You all should make an agreement never to debate, discuss,
slander, insult, etc, each other's religion.
Excerpt from: http://www.jenchen.org.sg/vol6no3c.htm
Volume 6 no 3
The Voice of Bliss
The family is our source of strength and happiness. Yet at times a
diversity of religion and faith can exist within the family circle.
The spirit of Buddhism advocates a freedom of choice, tolerance and
mutual respect, for what good is there if there is religious
homogeneity but a stark absence of happiness and bliss in the
family? The key is practising the code of family ethics, compassion
and loving-kindness and even if through these, others are not
persuaded to the realm of Buddhism, let it be. Happiness and bliss,
after all, is what all humanity seeks.
Happy Family
Mutual respect begets harmony
How may a family whose members have different religions live
together harmoniously?
One common principle that mankind all over the world abides by is
the freedom of choice of religion and faith. A country may have
different religions co-existing at the same time, such as Buddhism,
Catholicism, Christianity or Islam. But, we have to understand that
it is the condition arising from love that causes people to have
families, parents and children. It is a good thing if the family is
happy and blissful. However, if the family members bear
different faiths, so long as each member keeps his faith to
himself, refrain from slandering or debating over each others
faith, but mutually respecting each others faith and character,
then the family will naturally be harmonious.
Further, the younger generation ought to refrain from arguing with
their elders because it is their parents who brought them up.
Moreover, there is no purpose in arguing with them. We have to
practise filial piety and be good so that we do them proud. Then,
they will feel that their children are righteous, well behaved, and
may willingly join us to learn about Buddhism. This will be ideal.
Otherwise, it is not filial to constantly argue with them. When we
learn and practise Buddhism, we have to exercise wisdom. With
regards to differences in religions and faiths, as long as we
maintain mutual respect, I believe, the family will be
harmonious.
p.s my master was once an active
Christian pastor before
