Temples - All Faiths (priest, tradition, churches, pagan, blessing)

[Bishka]

I have a question, I was just reading, and I realized that a lot of faiths actually do have temples, I've noticed more Eastern then Western faiths.

I guess I have a two-sided question. Which faiths do have temples and why do the eastern faiths have more then the western do?

[jewscout]

Judaism has a Temple, but we are waiting for it's rebuilding now.

[James the Persian]

Do the eastern faiths have more than the western? I don't believe so. What else is a church building other than a temple by another name? In some Orthodox traditions, in fact, the church buildings are referred to as temples. In mine they are referred to as basilicas (which is rather closer in meaning to town hall in the original Latin). I don't think that the word used to desribe the building really matters and I would certainly say that an Orthodox church functions as a temple. How and why do you distinguish between churches and temples?

James

[kreeden]

Originally Posted by jewscout

Judaism has a Temple, but we are waiting for it's rebuilding now.

As I understand it , there are many problems faced in that rebuilding . From the fact that a Temple of another Faith now stands there { which actually is a simple problem ** , to the question of who would make up the Priesthood { not so simple a problem **.

As for the question , I agree with James . There usually isn't much difference in a church and a temple .

[Green Gaia]

Do UU church buildings count? Or are you talking about something different?

[jewscout]

Originally Posted by kreeden

As I understand it , there are many problems faced in that rebuilding . From the fact that a Temple of another Faith now stands there { which actually is a simple problem ** , to the question of who would make up the Priesthood { not so simple a problem **.

the Kohanim would make up the Preisthood...there are still people who can (or claim to) trace their linage to the Kohanim of the Temple days, they give the priestly blessings on high holy days at shuls around the world.
there are also people who trace themselves to the Levi's as well, in fact the Rabbi at KBI, our orthodox shul, is a Levite.
but the temple rebuilding is traditionally believed to coincide w/ the coming of the Moshiach who, i'm sure, will be able to select the best men for the job.

[Feathers in Hair]

As a pagan, the forests are my temple. It may sound trite, but it's true! (And may explain why I dislike litterbugs with a passion.)

[ChrisP]

There are Taoist temples, but I prefer to use the world as my temple. Always mindful of the way of things.

Originally Posted by FeathersinHair

As a pagan, the forests are my temple. It may sound trite, but it's true! (And may explain why I dislike litterbugs with a passion.)

I do like a good bit of meditation in the forest though. Fortunately the hill up the top of my street is covered in sub-tropical rainforest. (hill is probably an understatement)

I'll try and get some pics of it, and the view from the top, cos it is beautiful.