Providing is only one of father’s functions. A good father guides his son to safety, and sometimes forces him there. Why? Because a child doesn’t always know what will harm him and what won’t. The child thinks he wants cookies for supper…the father knows that this would harm him. The obedient son accepts his father’s authority, even if he doesn’t understand it.

But ignorance doesn’t release child from responsibility. The father might use his authority to lay a foundation, but expects son to some day understand reasons behind his actions. The father expects his son to grow and mature…but always realize his own inferiority to father. Always ready to accept his father’s direction.

It’s same with God and us. We’re not so much commanded to accept our foolishness (or simplicity) but to realize it and accept Christ’s authority when we disagree. Sometimes this means accepting rule of Christ’s Church, and is an act of will. Sometimes, it’s forced upon us. Like when we face some disaster and wonder “How could God let this happen to me?”

This is what it means to have child-like faith. This is how we’ll enter into heaven. And this is why Bible constantly points out our foolishness. Because in shadow of God, our own intellect and knowledge of what’s good for us isn’t always focused. And more we realize it, more it becomes our duty to gain that understanding, but accept authority until we do.

Like all major religions Buddhism contains a morality, rituals and behaviours, certain ethical values and an origin of existence, yet because Buddhists do not believe in an all knowing creator God some claim that Buddhism fails to be a religion. The large variety of definitions of religion shows that we can never give a solid, one answer description of what it is that religion is and does.

We must remember that previously Buddhism has many names such as Buddha’s teaching or message, or Buddha’s way or path of attainment. Although religious status of Buddhism has come under constant attack, we could argue that questioning is in fact, not necessary. If we were able to ask Buddha if Buddhism was in fact a religion or not he would probably answer with response that it does not matter. To Buddhist, their beliefs are essentially a philosophy by which individuals can attain release from world of karma and rebirth. Knowing whether or not Buddhism is a religion or not cannot lead to salvation, only through practice and understanding can one be led to a happiness which is not transient.

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