Is it wrong to want to gain knowledge about another religion, even when it goes against the ideas of yours?

Question

I have a Wiccan friend and we talk openly about the differences and similarites between our respective religions. Lately, I've been curious about her religion. Yet something inside me tells me I shouldn't be trying to gain knowledge on the subject.

Answer 1

There's no rule that says just because you believe in one religion that you can't learn about another religion. Knowledge isn't good or bad. It's what you DO with the knowledge that matters.

I have attended Pagan rituals. They are open to all people and welcome anyone to come and learn more without any pressure to believe what they believe. And that is actually one of the main beliefs in the religion... there is no one way to believe.

Go ahead and learn. It is rare to find a friend who you can openly discuss different religions with. Take advantage of this openness and gain more knowledge.

Answer 2

It's funny, many have answered no and it's a good thing to research other religions even if you have one. But how many of them would start mocking and bashing a religion they don't understand?

As for your question… generally no. it’s good thing to learn about other religions, not only do you learn where yours stands with others; you also learn of your environment and world. However, many do have to be careful. Because some can easily get caught up in subjects that may cast doubt. I’m not saying that each religion is wrong. I saying that some people well believe anything they hear naturally. The last thing taught to them makes more sense then the previous.

I know someone that although their faith is second to none, they could easily be confused by certain details that other churches would rationalize as true. Go ahead and learn bout other religions to broaden your own mind, but don’t let them shake your faith (unless you find something truly amazing). Plus, any religion that outwardly states “do not study other religions” is probably hiding something.

Answer 3

It really depends on what religion you are. As someone posted before, if you're Christian, you'll have your own beliefs and the Wiccan religion probably wouldn't even be a consideration. You need to take a lot of things into account. If you want to to learn about the other religion, don't get absorbed by it. Stay strong with what you believe in and you can simply just gain some knowledge about your friend's religion.

Answer 4

Knowledge is never a bad thing. Perhaps there is a truth in wicca that you may have never discovered if not for the desire to seek the knowledge. If you are to believe the concept of God, (I am agnostic) then you believe that God, set you here and gave you free will. Use that gift. Become informed, compare ideologies, decide for yourself what you choose to believe or not. You may also find a flaw in your friend's religion and can then use the knowledge you have gained to help them find the faith you have in yours. Good Luck! and remember....KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, BUT KNOWING IS ONLY HALF THE BATTLE.

Answer 5

Why not as all religions started out as Pagan religions.
Wicca is a resurrection of Paganism after the Christian Church's assaults against it because they refused to convert .Either completely( dual religion) or not at all.
The Jewish religion of which the Christian Church is a Sept of has rules that they must follow if they need to stay at a Pagans dwelling because of the weather or sickness or time of day.
The early CHRISTAN CHURCH took in most of the rights and rituals of the Pagans as their own and still keep them even though they call us SATAN worshipers for conducting the same things.
The only thing you will gain is some more knowledge of the different names of the CREATOR OF ALL THINGS.
Satisfy your curiosity . You do not have to do any of the Rites or rituals. just sit and watch. out of the way.Ask questions afterwords.

Answer 6

Why not? Knowledge is good. Learning is always good.

If you KNOW about something, then you have less reason to be AFRAID of it.

Even if you don't agree with it, it doesn't hurt to learn about it.

And if your belief in your own faith is so weak that just learning about another religion will shake it, well, one has to wonder why you're following that faith in the first place - is it because you TRULY believe it, or because it's the only thing you know?

If your religion is spiritually fulfilling for you, there's no reason to be "afraid" that you'll be "tempted" to leave it. If your spiritual path isn't fulfilling for you, then maybe it's not the right path for you in the first place?

Answer 7

Learning about a different religion doesn't necessarily mean you'll start believing in it. You'll probably learn more about your own religion in the process and make your own faith stronger.

Once, there was a Buddhist monk that read the bible and said that Christianity and Buddhism had many of the same teachings. I think learning more will only enrich your life no matter what conclusions you come to in the end.

Answer 8

Education is a good thing, just be careful of twisted logic. Also be careful that you don't take things from the Bible out of context. Please remember that the Old Testament is a history book and all the rules changed when Jesus came to earth and died for our sins. The two commandments in the New Testament are how we should live our lives today. Also, please make sure that your religion uses a Bible that was written by God through man and not one that has parts added or removed.

God Bless!

Answer 9

I think it is good to know what else is out there and ask questions about your own religion. That way, when someone challenges your opinions, you have a stronger argument.

Also, How do you know that you have the best ideas for you if you don't know what else is there? If you only ever try vanilla ice cream, you may never know that your favorite could be rocky road. You don't have to have a 2 scoop ice cream cone of a new flavor; just knowing it is there or trying a sample spoonful may work. :)

Edit: To those of you who gave a flat "no, you shouldn't look into it" for Christianity's sake: If he added a note that said, "btw, I am buddhist", would you give the same advice? :)

Answer 10

By learning more religions you get a generalized idea about god. it is always good to learn about other religions. It helps you understand other religion's belief too, but be careful not to criticize what they believe in.
Moreover, i feel that all religions are created by humans. So as long as we respect other's belief on god, there is nothing wrong in learning other religions.