Does anybody read?

Question

Does anybody ever read anything that goes against their religious beliefs (i.e. Tract from other religion, other holy book, essay on atheism...)? Knowledge from many points of view makes any argument that much more credible.

Great answers everyone. It's nice to see so many people that don't have blinders on when dealing with R & S.

Answer 1

Yes all the time. That's why my beliefs changed after being raised to believe one thing. I researched other religions because i wanted to know why (if what i was raised to believe is so right and everybody else is wrong) do other people believe other things. that's how i came to the decision to believe what i want to believe in my heart. not what mom or dad or grandparents forced on you coming up.

Answer 2

Yes. Part of knowledge is reading things you may not agree with. And this is not necessarily for the sake of argument. Mainly...the purpose should be to help you solidify your own beliefs.
Sometimes when one religion brings up a point that makes me feel uncomfortable I ask the question why? Is there something about my own that doesn't jive? Do they have a point? Perhaps I missed something?
For example...I don't like graffic descriptions of rape and sexual violations but I was asked to read TOni Morrison's Beloved for a class. I was shocked by some of the scenes and I didn't particualrly care for that book. HOWEVER, I did not turn away from all of her books. INstead I read "Love" and really enjoyed it. Her style of narration is very fresh and mysterious in that piece.
Just make sure you try to be as open minded as possible. But that doesn't mean wish-washy and able to shift with what ever pop culture says.
Again....reading other things should help you solidify your own beliefs.

Answer 3

Religious belief is such a profound entity. Every person has something that they believe in. The way you see the world is the way you see the world. As a result your opinion is always right. If you do not have an opinion one way or the other you can be easily led. Take a position... and live with your choice.

Answer 4

I've read the Bible five times. I think that qualifies. I've read many Christian books over the years. Now that I know where I stand, I don't feel it necessary to go overboard. I have so many other books to read in line with my beliefs. I read quite a bit online about Intelligent Design just to keep abreast of how ridiculous it is and with some of the pseudo-science arguments they come up with.

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Answer 5

I read a ton of stuff that goes against my un-religious beliefs. And it definitely makes my arguments stronger. The more I learn about religion, the more positive I am that it's all made-up BS.

Answer 6

Quite regularly. I may not agree with their beliefs or views, but that doesn't mean that I can't learn about them. And if I'm going to have a religious discussion with a Satanist (which I have done, comparing and contrasting our religious beliefs), it helps if I at least have an understanding of their beliefs so we can have an intelligent discussion.

Knowledge is good.

Answer 7

I am agnostic, but I'm willing to be convinced away from it. I read frequently from as many other religions' texts as possible. I'm certainly not opposed to the idea of there being a God or gods, but I haven't seen anything that's convinced me yet. If I do, I'll sign up.

Answer 8

One of my lifelong goals is to read as many holy texts as I can and participate in as many different religious services as possible. As far as I've found out; Mormons are the most family oriented, Catholics are the strickest, and Methodists are the most accepting of differences

Answer 9

Sure, I've read tracks from Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons and Islamic sects. None of them have changed the way I worship, they just strengthen my beliefs.

Answer 10

Yes. I like to research topics such as hell, easter, christmas, and so forth. I then "boil" my knowledge down to no frills statements. I am an atheist.