Has anyone here ever read a relgious book that didn't belong to their faith, if so, what happened? Did you convert to that religion? If not, did it strengthen your beliefs?
2006-08-23 19:23:28 · 13 answers · asked by princezelph 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I have read many that is out side my own religion, I have read the Quran, and I am now reading the Ghagavad Ghita. They help me in strenthing my relationship with God and that every religion has truths.
2006-08-23 19:50:36 · update #1
I've read many books outside my own faith group. I didn't convert, but I did learn some insights about other belief systems. It would be quite dull to read books that only pertained to one's own religious beliefs. How could you learn about other religions without reading some of their texts?
2006-08-23 19:29:48 · answer #1 · answered by thaliax 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I was brought up Catholic and started reading texts from other religions and christians texts outside the accepted canon a year or 2 ago such as the Book of James, the Gospel of Barnabas, the Qur'an etc. After reading the Qur'an, I converted to Islam. It has strengthened my belief in God and while the Bible has lots of truth to it and wise advice, the Qur'an actually made me believe. I couldn't not believe becuase for the first time I thought of God as exising and not just a far off concept that is in story books. The Book of James is also another very good noncanonical new testament book. I'm surprised it is not in the Bible when Revelations is. The Gospel of Barnabas, while it is probably truthful in many respects seems too close to the language and the vocabulary of the Qur'an to be considered an origianlly Aramaic eyewitness account, but I could be wrong. I havn't looked into many other books, but the ones I have read hit me hard.
2006-08-24 03:26:50 · answer #2 · answered by Michael M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, when I was an "apatheist" who had left the church a couple years previously, a Pagan book, Marion Weinstein's "Positive Magic," made Paganism look very appealing to me, and I converted soon after reading it.
Now reading books from other religions tends to make me grateful for the faith I have, though some contain some good thoughts and ideas. There was a wonderful essay on pain that touched my heart in a book about being a liberal Christian, by Nevada Barr.
2006-08-24 02:27:03 · answer #3 · answered by GreenEyedLilo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only Christian books I read now are written by authors whom I know what they stand for and believe in. I am always very careful what I read, because there are many authors out there who pen very misleading and false doctrines and beliefs. I believe the entire Bible, beginning to end. If the author goes against any of God's Word, I will not support them by buying their books. Good question. God bless you!!!
2006-08-24 02:44:53 · answer #4 · answered by ayw21165 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have read a few things outside of my beliefs. I tried reading the Book of Mormon. I felt God tell me right away to put it down, that I didn't need it for my life. I've read books on several different beliefs. Actually my dad used to tell me to do my research and find the religion that best fit me....it is Christianity! It just makes sense to me! And God has shown me that He is real. I think maybe I should write a book!
2006-08-24 02:43:14 · answer #5 · answered by gracefully_saved 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I love reading Jewish Hasidic Books! Very interesting.
I read Anton La Veys Satanic Bible.
Read Chairman Mao's Little Red Book.
Darwin's -Origin of Species about six times.
The Buddha - Standard Hotel Version -while in Japan.
The Official Roman Catholic Catechism -- shocking, some of it.
Many Science Of Mind Books.
Morals and Dogmas - Albert Pike = by the top Mason of USA.
Dozens more....................
What happened? --- I learned.
Did any convert me --- no, not at all.
Strengthen my faith -- not really.
2006-08-24 02:33:02 · answer #6 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My parents were muslim and I was born in a muslim (Shiite) country but I hate it. Anyways I read the Old and New testaments because Quran says they are sent by God. I could easily understand they are written by people.However, I like the image of Jesus Christ given by the Bible. The words ascribed to have a celestial echo to me. I also have read Budhists and Hindu books and I love the wisdom in them. Avesta of Zoroastrians as well.
But none of these books could convince me the God looks like what they say.
2006-08-24 02:35:29 · answer #7 · answered by traveller 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have read many other books. Generally they have strenthened my faith. They have certainly widened my views. One of my favorites is the Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna. It has a lot of short stories and parables. Many I can use in a Christian context. It wouldn't make me a Hindu, but I can better understand those who are.
2006-08-24 02:36:36 · answer #8 · answered by Woody 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've read the new testament and lots of christian materials. I must confess, I lost a lot of respect for christianity. The books and material were sooooooooo lame, especially compared to the type of scholarship and genius I'm used to seeing in classical jewish books.
2006-08-24 02:26:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have, and it made me appreciate my faith even more. Not necessarily because I thought it was entirely untrue though. Just how organized and how much more sense it seemed to make to me.
It was a testimony strengthening experience. Way cool.
2006-08-24 02:26:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋