"I'm sorry less but first of all you are miss characterizing his presentation (no quotes).
Ok. For starters let's clear up a couple of things that you seem to be carrying as misconceptions. I told you that I had not heard the term Pantheistic Monism before and googled it suspecting and confirming for myself that it is a term in use primarily by religionists. I do and did understand the term Pantheist and I do and did understand the term Monism and did conclude for myself how the term Pantheistic Monism was probably being applied, not to mention you had pretty much clarified that for me.
A characterisation is not direct quotes greg. It is an impression that is given and understood by the nature of the presentation being given.
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Your priest chooses his own comparisons which are according to the context he creates, the impression he hopes to convey, the characterisations he intends to promote and which conclude in his characterisations of groups of people.
His references and comparisons are specifically used to create those impressions. I get the impression that he wants me to think, if you don't bow to his authority you are to be classified as foolish, irrational, unstable, contentless, moral-less, people void of conscience. Another author could easily have used the same references taken from the disciplines of thought, or alternate references to show how the systems of thought are similar and amenable and that people of the world can come to common understanding from different backgrounds and promote peace and goodwill for and to one another. That was not his goal, his goal was to demonize others under his/your umbrella of Eastern Pantheistic Monism.
Ya want quotes? Here are a few.
"gave them over to...foolishness.
"...the Eastern pantheistic philosophy doesn’t have a way of supporting right and wrong consistently."
" ...cannot provide the basis for a stable, moral universe. And if your system of thought can’t do that, it cannot survive reality."
"Buddhism is expressly anti-rational"
He bases most of his presentation on this: "Atman, which is the essence of the individual human soul, is Brahman," which is specifically Hindu (Is he completely clueless as to the vast diversity of culture in the world). However, he continually references everything Eastern, which is really his way of saying everyway of thinking that does not come under the authority of his priesthood, including every way of thinking around the world, and including in the USA that is not under the authority of his priesthood.
No need greg to send me on a mission to find "an authoritative source that factually disputes his actual assertion." I can confirm everything he said from my own understanding of these people and groups.
In fact are completely missing the point being made which is not about the personal morality (or lack thereof) of the people who adhere to this philosophy as much as it is about the philosophical consistency of the particular system of thought that he is referencing.
Wrong.
"Second "I know some people who..." is completely insufficient to substantiate such a serious charge.
Of course it is, which is why I added that I am also familiar with the philosophies, theologies which represent the people he is targeting. I noticed you parced over that fact ... tsk (intellectual dishonesty, oh well)
"What you need to do is provide an in context quotation and an authoritative source that factually disputes his actual assertion."
No I don't greg. (wild goose chase)
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"And so the Eastern scriptures are filled with parables and fables and stories, and myths and song, and haikus and hymns and epics—but no history, because reality takes place in an unrepeatable space/time context, not in history."
Jesus: “The knowledge of the secrets of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. This is why I speak to them in parables, ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand’” (Mat. 13:11,13).
Some things are more one than others. Some things, some appearances, some illusions in this life, are closer than others at being one with “the one.”
Western: Some things are more good than others. Some things bring you closer to God than others.
then realizing oneness with “the one” is passing beyond good and evil. And it’s the softest spot ...
Eastern and Western forms of thought and religion rely on some form of Heavenly Paradise vs Hellacious punishment to describe the ultimate consequence of life's endeavors. They describe the World as a place where the forces of good and evil are diametrically opposed, while entwined in struggle but once settlement is achieved and you escape the circumstance of this existence you enter ... what ... well lets say you meet the One God... will there be both good and evil or just Goodness when you are with The One God greg? Will you have passed from your Worldly circumstance of struggling for good against evil?
Ok. I think, I've made my point which could turn into volumes if you want to go nutso with it. His/your choices of comparison are selected to promote his authority over followers, to bully others into following him, lest they be deamed foolish, irrational, without moral standards or a consience.
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Bottom line though. Consider what you want to project.
"I do take my faith in Christ very seriously and expect it to both inform and guide my behavior."
There can be no doubt that you are devoted to the Christian religion. Ask your self if you are walking the talk or talking the walk.
Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward Men,
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