More Marc, More Dalai Lama

First off, the cynical comments that I made were not my own, but some that I had seen in the press in recent weeks since he's been touring the United States. That's why I started out by saying that I myself did not intend to be so cynical, which I felt like I wasn't.

Regarding money... I'm always interested to see the great lengths taken to defend spiritual leaders of every religion OTHER than Christianity in regards to money. In fact, the NUMBER ONE complaint about Christianity that I've heard during my life time from people who don't attend church is that it's just a money machine... that churches just want your money. However, someone lobs a similar accusation in the direction of the Dalai Lama and millions of people will come rushing to his defense. Christian pastors are apparently stealing your money if they have a nice house or fly first class. I bet the Dalai was avoiding those accusations by flying coach and staying at the Motel 8, right? If there weren't so many questions about it, why did the President of the University, hosting one of the world's most well-known spiritual and political leaders in front of "7500 people and gobs of media" feel the need to talk about money?

The ornate throne and people sitting at his feet... You make it sound as if the Dalai Lama doesn't ever know what he walks in to, and that New York is to blame for him sitting on a throne with people at his feet. It's the same argument Al Gore used when he said he didn't know he was doing a fund raising event in a Buddhist temple. If I'm preaching at a church and they want me to wear a white robe and stand in a pillar 40 feet above a kneeling congregation, I'm going to say, "Uh, no." Look, I have no problem with people having great respect for a spiritual leader and sitting at his feet, I really don't. I couldn't care less. But don't blame New York. As far as I can tell, the Dalai Lama is not stupid. If he was, I don't think you would have gone to hear him. I don't know if you know this or not, but if you look at pics from all the universities he speaks at, he's always wearing a visor. I guess that's his signature "Look at me, I'm just like you" move. I hope that doesn't disappoint the UNI peeps.

I whole-heartedly agree with you and am surprised that YOU are surprised by people putting everything a spiritual leader says into a religious context. One of my (many) frustrations with our current political system is that the general public believes that if you are a Christian, you have no right to speak or participate in the political process. Many believe that this somehow "taints" your thinking and therefore disqualifies from speaking rationally on any issue. The Dalai Lama, on the other hand, is praised for integrating his faith into every aspect of his life, including his political views. He is praised for "living his faith". Christians are expected to confine their faith to Sunday morning within the walls of the church and leave it there when they head out for lunch. Speaking generally, of course, no one likes a Christian who integrates their faith into every aspect of their life. Pick any political hot potato as of late and you can probably use it as an example: same-sex marriage, homosexuality in the military, abortion, prayer at public events, Christmas decorations in public buildings, ten commandments in court houses, etc. No one wants to hear a Christian's views on these subjects if they are trying to integrate their faith into their political views. As a side note, I would venture a guess and say that if Billy Graham was going to speak at UNI, there would be protests going on. Even if it was Jerry Falwell, Jr., who is in fact the President and Chancellor of Liberty University (education) there would also be protests, based primarily on the fact that they are Christians who's faith permeates every aspect of their lives. That is what bothers me the most: the double standard that exists for CHRISTIANS seeking to live out a faith according to ancient scriptures. That's admirable for any other religion in America, but not for Christians.

I thought my last post was fairly "level-headed" (you know, since I am the level-headed one!) but you had to go and poke the badger didn't ya?!