Why learn about other faiths?

[England my lionheart]

Anthropology and history interests me and its good to know who thinks it's OK for me to be BBQed.

 

[Marcion]

Our belief is that The Book of Mormon is "another testament of Jesus Christ." [] While The Book of Mormon does speak of various doctrines the Bible makes no mention of, it does not contradict the Bible in any way.

And yes, we absolutely believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ.

I think you also believe that Adam, Moses, Jesus and Adam Smith were in a succession of special messengers sent by God?

What I share with the Latter Day Saints is the idea that soon after the mission of Jesus, the followers divided into different ideological groups many of whom mixed the teachings of Jesus with Greek and other philosophies (the exception being the Ebionites who remained more Jewish). I would have loved to have had a discussion about this with your founder Joseph Smith.

 

[paarsurrey]

I think God works in other faiths in preparing the world for and pointing to the Messiah in various ways

For example in China they put red around the doors to keep the dragon from coming and eating the firstborn by legend which is remarkably resonant with the Passover story

It also helps understanding people and it is good to respect people for living according to their best understanding of truth

"I think God works in other faiths in preparing the world for and pointing to the Messiah in various ways" Unquote

Yes, that Messiah and End-Time Reformer who has already come in the form of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad 1835-1908.

Regards

 

[paarsurrey]

I think God works in other faiths in preparing the world for and pointing to the Messiah in various ways

For example in China they put red around the doors to keep the dragon from coming and eating the firstborn by legend which is remarkably resonant with the Passover story

It also helps understanding people and it is good to respect people for living according to their best understanding of truth

"It also helps understanding people and it is good to respect people for living according to their best understanding of truth" Unquote

Truly said.
Regards

 

[paarsurrey]

Im very very empathic; so, when I talk to different religious people and go to different houses of worship, I get a very serene feeling that I can stay there foreever. Some would call it god (actually, many people do use the same word for human feelings), but regardless, that provokes my interest in knowing other faiths.

I do feel boundaries between myself and other religions highly important. Some empathetic people really find it necessary to sheild ourselves from other people aura for lack of better non-mystical word. Places, people, and objects hold a high energy to which its history, culture, and story affects me. So, I do like going to Churches but at the same time, I get a little feeing inside -this isnt right-

So, that prevents me from learning more about religions in a personal context. Id be oversteping my boundaries. Some people here thought I wanted to be Hindu just because I visited their temple. Others thought I wanted to be Pagan and Christian because religion just rubs off on me.

But I learn it because of interest and keep a wall between myself unless I am going into that religion. So its not extremely important to me. Too much emotions and energy involved it makes me exausted. Online helps a lot.

"when I talk to different religious people and go to different houses of worship, I get a very serene feeling that I can stay there forever." Unquote

Truly expressed.
Regards

 

[paarsurrey]

Im very very empathic; so, when I talk to different religious people and go to different houses of worship, I get a very serene feeling that I can stay there foreever. Some would call it god (actually, many people do use the same word for human feelings), but regardless, that provokes my interest in knowing other faiths.

I do feel boundaries between myself and other religions highly important. Some empathetic people really find it necessary to sheild ourselves from other people aura for lack of better non-mystical word. Places, people, and objects hold a high energy to which its history, culture, and story affects me. So, I do like going to Churches but at the same time, I get a little feeing inside -this isnt right-

So, that prevents me from learning more about religions in a personal context. Id be oversteping my boundaries. Some people here thought I wanted to be Hindu just because I visited their temple. Others thought I wanted to be Pagan and Christian because religion just rubs off on me.

But I learn it because of interest and keep a wall between myself unless I am going into that religion. So its not extremely important to me. Too much emotions and energy involved it makes me exausted. Online helps a lot.

"But I learn it because of interest and keep a wall between myself unless I am going into that religion." Unquote

My approach is different. I often do tell them that I am of Ahmadiyya peaceful Islam, and they almost always give me the most friendly treatment. I attend there service but don't join their worship that depicts that my understanding of the religion is different from theirs. It gives me a lot of pleasure when I observe that how much devoted other people are to their religion.

Regards

 

[paarsurrey]

Thanks for that

That is definitely true of my Faith. The Baha’is have beliefs about the Return of Christ not to mention recognising Jesus being the Jewish Messiah.

I hadn’t heard that before. Do you know anymore about the origins of that story? I know in Buddhism there is the expectation of the Metrieya Buddha who could be seen as analogous to the Return of Christ. I don’t know about other traditions so much.

"Metrieya Buddha"
or "Bagwa Maitia" as I understand from Jesus in India written by the Promised Messiah 1835-1908 is about Jesus coming to India when many Jewish tribes in Kashmir and around it accepted him as well as the Buddhist people there accepted him because they had a prophecy from Buddha that a white color Maitia or Messiah would come into these lands.
"Metrieya Buddha" is the Second Coming of Buddha in the form of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad 1835-1908, as I understand and believe it.

Jesus In India | Islam Ahmadiyya

Regards

 

[paarsurrey]

Of course, sometimes the differences are threatening, as with the Muslim and Christian fundamentalists who want to impose their beliefs on others. It's as well to know your enemies, too.

One could visit any mosque of my faith Ahmadiyya peaceful Islam. One will never feel threatened, for sure.

Regards

 

[Vinayaka]

Do you disagree with the idea of teaching people truth, to teaching them right from wrong, to saving people? If the idea of doing so makes you cringe, then there is something seriously wrong with you and your current beliefs.

And sharing the faith does not equate to breaking up a marriage. To the contrary, the scriptures teach that one who converts should ideally remain as they are. If they are married, even to a non-believer, they should remain married. Or is it perhaps your beliefs that demand that a marriage be broken if the partner changes religions?

I've witnessed broken marriages after one person converted. The husband was out of town working hard, sending money home, the wife was lonely, then subjected to friendship evangelism, and then the divorce resulted when he got home. So I don't actually know how much it happens, but it does happen, and it sad. His parents and her family weren't happy either.So maybe I just take it too personally, having witnessed all the pain first hand.

As far as 'sharing' goes, I find it condescending by it's very nature. It assumes that your religion is better than someone else's, and therefore worth sharing. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. I feel a much better approach with interfaith is to ask, "What can I learn from this person's faith?" , not 'what can I teach them'. I also have no problem with legitimate sharing if someone asks for it. Occasionally a world religion student group phones ahead and comes by our temple, and I give them a very brief tour, explanation, and than just answer their questions. So I put it on them to determine the discussion line. Then the focus is more on them learning.

As far as right from wrong goes, I think all religions have strong ethical components that would be reasonably similar. So I can't imagine having to teach much at all.

 

[Vinayaka]

"I think God works in other faiths in preparing the world for and pointing to the Messiah in various ways" Unquote

Yes, that Messiah and End-Time Reformer who has already come in the form of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad 1835-1908.

Regards

So your purpose in studying other faiths is simply to see how they point to your End-Time Reformer?

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

Essentially, God told me to. I have met Jesus and Muhammad in dreams. I have experienced things you'd more likely associate with something like Buddhism/Zen. The eye cannot say to the hand that the latter isn't needed (I mean, if you want to get nitpicky, neither organ is truly necessary for life, but whatever). We must team up with different people to accomplish goals too big for any one person or group. Only when there is diversity can we see something properly. Conformity and uniformity only guarantee total annihilation. The bible goes on and on about the quest to make a xenophobic, I mean, "pure" nation, but look at the drama and nonsense that goes on every time they try. Had they just accepted that dealing with different people was a necessity, especially in a high trade region, the nation might've lasted longer. Even now, we have a President who thinks you can tick off all the economic partners all over the globe and still be profitable. Quark is rolling over in his grave.

 

[iam1me]

When most Christians say "truth" they usually mean the beliefs of their version of Christianity. So which Christianity is the truth when each one can tell me why theirs is correct and someone else's is wrong?

As with any subject matter, one must study and debate the issues to find the truth - and that can only happen if people are willing to honestly speak with one another and consider what they have to say. I'd say that more important than having the right answer is having the right spirit: be one who is willing to struggle to find the truth.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

So your purpose in studying other faiths is simply to see how they point to your End-Time Reformer?

Glad I have him on block or I'm sure my eyes would roll out of their sockets.

 

[iam1me]

I've witnessed broken marriages after one person converted. The husband was out of town working hard, sending money home, the wife was lonely, then subjected to friendship evangelism, and then the divorce resulted when he got home. So I don't actually know how much it happens, but it does happen, and it sad. His parents and her family weren't happy either.So maybe I just take it too personally, having witnessed all the pain first hand.

If the wife decided to get a divorce because she converted and her husband would not - that is her fault. However, if the husband refused to accept his wife because she converted - that is his fault. From the way you describe it, it sounds like her husband and family were the ones who refused to accept her.

However I don't know the couple, so I cannot say who is at fault - but in either case it is wrong to assert that Christianity is at fault, which does not endorse seeking a divorce because you converted.

As far as 'sharing' goes, I find it condescending by it's very nature. It assumes that your religion is better than someone else's, and therefore worth sharing. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. I feel a much better approach with interfaith is to ask, "What can I learn from this person's faith?" , not 'what can I teach them'. I also have no problem with legitimate sharing if someone asks for it. Occasionally a world religion student group phones ahead and comes by our temple, and I give them a very brief tour, explanation, and than just answer their questions. So I put it on them to determine the discussion line. Then the focus is more on them learning.

As far as right from wrong goes, I think all religions have strong ethical components that would be reasonably similar. So I can't imagine having to teach much at all.

It is not condescending to recognize that you know things that others do not, nor to seek to share it. You are speaking out of pride - which never wishes to acknowledge others who posses some skill, knowledge, or thing which they do not. Pride leads to arrogance, and together they keep one ignorant.

Besides, you contradict yourself. You say you don't mind asking "What can I learn from another's faith" but simultaneously say you are insulted by someone answering that question.

 

[Vinayaka]

If the wife decided to get a divorce because she converted and her husband would not - that is her fault. However, if the husband refused to accept his wife because she converted - that is his fault. From the way you describe it, it sounds like her husband and family were the ones who refused to accept her.

However I don't know the couple, so I cannot say who is at fault - but in either case it is wrong to assert that Christianity is at fault, which does not endorse seeking a divorce because you converted.



It is not condescending to recognize that you know things that others do not, nor to seek to share it. You are speaking out of pride - which never wishes to acknowledge others who posses some skill, knowledge, or thing which they do not. Pride leads to arrogance, and together they keep one ignorant.

Besides, you contradict yourself. You say you don't mind asking "What can I learn from another's faith" but simultaneously say you are insulted by someone answering that question.

Although certainly all of the blame couldn't be put on the Christians converting, the divorce simply wouldn't have happened had the Christian not interfered.

Yes of course everyone knows something others don't. That's just diversity. And it's fine to share, if asked. But to think that they NEED what you want to share is where it gets dicey. It's presumptious. If you knew more about them, (outside of religion) you might not really think they needed your faith. I do realise it is part and parcel of your faith to proselytise. I just urge people to reconsider, take a closer look. Just as it's banned on this forum, I think it can be banned in real life.

I'm certainly not insulted at someone answering a question I ask about their faith. I often do that. I am 'insulted' (too strong of a word, maybe 'annoyed' is better) when they offer it up just in chat. It;s like the stranger on the bus who asks you, "May I offer you a testimony?" I just politely say, "No."

Interfaith dialogue is a two way street.

 

[iam1me]

Although certainly all of the blame couldn't be put on the Christians converting, the divorce simply wouldn't have happened had the Christian not interfered.

If you only love someone so long as they don't grow as an individual, as long as they believe exactly as you do and never question it, then the problem is you.

Yes of course everyone knows something others don't. That's just diversity. And it's fine to share, if asked. But to think that they NEED what you want to share is where it gets dicey. It's presumptious. If you knew more about them, (outside of religion) you might not really think they needed your faith. I do realise it is part and parcel of your faith to proselytise. I just urge people to reconsider, take a closer look. Just as it's banned on this forum, I think it can be banned in real life.

I'm certainly not insulted at someone answering a question I ask about their faith. I often do that. I am 'insulted' (too strong of a word, maybe 'annoyed' is better) when they offer it up just in chat. It;s like the stranger on the bus who asks you, "May I offer you a testimony?" I just politely say, "No."

Interfaith dialogue is a two way street.

If you know something that can seriously help others - it is not presumptuous to want to share it with them. That's like saying it's presumptuous of us to provide food and health care to struggling third world countries, or even first world regions after a devastating natural disaster or the like. If you recognize that there is a problem, and you have a solution, it is only right to try to share your knowledge and resources. If people refuse - fine, that's their call to make. What would be wrong is to not offer your help for fear that someone might be insulted.

 

[Vinayaka]

If you know something that can seriously help others - it is not presumptuous to want to share

That's true. Problem is it can be misguided. Sometimes what you believe is helpful simply isn't. It's just your personal belief that it is.

 

[iam1me]

That's true. Problem is it can be misguided. Sometimes what you believe is helpful simply isn't. It's just your personal belief that it is.

We can only ask people to act in accordance with what they know, what they believe. That is also why it's important for us to share our beliefs and hold serious conversations on the matter - true beliefs can help people, while false beliefs can bring unintentional harm.

 

[iam1me]

Although certainly all of the blame couldn't be put on the Christians converting, the divorce simply wouldn't have happened had the Christian not interfered.

By the way, what was their caste? I know many look to Christianity and other religions in Hindu society as a means of escaping an oppressive caste system.

 

[DanishCrow]

As a norse heathen polytheist, I have a suspicion that all gods flow from the same wellspring. We say Urd, the hindu say Brahman, to christians it is the Godhead - essentially, I consider other religious experiences just as valid as my own, even though I cannot change from the one that speaks to me. All religions are part of a greater divine plan, that I may not understand, but that it is beneficial to learn as much about as I can.

You are 100% correct. As a matter of fact, studies have actually shown that the more Mormons a person knows, the better their overall impression of us will be. I know more than a few Mormons myself who are absolutely the most self-righteous jerks alive. It's so unfortunate how one person can color your perspective of an entire group of people.

Word. I used to shun the LDS movement on principle because I had preconceptions about them, but also because the individual members I met were really messed up. Now I have the privilege of knowing a really good man who's in the church, and he's an upstanding and striving an individual as can be. It's important to remember than we devotees are also ambassadors of our faith.