Introduction
Houston Smith wrote his book on the World’s Religion in 2004. He grew up in a Christian background but has gone ahead to study various religions that are in the world. He has written many other religious books that are still studied today. Most of his work is based on analyzing various religious beliefs and values as well as contributing varied material in the religion.
Main body
Lewis was an atheist, for a long time and later converted to Christianity. He then used his great knowledge as a writer to write about Christianity for religious scholars. He did write other works though most of his work is criticized.
Huston Smith in his book the World’s religion talked about the noble truths. Smith began by explaining that dukha which is suffering is as a result of tanha which means desire. He argued that tanha is selfish desire which occurs by taking advantage of others. This tanha signifies hatred of the challenges that life brings thus one hangs on to temporary things. Smith argues that tanha makes a person greedy for material wealth and thus this can result in one getting a disease. He says that people should have the spiritual desire for the Buddha. He suggests that human beings should be able to recognize the tanha and realize how empty one will feel. In this way, he concludes that the material possessions are temporary and thus tanha is not good for the body.
In the third Noble Truth Smith argues that dukha can be defeated by tahna. He further argues that tahna can be overcome by adhering to the Eightfold Path. He suggests that an individual should be able to take the first step of the right association. An individual has to make the right choice of either pity or abstinence. Smith wrote that reason should not come between a right aspiration in order for it to be patent and helpful. He argued that the route to take is right knowledge and true ambition which gives one a plan and intelligence to move on. Having the right words, right behavior and the right way of life will give you the rules of moral behavior. One has to avoid bad behaviors in order to achieve mental order which will enable one stay in the right path.
Smith argues that many Christians accept as true that God is identified by Jesus rather than being confined to Jesus. Smith argued that the Lord’s Prayer is meant for the father of us all and it does not have any gender suggestions. He does not agree with the Protestant identity with the atonement and thus prefers the Abelard. He said that Jesus is the model of love and this is what should be followed. Smith wrote about the That Christian leaders rejected and pushed away literalism. He said that Christians do not interpret the readings in the bible literally as they should be instead that twist the information to suit their values (Smith 102-106).
According to Lewis Christians believe that God made-up the universe and all the things in it just like a painter makes a drawing. He says, in this case a painter is not a drawing and cannot die once the drawing is destroyed. He argues that Christians feel that a lot of things are not going well in the world and God persists vigorous that they put things in the right way. Lewis argues that Christians believe that there is a holy God in heaven. In this way, everything is good apart from the bad and horrible sins that belong to hell and the devil. He says that Christians believe that certain things help bring the word of Christ to them like baptism and the belief of a risen Christ. Christians have also puzzling beliefs that different Christians refer with varied names like Holy Communion, the mass and the Lord’s Supper.
Lewis has written largely on his perfect penitent theory of punishment. He begins by explaining the Christian belief of how man sinned and Christ had to offer to die so that God will not punish mankind. Lewis feels that it is silly that Christ took the punishment of mankind and God did not let mankind off and he punished an innocent person for others mistakes. He further explains how Christians believe that bad people are the one that need to repent and that only a good and perfect person can repent on their behalf. He does not agree with the Christian belief that the suffering of Christ is valid because he is not human and that it could have been useless if he was a human being. In this way, Christians accept that they share and relate to misery and disgrace of Christ. Christians further feel they will share in Christ suffering for death and they will become perfect after death (Staples 317-364).
Conclusion
Religion has been studied by many and different people have different views on what is right and wrong. Religion scholars like Smith and Lewis feel that no one should feel that their religion is better than the other or that one religion is evil. Smith studied and participated in various religions including Christianity, Buddhism and Islamic. He has given varied views in modern world. s on these religions and made studies differently in each case. Lewis has written about Christian religion and analyzed their beliefs in details. His work is very detailed to be able to understand the principles behind Christian religion. Both his work and that of Lewis have played great role in the religious studies in the modern world.
Works Cited
- Staples, Lewis C. Mere Christianity: a revised and amplified edition, with a new introduction, of the three books, Broadcast talks, Christian behaviour, and Beyond personality. New York: HarperSanFrancisco, 2001.
- Smith, Huston. The World’s Religions: Our Great Wisdom Traditions. SanFrancisco: HarperOne; Rev Rep edition, 1991.