How many of you have attended a service/ritual by a faith other than your own?

Question

Looing back, I'm amazed at how little exposure I've had to other faiths. I am an open-minded person when it comes to personal beliefs; I am an Atheist, but this allows me to view all religions/beliefs as a personal expression, and to hold them all to the same value. With this in mind, I see absolutely no problem whatsoever in taking part in other faith's/belief's services, yet I have have taken part very little in such things. I have, to date, attended some Pagan/Wiccan rituals, and some Jewish observances, but overwhelmingly, my religious association has been Christian, the religion I was raised with.

I am curious if others have had greater exposure to other faiths, and if so, how did it make you feel? Were you able to acknowledge something valid in the experience? Would you participate in such observances again, if you had the opportunity?

Answer 1

I am God mother to my Catholic neice ... so have attended many Catholic services
I have been to many different Christian churches in the past
I have been to a Humanism funeral
a Hindu wedding
a Pagan festival

all were wonderful ( yes even the funeral which was the most beautiful service I have ever been to )

and intend on adding a few more to that

Answer 2

Hi

I have been on a Retreat to a Buddhist Monastery, attended Buddhist cermonies, worshipped in a Hindu temple and a Mosque, also a Sikh Temple and a Synagogue. I have also done the traditional stuff; Sunday school and C of E.

I think all the experiences were valid but the more religious experiences I have, the less I understand how anyone can be sure they have the 'right' religion and that others have the 'wrong' religion.....which is why I have settled on being agnostic. I do appreciate spirituality and believe there is more to life than the physical plane, but as to what is out there; well in truth who really knows?

Answer 3

I have attended a Buddhist wedding, a Jehovah's Witness gathering, several denominations of Christian religions, a seance of sorts, and probably some I can't remember because let's face it - the 70's and 80's are alittle hazy now....

I don't have a problem acknowledging that these beliefs and activities mean something to the people involved. People's feelings need to be considered when one is invited to attend a wedding - for example. That being said - I will have to say that at this point I would have to prayerfully consider my participation in any of these listed again.
I specifically separated Jehovah's Witness from the Christian demoninational group as that was a totally different experience than any Christian gathering I had attended to that date.
Spiritual awareness in relationship with Jesus has opened my eyes more than most people would believe or acknowledge.

blessings :)

Answer 4

I was raised catholic but as I got older decided it was not for me. I am an atheist, however, I do respect religion in other people. I have attended a buddhist ceremony, muslim, and many jewish events. I also visited my friends off brand christian group when I was in high school. I have gotten value from these because when people come together with good intentions and are good people it is special to see something that means so much to them. On the other hand I have been to some Christian ceremonies that scare the crap out of me. Some people are a little to militant about their religion.
I am raising my children to believe whatever they want about religion and educating them about all the choices that are out there. My son believes in god at the moment and if he makes that choice that's fine with me...

Answer 5

Oh, many. I've been to temple, synagogue, I used to be a solitary Wiccan, I was a Catholic for 27 years, I have been to Hindu rituals and Buddhist rituals. I can honestly say that if I had not moved away from my birth family, I may have stayed as closed minded as they are. I believe it is fear more than anything and not hatred. I've met Rastafarians, Muslims, Taoists, Druids..... it's actually quite remarkable and it has certainly opened my heart and mind. I feel I am a richer person having shared even a small amount of time in the presence of each of these people. I was able to acknowledge that all paths lead to God and I never would have acknowledged that a few years ago. I would participate in any service that brought about joy and friendship. My household is a good example: a Jewish stepson who leans towards atheism, an Anglican-raised Atheist and me the former Catholic Buddhist. I have a crucifix on my altar as well as a Buddha, Ganesha, Shiva, Krishna, Mary.... it's very lovely really. Blessings to you!

Answer 6

As Pagan son of a Episcopal Minister and Methodist Pastor and Methodist Pastor, I been to many different services

My parents were part of the local clergy association, so we attend community services all year round , host by different churches

My Parents adopted me when I was 10, and my sister some time before then. They let us explore many different domination, and faiths

My sister found Oral Roberts, went to his college, found a guy, got knock up and now married

I searched for a long time, and come feel most at home with Neo- Pagan

Answer 7

I am an atheist, and so by definition any service or ritual I attend is in a faith other than my own.

I have attended Catholic services (Roman, and Ukrainian), Methodist, Baptist, non-denominational Christian, United Church, Anglican, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and several others whose exact denomination I'm not sure of.

I have also been to several Unitarian Universalist services, and one Mormon service.

I once attended a Jewish wedding - but apparently it wasn't a 'full' Jewish ceremony, only a few bits. I'm not sure what parts were 'official'. I also once went to a wedding officiated by a Tibetan Buddhist monk - but other than that it wasn't really Tibetan Buddhist in nature (he was a family friend, who just happened to also be a Buddhist monk).

I would like to attend ceremonies of more faiths, but I wouldn't want to go unless invited.

Answer 8

I have attended a wide variety of religious services for a wide variety of different faiths.. Including Catholic Mass (both in English and in Latin... Very interesting) Mormon services, Assembly of God services, Jewish Synagogue services, Baptist services, Southern Baptist services (yes there is a difference between southern Baptist and regular Baptist services), Episcopal services, Native American rituals, Jehovah's Witness services, and Wicca rituals...

I found all the different services and rituals very interesting especially the Catholic service in Latin... Looking over the crowd I notices most people simply didn't have a clue what was being said, they were all looking at a priest sitting in a chair off to the side of the priest speaking and stood, knelt etc. in response to the movements the priest was making... I found that rather interesting, people adamantly believing in something they couldn't even understand the priest saying as it was in a foreign language to them...

I also found the Native American rituals very interesting.. The rituals I attended were presented by 3 seperate tribes Navajo, Pima and Hopi I enjoyed observing the similarities and differences in beliefs and rituals...

Answer 9

In the 11th grade I decided that I wanted to be in a Catholic school instead of my public school. I wasn't a Catholic then, and I'm not one now (I'm Pagan & was in 11th grade). At the school they required everyone to attend services at the school. I attended some Catholic services years before when I was a kid. Also, my grandma would walk me to her church on occassion when I stayed with her (I forget what denomination) and my father would take me to his girlfriend's(non-denominational). When I was away at a three week college-like camp I attended Jewish services at my friend's invitation. I've also been to a few Pagan rituals. I could go on, but you get the picture.
I'd LOVE to do all that over again, and I probably will. There's nothing like experiencing the cultures of my comrades.

Answer 10

I spent considerable time in Saudi Arabia, and used the opportunity to examine Islam quite closely. I attended a number of novice classes,and asked many questions. I read the Qur'an twice from cover to cover (in translation -- my Arabic is nowhere nearly good enough to handle the original), with particular emphasis on finding either confirmations or discrepancies with current scientific knowledge. I found none of either, but there are serious errors in sociological and financial precepts, which show conclusively that the thing had no sort of divine origin. Hence, the whole thing is fiction, and Muhammad was a fraud.

Answer 11

Jack,
I spent a lot of time searching for the truth after a near-death experience that I had in High School. I did attend a number of different Christian Churches and I diod a lot of reading and study on other religions asfter my graduation and marriage. My wife and I were married for over 10 years before we were baptized as Christians. I am still rather open-minded and attempt to listen to everyone's views as much as possible without any judgment on them or of them. Have a wonderful weekend and a great Christmas with your friends and family.
Thanks,
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