why is it important to be knowledgeable about other peoples' beliefs and attitudes towards religion?

Answer 1

because knowledge is power - a better understanding of other people's faiths, values and beliefs breeds empathy and tolerance - it is the ignorance of other cultures that breeds the kind of fear which prompts people to start wars against 'the enemy'.
when you truly understand someone else's experience of life - and they understand you - you are able to agree or disagree as you choose without losing respect for the other person. you gain insight and realise, not your differences, but your similarities.

Answer 2

From a Christian perspective, having at least basic knowledge about other religions is neccesary to effectively communicate the differences and defend the truths, depending on which religion you're defending.

For instance, in Islam, there are sects which believe that Allah can lie, while the Bible makes just the opposite claim - God cannot lie. If Allah can lie, and allows lying in some instances, how can we know that anything concerned with Allah, or other Muslims, is truthful - for sure? Sure, there are truthful Muslims, but how can one be certain when their beliefs don't hold them accountable in certain situations

However, since God cannot lie (a uniform Christian belief) and doesn't allow for "what if?"s, we can find assurance in His other claims.

Other than Apologetics, in any religion, it's just plain good manners to respect others' beliefs, even when we don't agree.

Answer 3

To learn about others, is to learn about yourself. For example, there is a universal belief in a supreme being, who professes, in one way or another, to love thine enemy, do no harm, etc. How these things are distorted by leaders in a power struggle, to have a 'we' versus 'them' ideology, and keep control of people, is what you will learn in these studies. All religions are man made, and organized religions are a multi-million dollar business. Check out any one of them, and the assets they hold, it will be an eyeopener. You must always honor the basic beliefs of people, but you don't have to finance it. Best wishes

Answer 4

It's always better if you are gonna throw yourself into a conversation to know what you are talking about. Some people choose to be willfully ignorant and it shows. All that does is aggravates people. The only way that people can understand one another better is if we understand certain things about them such as their religion or non religion as well as their religious or non religious beliefs.

Answer 5

I agree with Funaholic.

Understanding others is key to interacting with them successfully. I study many religions. While I disagree with them, I am also very tolerant. I have an understanding of where they get the ideas in their head, so I know when to let something go or when they're just 'blowing smoke', so to speak. Lack of understanding leads to intolerance. Who wants that?

~Morg~

Answer 6

Because humans have a tendency to fear what they do not understand, and fear can lead to hatred. To not take time to learn about others' beliefs and attitudes is to plant the seeds for discrimination.

Answer 7

Because it helps you understand where they are coming from, and it helps us to be more acceptable towards others beliefs, we also become more open, and understanding, and puts one in a win win relationship with that person.

Answer 8

so that you are less of a prude when you make a decision about the actions that person makes b/c of thier faith..

if I said I hated but did'nt know anything about do I really have enough information to form such a hateful opinion?

Maybe if we all learned a little tolerance, as well as about what the other guy thinks, there might not be so much war and bickering..

Answer 9

It's nice to be knowledgeable about as many things as possible.

Answer 10

To understand another's beliefs gives one a fresh perspective on one's own faith.