should we (Christians) study other religions so we can debate, or at least know what they believe, in the event that they(non Chrsitians) try to convert us?
i have personally read the quran, book of mormon, and am starting on Hindu scripts. but reading is not enough. i also do a lot of studying on it.
anyone else do that, or am I a loner? LOL
2007-06-21 17:33:08 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think there are many people who do as you do, study other religions so you have ammo if you get in a debate, but I think this defeats the effectiveness of learning and also causes division.
If you are going to study other religions, and I think it is a great thing to do, then you must be open minded to the truthfulness of those faiths and actually put yourself in their shoes. If you study this way you will have a greater understanding of your fellow human beings and will also have stronger relationships with them. I have studied hundreds of religions and have learned much FROM those in the religions. I often attended Buddhist temple and experience the ceremonies and discussed their faith with the monks; I attended mass and had open conversations with Catholics; I envited the Jehovah Witnesses to come to my home for a couple months on theh weekends to have open discussion, but we never debated. We shared our beliefs and agreed to disagree if there were differences. I also took a great philosophy class that required us to write as though we were part of various faiths, in their shoes. It was an amazing class.
By studying various religion I have respect for all people and understand where many people come from and why the live as they do. I do not judge someone for their faith, and I understand religion is personal and faith based, but I look for the greatness in all people and take away what good I see and learn. I hope we could all do this.
2007-06-25 08:57:54 · answer #1 · answered by straightup 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have read some of the Book of Mormon. At the time, I was considering to convert to Mormonism but I gave up on reading it when I decided that I didn't believe that... I also tried reading the Qur'an, I was considering converting to Islam at that time... I gave up on that one as well when I decided that I didn't believe that... However, I'd still like to read the Qur'an. It is a VERY important book as far as world religions go. :)
I'd like to study as many different religions as I can. I'm not so good at sticking to studies but maybe I'll get it done eventually...
But I don't think you should learn about other faiths for the purpose of debating... Religion is a personally philosophy and interpretation of the writings of the Prophets. I would not say that any religion is "wrong". I believe that heaven is a place for all loyal worshipers no matter what they're religion is. We all worship the one god... God is essentially present in all religions. I'd say only sutyd other faiths if you expect to find something in it for yourself (not neccesarilly believe it) but the Bible and the Qur'an are not as different as Christians, Jews and Muslims like to pretend that they are...
2007-06-21 17:42:49 · answer #2 · answered by El Poeta 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was on an active message board and people would constantly bring up Zoroastrianism as an example of a piure and good religion compared to Christianity.
So I looked into it.
What followed was brief report on Zoroastrianism, which is full of similarites to Christianity. After the report, they stopped making it an example. It was funny to see the change.
If you can be led to slam a door shut that was open to bring error and ignorance into the conversations that you are having with people, then do it. I think that it's a Spirit led thing to do IF you are being led that way.
And that is the point of what I am writing about here. Is God leading you somewhere with that? If so, you'd BETTER do it!
2007-06-21 17:40:58 · answer #3 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just got done with a Philosphy of Religion class in college (a secular college by the way).... Learning about other religions is not bad. And I didn't learn it just to be able to disprove it or argue with them. I wanted to know what they believe and as it turns out I become less and less polemic. Because of that I find myself answering less questions here, because all to often these questions are against a certain religion rather than simply asking a sincere question.
2007-06-21 17:42:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
remember to learn different religions in intensity. evaluating and contrasting the Bible with different religions will make you the two a million.) not confident of the Bible's authority, or 2.) Very confident of the Bible's authority. Be committed to looking the certainty. pay attention that academia is an detrimental place to get a experience for a faith. each classification, minus some historic historical close to east training, have been snoozes for me. attempt books and human beings fairly.
2016-09-28 06:50:02 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is nice to run across Christians that have actually taken the time to learn what they are talking about, instead of the ones that just insist that ALL people who don't follow Christ are devil worshipers. I suggest all Christians learn everything they can, and not just Christians, all religions and non-religions. I think it would help to spread a lot of tolerance and understanding, that this world desperately needs.
)o( Blessed Be!
2007-06-21 18:07:57 · answer #6 · answered by whillow95 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, why are Christians so AFRAID of being converted to something else? Are you so insecure with your faith? Do you honestly think that you are so weak and gullible that you will fall for anything?
Bethatasitmay, it is always good to study other faiths, to learn of what tey believe, and why they believe it. But, do NOT learn from one's enemies. For instance, it would not be prudent to learn about waht Jews believe and why from an Arab Moslem or a Neo-nazi. It's not good to go to anti-Mormons to learn wat Mormons believe, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, Islam, Buddhism, etc. If you want to know what Mormons believe and why, ask Mormons. If you want to know what Buddhists believe and why, go to one. Don't be afraid of being converted, because if you are so weak that studying about another faith causes you to leave wat you are and become what they are, then you should be in there in the first place.
Honestly, so many Christians seem to believe that ANY faith tat's not exactly what they follow, is Satanic and evil and all that. And I just do not see it!
2007-06-21 19:10:30 · answer #7 · answered by mormon_4_jesus 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was raised catholic and studying other religions helped me figure out what i really believe, even though my beliefs would probably horrify most catholics it gave me my own perspective on god, heaven, hell, and religion in general. Not just what the church or evangelical Christians pounded into my head . Religion is about glorifying God, nothing else studying different religions helps you glorify god in your own way, not in the way some group of people wants you to.
2007-06-21 18:08:01 · answer #8 · answered by Emily B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been studying other religions since I was 13. I have no desire to defend Christianity against other faiths - on the contrary, I study other religions so that I can learn more about God, man, religion, morality and natural revelation.
2007-06-21 17:37:42 · answer #9 · answered by NONAME 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I do the same thing as you do, but the more I read, the more I am reassured by The Bible, that I have pick the best choice, salvation guaranteed!
We may study other religions' books but we should never leave The Bible out of our lives.
2007-06-21 17:41:21 · answer #10 · answered by tom_santo 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋