Which faith do you think is the least understood and why?

Question

I just want to kinda open up this topic because as a Muslim in middle school, I know how it feels to have so many false stereotypes against my faith. But I've always wanted to know how other people feel about things from a different view. So what aspect of your belief do you think is the least understood and why? It doesn't have to be your own faith, but please don't insult others' beliefs. I also want to make more understanding and less hatred(it's impossible to deny) because of that misunderstanding, so go ahead and clear up the misconceptions in your answer. I know this isn't going to make a huge change in society, but even if it can change the mindset of one person from hate to understanding, that really does make an impact. I'll be giving all these answers a good rating regardless of the content, so I just wanted to clear that up. Thanks in advance for the information, and please don't attack other's beliefs.

Answer 1

If you mean in the West, of the major faiths I'd say Islam. I reckon if you asked the public at large for a few thoughts about each faith many of them would speak of meditation and peace and compassion when they thought of Buddha (all correct); of reincarnation and of many gods when they think of Hinduism (both correct) and of Jesus Christ and 'love thy neighbour' when they think of Christianity (correct). Whereas, asked about Islam, they would speak of terrorism and suicide bombers (ugh - and how unIslamic, it's like thinking all Americans are violent bullies because some are, and in some movies) and maybe the more intelligent ones would speak of headscarves and niqabs (half-correct). Few Westerners know Islam as a religion of peace, self-discipline, and "surrender" (to God). I know a few Muslims and I tell you, it would be quite something if I kept the precepts of my faith with the commitment that those women keep Ramadan, even when it comes in the long days of summer and they fast from 4a.m to 9.30pm.

Answer 2

You know, I admire that. I'm Catholic and there is a lot of hostility towards us here in the U.S. Although, maybe not as much as the Muslim religion. I see it as my duty to learn as much as I can about other religions because I can't be for or against something I know nothing about. Which the only faith I have a serious problem with is Satanic worship. I see so many people put down other religions or faiths when they have no clue what they are saying. That right there is my definition of ignorance, by the way. There is usually at least one good thing about a religion and I try to look for it. My faith teaches me to never judge anyone. It's not my place and I do the best I can with it, although sometimes its really hard to accept what I don't understand. A lot of people think Catholics worship Jesus' mother, Mary. But we don't. We venerate her because she is the mother of the son of God and one of the greatest miracles the world has ever witnessed. I realize not everyone believes that but I do. I'm still learning about other religions and I hope other people will too because only with understanding can we stop all this hatred. You don't have to like it or believe but we should all try to understand each other. It's for the good of mankind.

Answer 3

I would say that Catholicism is the least understood. Fulton Sheen says that nobody hates Catholicism they hate what they think Catholicism is. I think that Catholic church takes the biggest hits and does little to fight back. When "modern art" came out with a picture of the Virgin Mary covered in crap, there was small public outcry. But when a cartoon about Muhammad comes out, people are flipping cars and setting them on fire. When the Pope quotes a book, there is also flipping of cars and setting them on fire, riots, and a religious sister in Africa was martyred by our Muslim brothers and sisters. 20% of the Muslim population in France believes that there are instances in which suicide bombing is just, 10% in Spain.
People recklessly bash the Catholic church calling all of our religious pedophilia's, but don't acknowledge that the instances of convicted pedophilia within the Catholic priest population, is not any higher percentage wise that than pretty much any other category of people working with children, especially teacher sex scandals. And Priests were put in prison with absolutely no physical evidence, while someone like Micheal Jackson will walk, because there wasn't enough physical evidence.
Also politicians who feel that they can redefine cannon law, by supporting abortion and then feeling that they can receive communion. Then a public outcry about how unfair it is that Catholics have rules that are unfair, why can't a politician support abortion and receive Holy communion. While Muslims have a girl sentenced to 90 lashing in the middle east because she was raped by a couple guys and they weren't part of her family. I think the evidence speaks for itself.

Answer 4

For me this is a very broad question, but nonetheless, a good one. I am Christian, and i know my faith is miss understood by many, even Christians themselves. I cannot say my faith is misunderstood the most, because all are misunderstood, or looked down upon, or disliked, and sometimes simply out of ignorance.
We should just all know that every person is different in every way, and judging or discriminating from that, wont solve anything.
If one wants their beliefs respected, then one should respect the beliefs of others.

Answer 5

In my opinion I think that Buddhism is largely misunderstood. The biggest thing about Buddhism that people do not know is that Buddhist are actually atheist or probably better defined as non-theistic. They are non-theistic because they do not believe in creator gods, nor is Buddha a god. Hey is simply one that reached enlightenment and is revered held as an example.

Additionally, I think Hinduism can be misunderstood. In our western world were yoga is practiced as an exercise, many thing that is all yoga is, when in fact, yoga is an entire religious practice that branches from Hinduism.

Answer 6

Atheism. Why? because of fact with out some form of deity, or supernatural entity there to choose us, relatively we would desire to be the main immoral human beings in the worldwide. a minimum of, it is the sentiment that comes for the era of. i don't understand how many cases human beings have advised me "yet you're this way of reliable individual?" while they found of me being an atheist. that's relatively-known actuality that persons of religion will place extra have faith in somebody of a differeing faith over an atheist. Why, i don't understand. yet, it is how that's. Technically, i don't understand if extremely spoke back your question because you asked approximately "faith systems". yet, I took the question as "thought systems" extremely.

Answer 7

Least understood: Atheism

Why: People still address it under a religious heading. Atheism is a religion just like cold is a temperature.

Atheism is the lack of religion or belief in god, just as cold is the lack of heat.

Answer 8

I think that the faith that is least understood is Christianity. And the people that understand it the least are Christians.

As to why: They can't quote from the "sermon on the mount". They can't name the four authors of the Gospel. They can't tell you what Christ said to Pilot. They can't tell you what Christ said we should "do onto the least of our brethren". They can't tell you what we should "render onto Caesar." They never forgive seventy times seven and they never turn the other cheek!

Answer 9

Most people know very little about
Sikhs
Jains
Parsees
Bahais