Hi Spwn07,
I think it is no harm for you to attend church with your cousin for
a few times. Firstly, you can treat it as an educational tour for
you to understand why Christianity seems to be a favourite choice
among young working adults.
Secondly, it can be a test of your own belief and your
understanding of it. Attending sermons and make the comparisons,
looking out for similiarities and differences, personally I find
that it aids your own spiritual growth.
Thirdly, if after your visits, you really find that Christianity is
not for you; or the church is not for you, then you can tell your
cousin that you had been there and experienced and know that it is
really not your cup of tea.
Fourthly, as mentioned by justdoit77, you can negotiate a trade off
with your cousin. But as told by a friend of mine before, usually
after you have attended church, when it's their time to go to a
dhamma talk, they will have 'reasons' not to show up in the last
minute. Ain't sure how true is it. Probably if you're using this
method, you can make your cousin to attend dhamma talk first before
you attend church with him.
Finally, or heed what sleepwalkering had said, "Thank you for the
invitation, i am comfortable with mine."
Anyway, you need not be too concerned or bothered with whether or
not to explain to people to what you believe. At the end of the
day, it is more important that you really do know what you believe in.
Have that confidence in yourself and ignore the ridicules. We can't
please the whole world, at least, please ourselves.
There are various inspiring and touching testimonials that
christians will give but nonetheless they are revolved around in
believing that God has touched their lives. If that, in respect to
the mental and spiritual sense, do give them comfort, I think it is
really nothing wrong with it. But of course that doesn't mean that
we allow them to push their opinion on us. And of course as
buddhist don't believe in the existence of such a creator God, our
confidence in the Dhamma shouldn't be shaken in any way. We
understand that every results are due to cause and condition. So
having a God pop out of nowhere doesn't quite tally with the
principle of Dhamma.
On this onus, it will be our understanding and faith in the Dhamma
that will pull us through. I also have quite a handful of friends
who become christians and always tried to invite me to their
churches.
I used to go churches on a regular and frequent basis few years
back, on my own, not invited. It is quite a fruitful experience for
me and I observed and learned that why people go to churches.
But anyhow, end of the day, don't be bothered by these little
things in life. In life, there will be more important things to be
worried and concerned about.
May you have fun in your spiritual quest =)
