Biblical texts attribute the same activities and features to biblical gods Yahweh and Jesus, as texts of Ancient Near East attribute to other, non-biblical gods. These texts are mostly older than biblical ones. Almost all features and activities of non-biblical gods have been transfered to biblical gods. It means that Ancient Near East religious thinkers shared mostly common worldview. Our analysis undermines opinion of uniqueness of Judaism and Christianity. Such view is false, it is creation of Jewish and Christian theologians. One cannot find supprot to the view in written sources.
Bhikkhu Buddhadasa’s Demythologization of Buddhism
The article discuss life and activity of Thai Buddhist monk Bhikkhu Buddhadasa. It presents his views that criticized the traditional understanding of Theravada Buddhism. At the root of his perspective one can distinguish the crisis of Buddhist sangha, the development of modern science and his knowledge of books from other Buddhist and non-Buddhist traditions. Buddhadasa’s demythologization of Buddhism means a rejection of rituals and ceremonies, refutation of studies of Buddha’s written teachings, replacement of traditional scholastics with his own exegesis, rejection of hierarchy in sangha, and recognition of the equality of all religions. His approach in identifying religions, psychology and empirical science is superficial and cannot be defended.
Biblical texts attribute the same activities and features to biblical gods Yahweh and Jesus, as other – and mostly older – texts of Ancient Near East attribute to other gods. Almost all features and activities of non-biblical gods have been transfered to biblical gods. It means that Ancient Near East religious thinkers shared mostly common worldview. Our analysis undermines opinion of uniqueness of Judaism and Christianity. Such view is false, it is creation of Jewish and Christian theologians. One cannot find supprot to the view in written sources.
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