Should you study other faiths by reading about them or?

Question

by studying WITH them, in depth, so that you are fully informed from their perspective?

For example, I always wondered why people hate the Jehovah's witnesses so I studied in depth with them. Then I did the same with the Mormons, to better understand them. I am neither one of these, but I do know now where they are coming from and can discuss their faith in depth with them and others.

Answer 1

Read and study with them. It sounds like you are on the right path. The one thing I would suggest is to not limit yourself to Christian theologies but to open your mind to many faiths to understand can bring a forgiveness that you might not get from studying a single religion and it's many sects (Christianity alone has many different sects Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Mormon... ...).

To err is Human to forgive is Divine (no matter the religion). Learn to forgive in as many ways as you can.
Any way you can, but learn.

Answer 2

I think that if you have the opportunity to study with them, in depth, that this really helps to bring real understanding about what the people who follow the religion actually believe. Sometimes things are written about religions but they are done so from a bias. The person writing the text isn't from that religion and usually has a bias towards it. Reading the sacred texts of some religions can be difficult because there is symbolism and meaning that are relevant to a certain time or to the culture that the texts were written in. Thus, being with others from that religion always proves more beneficial I have found, when it is possible. It is not easy to always find people of some religions and so the only means to learn anything may have to come from texts. The internet, thankfully, has connected many of us and thus this has actually helped in some ways.

My approach is to always learn from the followers of the religion. You'll find that most people seem to be overjoyed to get to share their beliefs with you, even if they know you aren't interested in joining the religion. They seem to radiate when they get to share and explain what it is they believe and the fact that they know that you are listening and asking questions. So my approach is similar to yours and I have found, like you, that I tend to understand their beliefs and the overall religion a lot better (and gain a lot more respect for it as well) when I learn from the followers of the religion rather than just reading (although reading can still be useful in its own way, too, for some).

Answer 3

You are very wise! There is no better way to understand anything whether it be making tacos, rebuilding an engine or religion than to study it (please note I started from the easiest to the hardest). If one is too rigidly anchored to their believes that they cannot open their eyes to what is around them...how can they know for sure they have the/are right in their believes. I find the more I understand the other faiths the stronger mine becomes! My mother was looking for a faith that was hers that we (as a family) had tried Mormonism, Lutheran,Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Roman Catholic, her best fit was Episcopalian. Mine is a nondenominational Filipino church with a twinge of Catholic. I also have an interest in non Christian religions like understanding the Muslim religion and I also like most of what I have read about Buddhism...though I will not switch the faith I have found or should I say that found me!
wanderer

Answer 4

If you have the opportunity to both read about them and to study with them, that is wonderful, just make sure that you have studied and understand your own choice of worship, so that you can easily detect the differences.

We have had Wednesday night bible studies of other world religions and they are very informative and open to the entire population. I find it very interesting when someone of that way of worship or religion takes the time to attend and answer questions and sometimes they learn more about their history and way of worship than they did before.

So yes, its good to know history and beliefs of others and yourself.

Answer 5

We're all on our own path. We should always search out new ideas that challenge our pre-programed ways of thinking. I would say that it would be best to study by reading about them, however I see no problem in studying with them, as long as you keep perspective, and don't allow them to force you to believe something simply because they say it's so. Also, be eclectic. learn about as many different religions as you can, so that you can compare and contrast. I believe that all religions have some truth, and by studying all of them, you can piece the whole truth together.

Answer 6

You can't fully understand something from an outside perspective, if you really want to understand them than be them, otherwise you just have an outsider's perspective.

The good thing is, you already are them and it's just a matter of allowing yourself to be them.

Answer 7

It would take too long to study all the faiths with their followers plus you would be getting their interpretation. Reading books I think is a good start and your free to form your own opinions.

Answer 8

If you truly want to have understanding and knowledge, then it's better to study with them than just reading their Holy Book.

Answer 9

YES the problem is make sure the info you are reading is STRAIT from the source and NOT from some idiot that thinks they know about this or that religion when they are not a member of it

Answer 10

i think first a person should learn fully about its own faith, then only he/she can understand whatz written in other faiths. Yes we should study other faiths but if we don't know what's in our faith, we will not be able to understand other faiths.