You wouldnt buy a new car without a test drive, buy a new house without seeing it or get married without dating. Why not test various religions to see which suits?
2006-11-04 07:32:07 · 31 answers · asked by Chrisie 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think you are absolutely correct. It is inflexibility and fanaticism that is the reason religion has caused so many deaths over the centuries. Why accept the faith of your ancestors. You are an individual with different spiritual needs. Search! Search! Search!
2006-11-04 07:36:51 · answer #1 · answered by william a 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Most people don't test drive every model of car before they choose one to buy. In fact, they rarely ever test drive more than one model. Likewise, prospective home buyers don't walk into every home on the market before making a buying decision.
Most buyers of automobiles and homes do a little research before getting in the market (even if it's informal research, they normally know something about what they're looking for), they then narrow the list down based on that research.
Similarly, people seeking a religious answer to life's questions can eliminate a large percentage of the religions without having to take a full test-drive.
For example: Are you looking for a religion that answers the question of good and evil in a way that makes sense with the way we see the world? Well, you'll probably eliminate many of the eastern religions which view life as an illusion and for which there is no objective good and evil; these views contradict what many of us observe about life - that there are truly evil people in the world, and truly evil deeds do happen.
If you are looking for a religion which is historically sound, then you'll probably want to avoid religions like Mormonism, which have no evidence to back up the claims in its holy book.
Once you know which ones to start avoiding, maybe then you can narrow down by looking for some things to look for:
* Want a religion which answers Good and Evil in a way that make sense. Christianity seems to. It describes evil in a way which makes sense - we see evil people and evil deeds all over the place. But Christianity also tells us why we naturally seem to think there's something which sets people apart from the rest of the creatures in the world. Apart not in what we can or cannot do, but morally apart. I mean set apart in the way we say it's okay to spray poison on bugs, but not okay to take a human life without a good cause (because we're all made in the image of God).
* Want a religion which is historically sound? Christianity's claims can be backed up with archaeological evidence. Did the places described in the Bible exist? There's a tremendous amount of evidence which says, "Yes!" There have been over 25,000 archaeological sites which pertain to biblical events. Do these sites contradict or confirm what's in the Bible. Did the people mentioned in the Bible exist? Did they do the things they claimed to do? Time and time again external sources (historical documents, archaeological sites, etc.) confirm events happened, in the way described, but never is evidence found which says an event did not happen.
* Are you looking for a religion which has a good record for predicting events. Look at the prophesies in the Bible. The Bible contains predictions of the rise and fall of people and empires, and they're accurate. The Bible is unrivaled in its predictions.
When people find the car which meets their needs, or find the house which meets their requirements, do they then say they need to be more "flexible" and try out other cars or houses? No, they go and make the deal to get what they've found.
Similarly, when people find a religion which they believe is true, which seems to stand up to the test of time, history, archaeology, philosophy, and science, there's no reason to even consider looking at another religion.
2006-11-04 16:04:33 · answer #2 · answered by The Non-Apologetic Apologist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have a point, especially when it comes to converts (all your examples point to them). There is nothing wrong with finding out things about other religions; but "testing" them might be too much. It would be test marriage, not dating.
A certain flexibility has allowed many people to understand they were on the wrong way and they had another option. There are many examples here of people for whom such a flexibility was the best thing:
http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/inquirers/inq_convert.aspx
2006-11-04 15:50:23 · answer #3 · answered by todaywiserthanyesterday 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about "test-driving" religions, but people should at least be willing to hear other ideas. Believing something is one thing, but being arrogant and telling others they're wrong in their beliefs is a whole other ball game. How do you know they're wrong? Did you even listen to what the other person had to say? Did you think about what that person said?
A belief doesn't have to be blind. Mine isn't.
2006-11-04 15:50:43 · answer #4 · answered by smiling_nonstop 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's critical that people are flexible with their religious beliefs for one main reason. It prevents them from being taken advantage of in the name of religion. Anything from a religious authority should be considered for its own merits, and I think trying out different religions will help people see how much they have in common, rather than how much they differ.
2006-11-04 15:36:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
anyone taking on a religion or belief should be responsible and continue to learn and grow in their faith. It is a life long journey that does not end once they decide on the doctrine they have put their faith in. That doctrine should reflect the god they believe in and for me as a christian it is Jesus and I am not flexible on compromising the written word that backs up my belief. Otherwise i would be wishy washy and blow back and forth never commiting all the way
2006-11-04 16:02:32 · answer #6 · answered by maybe 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The best way is to prove what you believe to be true and of Actual Fact, to compile Knowledge from various sources is important to accomplish this task. My teacher taught me that it's impossible to believe in something and live in that belief at the same time, you must first disbelieve than find variables that would actually prove you wrong or right and walk into what's right for you and has proven beneficial for yourself and your community, please escape mental death and slavery by avoiding blind traditions. Study thyself approval.
2006-11-04 15:49:35 · answer #7 · answered by Marvin J 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think that you'll just know when something feels right...when you feel more at home in a certain religion, then another...i do believe in christianity, but im a part of a nondenominational church, and we believe that if u accept jesus as lord and savior and believe that he died for your sins that you're going to heaven despite your denomination... i think that if u believe in praying to seek GOD for what your question is, then that is the best way to find out where he wants you...but if not, then going around to different churches and getting a taste of different religions is probably the best thing for you to do...
2006-11-04 16:18:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Explore, read and learn about different religions or Traditions within a religion. When you find the one that is right for you rejoice. We should rejoice in the faith of others, even when someone believes differently.
Peace be with you,
+Michael
2006-11-04 15:36:43 · answer #9 · answered by o_s_c_c 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No I don't think so as long as they believe what is true. I do think that people should try more to understand the people who differ from them. I mean they should try to find out what in this person's background would make them believe a certain way. For instance: The poverty that these people experience in the Middle East has to have alot of influence over their belief.
2006-11-04 15:35:57 · answer #10 · answered by Midge 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋