Judging Other Religions (beliefs, followers, experience, Christianity, Christian)

[Scuba Pete]

My opinion of a religion is better because NetDoc practices it and I like their viewpoint on most subjects.

But it's such a strong argument!!!

[Scuba Pete]

I think that there are a ZILLION ways to choose a religion.

Some seem to be more noble than others, but who really is to say. But at some point you are choosing one over the many... unless you are UU in which case you choose the many over the one!

Some use "NOK" as their guide. They are looking for a social environment with like minded people. The veracity of their beliefs is secondary to being in the right crowd.

Some choose by heritage. They were born into a family with a particular view and their faith is inherited.

Some choose by history. They lay claim to the "first" or the longest etc.

Personally, I try to follow the path of an "Honest Seeker". I constantly re-evaluate my beliefs on a DAILY basis, and even my core values on a periodic basis. FWIW, currently I only use the Bible as my guide. I have used other guides, but I find this the most believable and consistent.

But these are just a few ways in which people choose their belief system. Your way might not be listed, and thats OK... because in the end, it's entirely up to you, and not some silly list.

[arthra]

I serve in an Inter-faith Council and have done a lot of work with peoples of varying religions over the years... What impresses me about religions is how similar they are and if studied deeply how much they have roots that intersect.

Given the improvements in world communications such as the internet and availbility of encyclopedic information, I foresee that religious people will support each other more and that prejudices toward other religions will no longer be acceptable.

There are also many areas where religious people can agree to support such as voluntary service in a community and supporting worthwhile goals in education and improving society generally.

- Art

[chuck010342]

Originally Posted by FeathersinHair

I've been thinking about this for awhile, and would like some insight on the topic, if others are willing. (Fair warning, I just noticed I used the phrase 'a few' about thirty times, but I'm about to leave for work...)

I don't want to risk getting a 'No, d'uh?' response by stating that I think any negative judgement on any religion, based on the actions of a few is wrong. (Even if it would be, for some, 'No, d'uh, Feathers thinks that!') However, I've struggled with the opposite in these last few days. Can a person be right in holding a better opinion of a religion, based on the actions of a few?

I know I've used this example a dozen times, so watch me be a rebel and do it again! Hope, Lightkeeper, and Scott were among many people here when I came to the forums that healed my opinion of Catholism and Christianity. Even now, there are more and more members that continue to increase my respect for other religions, based on their posts or their actions. What I've been struggling with is that I'm not sure it's any more ethical to do this.

My question is this: I don't doubt it would be wrong of me to form a negative opinon of a religion, based on a few jerks, but can one be any more justified in thinking better of a religion, based on the actions of a few?

Alrighty I'll answer your question if you can answer my question.

Whats a relativist doing asking what is wrong?

[painted wolf]

faith- you are right that judging a religion (for good or ill) based soly on a few people is a bad idea. What thier examples should do is give you a ballanced view of thier religion. Religions are complex things/ideas and you can spend your whole life learning about them. This is a good thing.
Every religion has its good and bad points it is important to remember this, even about your own religion.

wa:do

[Feathers in Hair]

Originally Posted by chuck010342

Alrighty I'll answer your question if you can answer my question.

Whats a relativist doing asking what is wrong?

Relativism is not my religion. It is an aspect of my personality.

And I'm asking because I want to know if something is ethically right. Not only that, but I enjoy getting other people's insights on the matter, especially since they usually wind up being more thought-provoking than my own questions.

For example, what I'm trying to ascertain is that, if I were to say to myself just the opposite of what I'd stated above about NetDoc (which was true), that my opinion of a religion could possibly be lowered because someone considered themself a member of it, then I would, without hesitation, say that I was ethically wrong. I'm asking, in general, if doing the opposite is equally wrong.

[chuck010342]

Originally Posted by FeathersinHair

Relativism is not my religion. It is an aspect of my personality.

And I'm asking because I want to know if something is ethically right.

My point is that to a relativist the term right does not exsist.