Should a religion ever preach against other religions?

Question

If a religion is truly good, why would members need to bad-mouth other religions? Wouldn't it just stand as good on it's own?

Is it ok to speack against other people who worship God, just because they are part of another religion?

I keep getting Awake magazines at my door, and they often have articles about how Christians that are not Jehavahs Witnesses are evil and should be avoided.

Why would one religion feel the need to bad-mouth other religions?

Answer 1

Kind of goes in line with, "First take the speck out of thine own eye......" doesn't it?

Answer 2

I think you've hit the nail on the head with your first paragraph. IF a particular path of faith is right and good, there should be no need to condemn other paths.

However, many religious leaders act on fear. And one of the best ways to prey on people's fears is to segregate. By pushing other people down, they feel better about themselves, at least in the short-term. And if other groups can be demonized, such as small or fringe groups, so much the better.

Religion, just like anything else, is a business. Churches can't be run without money from their participants. If people can be convinced that A religion is right and B religion is bad, more people will attend (and give money to) A, and less to B.

I have a feeling many religious leaders derive their sense of self-worth by the number of people they can pack into the pews, and the dollars they donate to "the cause."

Answer 3

I think there is a difference between putting a religion down and putting error down. Most people do not attend certain denominations because they have found that they are teaching something that they have found not to be true. In that sense then that person would feel that that denomination is wrong. I know many people bad mouth other religions. I do not believe that as a so called Christian they should bad mouth any one.

Answer 4

I have issues with JW because they do put down other denominations, esp. Catholics.

I have invited a few in to chat so I can understand their point of view, and to be quite honest, I really don't understand what they're all about. I couldn't even tell you if they are actual Christians.

Many people use the platform of religion to push their own agendas and keep people ignorant. It is sad and partially why many people turn away from their faith.

To BrownSkin: The JW may not come out and say that other Christian denominations are evil, but in many of the pamphlets I have seen, there is always someone either praying in front of an icon or a photo of Latinos or Italians carrying the statue of Mary in a processional or parade. These are to illustrate how "other religions" re: Catholic, aren't truly worshiping God. And then one of the JW who came and spoke to me actually said something to the effect of "They worship the statues".

Um...no - they don't.

Answer 5

Bad-mouthing for bad-mouthing's sake should be avoided. This reveals nothing but hatred in the heart.

However, if your faith claims to be true, then you contend for it in the marketplace of the faith. If you believe that there are consequences to belief and action, then you likewise contend for your faith. If it truly is good, then you have to spread it, and doing this involves saying bad things about other religions to demonstrate the flaws in their faith. In other cases, a religion teaches something manifestly destructive or violent (or results in it), and it is the ethical responsibility of every human being to deal with that.

In those cases, you must say something bad about other religions. It is, however, the manner you say it, the accuracy of your statement, and the manner of your own life that dictate whether you crossed the line. If we cannot criticize another faith, then nobody will be held accountable. We can't criticize the suicide bombers, the millions killed in the name of Communism, the rantings of the religious right, and so on. We must, very much, do this for a decent and civil society.

Answer 6

I believe that education is good, studying differences in religion so that we can answer when asked or confronted with things like this magazine you refer to. I like to study other religions, the ridiculous things that I read in some help to strengthen my own faith.

I agree with the other person who said that speaking truth is not bad mouthing. Some things are just wrong. And I disagree that no one knows what truth is. I believe that the Bible makes complete sense and I have personal experience with God helping me out in my life. He is real, He is personal, and He is the truth.

Answer 7

actually mother nature was cleaning up the past when the christian issues came about... well mother nature read the bible to mother earth through Jesus who tends to let the mothers do the work... actually mother nature no seeing her influence in humanity was called Jehovah for many years... mother nature doesn't ever work like the gods of religion.... You see mother nature intends to destroy all religions.... she doesn't require worship to exist... Mother earth using what mother nature teaches working with Karma was exposing the churches of christianity mainly the Roman Catholics and Julius Cesar.. mother nature simply refuses to work as humans see it.. including Jesus... she is the intelligence and power behind the healing and balancing of nature and prefers to go about it without humans.... so don't bother nit picking her words... she will simply continue on her path no matter who disagrees or for what reason.. to keep in good standing with her we need only use common sense, be the best person you need to be.. and live by karma. not hard to be nice while she works.

Regarding the Jehovah's witnesses here's how it developed... they have 2 weekly magazines... The Watchtower full of their religous views and biblical quotes... Awake use to be full of natural facts.... so here's how mother nature works... The Watchtower is like the tower of babel wich for mother nature is like saying BS... and Awake whic is full of nature meaning wake up... it seems they missed the omens or signs of truth proving again that nothing good ever came from that bible not one good thing can ever come from it. And if they are putting their prejudices in Awake now they just drove in the wrong direction. like off a cliff

Answer 8

Every religion feels that they are the true one and all the others are evil or miss guided. Personally I think the Jehovahs Witnesses are miss guided because they have a very alternate view of Christianity and the bible clearly states beware of false prophets.

Answer 9

We are not saying the PEOPLE are evil. The BELIEFS are evil if they are against what the Bible says is God's way of doing things.

For extreme example: Suppose Jesus told his followers to avoid apricots. Would we be wrong to tell other people going near to apricots to watch out? If we hated the people, we would keep our mouths shut and let them wallow in them.

Suggestion: Instead of just getting mad, why not read the scriptures cited in the magazines in your own Bible and see what is true?

Answer 10

For the most part, churches I've attended don't "bad mouth" other churches or religions, but merely build up their own, which is right and proper. Cheers.

Answer 11

I think bad mouthing any religion, regardless of what you believe, Is wrong. No one knows what true and whats really false.

If people want to believe something, let them, Don't bad mouth or ever assume to know what's going on.