Are you an interfaith believer?

Question

Can you successfully have beliefs of different faiths, and not just one? I was born and raised a Christian (Baptist) but find myself drawn to Eastern religions (primarily Buddhism) as well as earth-based religions and new age/metaphysical concepts.

Do you think it betrays your beliefs in your primary religion to learn about and accept concepts from other religions? (Or is this my Baptist guilt?) Do you think God frowns on those of us who are interfaith? Why is it so hard to not box yourself in with one label or choice?

I find myself feeling guilty about it sometimes, but on a deep level I don't see a problem with it. In fact, if you study many different religions, they all have some of the same core beliefs. What are your thoughts on this?

Answer 1

I think it is foolish to ignore the wisdom of other cultures and faith systems. The richness of your own faith journey can only be strengthened by taking a hard look into other faiths as well as your own. And choosing to know Jesus as Lord and Savior instead of merely following in the guilt-driven religious practices will bring you a deeper spiritual walk.

Acclaimed scholars broaden their experience by digging deep into other faiths and religious practices, and holding on to the wisdom and insights they find. I say, go for it, and watch your heart. Don't go looking for jazzy, shallow thrills or you'll be disappointed and deceived. Truth is strong enough to weather the journey of the heart.

Answer 2

That really depends on the religions you are attempting to mix. Those such as Christianity mostly frown upon other practices. However, your case with Christianity, Eastern, and geocentric faiths could be complex. . .if Buddhism is the tradtion of the East you are drawn to, you may not be violating Christian ideals, as Buddhists are typically focused on knowledge and serenity. The nature religions present more of a problem--such faiths were the main adversaries of Christianity when it first developed. It may only be the One True Way dogma of Christian teachings that is troubling your thoughts.

Answer 3

How can you possibly stand with other religions and worship different gods? That is EXACTLY what the RC church does. A few years ago the last pope held an interfaith ceremony at the Vatican, and each person prayed to their "god", there were wiccans and snake charmers praying to their gods and RCs praying to their gods
and every religion praying to their own gods. i suppose even Satanists would be praying to satan!
This brings down The Lord Jesus Christ and no self respecting Christian would attend such a wicked and evil ceremony.
There is only one God and that is the Lord Jesus Christ, we are told in John 4:6 "I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the father but by me."
As there is only one God why would I accept anyone elses diety as equal to Jesus? this would be blasphemy. All religions apart from Christianity require that you can earn your own way into heaven, Only Christianity accepts that Christ has paid the price in full at Calvary and there is nothing we can do to earn our way to heaven

Answer 4

CreatingMyself, if you truly believe in the God of the bible, then in the old testaments, Exodus 34:14 to be exact states something very important that I think you should read. Being an interfaith person contradicts being a christian. One thing you might ask is "hey, since Jesus died for me on the cross, I can do this and ask for forgiveness" well, it doesn't quite work that way. God cannot be fooled. He knows when you truly repent of your sins. But let's not be too restrictive here, God did give you free will, and he acknowledges this in Genesis 2:16-17. He sets before you life and death, I say choose life.

Answer 5

I happen to know many folks like yourself including me. I have criticized for it by people of all faiths too. I don't them bother me because I have found something that worked for me. Rather than identify myself as a Christowiccanzenbuddhist, I simplify things and say I'm Agnostic. And it's the truth because I don't know what or if any religion hits the nail on the head. I just know there is a power that most call God and that I ain't it.

Answer 6

CHRIST is the only truth. He is the only way to Heaven and Eternity with God.

Some other beliefs have good concepts about how you should live life. but the authority that they are drawn from is human. All that these belief systems believe is capable of failure. Christ will never fail to love you or allow you into the gates of Heaven if you follow him. Be careful. Do not be a stumbling block to you other Christians.
praying that you make the right choices in life.

Answer 7

Well first, there is no God. So sure you can do what you want seeing that when you die you'll find out this whole thing was a sham to make the people who ran the place of faith you worshipped at rich.

2 POINTS! Wooooo!

Answer 8

No. Jesus contradicts ALL other faiths. His claims are either true or crap. You be the judge (although your opinion doesn't determine what the truth is).
Example- The Bible is God-centered.

Buddhism's philosophy, "Pursue personal happiness." Yikes! The Dali Llama said this...my mind jumps to Hitler & his pursuit of personal happiness.

Read the listed book below, it deals with a lot of issues.

Answer 9

if you believe in god so much, maybe ask him. maybe religion stemmed from 1 person and the next person said 'i don't like that' and changed a couple things. then the next didn't like that and so on thousands of years ago. i dislike religions that say 'thou shall not kill,' but still chooses to have wars and it's ok to kill then. or when they say ppls of other faith will go to hell. seems all lame to me.

Answer 10

To me it's like trying to mix oil and water. God is not an author of confusion therefore false religions and other doctrines just can't be mixed with God's word and his truth.