Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Other religions on the Trinity

The Christian doctrine of the Trinity is an important one because it shapes how we understand God. The formulation often cited is Three Persons, One God. This concept is not readily understandable and presents challenges. However, by studying Scripture and through the teaching of the Church, Christians give their assent to this idea.

The belief is that in all ways the three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are united as one God. They act in unison and are of the same being. The persons are in no way separate. St. Patrick used to represent the trinity as a shamrock. We do not say there are three shamrocks, but one, and each is the same, acting in unison in all things.

Some have said the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, can be compared to God, his Word, and his Wisdom. One priest I heard one time said it's like the lips to speak, the words, and the sound. They are all one, yet different.

However, none of these concepts give a perfect analogy, because each one implies a difference in the three, which there is not.

Back to my original topic, and that is how other religions view the Trinity.

Islam
In Islam, there is an incorrect understanding of the Christian Trinity. Mohammed writes, in Sura 5:116-120:

And behold! God will say: "O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of God'?" He will say: "Glory to Thee! never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, thou wouldst indeed have known it. Thou knowest what is in my heart, I know not what is in Thine. For Thou knowest in full all that is hidden.


This says that some believe Jesus, Mary, and God the Father make up the Trinity. However, this is a view held by no Christian Church in recorded history. As mentioned above, the Trinity consists of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Having said that, Islam is strongly against the concept of the Trinity. In many verses, the trinity is presented only to be rejected.

Hinduism
Hinduism has its own form of trinity, involving Brahma the creator, Vishnu the sustainer, and Shiva the destoyer. This is not the same as the Christian trinity, in that each of these gods have their own separate roles and do not act in unison. Also, they cannot be called "one God", but rather three separate gods. Also, Hinduism is pantheistic so ultimately everything is a part of Brahmin, which is the supreme being that encompases everything.

Judaism
Judaism does not affirm a belief in the Trinity either. However, they do still wait for a messiah and believe in God's spirit.

Ayyavazhi
A rare religion that began as an offshoot of Hinduism in the 19th century, Ayyavazhi has a concept of a trinity to which is adheres.

They involve:

* The Soul - The Soul of Ultimate God
* The Spirit - The Spirit (Karana Sarira) of Narayana
* The Body - The Body of Muthukutty (Human Being)



As far as I know, most of other religions do not have a concept of a trinity. It is interesting to see how various religions would relate to this Christian doctrine.


Good video to watch:

1 comment:

  1. This is the origin of trinitarian concept as per Eternal law (Sanatana Dharma) God,No beginning and no end...
    First there is 1. God, then there is 2.sound and then there is 3.manifestation (creation)
    The sound is AUM (OM) - and it takes place after the explosion (the separation of energies in the primordial being of material creation. It's frequency waves bring forth creation. The 3 fold concept is everywhere and in everything that exists.
    Time: Past Present Future
    Man: Mind Body Soul
    Godhead: Father Mother Son
    Deity: Brahma Vishnu Siva
    Existence: Birth Life Death
    Moon: Waxing Full Waning

    it goes on... in every degree of life from high to low... but it's origin is ONE. The Supreme Personality of Godhead Krishna. This is where the name Christ is derived after Krishna became Kristna and then became Christos in Greek.

    The concept of the father is from Krishna who said: "I am the seed giving Father" "everything rests upon Me as pearls do on a string".

    The concept of the Saviour is from Krishna when He said: "Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear." This 3200BC.

    No one knows what Christ looks like but everyone can know what Krishna looks like. The stories of the 2 are practically identical, but the bible has kept big secrets for political purposes, hence much confusion and mystery in the texts. Krishna does not condemn anyone to eternal damnation. He is the epitome of Love and Mercy... exactly how one would envisage God to be. We have free will and we can choose to unveil ourselves from ignorance and stop blaspheming purity and all that is truly sacred. For too long christians have forced violent conversions like the muslims, but this is not Gods way. Gods way is peace, love, and non violence (ahimsa) without discrimination, and this is what being civilized is about. Being civilized and developing goodness is a foundation for real spiritual progress until then humans will continue their hate and lose all intelligence. Blessings of spiritual love, devotion and knowledge to all who read this.

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