Do you think most "christians" have ever researched other religions or philosiphies?

Question

Or because they profess to know the truth, do they just believe what their parents taught them and never research further.

Answer 1

Most of them? I'd say no, if this board is any indication. Most of them don't know Buddhism beyond a Chinese restaurant lounge, Hinduism beyond the character Apu on "The Simpsons", Judaism beyond "Seinfeld", Islam beyond CNN, or Paganism beyond what they see in tacky horror movies. Even then, I'm probably giving some of them too much credit.

Answer 2

Do you think “most” people in the world spend a great deal of time researching, analyzing, pondering and intelligently debating religions or philosophies or ways of life different from what they themselves and their close friends espouse?

It is extremely polarizing to begin by asking whether most ________ do or don’t do ________. You immediately set up an “us versus them” debate, and so you get the standard responses:

(A) Non-Christians: Christians are just sheep, and follow wherever they are led.
(B) Christians: Quite a few Christians do thoughtfully explore other philosophies and religions--and often find that this exploration strengthens rather than undermines their faith.

(A) is likely a confirmation of what you yourself believe. (B) is true--but coming from the small group of people who answer your question, it may not be enough to convince you.

There are many types of Christians in the world, and it would be virtually impossible to make a meaningful statement about the mindsets of "most" of them. To attempt to do so sounds (for lack of a better word) prejudiced. But that’s what happens when you try to paint a group of individuals (in this case, a very large and very diverse group of individuals) with a very broad brush.

Answer 3

I think most Christians have had very little exposure to the beliefs of other religions, but they do tend to take philosophy courses in college at about the same proportion as various non-Christians. At least they did when I was a philosophy major in the early 1970s.

There is a substantial minority of Christians who do study comparative religions to some extent, but generally it is in an "arms-length" sort of style. Sort of like an anthropologist. To actually study the religion the way someone who was contemplating conversion would is pretty rare. Or at least it's pretty rare that they continue to be Christian!

Answer 4

I think many will research other religions, yes, but most who do will not "see if it fits" so to speak. For example, in Buddhism, one of the main ideas is to test and question everything taught. You must apply these things internally and see if it makes sense, and if not explore it until you can conclude for near certainty it is wrong or correct. Someone who believes they have already found the "right way" will not do this, and thus lacks a significant understanding of the foundation for Buddhism.

Answer 5

While I don't know about "most" Christians, I know that I researched many other religions and philosophies.

I was raised in a moderate Protestant church (our denomination allowed just about anything and even have a drink named for them), but I began to question all Christian principles in my late teens.

Then I spent many years "trying on" and sometimes joining, every possible religion I could, but I never found peace.

Finally I came full circle and beyond, as I am now a Bible-based, apostolic Christian who does my very best to follow the Word of God, just as it is written.

I still "study" other religions, but do not participate in their rituals or their interpretations of the Bible. And now, I finally have a "peace that passes all understanding." God bless.

Answer 6

Religion has always been my favorite subject to read. I've been researching the main religions for many years now. I'm a Christian but I'm not following exactly what my parents taught me.

BTW, I also like science and I've read about all kind of theories.

Answer 7

I am a Christian and purhaps not every Christian checks the other religions to compair them to Christianity. However I know from my own life that there is a God and He has a Son named Jesus and He came here to earth died for Every Human here and rose again. I also know that God is here because he has helped me through a lot of lifes bad times and continues to do so.
I know that the church igo to the people there travel to other parts of the world like China and Japan and learn about their culture and Religion long before they try to convert anyone.
As far as I am concerned I know there is a God, Jesus is very real and so is the Holy Ghost! The 3 in one Trinity. This praying to cows and gold statues is not right. If you want to know for sure about who God is find a good Christian Church.
Do not always listen to GOSSIP about God/ Jesus/ Holy Goast.

Answer 8

Ha! Yeah, I can imagine most Christians would gladly listen to someone like Malcolm X or The Dalai Lama with a very open mind.

I am sure some christians DO research other philosophies, but only so they can find faults with them.

Answer 9

I don't think it would be fair to stereotype ANY group (including Christians) to have that line of thinking...

I can speak from personal experience, that I have researched other belief structures; both before and after I became a Christian.

I was an atheist...than agnostic...than Christian.

I stayed Christian...and yes, it is truth.

I've researched other religions...Islamic, Buddhism, Satanism, Judaism, Hinduism, Paganism (not all Pagan religions - granted...but I have studied Wiccan indepth)...but I find major flaws with all of them.

Answer 10

I am always amazed at how little Americans in general, not just Christians, know about other religions. Almost everyone thinks that Buddhists see Buddha as a god, like Christians do Jesus. I

Many fundamentalist churches warn their people to not look at other religions as "Satan" might trick them. There is so much fear. Sometimes it seems like their whole religion is held together by fear.

Answer 11

Most Christians only know what the bible says about other religions and philosophies. There certainly may be some out there, but I have never met a Christian who read a book about Paganism, Buddhism or any other religion. The Christians I have met tend to rely completely on what their priests have said about what is outside Christianity.