Rich,

Although there are hints of Buddhist influences in the Middle East and the Greco-Roman world (e.g., Greek philosophers such as Heraclitus), it is doubtful that Buddhism exerted a great influence in the first century - especially in Palestine. I don't know for certain, but I don't think that historians have established a direct link between Buddhism and Greecian or Roman philosophies. For a clearer look at the world that Jesus no doubt experienced, I suggest reading the Dead Sea scrolls. The context of the period, I think, more heavily explains the reasons that Jesus' 'words' became as popular as they did (and still live even today).

*** In fact, Siddhartha Guatama's message was much more involved and peace loving. Lao Tzu was also of the same ilk. Also much earlier than Jesus.***

I've read both, and I disagree with what you are saying. From what we can tell, Jesus preached the concept of liberty and freedom from certain religious laws that became too restrictive and harsh, something that I think undermines our Western concepts of what is a superior morality. I personally don't think it is any concidence that the Western world as well as the advancement of science emerged from Christian nations. I can't think of a non-Christian country (i.e., by tradition) that I would choose to live more than the countries having this tradition. Can you?

Warm regards, Harv

• Correction - harvey1 - September 16, 2002 - 18:07 UTC
• Harv, I disagree! - richard - September 17, 2002 - 03:33 UTC
  • Maybe reading another book would help - carefuluniverse - September 17, 2002 - 05:43 UTC
    • Lotsa spelling errors; I hope it helps soften the note - carefuluniverse - September 17, 2002 - 05:46 UTC
  • I'm not slamming other religions - harvey1 - September 17, 2002 - 14:18 UTC
    • I feel you and are a team -- you elaborate my topics - quiet - September 17, 2002 - 17:02 UTC
      • I felt you AND I are a team -- but now we're feuding! - quiet - September 18, 2002 - 03:38 UTC
    • Interesting and I agree. - richard - September 17, 2002 - 18:09 UTC
      • Follow-up - harvey1 - September 17, 2002 - 18:29 UTC
        • Harvey, you have made me grumpy again too! - quiet - September 17, 2002 - 20:17 UTC
          • Sorry - harvey1 - September 17, 2002 - 20:24 UTC
            • I don't know who you are! - carefuluniverse - September 17, 2002 - 20:59 UTC
              • Well, I'm sorry if I offended you - harvey1 - September 17, 2002 - 21:11 UTC
                • You seem oblivious to ethics; maybe you will discuss ethics now - quiet - September 17, 2002 - 21:43 UTC
                  • Why are you so angry with me? - harvey1 - September 17, 2002 - 22:03 UTC
                    • "so angry"....Pray tell, how angry am I? - quiet - September 17, 2002 - 23:06 UTC
                      • I don't understand - harvey1 - September 17, 2002 - 23:56 UTC
                        • Harv, you stand accused of being a parttime troll - quiet - September 18, 2002 - 02:44 UTC
                          • Oh... - harvey1 - September 18, 2002 - 12:48 UTC
          • Tycho Brahe was the funniest of all Renaissance astronomers - stormcrow - September 18, 2002 - 03:24 UTC
            • Please support your assertion in the manner of today's students - quiet - September 18, 2002 - 03:40 UTC
      • The connection between Christianity and Science - quiet - September 17, 2002 - 20:27 UTC
        • You're sorry that Rich and you aren't friends - harvey1 - September 17, 2002 - 23:57 UTC
          • response to your odd characterization - quiet - September 18, 2002 - 02:50 UTC
            • To Mike Pearson - yanniru - September 19, 2002 - 17:20 UTC
              • Thanks for offering; you appear to be approaching someone else? - carefuluniverse - September 19, 2002 - 19:17 UTC
                • We will be investigated - yanniru - September 19, 2002 - 20:37 UTC
                  • Not much of a response...btw, I don't smoke - carefuluniverse - September 19, 2002 - 22:22 UTC
                    • If you want to attack the government - yanniru - September 20, 2002 - 16:09 UTC
                      • If you had read my posts up to know, you'd know - carefuluniverse - September 20, 2002 - 22:13 UTC
                        • Sounds ;ike a cop out - yanniru - September 21, 2002 - 20:14 UTC
                          • You forgot one thing in your rhetorical strategy - carefuluniverse - September 22, 2002 - 04:56 UTC
                            • Did I get th wrong Adams? - yanniru - September 22, 2002 - 17:08 UTC
                              • You give a bad name to making fun of the Bushes - carefuluniverse - September 22, 2002 - 20:26 UTC
                                • Rhides schommer - yanniru - September 23, 2002 - 12:06 UTC