Would you read a book that directly contradicted your beliefs?

Question

I'm not saying it would be something you would have to agree with. But, for the sake of seeing a different view, would you ever? Why or why not?

For the record, this is sort of my current project--reading such things myself. Though I can't agree with them, it helps me to understand the people who hold opposing beliefs.

Answer 1

Yes I have. I have read Darwin's book, The book of Mormons, and a few other that I found enlightening to understand where other people come from.

k1

Answer 2

I have been a Christian for many years and have no doubts that the word of God is alive. The Holy Bible is my road map to everything I need.

I did read about other faiths years ago for the same reasons you have stated. But today I will not read more then a few words before stopping.

I tryed to read the quran again a few weeks ago to better help those trapped in it's false teachings. I became nauseated almost at once. I will not fill my heart & mind with lies.

I will tell all who want to hear about Jesus Christ, if they believe great, if not then I have done my part.

Answer 3

I debated a lot of my friends with the existence of a "plan of God". I hated their opinions of the world being a written book. That everything is planned and written. However, I somehow came across the book "The Alchemist" when I read it I thought of reading a smililar book the "The Pilgramage". Once I read these two books, I have learned a new way of seeing this plan of God. I have created a new perception of life because I read those two books. I have created an intergrated perception, I have intergrated the ideas in those two books with my own once unshaken idea. In my opinion, everone should be open-minded by listening to other people's ideas. Although you should never fully accept those ideas because your beliefs and perception should never be shaken you should try and give those new ideas some room in your mind by allowing some ideas that you once contradicted to become your new somehow different idea. Intergration of ideas is quite powerful because your old beliefs have already confronted with another idea making two different ideas into one strong belief. This intergration of ideas should never stop, your mind should always be ready to change and grasp more new ideas.

Answer 4

Yes I can read something that will contradict my beliefs. I have read many book of this sort. We have a need in these times to understand the beliefs and cultures of those around us as we try to interact in a global environment, whether it be work or on-line.
If we are to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ we need to "know your enemy".
People are not the enemy though. Don't get me wrong, it is the beliefs they have that are the enemy of the Gospel.
We need to know what they believe and why otherwise we will never be able to connect one on one with them and make them see the truth of Christ.

Answer 5

The Word says to judge all things, so we can be judged
by no man.
People who find absolutely nothing of benefit in other
kinds of knowledge have no wisdom. I've read stuff
that I disagreed with 99%, but still discovered something
in it I could use.
The more you learn, the more complicated
it gets. Everybody talks like an expert and says different
things. But you will get an intellectual "second wind",
if you keep trying to learn.
There are higher intelligences. But they aren't perfect.
They have their own interests and views on things too.
Imagine all the different religious and philosphical
beliefs on our world. How many more are there out
there on millions of worlds with zillions of beings with
free will.
MIND BOGGLING!
But don't beat yourself up trying to understand it all.
We live in the HERE AND NOW!

Answer 6

I do, all the time.

Which is why even though people send me emails telling me I have no right to discuss texts from religions other than my own, I sometimes answer questions about those texts.

BTW, I heartily recommend reading "The Sourcebook of the World's Religions" (in the most recent edition) as a good overview. Each section is written by clergy of that religion, so you get a insider's viewpoint.

http://www.truthbook.com/1631.cfm

Answer 7

I asked that same question yesterday of Christians, and never got what I would call a straight answer from any of them.

I enjoy reading about different beliefs and faiths. I consider myself to be an agnostic atheist, but the topic of religion fascinates me.

Answer 8

Yes, I did and still do. It keeps me fresh in my Faith. That was how I became a Christian not too long ago. I have looked into many faith's as I was never raised to have one piticular calling and stumbled accross one whom I feel is an amazing author, Gregory Boyed, it was a short read book but it lead me to many others that have made a real impact. Wow how much I used to hate God and how all the religion and politics that stood around Him. Thru reading the oppositions authors I was able to clear away the "Media" and "Religous" crud and get down to some truth, and I thought I knew what Christianity was, man was I wrong. I continue to pursue aposing ideas as in scripture you are to worship him with your "Mind", body and soul. I don't believe he requested only empty headed, blind, religious folks to follow him. I was please to find out you don't need to shoot your brians out to follow Christ, he acctually asks you to keep your Mind very diligent and renewed.

Thank God for that cause I love to read!

Answer 9

Yes I am a conservative but I have Alan Colmes books. I read books on evolution ,yet I am a Christian. Never close your mind to possibilities plus I believe in the age old adage of know your enemies

Answer 10

I do read any book without condition or prejudice if it's on a topic that is interesting. Even books promoting ideologies I don't agree with sometimes have a few pearls of wisdom in them.