How Do You Learn About Other Religions?

Question

Did you learn by looking at primary sources (religious texts, edicts, guides to meditation), ask members of that religion about their faith, hear it second-hand (through a TV program, wikipedia, your pastor/rabbi/imam), or a combination of these? Do you think that they way that you have been informed about a religion that you don't follow greatly influences a 'true' perception of that faith?

Answer 1

All of that. Plus I joined some churches I was interesting in for a while and after none of them proved to be very wise or spiritual, I used my common sense and followed my heart -- back to the Catholic Church where I started out from.

Answer 2

I actually started out with a regular enclycopedia. You can then search through wikipedia, the internet and talk to people. Sometimes the best way to learn is to go to a library or a bookstore and see what's on the shelves too.
There are many different branches to many different religions and i think its important to find out the basics of all of them to better understand the whole.
I was first informed about other religions in school We did a little unit on Judiasm, Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, etc. We just learned the basics and I did other research myself.

Answer 3

Of course the source and the way greatly influences a true perception.
I think the best way is asking an average person of a certain religion to tell you about it, not a religious man nor TV where bias increases.

Answer 4

I learnde from a combination of talking to people of different faiths and independent research. As to thinking that the way I have been informed about a religion influences a "true" perception of that faith, it goes without saying that the sources a person learns from has a great impact on what they think about a subject.

That having been said, I don't need to know a whole lot about a different faith to know that if they are not trusting in Jesus for their eternal salvation then whatever temporal benefits might accrue to a follower of that faith in the end it will be worthless when they stand before God on judgment day.

John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

That's straight from the Lord Jesus' mouth who came down from Heaven, laid down his sinless life on a cross to atone for the sins of all who would by faith accept that payment, and rose from the dead being seen by many credible witnesses before ascending back up to Heaven.

Answer 5

I suggest reading "The History of God". There are resources listed at the end. Also, if you are interested in certain religions, the library is a great resource. Also, look into world history especially pertaining to wars because some wars were started because of religious differences.

Answer 6

you can learn about other religions by doing all of the things you listed. I personally like to just ask the person about their religion...but ask a couple of people so you don't have only 1 answer.

Answer 7

I would use a combination of all the things you mentioned, and I think its important to learn about other beliefs then we may understand and tolerate them a little more.

Answer 8

Many learn by personal experience. Others learn by current news events. Still others in school, and others by unclean and hateful birds, and others by news articles. It really just depends on the person and their location on the earth.

Answer 9

I read the scriptures, then the books of reliable writers.

Answer 10

Goggle, library research, etc.