Shouldn't we respect all religions, (Muslims, Catholics, JW's Mormons, etc...)? Romans 14:1-22?

Question

2One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. 4Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Why do religions spend so much time pointing fingers at others, and telling others what sinners/bad people they are...doesn't this passage tell us specifically, not to judge other religions?


Your thoughts?

Answer 1

You have to respect the others freedom of conscience because we are all created in the image and likeness of God.

Answer 2

I can believe that Christianity is the best and correct religion while still respecting other religions. It's not either/or. If asked about my religion, I can share. If told about another religion, I can listen without it affecting my own beliefs. My religious beliefs do not need to be legislated into laws for everyone else to follow. They are to be followed by hearts which are led by the Holy Spirit to follow them, not forced upon others. That is counterproductive.

Those who think it's necessary to go to war over religious beliefs are wrong. This applies to some Christians as well as the Osama Bin Laden types in Islam.

Answer 3

It's not the religions theirselves that point fingers, it's certain people. If someone says that a religion (example) Numakasha pointed fingers at (example) Pumayn. Then that person would be saying that the millions of followers of Numakasha all blamed Pumayn for famine and war.

I, myself, being a Muslim - Do not blame any religion for any reason. I blame the people responsible, I rarely look at their religion unless it's involved in some major part, but if I DO look at their religion I just look at their own views of it. Not saying that "Oh this guy so-and-so murdered this woman in the name of Numakasha, that means all followerers are murderers. Ooh yeah, let's all throw bricks at their windows because it will make them SO much more happier."

It's idiotic how people blame an entire religion for the actions of one. But getting back on subject, I respect everyone's religions and beliefs, though many other people of every kind and color don't and do, it doesn't matter to me, those are their opinions.

Peace from the Middle East ;)

Answer 4

These verses are specifically about Christians who believe differently. Originally meat that was sacrificed to idols was forbidden to the jewish people. After Christ came we were no longer under the law and eating it was permissible. However some Christians are stronger in the faith than others. Some could eat the meat and have no trouble. Others felt like it was sin and could not. Basically this says whatever your convictions on this topic do not force them on others or look down on them for their opinion.

Christ made it quite clear He is the only way to be saved.

Answer 5

Yes, within reason. I draw the line before allowing human sacrifice.

The entire world agreed to include freedom of religion in the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights. See Article 2: http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

The citizens of the United States think this freedom is just as important as the freedoms of speech or the press. All are part of the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution: http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.billofrights.html

Even the Catholic Church seeks and supports the freedom of religion for all human beings.

In the Vatican II document, Declaration on Religious Freedom, Dignitatis Humanae (Human Dignity), the Church states:

The human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits.

For the entire document, see: http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651207_dignitatis-humanae_en.html

With love in Christ.

Answer 6

No, these verses are not about judging other beliefs. Why? Because you have to compare scripture to scripture. If Jesus said He was the only way to the Father, that tells us there is no other way to be saved. All beliefs do not lead to salvation.

These verses are to believers in Christ judging other believers in Christ over differences in what one eats. Remember in this time, many of the followers of Jesus were Jewish, people used to dietary restrictions. It would be an obvious bone of contention that they would wonder why Gentile believers in Jesus, for instance, would not observe these conventions.

Answer 7

Greet you in the same manner as Jesus (pbuh) greeted in Hebrew Luke 24:36
‘Sholam alay kum’
or Islamic greeting in Arabic Assalaamu alai kum
both meaning ‘Peace be on you’.



"Say: 'O People of the Book (i.e., Jews and Christians)! Come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah.' If then they turn back, say ye: 'Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's Will).' (The Noble Quran, 3:64)"

"Strongest among men in enmity to the believers (Muslims) wilt thou find the Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say, 'We are Christians': because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant. (The Noble Quran, 5:82)"


peace

Answer 8

I respect other religion,s,I guess sometimes I just feel bad because some do not have anything they believe in or they do not know what they are saying.

Answer 9

It is talking about believers. Not other religions. It is talking about being a stumbling block to others in the faith.

Answer 10

I agree and disagree

So much unnecessary pain and death had been caused by the Abrahamic religions fighting amongst themselves.

I wish they would cut it out, and especailly stop hurting us while they are doing it!