WHEN STUDYING RELIGION, WE HAVE TO EXAMINE PERSONAL RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES, AND EXTERNALLY OBSERVATIONAL RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY. ARE THESE EQUALLY IMPORTANT, TO OUR UNDERSTANDING OF RELIGION OR IS ONE ASPECT MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE OTHER?
2007-06-13 06:46:36 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I believe so. Reading commentaries aren't always the best way to learn about them either.
Reading their "holy" scriptures is best. COmmentaries are just someone else's take on the matter.
2007-06-13 06:48:50 · answer #1 · answered by Chick-a-Dee 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To understand any religion you need to study religiously if you pardon the expression. Noone can hope to get a good cross section of religions in life as there is never enough time to study them all.
The strongest and most accurate..despite what many people will try to convince you of...is still Christianity and it has become not part of my life but my whole life since 1991. Prior to that I was a person you would not have wanted to meet on the street..a heavy drinker...heavy smoker....womaniser....swearer and fighter......not a nice sort of guy...but Christianity has changed me beyond belief....many can still not believe the change.
I know God/Jesus/Holy Spirit exist as I know them in a living relationship (which is what those Christians always seem to go on about).
I would recommend anyone to look deeply into Christianity and the Faith it brings to millions of people.....it is real...it is strong and it does not destroy as some others do.
Go to http://www.alpha.org and find a Church near you that runs an Alpha Course...a FREE course which is easy going and educational about Christianity....and maybe you will find out the truth without any pressure put on you...up to you!
Best wishes, Mike.
2007-06-13 07:08:00 · answer #2 · answered by georgiansilver 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the best way is to start is to read that religions texts (ie: the Bible, the Baghivagita, the Quran etc) so you have a basic understanding of the belief system in question.
Then respectfully visit their temple and if possible to go to/participate in their religious services.
You can learn "facts" by reading, and of course we all bring our own biases to everything, but until you actually immerse yourself in the worship itself, I personally don't think you'll have an accurate picture of the religion.
2007-06-13 06:52:36 · answer #3 · answered by Delicious Pear 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are some VERY good "Idiot's Guide" books out there.
"The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism"
By: Linda Johnsen
ISBN: 0028642279
List price: US $18.95 / CAN $28.95
is the BEST all around book for learning about Hinduism that I have ever seen!
I know that they also have one for Catholicism.
You might try:
"The Complete Idiot's Guide to World Religions"
By: Brandon Toropov, Father Luke Buckles
ISBN: 1592572227
Both of the books I have listed are available on Amazon.
.
2007-06-13 06:53:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Study from every angle is the best way to get insight. From the perspective of the believer and any liberal vs. conservative views, then the views from those outside the religion who have moderately respectable critiques. That's how I studied the religions I'm familiar with.
_()_
2007-06-13 06:51:07 · answer #5 · answered by vinslave 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Reading the actual holy texts of religions is a good start. :) Talking to its followers is a good idea as well. You'd want to get the objective point of view, as well as the subjective in order to understand the nature of the religion.
2007-06-13 06:50:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A good way to start is by not approaching other belief systems with the mindset that the practitioners of them are deluded infidels who are going to spend the rest of eternity in Hell, while you are righteous and heaven-bound because you have the "right" religion.
2007-06-13 07:00:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you try and go along to different places of worship? Then you will see first hand what their services are like, anyway. Most places (synagogues, mosques, churches) will let you in if you aren't there to cause trouble but just to find out more about the way they live.
2007-06-13 06:58:28 · answer #8 · answered by totally_idiotic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find families from different religions through local places of worship and ask to spend some time with them or even you might find some family who would let you live with them for a while
2007-06-13 06:51:00 · answer #9 · answered by D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Another Creatue Comforts star in the making. UK.
2007-06-13 06:50:56 · answer #10 · answered by D-FENSE 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋