It's been awhile since I posted! Wew! :) What can I say but my life has been keeping me super busy. Yet, it is time.
Now isn't youtube a fun place to go? You click on one video - after that tons of that topic come up over and over. ha I watched one video by Catholics, and now youtube's algorhythm thinks I am one, or want to become one. :) It's showing me video option after video option of various Catholic topics, from pro to against.
Fine. My curiosity was up. I wanted to get to the root of the matter. What is the first ever Christian religion? This is what I asked myself. And felt it is probably the Catholic religion. So, I googled it.
The answer is, yes, and no. :)
I will keep this as short as humanly possible, because my goal is not to promote, nor put down, Catholicism, nor Protestantism, nor anyone.
According to Catholics, their religion is the original of all Christian religions. It started when Christ left this world and ascended, or at Pentecost. One of his disciples became the first pope, and their lineage has maintained ever since. Sounds nice. But is it accurate?
Protestants claim it is not. That different Christian sects popped up prior to Roman Catholicism, and that the Pagan religion was the religion of those times. Christianity was punished. Centuries later, Emperor Constantine, a Pagan, developed interest in Christianity. Though politically motivated, a way he was able to convert many Pagans as well as make Christianity acceptable and not punishable by law - was to merge the two paths as one. And that is why they claim there are so many Catholic rituals.
On youtube we have Protestants yelling the Catholics are lying and going to hell, and Catholics sternly voicing against fallen Protestant's deviating ways into Purgatory. :)
Well, I looked at a few. Not all but a few, and some of the conclusions I have arrived at are given in this blog post.
Catholics believe the status of Jesus is part Divine and part human. Protestants believe Jesus is only Divine. Both can be variegated truths. In this case I side more with the Catholic's because it sounds similar to ShaktyaveshAvatara, a highly exalted position as part Divine and part empowered pure human. And that is exactly how Prabhupada describes Jesus!
However, to readers who are Protestants, please don't feel bad or left out. To approach Jesus as solely Divine is not going to hurt anyone. After all, his vapu or earth body has disappeared, and he is now only spiritual.
Next, Catholics have many saints you can pray to for help. Protestants believe you do not need anyone other than Jesus. This time I lean toward the Protestant belief that we only need pray to God/Krishna, and no one else. Yet, there's no harm in praying to (qualified) saints or pure devotees for help. Of course, there must not be demigod worship/praying.
Protestant's criticism of Catholics praying to Mother Mary, and criticism of viewing her as Divine, needs revamping. Srila Prabhupada has explained that the Virgin Mary is energy of Radharani, so the Catholics get this one. :)
"Mary is the representation of the energy of God. Either as internal energy Radharani or as external energy Durga, the energy of Godhead can be considered the mother of the living entities." - SP letter to Sivananda, New York 19 April, 1968
Next, the Catholic's believe Jesus is God. Christ states throughout the Bible that he is "son" of God, not God. I suppose man needs a face, and not knowing Who that is, they try to make it Christ. Ok, there are other reasons. However, it does touch on the need for Personalism. Nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya or impersonalism and voidism can annoy or frustrate a seeker. Thus, if an identity is not given, man just may assign one. Anyway, Jesus says in the Bible John 6:38 that he came “not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” In another verse while praying in the garden, Christ points out there is Someone superior to him that he is speaking/praying to: “not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42 And one I like because I feel it gets right to the matter, is where Jesus says: "The Father is greater than I." - John 14:28 There is much argumentation on this topic among Christians, Theologists, and some Philosophers. Since our scripture can be traced back in time to it's origin (God), devotees take the Vedas as the final authority. Thus we know Jesus to be Son of God. Bas.
There is one issue I have and do not know where to place it on this blog post, so this spot has been elected. :) And that is, in Catholicism women can only become Nun's, and a Nun gets married to Jesus. I find that odd but somehow they are ok with marrying Jesus. Years ago I read that the reason for this requirement originated eon's back, when women wanted to join the church. Authorities felt females could not handle it without a husband. Therefore, they decided to have her become the Bride Of Christ. Instead, these ladies should be allowed to become full-fledged Priests. Prabhupada instructed that women/disciples can become priests, they can go on the altar, they can give class, they can perform any and all Brahmanical /Priestly duties.
With that said, in many cases there is too much disagreement between Catholics and Protestants over smaller issues, that nevertheless have a positive spiritual effect on a person.
For example, Baptism. In Baptist churches and some other denominations, they insist it is not in the Bible for babies and must be a conscious choice by an adult. Sounds ok, but no harm in mom and dad benefiting by bringing baby in for Baptism and starting to set their child on a path, IMHO only.
Other Protestant churches insist one must be submerged for Baptism to count, not a sprinkling of Holy Water over the head. Do they think God cares about such things? Details, fanatism. Do what you believe in, but don't judge others choices. Both are equally good. Some might claim I am saying do your own thing and ignore scripture, regarding this or other parts of this post. No. What I am saying is do it sanely, and do it within practicality.
Now, Confirmation in Catholic Churches, Catechism, and various rituals are criticized by Protestants. Yet, they appear harmless, and if they make a person feel and behave spiritual, why not.
There is criticism [overreaction] regarding the use of incense. According to one set of Protestants, the Bible says Frankincense etc is only meant for God, not for the priests or people. Now, sure, it is for offering to God. But how can you do that and not smell it yourself - or have the congregation avoid the scent? Is everyone to hold their nose? ha Or is their solution not to use it at all. In which case, how or when does it get offered to God - never? A bunch of silly questions, no answer is expected. And maybe it has something to do with the specific way Catholics are offering it, I really don't know such details. We offer incense in our temple rooms - to God. What wafts your way, or to the priest, is considered "prasadam," something all ready touched by God. He's fast & done with it, thus it's fully spiritual.
So much fighting over small things that won't harm, and often will benefit the doer who is of sound mind, following honestly, and means it within their heart.
In the same letter quoted above, Prabhupada further explains: "But there is no clash between the Bible and the Vedas, simply some people formulate their personal ideas and cause quarrelings." SP letter to Sivananda, New York 19 April, 1968
What I found interesting, is that when I traced the roots of these religions, they had so much in common with Krishna Consciousness. Both Protestant's and Catholics believe in the worship of One Supreme God, so do we. Both believe in singing God's glories, we do too. Both believe in offering prayer to God, we also believe in vandanam or prayer. The list can go on! Why? Because ultimately every bonafide religion came from the same one God; some have just become watered down or changed over time. Much has been lost.
Briefly: This is why we must make sure there are no changes to Prabhupada's books! Look at all the changes to the Bible. Do you really want that to happen to us? (Rhetorical.) Help support the maintaining of his originals by only buying, only reading, Prabhupada's unchanged, unedited books please. See link below.
Now yes, I'm going to take this roots concept the extra mile. :) I feel if we traced back even further, we would find the Vedas. After all, Pagan rites and Catholic rites or rituals, even some basic Christian rituals - are similar to the Veda's.
Some Christian faiths detest the whole concept of a ritual, viewing it as evil or satanic. I'm tired of that, and wish to clear up this issue. Even gathering together for a child's birthday party, lighting candles, and singing "Happy Birthday" is a ritual. They should not think they do not do rituals. Eliminating the word from their vocabulary does not eliminate the fact that they include rituals in their life.
Attending sports events and rooting for a team, is a ritual. Celebrating Christmas is a ritual. Ever go to a Rock Concert? Ritual. Exchanging marriage vows is a ritual. Attend a funeral? Yes, that's a ritual. Watch Presidential Inaugurations on tv? You're watching a ritual. March in a parade or with a band or festively observe it? Ritual. Celebrate your grown child graduating High-School? Ritual. Attend or Christen a baby? It is still a ritual.
On and on this list goes, because humans love rituals! And while we need to make sure it's aim is going to the right place, did one ever wonder if the reason nobody has been able to stamp out rituals for eons, or the reason people love them - is because God put that desire inside of us so we could use it to sing etc for Him? Plus, rituals are healthy, as they relieve stress, increase connections [be it with people or with God], and bring a sense of stability.
What needs to be understood is that intent is important. Is the ritual to worship evil, or God? If it is for God but you disagree, at least remove it from the category of evil. It's one thing to have an opinion, but stop calling it satanic. Geesh. Show respect to those who worship God differently. So please Protestants, with all due respect, do not put all rituals into one category.
Though will add, in Krishna Consciousness you can have ritual, or NOT have ritual. Both are accepted ways to worship. Because spiritual life is facilitated for all types of persons. Matter of fact, simply sing or pray the Holy Names daily, follow the lifestyle, and that is all you need.
Anyhow, we can note similarities in the rituals of Catholics and Protestants. They even have a lot in common to Vedic rituals and belief's. Why? Jesus went to India, which makes sense as he was drawn to spiritual places. Some do not like to hear he went there. It's easier to call it a hoax than to accept. Recently I read one site claiming he never visited India, that they proved it through scholars, people with PhD's. Therefore, I listened/read. It was stated that the "Christian belief" is Jesus stayed with his parents in his town until he started preaching. I did not find that very convincing. And, you're not a good Christian if you have a different belief? Hmmm Moreover, he was fully grown, also a Missionary by nature - yet doesn't move his feet and get started sooner? Nah. Other Christians may have different beliefs about that time period, but when I realized many were improvising stories to fit their comfort zone, I stopped looking. (By the way, I know there are some open minded, wonderful Christians out there who do not blindly follow or create stories to fill their needs.)
"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now." - John 16:12, King James Bible
A while back, I attended our RathaYatra parade. An older woman walked up to me and asked: "Do you believe in Jesus?" And I replied: "Yes." She said then everything is ok, and walked away, satisfied. What a sweet lady. But some actually get angry we believe in Jesus because it is not their way. I see videos on youtube of that nature, and I refuse to click on them because I know it will be more about them spewing hatred and fanaticism, and not about getting to the facts.
Therefore, can we really blame some Hindu's for disliking Christianity? To my Hindu friends I pointed out that a lot of what I learned in Sunday School and in Church, helped me become a devotee of Krishna. Everything comes from God/Krishna. Christianity included. Additional reasons why some Hindus do not like Christianity, to make a long story short: When the British went to India, Hindu's were open to them and welcoming. That was met with put downs, trickery, invasion and attempts at a take over. As a direct result, these days it is hard to get in the door of Jagannatha Puri temple if you are not Indian. Not to belabor this topic, just to explain it. Therefore, moving on...
Years ago I read a rather fascinating article. Summarized: A Jewish elderly man somehow or other had this old clock he cherished. A middle aged Christian man began to have memory of a past life. He was Jewish in that life, and said the clock was his. This was a rather lengthy article with a few twists and turns, but it really did sound like that clock had belonged to him. He wanted it back. The man who had it was Hasidic Jewish, so I thought, "Forget it, he's not going to return that clock to a Christian." I am happy to have been wrong. Yes, the lovely Jewish gentleman said the clock belonged to the Christian man, and returned it. Why mention this in the midst of Catholicism or Protestant discussions?
How many times do we want to die, take birth, die again, get born again - hop from this religion to that religion? Krishna Consciousness is not a religion, because religion can be changed. Even God, or else the laws of nature, can change it on ya, as we see with the two gentlemen above. However, Krishna Consciousness is a yoga. Sure, it can be practiced as a religion, but Prabhupada came to the West to teach the "highest" thus most transcendental form of it, also known as "Bhakti Yoga." Yoga means to yoke up to, or connect with God! Bhakti means love and devotion to God. Life is getting short, this time period of Kali yuga is progressing, don't come back to get a clock. And do meet everyone in the Spiritual Sky. But no waiting necessary to taste spiritual bliss. Start chanting Hare Krishna and be happy right now. Just say it (& mean it). Hare Krishna! :) <3
RESOURCES:
HOME ALTAR - How To Create Your Very Own,
For the Original, Unchanged Books, go here.
How To Use Your Home Altar, here.
