How do feel about religions other then your own?
By Pose123
@Pose123 (21635)
Canada
January 27, 2010 5:00pm CST
A friend of mine, who happens to be a medical doctor,once commented that he felt it best for people to remain within their own religious tradition. While I know that religious freedom is very important and that people have a right to be able to choose, there may be some merit is his statement. I personally feel that every world religion have all of the basic ingredients that are needed for ones spiritual growth. There are of course radicals in all religions, but when I recently heard a leader of a Christian denomination, say to a group representing other faiths, that there were many paths to God, I knew we were making progress. I believe my friend meant that often those who leave one religion for another, unless they are accepting of both, will find that they have problems down the road. It seems that culture and religion are so integrated in some parts of the world, that the change is often more than most people can handle. I was raised a Christian, and while I have problems with the churches, I still agree with the teachings of Christ in as far as they have been handed down correctly. For me all that's necessary to know is there. There are without doubt those in other religions who feel the same. What are your thoughts on this?
3 people like this
16 responses
@bloggingmama (11)
• United States
28 Jan 10
I personally don't care for religion at all. I even hate referring myself as a Christian but that is as close as a name comes to what I believe. I believe in the word of God and the Kings James Version Bible. I used to belong to the Catholic church. To me and my husband it seems like too much of it is man made and not the truth. Too many people trying to make a name for themselves instead of glorifying God in Heaven.
I won't say anything to someone else about their religion or beliefs unless they ask or say something to me about mine. If they say something about Christianity in particular or tries to say because one Christian they know said something does not mean I am the same way. I have had some friends get really upset that I have said something about theirs but if they didn't want to know my opinion then they shouldn't have asked me. Other than that I won't say something to them.
2 people like this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
29 Jan 10
Hi bloggingmama,Thank you for your response and I'm not a great believer in organized religion either, however I feel that there is enough of the truth in all religions that one should not have to convert to another. If a person wishes to do so of course, that should be his or her choice. Blessings.
@headhunter525 (3548)
• India
30 Jan 10
I don't I can quite agree what your friend suggested. I have seen situation where religious texts are invoked to keep people in misery. I think it's better to get out of such religion in that kind of situation. Culture and religion are so integrated; there is no doubt. And that's why when in India some villagers are excluded from fetching water in some pond people invoked religious culture to preserve it.I also feel that Western medicine is better though am not Westerner; and in the name of preserving my religious culture I should not obstruct the use of Western medicine.
1 person likes this
@headhunter525 (3548)
• India
1 Feb 10
I think it's proven so to speak that Western medicine is better than eastern medicine. But that's just one part. I think there are family value system where the West has much to learn from the east. I don't think it's quite right to argue that both of east and west are equally right in every respect. I also believe that democracy is better than theocracy or dictatorship; and also that right to freedom of religion is better than otherwise.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
31 Jan 10
Hi headhunter, Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. I'm sure that there are always exceptions but I also think that culture plays a big part in this. Doubtless there are religions that aren't right for some people, and there are always those who like to twist religion for their own purpose. I don't know if western medicine is better or not but the east certainly has a rich culture and many of your ways are better than those found in the west. Blessings.
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
28 Jan 10
I have friends of all different religions, and I'm a Presbyterian married to a Mormon. I am just fine with people of different religions, as long as they don't push their religious beliefs on me. I am not going to push any of my religious beliefs on them either. We may question eachother if only for the sake of education, but nobody has to push.
1 person likes this
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
28 Jan 10
Yeah, what you said, EXACTLY. There is nothing worse than someone trying to 'sell' you something you are not interested in buying. No means no and people should respect that, whilst at the same time respect your choice to the religion you desire to follow.
1 person likes this
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
28 Jan 10
I say live and let live. Everybody has the right and freedom to choose their religion, but that does not give them the right to try to force it down the throats of others and trash their beliefs.
1 person likes this
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
28 Jan 10
Oh, just one other thing. I don't have faith in the big churches, particularly Roman Catholics (my father was one and tried to have me baptised, but my mother said it should be MY choice, so she refused), because the words keep getting rewritten by MAN. And I don't like the hypocrosy that I see happening. Do what I say, not what I do. People cannot respect that. And not allowing the "Father's" to have a wife and have a healthy normal outlet for his natural human desires, seems to me, to have caused deviance (pediphiles) amongst them, so if I was involved in that religion, I would be thinking about changing that philosophy. JMO.
@Fulltank (2882)
• Philippines
28 Jan 10
Respect other's religion as you respect yours. The rule applies to all types of persons which belongs to a different religion. There maybe some contradiction about them but at least I can respect it. But never on those people belonging to "cult like" thing and those that against my God.
1 person likes this
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
30 Jan 10
What your friend said is very true! As you yourself have agreed, religion is not only about attending the place of worship or reading certain books…it’s a complete way of life, a complete identity of people if I may stretch it so. In many cases, religion dictates dress, food, names, mannerisms…today if I’m to convert to say, Christianity and change my very Hindu name to some Christian names, how many of my friends would recognize me without seeing me! And then I’d have to learn all over again and mould myself completely…in a way I feel that, it would no longer be ‘me’ then, like I’m wearing a mask! I’m not religious and love reading and knowing about all the religions of the world but nevertheless, I’d die as a Hindu!
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
31 Jan 10
Hi sudiptacallingu, Thank you for responding and I'm surprised that so many Hindu are accepting of other religions, it is wonderful to see. We certainly agree about religion in it's true form being a complete way of life. I'm happy that you feel as you do. Blessings.
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
28 Jan 10
I believe my friend meant that often those who leave one religion for another, unless they are accepting of both, will find that they have problems down the road
I have to say that I disagree with that...I think it depends on WHY a person leaves their original faith and WHAT draws them to the new chosen path...I think one can successful no longer accept their original faith and start down a new more suitable one without having any issues provided it is a decision COMPLETELY their own rather than being swayed by outside forces if that makes sense...
I think another thing to think about is the fact that many ppls "original" religious choice wasnt really a choice at all...Many ppl are sadly forced into believing as their parents/grandparents/caregivers do right from the start and IMO THATS where a lot of issues arise
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
29 Jan 10
Hi Ravenlady, Thanks for sharing this and of course you make a good point. There are many who, as you say are happy in their choose. There are often problems with family if thy come from a militant or fundamentalist upbringing and unfortunately that sometimes means they can't see loved ones again. I have a nephew who left Christianity to follow Buddhism, with his family's blessing. I know that he follows the teachings of Christ better now then he did as a Christian. It really depends on the person. My thoughts are that all of the great masters, if you get down to basics taught much the same thing. I think that the fact that the golden rule is found in all major religions speaks for itself. Blessings.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
22 Feb 10
I have respect towards other religions. I believe that all roads lead to Rome. I believe that God is the answer to every human being but no religion can claim to control the truth. Thus I have respect towards every religion. Although I do believe that Christianity is the answer which can lead me towards God.
1 person likes this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
19 Feb 10
I feel that all religions are basically the same at their basis. If you look long enough, they are all based on the same principles, do good by your fellow man, and keep the supreme being that they worship holy. Its just like when three people watch the same situation unfold, yet when they retell it they have three different stories. I feel the leaders of each religion saw basically the same thing, yet they interpreted it differently, hence the different religions.
1 person likes this
@May2k8 (18366)
• Indonesia
28 Jan 10
beliefs that we hold, if we believe in the religion that we hold so we will not take the path that has many problems, because we need to study our own religion. Are all equal in the eyes of god, poor or rich or even not religious if they are still regarded as being the creation of understanding then we feel same.
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
31 Jan 10
Religion is a way of life. People function in the brotherhood of men the way their religion ask them to be. Most religions actually follow the golden rule. At least that is how I understood my collegiate study of Confucianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Mohammedanism, and Catholicism. So I have nothing but respect to other religions.
@dhs1008 (100)
•
28 Jan 10
for me it doesn't matter what religion you are from. as long a they don't discriminate and say something bad and against our religion that would be fine. I'm a Christian also. whatever they believe in or whoever they call God as long as their faith is keeping them spiritually fit, that would be great. but if you have doubts, for sure God will doubt you also. just remember also, God represents many things, and we may have different forms of God, but in the end its just the same God, one who brought us to life..
@sukumar794 (5040)
• Thiruvananthapuram, India
28 Jan 10
Religious tolerance...it is the one most desired.While following one's religious faith it is most essential for one to have good respect for other religions as well.
1 person likes this
@illfavors (590)
• United States
28 Jan 10
I keep an open mind, however I don't like it when people force their beliefs own me, or preach to me. I believe everyone has the right to choose their belief system and I try to learn from each religion that is out there.
