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Andrew Sullivan on the need for Buddhist-Christian dialogue

Posted by Philip Ryan on 07 Oct 2009 in

The always-thoughtful Andrew Sullivan continues his exploration of Buddhism. Here he is on Thomas Merton:

I think a conversation between Christians and Buddhists - the project Merton was intent on before he died - is one of the more important conversations of our time.

Merton was truly one of the great religious thinkers of our time, taken from us too early. Here he is on getting through difficult times:

Prayer and love are learned in the hour when prayer becomes impossible and the heart has turned to stone.

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Matt Helmick's picture
Reply by Matt Helmick on October 7, 2009, 10:50 pm

Good point, Alan. Or for that matter, deciding whether or not you want to be a part of a "religion" (putting aside the possible tax benefits).

alan's picture
Reply by alan on October 7, 2009, 5:58 pm

Shouldn't we be able to agree on One Dhamma before talking to other religions?

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Matt Helmick's picture
Reply by Matt Helmick on October 7, 2009, 12:50 am

Sullivan has recently said some thoughtful things in regard to the war in Iraq, gay marriage and other issues. To call him "always thoughtful," however, is a bit absurd.

Although I'm no fan of Sarah Palin, his witch hunt going after her for proof that she was actually her son's (Trig's) mother was downright obnoxious. More info here: http://reason.com/blog/2008/09/03/new-at-reason-michael-c-moynih

I don't discount the possibility of a recent awakening or enlightenment on Sullivan's part, but his history is a conflicted one marked by hypocrisy: http://www.thenation.com/doc/20010618/kim20010605

dharmahooligan's picture
Reply by dharmahooligan on October 7, 2009, 12:37 am

That's a tough one. I am complete agreement. Just as I believe that life is a team sport, same as I believe, whatever faith or path you come from, they are all pointed the same general direction. I have always held the belief that some of the middle ground needs to be covered, and instead of focusing on the things that seperate us and makes us "different" from one another, I would like to start focusing on what ties us together.