Have you studied other religions?

Question

Or have you only considered the religion you are part of now? If you're an atheist, did the study of religion contribute to your decision to be an atheist, or have you always believed that there are no gods?

Answer 1

I grew up Catholic and am now Wiccan. I searched many different avenues before finding my path. But I'm still on a quest for knowledge concerning other religions. How can I fully understand something I don't have total knowledge of? Right now I have a call in to a rabbi at a local synagogue to see what I can do to learn about Judaism. I'm still learning about Christianity. Someday I want to learn more about Islam and Buddhism and all other faiths. It's fascinating to compare and contrast the different faiths.

Answer 2

I studied just about every religion in the world before becoming an atheist. I did everything in my power to cling to the Christian beliefs I was raised with. And I looked for every scrap of evidence I could find to disprove all of the facts that disproved the Bible. I looked and looked and looked, and unfortunately, the more I looked, the more facts I found. So I turned to other faiths, hoping to find some sort of "god" to replace the Christian one, which was obviously false.

Eventually, kicking and screaming, I finally had to admit that I had been duped by religion, from the get-go. And I became the dreaded "atheist". :)

Since then, now that the fear and withdrawal are overwith, I can see with unclouded vision, just how badly I was brainwashed. That's why some of my comments you may see here, may seem very "matter of fact". They seem that way, because they are. Given time, I can convince ANYONE that there is no God. I can disprove everything that they've ever been told about God. And that's a fact.

However, I simply don't have the time, nor the desire, to do this for every single person on the planet. I instead attempt to open their minds, so they will study the subject themselves...

Answer 3

Spiritual atheist speaking. I did read the NT years ago. The more I read, the more I felt christianity isn't the Path I am to take at that time. I discovered wicca after online "travels" to learn about the various religions of the world.

I became atheist cuz I had difficulties believing *honestly* in an afterlife. Then that progressed to difficulties believing honestly in a deity. I was theist once, so I have been on both ends of the fence. :-)

Answer 4

A very interesting question.We are all born already belonging to a certain religion, it is not really our choice. Is it up to us to go out there and study other religions? or do we just sit there and accept our fate.
I came to the above conclusion a few years ago and ever since then i have been studying different relgions. I however find books vague and not informative enough, there is so much to read and little help to assimilate all the information and guidelines.

I honestly think that studying is not enough, a person has to find the right scholar to teach him/her the real religion and not the fanatic interpretations given by some.

Answer 5

I've studied many religions and also I have made a point of discussing the religions with people that actually follow each. I don't claim a religion. I have not found one that fills all my needs. I just take what feels right from each and leave the rest.
Love & Light
Sharon
One Planet = One People

Answer 6

YES!!

1. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.

2. Dear God, I have a problem, it's Me.

3. Growing old is inevitable .. growing UP is
optional.

4. There is no key to happiness. The door is always
open.

5. Silence is often misinterpreted but never
misquoted.

6. Do the math . count your blessings.

7. Faith is the ability to not panic.

8. Laugh every day, it's like inner jogging.

9. If you worry, you didn't pray . If you pray,
don't worry.

10. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling
home everyday.

11. Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be
bent out of shape.

12. The most important things in your house are the
people.

13 When we get tangled up in our problems, be still.
God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.

14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.

15 He who dies with the most toys is still dead.

Answer 7

When I left christianity I studied a number of other religions on my own until I chose the path I now walk. Also when I was in college I voluntarily for my own curiosity and to fill electives took a number of classes in comparative religion.

Answer 8

I started life as a Christian and then wanted to be a buddhist, then I began hanging around with Muslims and now I'm a pagan.

I've learned a lot about religion and I have also taken time to research a lot of different religions. It's really interesting and as a reault I have a lot of respect for anyone of any religion.

Answer 9

Personally, I was raised in a Christian home. When I became an adult I began to question the tings I'd been taught. I studied all the major religions, all the major denominations, and atheism. I was willing to embrace whatever I discovered to be the truth. For myself, I am a Christian today because of conviction...not because it was "expected" or force fed.

Answer 10

I'm starting reading the Quran about the Muslim but I dont have any plans to change my religion cuz I grew up as a Christian but I dont wanna debate or compare from the both cuz somes are the same and I learn something good or I must say better for myself. And I must say we both have same GOD with the Muslims. And they have Jesus and Mary too. And at the Quran they mention there the birth or Jesus (Isa) and the virgin Mary (Mariam).