I've moved from a legalistic Christian country to a legalistic Buddhist one. I still can't find people who know what its all about. Why claim to be something you're not? And that question applies to both countries. I'd guess that a good proportion of the folks who would write 'christian' on a survey in the States don't do more than dress up and attend some kind of service and feel that somehow pleases the creator of the world.

And here, the questions I've asked are things like Do you like it? Do you feel a spiritual peace after ceremonies? What promises and edification do Buddhist teachings give you? Why don't the temples give back to the community? And the answers are indifferent. Then why do it? And if my friends in the States aren't going to follow the “instructions” for a better life given to us in the Bible, why say you believe in it? Its a good idea for me, but not for you? Do you think me weaker and needing a crutch? On the contrary, if you knew the girl I used to be you'd be impressed with who the lord has made her into. We're all cut from the same mold, so I'm pretty sure the instruction manual is the same. Working on getting rid of sins in my life, serving others, not having sex until marriage, and accepting God's foregiveness has worked out pretty doggone well for me... hm, almost as if I've been blessed because I believe in the awesome things that are promised when we live life God's way. Profound.

I'm gonna say going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a forest makes you a tree... and let me come up with a Cambodian one.... saying you're Buddhist just because you're Khmer doesn't make you any more Buddhist than standing on our road in our village makes you a cow pie. I may be offensively over-simplifying, but its just one of those days. Everyone, seek after something worth while!