Could a study of World Religions cause a crisis of faith in someone floundering in their own spirituality?

Answer 1

Yea.
If you don't know for sure that the religion you practice is the only true one, you might start to doubt. Even if you were raised in the same faith all your life, the exposure to other religions may just confuse your faith even more.
If you are looking for info on other faiths your "crisis of faith" might already be a problem.
Some one studying other religions should be strong in their faith or looking for some thing to believe in.

Answer 2

I think, if you will pardon me, you have it turned around. It seems that such a one is floundering in their faith which would cause some type of spiritual crisis.

Most people involved in any religion consider that we are in some way or another spiritual beings. True faith is a spiritual operation and without it one is in crisis for sure.

To say that one is floundering in their own spirituality to me would be like saying that one is floundering in their own physiology. Our vital functions, be they physical or spiritual, just go on truckin' unless some pathology, abnormal variation, comes into the picture.

The urge to study world religions, as a move from spiritual ground you are already on, indicates a crisis of faith already in process.

If you understand that religions are built up around big chunks and even little fragments of truth, but none are an end or have truth in themselves, you can study all without problem.

Study all but buy none. Buy only what touches life and love and power. I happen to think that touch comes from Christ, but everyone must have their own assurance without floundering about due to a lack of faith.

Answer 3

I think the floundering is already a crisis...the knowledge you gain may restore order. What answers are you looking for? What will you do with the knowledge you gain? Knowing the principles behind calculus is not what makes one an astrophysicist and knowing how to read and write does not make one a best selling author.

Answer 4

Not at all. If you were to learn that all religions are from the same source and become highly skeptical of the clergy of each one and then find that each religion has a life cycle with a beginning and an ending you will look for the religion that is current for your time. Religions are progressive like the grades in school. They don't by any means make people perfect. It is up to each individual to strive for spiritual advancement. The religion for our day is Baha'i. Don't be put off by the varieties of Baha'i. Find the one with the direct descendant of King David at its head according to the original charter of the Baha'i Faith.
If you are really interested in looking into religions from this point of view check out the link below.

Answer 5

It seems to me that if you are floundering in your own spirituality then a study of world religions is exactly what you need. You may find one that is perfect for you. One size does not fit all.
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Answer 6

I don't really like the phrase "crisis of faith" but I do think studying other religions can stir the pot of one's own spirituality and faith. This isn't neccessarily a negative thing because sometimes out of these periods of doubt and change we experience growth, even though it may feel uncomfortable.

Answer 7

Yes, it could. I think any courses or study that you undergo should change you in some way. If it doesn't, you can't very well say that you learned anything. Does a study of World religions have to cause a crisis in faith to be useful? No. But it could and that, too, could be useful. Any belief worth having should survive scrutiny and debate.

Answer 8

Yes.

It can provide insight into the fact that where you're born is the most likely determinant of what you believe, and make you aware there are other choices out there.

It can also give you slightly different angles of looking at the same thing: this extra vision can make absurdities more obvious.

It also requires you to develop imagination, and a free imagination is the worst enemy of dogma.

Answer 9

Spirituality is the growth within each human being. What they study and/or adhere to (religion) is only a measure of where they are gaining their spiritual lessons. As we seek and change, some need to move into other places and spaces (religions) for their own growth.

Answer 10

Absolutely ! especially if they grasp the concept that is all plagiaristic farce to exploit money for salvation and political power play. See none of them are right or ture and they can't even use the original because there is someone who was before. Right back to the cavemen and before.