[Vision2020] Sam Harris, Buddhism, and Atheism

[nickgier at adelphia.net]

Hi Sue, 
 
According to Sam Harris, the Buddha did not start a new religion because his 
message was simply a humanistic philosophy summed up in his last words: "I've given you the Dharma [the way to the overcome rebirth]; now work out your own salvation."  
 
This may be technically and historically correct, just as it may well be true 
that Jesus did not wish to found a new religion, but simply prepare his 
disciples for the imminent coming of the Kingdom of God.  I still think that 
this is actually what Jesus believed, but Christians disagree with me on that 
and I have no right to tell them otherwise. 
 
The facts are these:  followers of the Buddha and Jesus deified their prophets 
and developed elaborate doctrines and rituals to honor them and to attain 
salvation in their names. 
 
This is historical Buddhism and historical Christianity, and to say that they 
are not new religions different from Hinduism and Judaism is to disrespect their 
histories and traditions. 
 
Nick Gier