Religious Co-existence (Jesus, ritual, beliefs, hell, pagan)

[Radio Frequency X]

Many religions believe that their religion is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Other religions believe in religious pluralism. Is it really possible for these two ideologies to co-exist peacefully? How should people who believe in religious pluralism feel about those who try to convert them or tell them they are going to hell, call them evil and sinful and in the service of some scary devil?

[Fluffy]

Religions that believe that they are the only path can coexist peacefully with religions that believe in many paths as long as the latter is willing to be dominated by the former.

Greater problems rise between two religions that both believe they are the one true path.

Religious pluralists, as you put it, should continue to adopt the Golden Rule in all matters. They should hope that their shining example will earn them respect and thereby reduce any mean spirited conversion attempts.

[Victor]

Originally Posted by Fluffy

Religions that believe that they are the only path can coexist peacefully with religions that believe in many paths as long as the latter is willing to be dominated by the former.

Greater problems rise between two religions that both believe they are the one true path.

Religious pluralists, as you put it, should continue to adopt the Golden Rule in all matters. They should hope that their shining example will earn them respect and thereby reduce any mean spirited conversion attempts.

Well said and agreed....

[Radio Frequency X]

Originally Posted by Fluffy

Religious pluralists, as you put it, should continue to adopt the Golden Rule in all matters. They should hope that their shining example will earn them respect and thereby reduce any mean spirited conversion attempts.

I agree. When dealing with Muslims and Christians I have a rule: Judge them by how they treat each other and not how they treat me. This is a bizzaro rule for me, but one I have found necessary. Because they believe that I am evil for being pagan (and I believe most of them have been brainwashed into believing this) I cannot force them to be kind to or tolerant of me. I must accept that their beliefs are sincere and that they have a right to them. So long as they don't hurt me physically, I can stomach them hurting me emotionally. And, to keep my spirits up, whenever I notice them treating their friends, families, and other strangers with kindness, I appreciate their kindness and acknowledge to myself that they are kind, despite their intolerant beliefs.

All I ask from them is to help preserve my right to be a pagan and equal representation under the law. If they allow me that, it is enough to hold me over until they come around to becoming pluralists themselves.

[Sunstone]

How should people who believe in religious pluralism feel about those who try to convert them or tell them they are going to hell, call them evil and sinful and in the service of some scary devil?

Sounds to me like you might be talking about the spiritually challenged here. I'd treat them pretty much the same as I would treat the village idiot. That is, I'd try to see their good qualities, and avoid discussing their fantasies with them.

[Radio Frequency X]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

How should people who believe in religious pluralism feel about those who try to convert them or tell them they are going to hell, call them evil and sinful and in the service of some scary devil?

Sounds to me like you might be talking about the spiritually challenged here. I'd treat them pretty much the same as I would treat the village idiot. That is, I'd try to see their good qualities, and avoid discussing their fantasies with them.

I have religious beliefs and they have religious beliefs. While mine are tolerant and accepting of other superstitions, theirs are not. Is it their fault that they believe what they believe, or have they simply been conditioned to believe it? I try not to treat them as village idiots, but there is one thing that is true, it is extremely difficult to be friends with them. It's hard to be friends with someone who constantly tells you that you are evil and are going to burn in hell because you don't worship their god.

[angellous_evangellous]

Originally Posted by Radio Frequency X

Many religions believe that their religion is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Other religions believe in religious pluralism. Is it really possible for these two ideologies to co-exist peacefully? How should people who believe in religious pluralism feel about those who try to convert them or tell them they are going to hell, call them evil and sinful and in the service of some scary devil?

Simple:

If someone tells you you're going to hell, simply offer to buy him a beer and watch some football. (eg, love your nieghbor as yourself)

Unfortunately, many fundie wackos that believe this kinda thing don't drink beer, so we know why their panties are in such a knot.

As a last resort, buy him some coffee and do your best to help him along in life.

Perhaps the reason why Jesus said to love our neighbor is so that we will see that he's not so bad -- some people are just so dense that they need a religious reason to get along with others.

[Bennu]

The man in whom Tao
Acts without impediment
Does not bother with his own interests,
And does not despise others who do.
On walking alone
While he does not follow the crowd,
He does not complain of those who do.

Having lived my entire life in quiet parts of England, I haven't had much experience dealing with those of an evangelical nature. However, this thread reminded me of that old Zen story which concerns itself with this very topic. (Which isn't in fact old at all, but you have to preface these kind of stories with something)

Some time ago, there dwelt an old Zen master in Japan. Famed for his wisdom and compassion, he nevertheless spent much of his time in quiet meditation and only allowed a small group of students to learn from him. Naturally this group became very close knit. One day, one among their number decided the time had come for him to enter into the world.

The remaining students heard no word of him until one day, years later, he returned to the temple. Upon seeing him they were shocked at the radical change in him; not only had he converted to Christianity, but worse still he was one of the 'Hell-and-brimestone-convert-ye-pagans' variety. The novices agreed to find and ask their old master for advice on how to deal with him.

Upon hearing this tale, the master looked up. "Maybe he's right" he said, before returning back to his meditation.