On Nov. 29, 2017, Pope Francis met with the Supreme “Sangha” Council of Buddhist monks of Myanmar.
Pope Francis told the Council that religious leaders need a “common witness.”
“For when we speak with one voice in affirming the timeless values of justice, peace and the fundamental dignity of each human person, we offer a word of hope,” he said.
This witness, Francis said, is particularly needed at a time when, despite technological progress and a rising awareness in society of our common humanity, “the wounds of conflict, poverty and oppression persist, and create new divisions.
“In the face of these challenges, we must never grow resigned,” Francis said.
He Showed respect to his hosts, upon arriving to the Kaba Aye Center, Francis took his shoes off but kept on his black socks, in itself an exception, since both monks and visitors always walk barefooted in the Pagodas.
once again he expressed strongly on how we all need to be united in the statement ” “If we are to be united, as is our purpose, we need to surmount all forms of misunderstanding, intolerance, prejudice and hatred,” he said. To exemplify this, he gave two quotes, one from Buddha, and one attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, both expressing similar sentiments.”
Throughout the Bible, it states how we are not to be unified with, nor do the works of other religions.
For example —
Exodus 23:24 says:
“Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works.”
We are admonished:
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14
2 Corinthians 6:17 tells us:
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”
The Pope is in fact doing the opposite of what Christ and the apostles admonished.
It is true that we are to love one another, but are we advised to condone or partake in their sins for the sake of unity?
“We cannot purchase peace and unity by sacrificing the truth. The conflict may be long and painful, but at any cost we must hold fast to the Word of God” (Historical Sketches 197).
