What do you admire about a DIFFERENT religion?

[underthesun]

Catholicism: I love cathedrals, the ritual of mass, and Gregorian chant. It's haunting and incredible. Also, I'm Irish so Catholicism brings me back "home" in a sense.

I have to agree. I really do admire that ritual that is involved in every aspect of Catholicism; it's a beauty in and of itself. And, as someone of Irish heritage who came from a family attending mass sometimes more than weekly, there is something about it that is calming and reminiscent of 'home'.

I also really admire all of the Abrahamic faiths in general, just for the fact that there is such a community of similar (if not exactly so) beliefs, with individuals so certain of their convictions. I know as a child, I often wished that I could force myself to believe in the Abrahamic god as he was described, partially because it is lonely at times to have a minority belief system, and partially because I hadn't yet solidified my own beliefs, and I didn't like the process of searching for them and accepting them once I found them.

... if that made any sense at all.​

 

[NoraSariah]

Zoroastrianism and the use of fire as their light during prayers. I don't know why, but I've always loved the use of fire in religions.

 

[Deva758]

I admire the Catholic and Orthodox Churches for their mystical traditions and still sort of wish I was raised in one of those churches.

I also greatly admire Taoism and Hinduism. Hinduism is so varied, with so many Gods to worship. Its like a wide open field, with room for every psychology, and then advaita- vedanta, just the whole vision and oneness of it. Taoism I don't know much about, but the Tao de ching is great reading.

I also like the Occult and Esoteric. Discovering the hidden meaning behind all religions, the perennial philosophy seems to be valid to me, and I love reading Theosophical literature for that reason, even if I don't agree with all views. The great thing about Theosophy is that I don't have to.

 

[Sunstone]

What do you admire or like the best about a religion/path that you DONT belong to?

Shinto's traditional lack of any theology apart from some myths.

Confucianism's emphasis on human relationships, rather than on the worship of deities.

The logical coherence of core Buddhist thought.

Hinduism's psychological insights.

Islam's encouragement of charity.

Christianity's emphasis on love.

Judaism's social conscience, and embrace of differing opinions.

I see very little or nothing to like about the great fundamentalisms. Christian fundamentalism. Islamic fundamentalism. Jewish fundamentalism. Hindu fundamentalism. They are all mangy, puss-oozing dogs to me.

 

[-Peacemaker-]

I appreciate the reverence American Indian cultures show toward nature. I assume that it is rooted in their spiritual beliefs in general so I include it here. I think it's one thing that they have definately outdone Christians in.

 

[Sunstone]

I appreciate the reverence American Indian cultures show toward nature. I assume that it is rooted in their spiritual beliefs in general so I include it here. I think it's one thing that they have definately outdone Christians in.

Frubal! I have a quibble, though. I always have a quibble. Here's my quibble this time: Not all nations expressed or practiced the same reverence for nature as some of them did. In fact, if my sources are accurate, the nations were all over the board on that issue. But I completely agree with you that the reverence some nations held for nature should be emulated.

 

[Galen.Iksnudnard]

I admire Buddhism a lot. It seems to be one of those religions where you can be spiritual without necessarily being religious or dogmatic, and it can also take a devotional side, or it can take a more philosophical side depending on how you approach it.

I also am fascinated by Judaism.

 

[Semitone-Truce]

What do you admire or like the best about a religion/path that you DONT belong to?

I have a couple that I can think of right now.

Catholicism: I love cathedrals, the ritual of mass, and Gregorian chant. It's haunting and incredible. Also, I'm Irish so Catholicism brings me back "home" in a sense.

Paganism- the ability to think freely and evolve your own thoughts into something that doenst need to fit in with the rest of the group. Also, the sacredness of the natural world gives me the strongest sense of peace.

My father's family is mainly Russian/Slavic by descent and so originally their religion was Orthodoxy. Somewhere along the way, his family became Protestants, and he himself became an agnostic. While I myself returned to the faith of my forefathers, my brother eventually became a Shi'a Muslim.

As a result, I've had a lot of exposure to Islam, and I admire the sort of mysticism that one sees in certain expressions of the Shi'a Muslim doctrine.

 

[danieldemol]

Crikey,

There is so much to enjoy in so many. I'm sure to miss lots in my reply;

Judaism: Many things but most of all I very much enjoyed my time in Israel, and I don't doubt I owe a lot to the Jewish people for that.

Christianity: Merciful nature and charitable people

Islam: Not afraid to stand up for themselves. Sufism is very cool but for so many reasons I'm not sure where to start.

Zoroastrian: I believe that a Zoroastrian king was a major contributor to modern human rights, and that is no small thing for somone in such distantly ancient times. The religion of such a grand king surely is worthy of commendation.

Hinduism: The idea that all people will attain a mature spiritual state eventually. The ability of Hindus to coexist in all cultures respectfully. The respect for brothers in Rakhi day is cool.

Buddhism: The fact that cherry picking beliefs is officially allowed for most of the fundamentals.

Paganism: Individuality

Agnostic (not atheism): (I know it's not a religion per se) So few bases to defend.

Aboriginal indigenous religion: Connection to the great land of Australia

 

[Whiterain]

Christianity in Scotland. It amazes me that they remained committed to the Church, to spare bloodshed at least,
after their King Robert the Bruce was made a heretic by the Church and they executed most of the Knights Templar
after they were finished using them for killing.

 

[StarryNightshade]

Even though I don't believe in Jesus' divinity, I love the liturgies and mysticism found in the Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches.

I admire Islam's advancement of science and mathematics in the middle ages.

Judaism's emphasis on social justice, community and knowledge.

Although I no longer consider myself such, Hinduism's vast beliefs and philosophies have something for everyone.

 

[ohhcuppycakee]

I admire the Baha'i Faith for their conscious efforts to promote unity and understanding among the different religions of the world.

I admire Sikhism for it's denouncement of the caste system, as well as sati and ghoonghat. I also appreciate that their saints are of all different religions, not just Sikhs.

I admire Christianity for its emphasis on kindness and love of others.

I admire Hinduism for its emphasis on non-violence. The same can be said about Jainism and Buddhism as well.

I admire Taoism for its peaceful spirit.

I admire Judaism for its respect of history and traditions.

 

[BSM1]

Hinduism for their depiction of some very sexy avatars.

 

[Baladas]

I admire Sikhi and Christianity for their teachings on charity, mercy and compassion.
I admire Buddhism for it's teachings of humility, honesty and introspection.
I admire Hinduism for it's inclusiveness, rich diversity and it's beautiful meditations.
I admire Asatru (and many other forms of Paganism) for it's boldness, honor, closeness to Nature, and it's celebration of cultural heritage.
I admire Stoicism for it's focus on discipline, simplicity, self-awareness and our place in Nature.
I admire Unitarian Universalism for it's focus on human rights and unity.

There are many paths I love and respect, and many of the reasons overlap. I am sure to have missed some here...

 

[Aupmanyav]

I admire the spirit of service in Sikhism, at least within the Gurudwara (and many a times outside it).
I admire Jainsim for its radical non-violence and non-possessiveness.
I admire Buddhism for its wisdom.
I admire Taoism for its acceptance of things.

 

[ShivaFan]

Wow, what a nice and thoughtful thread! How did I miss it (of course, I wasn't around on RF when it was posted the first time a few years ago)?

I admire the Jains. I have visited the Jain Temple in Milpitas (CA) off and on, met with Jains, have had an awareness of them and of course the teachings since - well a LONG time! - and what I really admire about them is their leadership and teachers and so many of their devoted practitioners because you have to really be committed, and "for real" if you know what I mean, to be a full fledged Jain. There are very few phony cats among them.

Some are not aware, but there is a billionaire Jain in Silicon Valley working on a project to be the first religion to put a religious artifact on the moon planet. It will be one of the Jain Tirthankaras. I've tried to encourage my fellow Hindus to try to be the first, but they are not interested. Some say it doesn't matter who is "first" and a waste of money. But I say it will have such a huge psychological impact on the human psyche, it isn't even funny.

 

[Rick O'Shez]

I admire paganism because of it's close relationship with the natural world....I admire Hinduism because of it's colourful variety and laid-back attitude....I can't think of any others at the moment.

 

[Desert Snake]

Interesting question.

 

[Desert Snake]

I admire paganism because of it's close relationship with the natural world....I admire Hinduism because of it's colourful variety and laid-back attitude....I can't think of any others at the moment.

Paganism isn't a religion, though. It's just a broad description that could imply even Christians as being such.
This just came up recently in another thread.

 

[Rick O'Shez]

Paganism isn't a religion, though. It's just a broad description that could imply even Christians as being such.

Possibly that's one of the attractive things about it, the plurality and diversity.