals not verbally constricted by the barriers of language and society. They express their morals by example.