How does one become more accepting of others' religions?

Question

i practice a monotheistic religion, and i have a hard time understanding/accepting how people practice hinduism and other polytheistic religions

Answer 1

Just remember it's none of your business and you'll do fine :)

Answer 2

Perhaps the first step is to gain a right understanding. To do so, you must open your mind - a mind is like a parachute, it only works when it is open.

Hinduism is not simply "polytheistic." It is monotheistic polytheism. Hindus believe in Brahman, the Supreme Being, the Ultimate Reality. They believe in the unity of everything, and that Brahman is present in all living beings. The purpose of life is to realize that we are a part of that.

They also believe in a Trinity: Brahma (the cosmic mind), Vishnu (the cosmic lord). and Shiva (the transcendent Godhead). The trinity represents the Divine in its threefold nature and function.

While some have warned to beware of false teachings and prophets, I strive to see the similarities between religions whose believers seek to know God. And one does not have to "accept" another's religion to value and understand it, but I do not make it a practice to reject it offhand or to tell another that he/she is wrong, either.

Answer 3

Well, as far as Hinduism goes: they believe that all gods are a part of Brahma. So, in that way it is similar to a monotheistic religion. Other than that though, I suggest you concentrate less on what other people think and more on what they do.

Answer 4

It's easy - they think they're right as much as you think you are. You probably confuse them too. I don't think most religions will ever truly accept that any other makes sense, much less is correct. Of course I'm an atheist, and while I *technically* understand why people believe what they do, I certainly don't support any religion, certainly not ones who encourage the harm of those of a different faith.

Answer 5

Accept the person for who they are, not who they worship. The key is in understanding people's differences and respecting that difference. You may not always get along with people of different religions, but at least you try. And I think that by asking this question, you have taken the first step towards opening your mind.

Brightest blessings!

Answer 6

just sit down and discuss it with them... I am a follower of a monothesitic religion as well (Islam) and just simply tell them about my religion without arguing with them about it. You know, some hindus actually believe that their religion is monotheistic because they belive all of the Gods taht they worship are all representations of One real God. Just try and have an open mind when discussing religion with people if you really want your message to be heard instead of just bashing them becuase then no one will want to listen to u. =)

Answer 7

in my humble opinion we should just Accept other religions.Most religions have one thing in common..Love one another! i am Christian(not just Sunday Morning Pew warmer)and i have Friends from all sides of the spectrum ..Muslims,atheist and Jews. we all get along because we don't try to force our religion on somebody else.Sure especially right now we have some quite heated discussions but we all agree that Human beings have choices who to worship and how..I go with the "don't judge others"approach. I don't have to like the other religion but i also don't have the right to Judge another Persons Faith. I learned a lot from other People about their Faith and it helped me to accept their believes

Answer 8

For me, it was studying the works of Joseph Campbell. He studied the mythologies of many cultures and religions and discovered the similarities between the different stories.

And when it comes down to it, we are all after the same goals -- trying to make peace with our existance. If that means coming closer to our particular god, or simply living a good life . . . it's all a way to feel complete and part of something bigger than ourselves.

Just imagine, there are two towns. One called "Lost" and one called "Complete." There are hundreds of roads in between, but they all lead to the same place.

Answer 9

You will just have to get off your own block and get to know some of these other people. When you find out that they are just people like you but with different opinions you will feel better about it
It's easy to feel bad about an abstraction- "those Hindus" but hard to
do the same thing about "my friend Chitra"

Answer 10

It's a common thing to feel sorrow for those who we know are not going to heaven. Jesus NEVER taught of religious tolerance, but told us to spread the word of the gospel to ALL nations. It's a good thing that youare not accepting, anless you are mean about it. Then just feel sorry for them ,and try to guide them in the right direction.

Answer 11

Those people are just viewing God in a different way you view him. They're still decent people, and they are not evil. Think of it this way: There are THOUSANDS of religions on this Earth. So how could there only be one right one? All are right, and all are valid. Atheism included. Blessed be.