The bible says stay away from things which are not of God but do you think in order to refute other beliefs you should have a basis for making argument against what they believe?
2006-11-04 01:39:16 · 27 answers · asked by Godb4me 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Ignorance is not a good way to live in the world. There are so many different religions and cultures out there that we experience through a lifetime that make it imperitive that we understand others beliefs systems.
As a Christian, I find it very interesting to learn about other religions.
First, it helps me to understand where people of other religions are coming from. What makes them believe this or that?
Second, it helps me to understand how best to minister to these people when they have questions or need help.
Third, it tests my knowledge of my own faith and religion because I can see what is of God and what is not of God.
Fourth, it keeps us from making rash judgments. I believe it was fear of the unknown that caused things like the Salem witch trials.
And lastly, it teaches me tolerance and how to love the person but not what they do or believe. Because I am not basing my feelings out of fear, I can easily tell someone, I don't agree with whta you are doing, but that is your choice and as a person I will not have a problem with you.
For instance, say I met someone new and they invited me over to their house. They are wiccan, but I didn't know it when I accept to go to their house. When I walk in, because of my knowledge of their religion, I automatically know that they practice wicca. Instead of freaking out and reacting to it, their religion does not have to become an issue. If they bring it up, then we could have a discussion about our differences in beliefs. Had I not had an understanding of what their religion was like, I would probably react by calling them "devil worshippers" or "satanists" instead of seeing them as a person. It would also probably impress them, since I was a Christian, to understand the differences between wicca and satanism instead of grouping them all together.
2006-11-04 02:15:21 · answer #1 · answered by shybusch 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You don't need to research and examine the lessons of all of the many faiths. You want best be trained what the Bible particularly teaches approximately actual worship. To illustrate: In many lands, there's a difficulty with counterfeit cash. If you got the activity of deciding upon out such fake cash, how could you move approximately it? By memorizing each type of counterfeit? No. Your time could be higher spent in the event you studied truly cash. After you knew what truly cash seemed like, you might appreciate a counterfeit. Similarly, after we be trained learn how to establish the real faith, we will appreciate the ones religions which are fake.
2016-09-01 07:01:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would you assume it made sense to refute the beliefs of others?
When I study comparative religions I am struck by how similar the core beliefs of all religions are. The similarities so astonishingly out weigh the differences, they are almost nonexistent.
The only differences are always things that were obviously added on later in attempts to control people and keep them from straying outside the fold.
God obviously was careful to give his/her true message to all cultures. Nonsense about there being only one acceptable way to show our love and respect for God were add on's.
Love and blessings don
2006-11-04 01:52:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think it is an absolutely wonderful thing to study the ways of others. If you fail to do this, you're only keeping in mind whatever stereotypes or misinterpretations you've come across, and that can have ill effects on society and humanity.
Researching and learning about another religion does not mean that you have to believe in it, nor are you betraying your own religion. It's knowledge, God granted us with knowledge and with a brain to build on that knowledge. We should utilize his gifts to the fullest.
Just FYI, I am a Muslim and have studied religions ranging from the big three, to indigenous religions, to polytheist religions, to religions with no deity/deities. I don't necessarily believe all of them to be true, but I do believe that all of them have truths. What others believe is not for me to judge, however by understanding those beliefs, I understand the person better. My mind is not filled with stereotypes and misinterpretations and confusion that cause unnecessary drifts and gaps between societies.
2006-11-04 01:52:22 · answer #4 · answered by hayaa_bi_taqwa 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Yes it is a good idea so you can discuss yours versus their's intelligently. You might find out they have more in common with your religion than you think.
EXAMPLE OF THAT:
Guy where I used to work was Baptist and all his life he had been raised to believe all Catholics were going to hell and the Catholic church was more or less the church of the Satan.
His daughter met and was getting married to a Catholic so he had to attend the services.
He was totally amazed because everything he had been raised to believe in his church about the Catholic Church was wrong.
He total me that he was amazed the Catholics believed a lot like the Baptist in a lot of things, that they were very Jesus orientated like the Baptist.
2006-11-04 02:02:30 · answer #5 · answered by JUAN FRAN$$$ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is good to know about other religions because it allows you to be tolerant while making you able to not step on anyone's toes inadvertantly. You should have no trouble in standing firm in your own religion as long as you are firm in it simply becuase you ask about others. Soometimes you can find similarities in different religions as well which can lead to at least a tolerance of each other on some level that i think God wanted. We are not to be led astray from our religion by others but we are to love all. How can you love something you do not understand?
2006-11-04 01:52:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes I do. I spent roughly half my life not believing in God. I have read and learned quite a bit from eastern religions during that time.(Mostly from Taoism) And read Neistzche voraciously, along with Ayn Rand, who inspires me to this day.
No education is wasted, if it brings up questions in what a person believes, I see no problem with that. Having only one source and one opinion is the easiest way to lose 90% of your arguments.
2006-11-04 01:48:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
First, be sure of what your religion teaches. Many people have no clue. If what you read in the Bible disagrees with your religious doctrine, get out of it!! God will destroy all the false religions soon and if you are in one, you will also be destroyed.
2006-11-04 03:41:36 · answer #8 · answered by Sparkle1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is a good idea to study other religions in order to love and be tolerant of other religions. Studying to argue points reminds me of the Pharisees in Christ's time, which is not an example to follow in my opinion. It does no one good to be legalistic about the religions . . . isn't that what lawyers do? Study to argue points? Look up what is said about lawyers & the methodologies some lawyers use in the New Testament--it's not good.
2006-11-04 01:46:23 · answer #9 · answered by whozethere 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Even if only for that reason, it's good. It's also just a good mind-broadener in general, and it's a good way to learn how to deal with people who may have different customs than yours, and why they have them.
ETA: lizzybit makes an excellent point. By studying other religions, one often sees more of the truth in their own.
2006-11-04 01:41:04 · answer #10 · answered by angk 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋