I remember in high school, I went with a friend to their "Christian" church. If I remember correctly, it was Baptist. I looked at a list of Sunday School classes, and was shocked to see a class that basically taught why Catholics, Jews, Muslims, and Mormons were all going to hell. Is such a thing necessary, especially to dedicate a whole class to it? Is such behaviour Christian? My friend got really funny when I asked him about it, and never truly told me why they had such a class. Can anyone shed any light on this?
2007-04-18 04:25:08 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I can not shed light on HOW they can do it and REMAIN true to their Christian beliefs, however, I can add a second witness to this. There are Baptist churches (I hope not ALL) that do hold classes, regularly, that are designed to teach what they truly believe to be the "secret" truth behind non-Protestant faiths. Most notably are the ones you mentioned. I lived in a town where there was a church on practically every corner. When I converted to being Mormon from being Methodist, my Mom freaked out. She went to her pastor, who went across the street to the First Baptist Church and got some literature on the evils of Mormonism. The Baptist preacher said that he was running low on his anti-Mormon literature as the other church across the street (a small Non-Denominational) was really on an anti-Mormon kick recently. This Baptist pastor seemed particularly proud of the fact that he was the go to man for spreading hate about other faiths. In that same town (in a heavily Baptist, Bible-belt area) they were known to have something like a ralley or a tent meeting where all the Baptist churches and a lot of the other Protestant churches would "preach the evils" of XYZ religion. The thing was, the town never really had a big Catholic group (the town down the road did, but not that town) and if there were any Jews or Muslims no one knew about it, and at the time the few Mormons in town met 30 miles away. So while always well attended, it was sort of pointless as they seemed to be preaching to the choir.
Such behavior seems to me to be far from Christian behavior. I think your friend got really funny, because he didn't know himself, and felt very uncomfortable that his church would do such a thing.
2007-04-18 06:06:38 · answer #1 · answered by Tonya in TX - Duck 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
It is sad that people don't trust God and themselves enough to learn about a religion first hand, from people who practice it, and to trust in God to tell them whether or not it is right.
As a Mormon, at Church we spend our time discussing how we can develop more faith in Christ, live in a more Christ-like manner and be prepared for his Second Coming. We also learn a lot about the cultural perspectives behind the Bible - ie Why God made those particular laws for the Jews, why Jesus spoke in parables, or why he said certain things. Many practical life skills are also taught to us at Church.
But I've never had a class about other religions. The only thing that would come close would be some lessons that focus on the faith and courage of early pioneer Latter-day Saints who braved persecution and death in order to serve God and follow their spiritual convictions.
2007-04-18 08:56:52 · answer #2 · answered by Trying to protect my emails 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Do U really want the Truth??? Scripture sasy "For ALL(not just the Jews, Muslims, Mormans, Catholics etc.) have Sinned & come short of the Glory of God." Sin however is NOT the ISSUE!!! Belief in Christ is the ONLY ISSUE in where a person spends Eternity!!! The "Unpardonable Sin" is Failure to accept Christ!!! Even Baptists will be in Hell if they don't accept Christ personally!!! If this "Class" was for good intentions, it would probably point out this very fact, that Religion is NOT Christianity!!! Christ is a one on one personal choice & relationship.Many people unfortunatly are "Born" into a dogmatic Religion that is dead not preaching Christianity, only the "Church" above all else. John
2007-04-18 04:39:54 · answer #3 · answered by moosemose 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Remember the false prophets mentioned in the bible who would pervert the the word of God? I also remember reading in the bible something about accepting Jesus, and this other part about not judging people, because the only real judge is God. I don't know, maybe I'll go to Baptist hell for thinking that God isn't an anti-semitic sadist.
2007-04-18 12:32:36 · answer #4 · answered by cloud9 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have heard that as well, my dad goes to a baptist church and they actually hand out anti-Mormon literature! Satan rearing his ugly head, I believe...
I believe most, if not all, religions believe/teach wonderful gospel principlesr, but I do believe the gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the "rest" of those truths which the other churches do not.
2007-04-18 10:49:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since when do Baptists do anything that is Christian? The Baptist faith is about as far from traditional, historical Christianity as you can get. While they are often mistakenly called "conservative" Christians, they are actually far-left from a religious perspective, and intentionally reject anything that even carries a whiff of traditional Christianity. Your story doesn't surprise me a bit.
2007-04-18 04:31:34 · answer #6 · answered by NONAME 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You do not teach religion, you indoctrinate someone weaker than you with your idea. By teaching children science and mathematics you allow them the chance to further their knowledge in those fields (as it is so with all fields of knowledge and education) if that is what they wish.
2016-04-01 07:10:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is one of the things that the Bible teaches us about .
Perverting the Word of God . It sound as though they could
be teaching hatred and prejudicial text . But as always one
would have to sit in the class and challenge any & all things
that are not the sound doctrine of the Bible and , bring to
light correction from the Holy Spirit . Remember it is easy
to point the finger . We are all sinners and need correction
at times . Be careful not to judge and to become self righteous . But become well versed in the Word of God so
that you are not led astry .
2007-04-18 04:48:59 · answer #8 · answered by S.O.T.C. 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Most of these religions do not teach tolerance. They believe that THEY are right and everyone else is wrong. If you're not a part of that religion then it's easy to see that they're delusional. This is how everyone outside your religion sees you. Baptists see the Morman religion as crazy even though they both rely on magic to have actually existed.
2007-04-18 04:30:53 · answer #9 · answered by phe 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I have always felt and heard, since I was a little boy, that when you criticize, talk about about others, part of doing so it to try and help yourself feel better. It is a kind of weakness to try and psychologically make yourself feel better by dissing others.
It was what I was told as a kid, and it still makes sense as an adult.
2007-04-18 04:45:18 · answer #10 · answered by Kerry 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋