Dr. Chan
Final Essay
Within chapter 11 of The Huston Smith Reader, Smith brings up a lot of intriguing ideas on Christianity being the most materialistic religion. On the other hand, throughout Huston Smith’s interview with Bill Moyer, he places a large emphasis on the fact that he believes Buddhism is the most psychological religion. After reviewing these statements as well as Smith’s explanation on them, I agree with the statement that Christianity is the most materialistic religion, while Buddhism is the most psychological.
Before reading excerpts from The Huston Smith Reader, I had not thought too much in depth on the topic of Christianity being related with materialism. After reading chapter 11, I gained a wider understanding of what
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For the Kingdom of Heaven to come down to Earth, it means humans will be able to see the physical aspects of Heaven. Thus in a sense, making heaven or the after life materialistic at a future time. As explained in this quote, the body is also part of the physical world, and therefore materialistic. Not only does the west place a large emphasis on the physical aspect of the body, but Christianity does also. They teach that each human being was made in God’s image. Therefore, when you are looking at another physical human body you see God's creation. This aspect of Christianity is very materialistic in a philosophical sense. Also, as expressed within The Huston Smith Reader, the book of genesis reflects Christianity being very materialistic. When explaining the creation of the world within genesis Huston Smith explains the bible states: “God created the heavens and the earth”, and before the chapter concludes it has God surveying all that he created He created, earth included, “and behold it was very good.”(Smith, 114). According to these readings within Genesis as well as Huston Smith explanations, the bible depicts everything God created, that being the physical world, to be good. As followers of Christ, Christians are taught to look at the environment and what meets the eye to be both be created in God’s image and good. For that reason, Christianity can be described as a very materialistic …show more content…
Tawney explains the rise of capitalism and shift in Christianity as a two-way street. The change in Christian views on social and economic life as well as the rise of capitalism can a be associated with the change in the societal setting and its view on