Let me rephrase...Are there any christians out there that have actually studied other religions.?

Question

or is christianity the only one you know anything about. I've learned when I live in the south, we complain about the people in the north. when I live in the north, we complain about the people in the south. I'm looking for answers from people who have studied more than 1 religion so they can say they've made an informed decision instead of a bias one.

...so again I ask, why is jesus the only way?

Answer 1

I took World Religions classes both in high school and in college. Also, I'm the only member of my immediate family (outside of marriage) that is a Christian. My mother is Agnostic, my father is Pagan, my paternal grandparents are Buddhists.

I personally feel that I can not discredit the religious beliefs of another. It is not my place to tell someone that they are travelling down the wrong path. I personally feel that Christianity is right and true for my life, but I woud never be so arrogant as to tell someone that they should follow my religion. Like I said, its not my place. I will, however, attempt to be an example of Christ's love and will happily share my faith with anyone who is interested. Different people take different paths. God has a plan for us all. I trust that he can lead others better than I can.

Answer 2

I have.
I grew up in the sixties, when learning about other forms of spirituality was a requirement, if one wanted to be "cool"...and, Hun, I was definitely "cool".
I visited the Spiritual cafeteria that was open everywhere you looked in those days, taking a taste here, and a dish there...I found Yoga to be fascinating, and thank the time I spent in learning it for making it easier for me to give birth naturally.
I was not terribly impressed with Sangria, or Voodoo...sorry guys, I just wasn't.
Paganism got a passing nod, as I had always been fascinated with mythology.
Wicca made a strong impression. Maybe cuz my roots are Celtic....
But, in the end, all these exotic dishes left me hungry.
I went back to the good ol' home cookin' I grew up on...Christianity.
And I haven't been hungry since...

EDIT:
I should mention that, although I did enjoy yoga, I never did really get "into" the eastern religions. They were popular back then, though.
In my bookcase you will find, among other interesting books, a book on World Religions. You will find that it has been pored over and some of the pages have been wet (from trips to the lake or reading in the bathtub).
Yes, I have, indeed, studied other religions. My decision to come back to Christianity was an informed decision.
My appeal to others not to completely pass it by without giving it a closer look is also informed.
Mind, I am not touting the visible church, which is a mess, and not at all what Christ had in mind. I am suggesting Christianity as it was taught by Jesus, Himself. That takes some serious commitment, no wimps need apply....

Answer 3

I met one once, but I don't know many. It's a decent story if you care about religion though. I was in a class at community college called "The Life and Teachings of Jesus". The guy who knew some comparative religion gave us some interesting insight into two Bible verses, and showed that most Christians read correctly, and then act incorrectly.

The first was the golden rule (Do unto others, as you would have done unto you), contrasted with the silver rule of Bhuddism (do nothing to someone else that you would not like to have done to you). The Christian version is more pro-active than the Bhuddist version, but ask most Christians what the golden rule means to them, and they quote the silver rule back at you.

The other was "Love your enemies". We had a ten minute discussion on this and most of the class came to the conclusion that Jesus just loves everybody, and that we should try to see our enemy's point of view so we don't unfairly call them evil, but no one was ready to "love" their "enemy" until the same guy contrasted it with the Satanic Bible's "Hate your enemies. This leaves more love for your friends." We were absolutely floored to realize that most of us (mostly Christians) were living life by the satanic version, and turning the words of Christ into meaningless fluff.

So while I'm not the expert you are looking for, Christians need to know that something can be learned from learning about how others think. You aren't going to convert or anything, but comparing the wisdom you were brought up with to wisdom learned in other parts of the world can lead to insight about your religion you'd never get otherwise.

As for the question in your edit, may I suggest "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis. It begins by assuming the universal ethic (that there are some things that are universally right or wrong, and not a matter of opinion or tradition) and logically rules out all religions except Christianity and Islam. It then delves into the commonalities all Christian churches share, regardless of denomination, with the theme that the differences between Baptists and Catholics and Lutherans are pretty minor, in light of the things we can all agree on.

Answer 4

I was raised by an agnostic father and an atheist mother. As a result, I was free to explore any religions I wanted. Until I was about 14 I was totally uninterested. Then I had what can only be described as a highly spiritual encounter, and I knew there was a big part of life I was missing and it had to do with God.

So I looked at a lot of religions. Judaism, Buddhism, a few Christian Protestant churches, and others. Finally, after over a decade of searching, I found the Catholic church and have never looked back.

Answer 5

When I was on a tract to becoming a minister I focused my studies on other religions (and the occult). Mainly I focused on religion which claim to be Christian (ie... mormonism, Jehovah's wittnesses) and tried to discern whether or not they more closely resembled a cult than a religion. But, I also studied Hinduism, Buddhism, and the Muslim faith, as well as Judaism. It didn't shake my faith (I'm a protestant Christian) but did serve to understand that many are as devout to their religion (in many cases more so) as I am to mine. To me, Jesus is the "only" way because in Christianity I was taught how to step out on my faith and use discernment. When I did this, I fully believe God revealed Himself to me and never doubted Him from that point on. Through Christ I accepted salvation and again, felt a prescence I knew to be real. Now, I have an on-going relationship which helps me get through the perils of life, and I attempt (sometimes faltering) to be accountable for the sins I commit in life, knowing the price was paid for them, but I am still responsible to learn from my mistakes. I sincerely hope that helps answer the question.

Answer 6

I have studied many others. Everything from early mythology to Wicca.
So I know alot of things about alot of things.. I still chose to give my life, my heart, and soul to Jesus..
It was a completely informed decision on my part..
The nite I gave my life to Christ I learned more then I could ever have found in any book.. no matter how long I studied and researched.
I learned of the love and acceptance that waits for anyone and everyone that searches for it.

Answer 7

I have studied many other religions. I have read the entire Bible and study it daily. Christianity is the only one that makes sense to me. I did a lot of research and soul searching as a teenager. I was raised in a Christian home, and was lucky enough to have parents who were understanding enough to let me experience other belief systems for myself, not through word of mouth.

I chose Christianity because I read the prophesies in the Old Testament and then read the prophesies that were fulfilled in the New Testament. When you have actually read the Bible, and not just bits and pieces it really is a very powerful book, and it's hard not to believe for me.

Answer 8

My husband has studied a lot of other religions and he is Christian. He understands that they all lead to the same place in the end. He believe everyone has the right to choose there own religion. I don't know why he chooses to stay with Christianity, I guess it is because he was raised to believe it. He is very open minded, he did marry a Wiccan after all :).

Answer 9

Well, I had these very questions when I entered college (Do I believe what I believe because that's all I know?). I decided to go on a spiritual quest, and studied Buddhism, the Koran, Taoism, Judaism, Baha'i, and various forms of Christianity intensely for several years (I still read and am very interested in the beliefs of others). What resonated with me about Christianity is the idea of God wanting a relationship with his creation. If you think about what it means to truly know someone, or to have compassion for someone, it is to have experienced similar situations. God, being God couldn't have this relationship with us until He experienced life in human form.

There is a 16th century Philosopher by the name of Abelard who says "God and Man meet at the cross" you may want to check him out if you are truly interested.

If your not, that's okay, just don't be so angry.

Answer 10

I have read books regarding other faiths. I purchased a book called Understanding Islam: An Introduction to the Muslim World, and I have books that give the basics about other faiths including Satanism. I can't say that I truly studied, but I did acquaint myself with the beliefs enough to know I am staying with Jesus.

Always being the curious one, I have.