When we read the teachings of Buddha, we realize that he was an extraordinary thinker. Born into a very wealthy family, he rejected materialism and lived a life of asceticism. Later, he returned to the path of moderation, a path of balance. I believe we should respect Buddha; he was a very wise man. He never spoke of God; he was agnostic regarding God. He spoke of nirvana, reincarnation, and negative karma itself until finally reaching nirvana, but he never spoke of God. Jesus Christ stated that there is only one living God and that He is God in human form. Jesus stated that the way to heaven is not to pay for sins through a cycle of reincarnation; He stated that the way to heaven is through His death on the cross, where He sacrificed His life for our sins. It is said that a man was sinking in quicksand and cried out for help! Buddha passed by him and said that there was proof that entering quicksand was not a good idea. Muhammad passed by and said it was the will of Allah. Confucius, a determinist, passed by and said, "Let this serve as a lesson to the world: do not step into quicksand." Then Jesus Christ passed by, extended his hand, and said, "Here, friend, hold on tight, I will save you." In other words, I will do for you what you cannot do for yourself. I will save you. That is the fundamental difference between Jesus Christ and all the major religions of the world. All religions say, "Strive, improve, be good." Jesus Christ says, "You cannot do it alone, you have sinned, you have rebelled against God, you are walking towards condemnation." But Christ says, "I want to save you, I am extending my hand through my death on the cross. Hold on tight."
