Jesus or Buddha? Part 1

THIS POST IS NOT ABOUT SURFING, SO PLEASE READ THROUGH

Last year Evan Slater left SURFING Magazine and a new editor stepped up to take the helm, Travis Ferre. Well with change comes change. The magazine is roughly the same as it was but there are a few subtle differences. In every issue there is a section where a young (13-19 yrs) up and coming surfer is given a list of questions and then the surfer usually gives a one or two word response. This takes up about half a page so it's not a big deal for the most part. But I enjoy seeing what their thoughts on the world are versus mine. What really intrigues me is the question, "Jesus or Buddha". The first time I saw the question I thought to myself, "like Buddha stands a chance". But as the months have rolled on it seems these kids are half and half on Buddha. In fact I think only two kids have said Jesus. Others have listed other things so the majority of responses have been Buddha.
Where I'm form Buddha isn't an option. But where I'm from is not where I am. A few weeks I was giving a talk to a group of college kids and I explained to them how much I am exposed to in Miami ( please leave your " I aint never been out the south b'fore" jokes on the site you just came from). Being in an environmental science department at a school with 38,000 students forces you to interact with someone with different views, usually on a daily basis. Going to farmers markets where people are trying to sell you overpriced cake and sandwiches with no animal products because it is bad for the environment (among others, this is just one issue..... I will explain later) has got me to think about one thing, Why? Why should I do whats good for the environment? Why should I care? Why? DON'T NAVIGATE AWAY KEEP READING
You might be reading this and you find that your eyes just rolled. You might be thinking that, "this is just a kid who is on this eco-fad and will change when he didn't get a job because he smelled so bad because he hasn't showered in a week to conserve water". NO, this is not what this is series is about. What's real is the fact that Earth is in turmoil. But not the way that you may think. However, there is one 'shining star' in the night. This one group in particular (among others, but let's focus) is doing something about it. I'm talking about people that practice Eastern religions (or at least think they do). What I mean by this is the practice of connecting oneself with nature, spiritualism, Hinduism, Buddhism....whatever. These are not exclusive or conclusive. This confuses me, because I'm convinced it is Christianity ALONE, not Buddha that can solve our environmental problems. And yes, I will explain myself. What I'll do is tell you what the situation is and what needs to be done......and who's the best at it. So please, keep checking in over the next few weeks.
What you have to understand is this is not out to get anybody but to offer a idea of sustainability in which I've never heard anybody talk about. About why Christians, those perceived oil loving, solar power hating, carnivorous people, who have 'taken dominion' of this world should, rather ......have to be the ones to save the world. So Jesus or Buddha?



You may leave questions, comments, rants, and hate mail below.


~Brett