Before you condemn a particular religion, do you actually take the time to learn about it?

Question

If you do, where do you get your information? Do you go to sites sponsored by that religion, or do you visit possible hate sites? Or do you attempt to read unbiased information put out by independent third parties? When I was interested in different religions I actually went to the source, to the people who practice that religion, and let them explain their beliefs and practices to me. Please tell me how you educate yourself about religions other than your own. Thanks.

Answer 1

Yep, these days I'm more careful. So instead of jumping the gun, I'll learn about a religion...otherwise it just makes me look like an uneducated fool.

Answer 2

You make a very good point. I try to only comment from an educated position. Although I don't think I've ever 'condemned' any religion, were I to do so, it would be the religion itself, not its adherents...there's a big difference.

Anyway, I'm reading the Bible at the moment, which is why most of my questions in R&S are aimed at Christians. I have many genuine questions, yet even when I ask them in a respectful, thoughtful and straight-forward manner, it is pretty difficult to get a response in a similar vein. This is very frustrating, to say the least. Not that it's impossible, I get some really great responses, it's just that they are the exception rather than the rule.

Look out Muslims, the Qu'ran is next on my reading list!

Answer 3

I always TRY to take the time to learn about a religion before giving my opinion on it, but that can be difficult as the internet is full of misinformation.

I have had a somewhat tough time researching certain religions. Islam has a LOT of hate sites about it, but yet a lot of them are biased towards it. Really you need to read the Qur'an or go to a mosque. Y!A also helps a bit, as you get many different opinions, but that doesn't mean they are right.

Sikhism is hard to find stuff on. It's an obscure religion and doesn't have a lot of stuff on it, not even here. The same goes for Quakerism.

Answer 4

Actually, the more I learn, the less I condemn. I am very interested in learning about religions and visit sites that both sponcer and condemn which religion I'm studying at the moment. I also come here to ask questions if I really want to know something. I may not agree with said religious belief, but I don't condemn it.

Answer 5

Well, i condemn religion as a whole because it promotes superstition & separatism amongst human beings and hinders the progress (technological, social, etc) of the human race.... but I tend do to my reading on religions before i condemn any specifically. I won't specifically condemn a religion that i am not familiar with.... which is why you won't find me condemning more than christianity (ex catholic) and scientology. (Anyone with a brain knows it's just plain stupid. If you read their beliefs and are familiar with their basis..... a science-fiction author! Not only that, but they bully people around and put more emphasis on money & demographics than most "religious" organizations.)
So to answer your questions..... yes i do try to educate myself before i specifically condemn a religion. My sources are varied.... I try to find both supporting & opposite web sites on the religion.... I usually won't go out & buy a book on the religion but I may go to a library to read up on one.

To argue about something one knows nothing about is stupid and ignorant.

On a lesser scale, that would be like someone saying they hate pizza and that the world should get rid of it but they've never even tasted a slice.

Answer 6

As a general rule, I don't. Why would I, when I believe in the depths of my heart that the bible is true? By spending time with God, I am able to learn His ways - and recognize when something else isn't of God when I see it / hear it. Sometimes I am troubled by what others believe, so if I hear something a particular religion believes and it burdens my heart, I go to a site sponsored by that religion in order to find out about it, or to a person who believes it. (Why they believe that, etc.) But I don't believe in condemning other people for what they believe either. I don't hate anyone - and I certainly don't hate somebody just because their religious beliefs (or unbeliefs) are different than mine. What kind of a Christian would I be if I did that?

Answer 7

I don't slam other religions but I do take on all those that slam mine. As a Christian, I see much more in other religions that draw us together then drives us apart.

And, I surely condemn no one, not even atheists. Condemnation is not something that fits into my religious beliefs, an any way, shape or form.

I do look things up on the web if I want to make a point and try to be as correct as I can.

Answer 8

I was raised Catholic thus spent 10-12 years in Catechism, then began to question things too much, took theology, Sacred Scriptures and Catholic Trad in university, still had many questions, left the church at 27, studied other religions and decided to become a Solitary Wiccan, after trying it and not really feeling connected (there are many Wiccan's who do) I decided that I needed time away from any one religion in particular. As I allowed myself to gather my own thoughts and remain open minded and compassionate I found that Buddhism resonated with me and have practiced it ever since. However, I still have respect for what others choose to believe or not believe even if I occasionally get 'hammered' for being a Buddhist by a few groups of people (certainly not everybody). Best to you.

Answer 9

I do find it interesting some times to read about different religion by first reading their basic believe from accepted source from their followers (followers of the main sect since all the religions have different sects) then I read more about the other teachings of that religion and see how do their followers translation the teachings into practices. I do really ignore the minor sects and I do give more attention to the main one.

Answer 10

Yes, I do - although I don't condemn any religion.

When I came to Morocco, I went to Moroccans to learn about Islam, and found that most of them don't know anything - so then I read the Qur'an and found that it wasn't for me. But I READ it - and encourage everyone to do so before opening their mouths. I now feel like I can criticize Islam (and Christianity and Judaism, having read both the Bible - several times - and the Torah and other materials), knowing that my criticism does not come from ignorance.

To be fair though, I do read critical accounts, but usually from those who are still practicing their religion - example, for Islam, I read "Believing Women in Islam" by Asma Barlas, who is a Muslim but does not agree with patriarchal interpretations of the Qur'an - she actually helped me to respect the religion (since after reading the Qur'an, I was angry, honestly)

Answer 11

I understand what you are saying but there's a flaw in your thinking.
Many people who practice a religion don't even know themselves totally what their doctrines are. I have read letters written by Joseph Smith and Brigham Young and most Mormons aren't even aware of their teachings.


Most Roman Catholics aren't aware the Christian church was in hiding in the year 300 ad when Constantine stopped the persecution of the Church and this is when the RCC started. I have also talked with Priests who know more than the people and the "people" of the RCC would be shocked if they knew the entire story of their faith they follow blindly. Most do not know the reason Martin Luther wanted the Church to change was the church was selling "indulgences" sins, to pay for St. Peters church!

I read history and from many sources.
I have researched most world religions and I am a Christian.
†