I trust that some may be as near and dear to Buddha, or Christ, or Swedenborg, who are without the pale of their churches. It is necessary not to be Christian to appreciate the beauty and significance of the life of Christ. I know that some will have hard thoughts of me, when they hear their Christ named beside my Buddha, yet I am sure that I am willing they should love their Christ more than my Buddha, for the love is the main thing, and I like him too.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- One can appreciate Christ's life without being Christian, and love for Christ can coexist with love for Buddha.
- In plain terms
- You can value religious figures without sharing their faith.
- What can you take from it?
- Separate admiration for teachings from personal religious identity.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do we honor multiple traditions?
- What challenges arise from interfaith admiration?
Another view
Some may view mixing reverence as disrespectful.
More from Henry David Thoreau
There are various, nay, incredible faiths; why should we be alarmed at any of them? What man believes, God believes.
Permalink to quote #76 The wisest man preaches no doctrines; he has no scheme; he sees no rafter, not even a cobweb, against the heavens. It is clear sky. If I ever see more clearly …
Permalink to quote #78 It seems to me that the god that is commonly worshipped in civilized countries is not at all divine, though he bears a divine name, but is the overwhelming aut…
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