Christians please?

Question

someone suggested in an answer to another post, that Christians should not read material from other religions ....
that religions such as Paganism , Wicca , Spiritualism etc can lead you astray

can I ask you guys if you have learned from others in these type of religions , have you been lead astray , have we tempted you in any way
or is it just possible to learn about people and about spirituality , and still remain strong and faithful in your own religion ?
I am just trying to understand how someone can live their life without learning from others, without reading about other cultures and other religions .... this doesn't make sense for me

Armenian
be as specific as you like
I dont offend easily

Allen , many from other religions have answered
I have no problem with that
I directed the question to Christians , because it is the Christian replies that would help my understanding
why would I direct the question to others ?

Answer 1

I'm a Christian and agree with you 100%, life is all about learning from others and our surroundings. Personally if you can be lead astray just by reading material about other religions etc. you must be a very weak person and not truly comfortable with your own beliefs.

I actually am the opposite and like to find out about other religions and beliefs and when you actually look into it you find most religions are after the same thing, to live in peace and harmony with everyone else. Its only when people hijack religions for their own cause that its dangerous.

I despair of all these so called Christian groups (especially in America) who spout out hate and profanities in gods name. They give us all a bad reputation. Jesus tells us to Love thy Neighbour and to me that means whether they have the same beliefs as me or not.

Christianity to me means to be open and understanding of other peoples beliefs, while being steadfast and strong in mine.

So if you come accross people like this in your life, rest assured they are in the minority and most of us are not opinionate, self righteous fundamentalists.

The same can be said for fundamentalists in every religion and they destroy something which should bring people together and turn it into something divisive.

Sorry, starting to get carried away there but i believe if people are scared to read material from other religions for fear of being lead astray then we should feel sorry for them and say a prayer for them as they really need the help.

Answer 2

As I've mentioned before, I was a biblical studies major for three years. Learning about world religions and ancient pagan religions held by neighbors of Israel is basic to the curriculum. I went on to study eastern religions at another school and still read as my interest directs me.

I honestly don't think Christians avoid learning about other religions except for those who would also avoid learning about poetry, modern and contemporary art, philosophy, or anything else they might not hear on the radio to and from work. Most people are simply incurious. Some fear change or "the other." Christians aren't special in this regard. Not many people enjoy having their views challenged, even if it is just by reading other views.

Frankly, I think it goes the other way too. The number of non-Christians on this site who can articulate Christian belief in a way an educated Christian would accept are very few. Most questions aimed at Christians could be answered with some fairly superficial research on their own.

If the non-Christian assumes the Christian is ipso facto stupid, how is that significantly different from the Fundamentalist thinking the non-Christian is ipso facto malicious? The level of debate and discourse on R&S is pretty well balanced in my view.

Answer 3

Many religions do not want "false prophets" to lead their congregation astray. Too many times the people who research or read material from other religions are not strong in their faith or they would not be wasting precious time reading that type of Propaganda, when they could be reading their Bible. I personally find other religions interesting and I do read about Paganism, Wicca and Spiritualism just to see what kind of drawl these religions have that would lead so many religious people astray. It all comes down to the difference between a religious person who believes in religion and a Christian who tries to live in Christ's Image and lives what they believe and follows its teachings with their whole heart, body and soul. I personally believe no matter where you come from, or what your background is, there is a time in EVERYONE's life where my God speaks to you and your heart is convicted and you know my God is the one true and living God, no matter what propaganda you read. It is only a matter of choice as far as whether you choose to believe what your heart is telling you or if you choose to believe the worldly views of Satan.

Answer 4

Its good to read material about other religion but careful because if you dig too much, this question will suddenly come to your mind, "How if this other religion is true?". That is when you will become astray. Why become astray? Its because your faith are not strong enough to believe in your own God. Its like your foundation are built on a sand rather than concrete. If you are a Christian, you must have 3 basic things Christian must have. Bible, Pray, and Church (a group of Christian).

And remember, Christian is more about your personal relationship with God. Don't learn religion like you learn history. Don't think God existed but He sit far away in the castle up in the cloud watching us from far above. Remember He always stand beside us and in our heart.

There are sweet poem that says, "God, i walk along the beach and when i look back there is only two foot step along the way. But you said you will walk with me all the time". God answer, "You only saw two footstep because i was carrying you in my hand, my dear."

Answer 5

If you want to wear blinkers and bury your head in the sand then why not go right ahead? never read anything about any other religion, it might entice you away from the one true way you just know you have found! Don't these other people know they are dammed? How can they entertain a moment's doubt about the one true Religion? Good grief You might even have an independent thought of your own, and just look where it will get you. You'll be going "why, why, " with the heathens in no time at all. Thinking will never do! If the good lord had meant us to think he'd have given us free will and a mind to question with. Stuff and nonsense, Other religions indeed.!

Answer 6

Numerology is any belief in divine, mystical or other special relationship between a number and some coinciding events. It's an occult science that I consider fascinating. I started to study numerology because of my obsession with Mathematics, Geometry. What I discovered it's really incredibble.

The best site you can visit is http://numerology.toptips.org

(go there and ask for your free personalized report)

Answer 7

For young Christians who are not established in their faith it would be confusing to study other religions.

For those who are strong in their faith, it is very interesting and useful to learn what others believe. One thing about this though, as a word of caution, don't become so interested in studying what others believe that you neglect your own study of the scriptures and go on a campaign to refute teachings of other belief systems.

I believe comparitive studies are important to being an effective witness for Christ. When you know what others think
or teach and can compare them with scripture it creates an understanding on their part and encourages or discourages them from further communication with you. ( ie; I have had both Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses come to my door - we had good talks, doctrinal disputes and times of comparing
scripture against their doctrinal books), Some have come back for further discussion and some have not. There was no
animosity created because neither of us was attacking what the other believed.

Since I know Christ personally for over 33 years I don't feel threatened by their presence because I am strong in my faith.
I certainly have not been led astray or even tempted to move away from what I believe.

I believe a person's walk with the Lord should determine what he or she thinks is appropriate for them. Getting counsel in this area from a Pastor or other strong Christian is wise. You could also have someone along if you go specifically to meet with and minister to people of other beliefs. I have done this.

Answer 8

In context of Christianity God's word is the truth and the material from other religion are lies. When Christians know the truth, the truth will set them free. Any argument or high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God is an unwelcome stronghold and a bondage in the mind of Christians. So Christians do not read these other stuff to avoid these strongholds and bondages. There is so much to learn and discover in God's word that one has no time for lies.

Answer 9

Truth is, broadening your knowledge of other forms of spiritual practice, or even reading other history of your own religion would educate you into being an entirely different form of Christian.

The only way to stay blinded is by not seeing.

I just don't understand why Christians would want to make that choice.

Worrying about shaking your faith is no good reason to stay in ignorance of information. Education is reputed to broaden a person and is no different in the face of your religious beliefs. But the norm is to only follow a certain path. Fine, but then why call all other forms of spirituality, doomed?

Do those who deliberately keep themselves narrow-minded (this is actually quite literal. To narrow your knowledge is to narrow your mind and your tolerance follows suit. Try and see that much!)

Pangel, it doesn't make sense to me either.....

People have died to maintain this allusion, the very premise that ignorance is bliss is a huge fallacy and we see it here everyday.

Answer 10

The study of comparative religion, for intelligent and thoughtful people, is no problem. It actually helps to understand why Christianity is the right path. I have been a practicing Wiccan. The concept of ritual sacrifice brought me back to Christ, as HIS ultimate Sacrifice, with His OWN blood, not an animals, is what we Christians base our beliefs on. Without the Sacrifice and subsequent Resurrection, Christianity is an insane lie.
So study the others, and come back to Jesus, like I did. I'm available to discuss this, just contact me thru this system.