Where do people get their info about other religions? Why do they persist in their misinformation?

Question

I will not mention any particulars but I have seen many posts that people answered stating things that make no sense. That show they have no idea about what a faith or denomination believe or practice? Do we believe what we have heard about everyones faith or do we seek, ask and learn for ourselves?

I believe in education but not public education. These days that is the worst place to learn anything.

Answer 1

Debra - I agree. I am saddened by how little people know about religions beyond their own, or even about their own religion, and yet they still persist in making false claims and providing false information.

I have often wanted to ask what makes a person a credible authority on their own religion, much less what it takes to be a credible authority on a variety of relgions. But I figure - what's the point?

I don't mean to be harsh, but people love to show their own ignorance, but they hate when you point that out.

Answer 2

I would have to say the majority of people blindly follow their religion. They do not research, question, or seek answers on their own.

I have a friend who has switched religions many many many times in her life; all of which she was a devote follower (no matter if her new religion lasted a day, or a year). Many of her religions placed women in a subserviant possision, yet she believed every word that came out of the pastors mouth. Eventually she would grow tired of that faith, and move onto another one-stateing how "crazy" the last religion was. Many times her "friends" have coaxed her back into the women hating religions; to which she returns and, again, is a devout ****** (i wont state the name of the religion). In each religion, she can totally justify their practices (in her mind, anyways).
While she is probably an extreme example, it goes to show you how people blindly follow.
There only needs to be one leader sheep to move the herd.

think about nazi germany... do you really think all those people believed in a supreme race? probably not, more than likely they were all followers, and no one was brave enough to stray from the pack. I digress...

How many people have been born into a religion, and never given it a second thought? Just because thats the way it has always been, doesnt mean its right! and are you really a believer if you have never sought other answers? no, you're pretty much moving with the pack. How can you have strong convictions, when you know nothing else?

Answer 3

I've heard and read on this site the opinion that if you "really" want to know what a particular faith or denomination believes then you should go to the practitioners and ask them. However, I've found that to be a wise sounding but false method of investigation.

What a person who really wants to know the truth should do is to find out what the practitioners have to say, what their critics have to say and what the Bible has to say about the results of their investigations. Also a person should realize that not all congregations or even individual believers in a particular congregation have the exact same belief system on many issues.

Since you are of the Catholic faith, let me give you an example. Some people here claim that Catholics "worship" Mary. The official position of the RCC is that Mary is not to be "worshipped" but that special recognition is to be given to her of whom the Bible says "thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women."

But how it plays out in individual lives varies greatly. Some Catholics assign to Mary a place of semi-divinity while others only honor her as the chosen vessel through whom our blessed Savior would come into this world.

The Internet is a very imperfect method of communication for several reasons.

1. Often times people lack effective writing skills and the words they choose are not the best ones to convey their ideas to others.

2. When someone reads what another person has posted they cannot hear a tone of voice or see a facial expression and these important clues to understanding leave a vacuum that gets filled in by the readers imagination.

3. The time delay between and or lack of clarifying questions and responses greatly degrades the accuracy of the transfer of ideas between two people.

Answer 4

I totally agree. It is quite annoying to read or hear people say things that they assume are true about another person's religion, and know that they just heard that from somebody who was bigoted and misinformed.

Part of the problem is that some people practice a religion without really finding out enough about it. So many amateurs and ignorant people who profess to "be" something, and yet they haven't even researched their own religion and figured out what it's all about yet.

Cradle Catholics are often guilty of this. Some of them have not learned anything about the teachings of the church since 1950. We should grow and learn about our faith. When ignorant remarks are made, we should be able to refute them.

Answer 5

I think alot of people are just afraid to step outside their little world. They are comfy in their little world. I would question my mother on religion and the only answer I ever got was, ''because that is the way it is'', or you don't question it because it is a miracle''. Well, I stepped outside, and when I did I converted to Judaism from Christianity. Blind faith is not really faith at all-----it is a zombie existence. Whatever your religion is, know and study it. Study other religions so you know why you believe what you believe, and if you really believe it.

Answer 6

I get my information from listening to the other religions, and comparing it to the Bible. Never take a man's word for it.

I have not found a religion that encompasses the entire Biblical teachings. there is always something missing.

I do attend church at the denomination that I have found to be the closest to biblical teachings.

Answer 7

I feel that the best way to learn about a religion is to read about it, and then talk to someone that has those beliefs, not a fanatic, they just spew dogma. You should not judge what you do not understand. Understanding makes tolerance easier.

Answer 8

I believe in education. Sometimes what you are reading is just somebody's impression of a religion. I prefer to look up information myself.

Answer 9

I always say never believe anything about a religion unless you do the research yourself. Read the religious text. Talk to clergy from the religion (or read what the clergy have written).

Answer 10

Hey Debra well its good that you have been trying to find some thing which every one should do.

Try to log to this web site www.irf.net By Dr Zakir nakie

I hope you will get your answer from there what you are looking for.