AboutBrian Rogers Expertise LDS for over 45 years. Very knowledgable regarding LDS theology and practices, Early Christian history, Biblical inerrancy, etc. active on FAIR private list.
BYU and UoU
Question I have a problems in life. I think that the ultimate goal of life to achieve liberation. A person would continue to work toward liberation, but what happen if they fail to achieve liberation? A person life when full of calamities and miseries is because of one Karma. One should try to elevate to higher consciousness toward liberation, but what do one do about the miseries and calamities that one faces in life when one wants to not suffer at all.
In addition, I read the Bhagavad-Gita, but I have difficulty in the process of going about studying it because I am not Hindu since I am Asian and I am from the United States. It seems not a good idea to study other people religion perhap. However, if I go about studying Hinduism to achieve liberation, is there is any crime from it. Also, how do one know if one is liberated in this life or the next?
Finally, people establishes empires. Some people established empires to destroy another empire. How do one go about studying religion and trying to achieve liberation when the head or people of another empire demand that you not study religion?
Also, among the four world main religion: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism, what is the heirarchy of Gods. I mean, if one wants to study religion, he/she should follow a religion that is worth following. Which religion is better, and which is God is the most respected?
Answer Hello Henry, good to hear from you again.
I must admit that you do ask some serious questions! (grin) And what you ask certainly cannot be answered in a few, short emails. And frankly, I am probably not the correct person to ask. In short, here is how I see what you are asking.
1. I can agree with the goal of liberation. I may not use that particular word but I understand you point.
2. Suffering is part of this life. You can not escape and personally, I do not want to. We do not grow without opposition/suffering.
3. I think it is good to study other religion. The question is why? What are you seeking by doing do? Liberation or knowledge of other religions? I would be concerned that one can get lost in the morass of the worlds religions. At some point, you are going to have to make a decision and stick to it, live or die by that choice. I have and my life is much simpler because of it.
4. Liberation is a choice, regardless of religion or government. IF a government denies me the right to study anything, I defy that government and study what I choose.
5. Your last question is the rub. What religion is worth following is a personal choice and we must respect everyones choice. You may choice different than I. I respect that and support. But choose! Have the courage to make that decision. Which religion is better and which God is most respected is your choice. But remember this: the most popular may not be the correct one for you, me, or anyone. The majority may not be correct. I do not think the majority is ever correct in most things, particularly when it comes to politics and religion.
The key Henry is to choose. What aspects of a religious life is most valued to you? Determine that, find the closest religion to those values and take the plunge. Get in there, become part of that religion, cling to it, make it yours and pray you made the correct decision. None of really, truly know until after we die.
