Do you think its important to study religions other than your own?

Question

There is an amazing amount of ignorance about religions here in the United States. Do you think its important to learn about these beliefs?

Answer 1

i don't subscribe to any particular brand and yes i am on a quest for truth about the creator,and have been since i got over "atheism" which in my case was hatred and resentment towards god for every bad thing in the world.

Answer 2

I think it's a good thing, but it is more or less important depending on what your religion is, and how it affects you.

If a person already has a pretty open mind, then the informal gathering of knowledge which does not amount to real "study," is probably enough. When you have an opportunity to learn something new (not just about religion, but anything different from your experience), it's good to put some time into paying attention.

On the other hand, people who have grown up in a very restricted life, such as those raised by fundamentalists or cults in any religion (remember that "fundamental" can apply to any tradition), where all they have been exposed to is one side of the issue, they really NEED to study other beliefs. They not only need to be aware that others believe differently from them, but that this does not automatically make them wrong or evil or satanic. And if they are home-schooled or go to a parochial school, where their contact with others is very limited, it is a necessary part of becoming an adult to break out of that shell.

If they get a chance to go to a real college, they should definitely take some comparative religion courses, as well as philosophy of religion, psychology of religion, and anthropology of religion. Include politics of religion and history of religion if available.

Unfortunately, if they have been raised to believe in creationism, they may not have an adequate education to be admitted to a real college, and only a Bible College will want them. This seriously limits their opportunities. Also, some cults do not believe in higher education at all.

Answer 3

I think it is important as well as interesting. I enjoy learning about other religions. I may not agree with their teachings but I gain an understanding of why they believe the way they do. It has a lot to do with respect.

The only problem is that a lot of people think they are learning about a religion but are really just being indoctrinated with lies and smears. That happens when they get their information from a source that isn't the religion they are studying. If you wanted the truth about the Jewish faith would you go to Muslims? The same with any religion. You don't go to a 3rd party, you go directly to the source. It is very disrespectful and not Christlike for someone who isn't a devout knowledgeable member of a religion to teach the doctrines of that church . It leads to mockery and distortion.

The only way to really learn about a church is to go to THAT religion and its devout members to get information. Most information cannot be given in just a few words or even a few sentences, it takes a while. But, it is very rewarding.

Answer 4

I do!

For one thing, you don't really know what you believe until you've considered the alternatives. Most of what (some) Christians know about other faiths, even other versions of Christianity, is only the negative stuff they've been told in their own church and Sunday School, much of which is either inaccurate, either innocently or maliciously.

If you want to learn about another perspective you should find someone who believes it and can explain it to you, otherwise you'll never get the real story.

I was raised Jewish and when I was a kid I was invited to church by all my Christian friends. My parents encouraged me to go, to learn about what others believed. Consequently I have almost more knowledge of Christianity today than I do of Judaism.

And I know that much of the negative stuff Christians say about Muslims, Jews, or even each other, is just wrong. It's a form of brainwashing! Even in my Jewish Sunday School they taught us 'comparative religions' and much of the information we got was wrong.

Also I like to think that my own philosophy is eclectic, that I've learned something from every faith.

Answer 5

Yes. I am an avid student of all religions. My favorite area being ancient religions. I totally agree - our religious illiteracy in the U.S. is a handicap. I read an article not too long ago that discussed the religious illiteracy in the U.S..

And I want to add that people who study different religions need to get their information from several sources. I once knew a Christian who got all of her information about paganism from a Christian author (who clearly had NO CLUE what he was talking about). I always think it's best to learn about someone else's religion by learning from someone who actually practices the religion rather than using informational materials clearly biased against the other faith.

Answer 6

If you are happy with your own faith (or none at all), there should be no trouble with comparative study of religion. It can enhance your appreciation for your own and if you travel to countries where the dominant religion isn't yours, you will have a greater understanding of cultures and events.

I think the greatest problem with studying religions is that too many people will choose to do so not out of an honest desire to expand their knowledge, but to use that knowledge to discredit those religions in the light of their own.

Answer 7

Yes! I think it is very important. If you don't understand someone else's religion, you are less likely to be tolerant of it. Learning about religion here has helped me understand people better in general.

Answer 8

Only when they directly affect me or if I am unsatisfied with my current religion. Otherwise, why bother? For example, I made a point of studying Islam after 9/11 because it began to directly affect me. Otherwise I do not see any reason to study other religions.

Answer 9

Definitely. As I learn more, i realize that ideas I thought were unique to me religion actually turn up in many religions. Most religions are essentially the same, when you get down to basics.

Answer 10

Normally I would say no, because my religion is what is important to me, but now I am married to a Muslim so I am reading the quran and finding out as much as I can about his religion.

Answer 11

Absolutly, I've dabbled/studied a little bit of everything, Christiany, The Wiccan, Pagan Religions...everything, Im open minded...
trying to find myself.