Although I am an athiest, recently I had to attend an event at our local Hindu temple - an idol blessing. My family is very religious and wanted me to be there. They know and respect my athiesm, but asked that I come anyway. So I did, and participated where I was requested to. Mostly I did it because, well, family is FAR more important than religion in my view. How would you handle a similar situation?
2007-07-30 16:25:57 · 11 answers · asked by hulidoshi 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sure, and I have several times. I have many friends of many faiths (and a few with none). I've even gone to an event for a friend of another faith and made something for her in honor of her faith and the religious step she was taking - she was Jewish just in case you're interested. I have respect for people of other faiths - especially if they have respect for me and my faith - Christianity.
2007-07-30 16:37:28 · answer #1 · answered by Marvelissa VT 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hi I quite have been on a Retreat to a Buddhist Monastery, attended Buddhist cermonies, worshipped in a Hindu temple and a Mosque, additionally a Sikh Temple and a Synagogue. I quite have additionally carried out the classic stuff; Sunday college and C of E. i think of each and all the stories have been valid however the greater religious stories I quite have, the less i be conscious of ways all and sundry could be optimistic they have the 'ideal' faith and that others have the 'incorrect' faith.....that's why I quite have settled on being agnostic. I do savour spirituality and have self belief there is greater to existence than the actual plane, yet as to what's presented; nicely in reality who quite is familiar with?
2016-10-01 01:55:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have attended and participated in many religious events that were not my own. When I was Catholic I sang regularly in a Protestant church. I also sang in several Mormon Sunday services. As a pagan, I have attended Christian services. As long as you are respectful within the gathering (and it certainly sounds like you were), I see no harm. As an athiest, you can see the beauty of these ceremonies without worrying about any spiritual side to them. Look at is this way - If there ISN'T anything out there that is 'divine', it does no harm to attend a ceremony. If there IS something 'divine' out there, it does no harm to act with respect to anything or one or ceremony that honors 'it'.
2007-07-30 16:33:59 · answer #3 · answered by harpertara 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would have done the same thing.
I have attended many events held by other Christian denominations and went to Muslim house blessing ceremony? but I am not sure about that one because I didn't understand exactly what was going on, but I taught all the kids and was a neighbor so they included me. I get invited to events all the time by my students. To them it is very important that a teacher is there. When I was young and lived in Washington, DC I made a point to go to as many different types of religious ceremonies/places of worship as possible. I have not really been to non-Christian ceremonies. But I would if invited by someone close.
2007-07-30 16:37:45 · answer #4 · answered by biology.teacher 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My family is Mormon and I go to certain religious events. It's not always fun, but I enjoy being with my family. This is why I go. Also, they respect and acknowledge my position as far as being atheist/agnostic so I feel I should respect and acknowledge theirs. I think it would be much more interesting to go to a Hindu ceremony. I've never done anything like that before and it would be a great learning experience.
2007-07-30 16:33:23 · answer #5 · answered by Lillith 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. I spent 8 1/2 years in a Christian Drama Ministry and have been in MANY different kinds of churches in many different places.
2007-07-30 16:36:51 · answer #6 · answered by Jan P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a Christian, and I want to visit a mosque, because apparently some of my fellow Christians are convinced that they're secret underground terrorist training bases.
I think you should go. Whether or not you believe, they're your family and Hinduism has a really interesting culture behind it.
2007-07-30 16:29:32 · answer #7 · answered by Jay 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do all the time... as said, family (and friends) are more important than religion... granted, I don't participate in worship (though I do participate in discussion)... I do refuse to betray my own beliefs, but I won't withhold my presence...
2007-07-30 16:39:05 · answer #8 · answered by Sacred Chao 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I already have, and if it's hinduism, well, I can say that it's a very good way of understanding people's culture. but some other denominations who think they are right and everybody is wrong, I don't have time to listen to crap like that.
2007-07-30 16:29:36 · answer #9 · answered by Perceptive 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would do the same thing. It's nice to see that there are other things out there than your point of view, you know, something to keep your mind open (though by no means influenced) to the world
2007-07-30 16:30:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋