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You have invented a time machine. Among the many, many things you could possibly do with it, you first choose to transport, to your current time, any 4 historical figures and have dinner with them. Each will have complete knowledge of their lives (of course), but also will have complete knowledge of history up to the point of the dinner. You also get to choose the debate/discussion topic and can describe how you think it might go.
Which four would you choose and what would the debate/discussion topic be? How might it go?
The four I would choose (and this may be a cliche) would be four of the greatest/most important religious figures in history: Jesus Christ, Moses, Muhammad, and Siddhārtha Gautama (Budda). I would have them discuss their religious beliefs and differences and their opinions on the state of their religions, today.
I think the conversation would be fairly lively, and during the religiious beliefs/contrasts discussion, I think all would find some middle ground to agree on, though Budda would probably find himself less in agreement than the other three. Moses would certainly be the most vocal, having been there at the inception of where both Jesus and Muhammud's beliefs are based. Budda would be the least talkative, here, speaking more philosophically than directly. Moses and Muhanmmed would find some common ground in their warfare to protect their peoples; Jesus and Budda would be closer in their 'peaceful' descriptions, though all would agree that historical situations certainly impacted how each preached and protected their followers. When discussing theism, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammud would fundementally agree on God's role in their belief systems. Budda again would be in disagreement and would encourage the other three to no only look into themselves, but to become aware that their beliefs also may have originated from the inside. Moses might challenge Budda that his 'Four Passing Sights' might have been visions sent by the Lord to assist him in his journey. Jesus and Muhammud would agree and pu their own spin on it. All would learn something both about themselves and their religions.
When the conversation turned to the state of their religions' today. Jesus and Muhammed would quickly become the most vocal. Jesus would discuss his displeasure in many of his words and teachings being used for hate against humankind. He would be appalled at how Christianity has become a huge profiteering enterprise, rather than something that gives faith. Moses would agree with the latter statement around Judaism and would anger when discussing how the old testament had been perverted to hurt people. Muhammad, too, would show much displeasure in how his teachings had been twisted and would be totally disgusted in how Islam is often practiced, today. Speaking to Moses, he would appologize for the wrongs of Islam against Jews, being that many Islamic teachings are based on Judaism. Budda might be displeased at the lack of progression of his teachings and how they are seen as non-mainstream by many.
I think it would be a facinating dinner, and I know I would enjoy watching these four discuss their beliefs with each other.
OK, your turn. What four would you chose, what would the discussion be about, and how might it go?
Which four would you choose and what would the debate/discussion topic be? How might it go?
The four I would choose (and this may be a cliche) would be four of the greatest/most important religious figures in history: Jesus Christ, Moses, Muhammad, and Siddhārtha Gautama (Budda). I would have them discuss their religious beliefs and differences and their opinions on the state of their religions, today.
I think the conversation would be fairly lively, and during the religiious beliefs/contrasts discussion, I think all would find some middle ground to agree on, though Budda would probably find himself less in agreement than the other three. Moses would certainly be the most vocal, having been there at the inception of where both Jesus and Muhammud's beliefs are based. Budda would be the least talkative, here, speaking more philosophically than directly. Moses and Muhanmmed would find some common ground in their warfare to protect their peoples; Jesus and Budda would be closer in their 'peaceful' descriptions, though all would agree that historical situations certainly impacted how each preached and protected their followers. When discussing theism, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammud would fundementally agree on God's role in their belief systems. Budda again would be in disagreement and would encourage the other three to no only look into themselves, but to become aware that their beliefs also may have originated from the inside. Moses might challenge Budda that his 'Four Passing Sights' might have been visions sent by the Lord to assist him in his journey. Jesus and Muhammud would agree and pu their own spin on it. All would learn something both about themselves and their religions.
When the conversation turned to the state of their religions' today. Jesus and Muhammed would quickly become the most vocal. Jesus would discuss his displeasure in many of his words and teachings being used for hate against humankind. He would be appalled at how Christianity has become a huge profiteering enterprise, rather than something that gives faith. Moses would agree with the latter statement around Judaism and would anger when discussing how the old testament had been perverted to hurt people. Muhammad, too, would show much displeasure in how his teachings had been twisted and would be totally disgusted in how Islam is often practiced, today. Speaking to Moses, he would appologize for the wrongs of Islam against Jews, being that many Islamic teachings are based on Judaism. Budda might be displeased at the lack of progression of his teachings and how they are seen as non-mainstream by many.
I think it would be a facinating dinner, and I know I would enjoy watching these four discuss their beliefs with each other.
OK, your turn. What four would you chose, what would the discussion be about, and how might it go?