Christians, did you know that it is your DUTY to study other religions?

Question

Have you ever actually read about other religions? I mean from reliable sources, not from the media. Did you know that the Bible actually TELLS you to do this? It's not a suggestion, it's actually a command.

Look:

1 John 4:1-3 (New American Standard Bible)
Testing the Spirits

1) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2) By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;

3) and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.

There's the criteria you need. Now, will you read about different religions? The more we learn, the better.

http://www.bahai.org
http://www.islam-guide.com
http://www.buddhanet.net
http://www.hindunet.org

iituakuttiq, I was reading your answers to other questions. You are a troll, but a DANG FUNNY one, lol!!

I'm not trying to disprove any religion/s, not saying that any particular religions are or are not of God. That is for each of us to decide after doing the proper research.

As for the Holy Spirit doing the discerning for us... are supposed to use our , that is what God gave it to us for.

True, this is not a command as in the 10 Commandments, but it is a command for when people come across another religion. "Testing the spirits" IS researching other religions, it's the same thing.

To make an EDUCATED decision on , one must be well-informed about it, regardless of what it is. A decision made without such research is an uneducated decision.

Answer 1

It is not only the duty of every Christians, it is the duty of every believer. Studying other people's religion opens the mind to new perspective, dissolves prejudices.

"Praise be to God! You are living in a land of freedom. You are blessed with men of learning, men who are well versed in the comparative study of religions. You realize the need of unity and know the great harm which comes from prejudice and superstition. I ask you, is not fellowship and brotherhood preferable to enmity and hatred in society and community? The answer is self-evident. Love and fellowship are absolutely needful to win the good pleasure of God, which is the goal of all human attainment. We must be united. We must love each other. We must ever praise each other. We must bestow commendation upon all people, thus removing the discord and hatred which have caused alienation amongst men. Otherwise, the conditions of the past will continue, praising ourselves and condemning others; religious wars will have no end, and religious prejudice, the prime cause of this havoc and tribulation, will increase. This must be abandoned, and the way to do it is to investigate the reality which underlies all the religions. This underlying reality is the love of humanity. For God is one and humanity is one, and the only creed of the Prophets is love and unity."

Answer 2

Yes! You speak my language! THank you for speaking up! It so bothers me when i hear people say, "Oh, I hate muslims! I hate Jews! I hate Buddists!" and verbally damn us to hell. Not only is it a christian's duty to be educated on other religions but it is our HUMANLY duty to be educated on other religions. Ignorance does not get you too far in this world and I am tired of these ignorant people (one happens to be on this page) preaching there religion and putting down other people's beliefs. Pick up a book and read!!!
Does my religion make you feel discusting Fireball226!!!???? Well go take a bath!!! Perhaps you will wash away some of those impurites that make you act so hateful. I am closer to God than you will ever be because I strive to be be what humans are suppose to be: Intelligent! EDUCATED! Open minded! Good hearted and I try to give what I can to society. Never will I ever comment on someone's religion, life style or ethnic background unless I know what they are all about. I think you are hiding in your religion fireball226 and you need to come out and join the real world! I pray you do

Answer 3

You've misunderstood (or misrepresented) what the actual command is. The command is to test spirits (i.e. muhammad should have tested "gabriel" who gave him the quran) so that their deception doesn't even reach the point of becoming a religion that needs to be studied.

Answer 4

"For the time will come when they shall not endure sound teaching, but after their own lusts they shal heap to themselves teachers who tell them what they want to hear,, and they will turn away their ears from the truth..." 2 Tim .4:3

" Now the Spirit speaks expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy..."(1Tim.4:1)

"There is a way that seems right to man, but the end thereof is death

" Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men, after the principles of the world, and not after Christ". - (Col. 2:8)

Answer 5

I have long been a student of other religions. It would be very boring if the only religion I knew about was my own. I've attended plenty of religious services outside my denomination, and outside Christianity itself. I have also studied atheism. However, at this point, none of my studies have convinced me to leave the Episcopal Church. I'm still studying, of course. I haven't given up my intellect for Lent.

Answer 6

While i find no fault in studying other religions, your incorrect in your conclusion that it is a biblical command. What that passage, in my opinion, is talking about is false prophets, and not following the lies they try to tell, but to test them before the infallible word of God.

Answer 7

My friend when you walk in the Spirit the Holy Spirit is more than able to test people for you.

Answer 8

Shukr ya uhkt, point these mushrikeen to al Islam. Ameen ya Rabb.

Salaamaan alaikum wa rahmahtullahi wa barakatohu ya uhkt.

Laa illa haa illa Allah Muhammad Rasoolilah Salalahu alayhi wa Sahlum. Ameen.

Answer 9

WRONG!!! Discerning a spirit is not studying a religion. It takes about 3 minuets to discern your fathers voice especially when people are worshiping a false god...I have studied other religions to help those who are duped by demons into worshiping false gods...but it is not in any way a requirement for Christians to do so.

Answer 10

"Test the spirits"--bah! That's no test. That's like asking, "What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?" and then specifying that any answer other than chocolate chip is incorrect.