Why learn about other faiths?

[CG Didymus]

One of the strengths of religious forum is the diversity of Faiths represented. That presents an excellent opportunity to learn about the faiths of others. This opportunity doesn’t readily present itself to the same degree where I live as religion has become a risky topic of conversation and so best avoided. This year I joined my cities Interfaith council so that’s been helpful.

But why learn about the religion of another in the first place? What is your motivation and what is mine? It’s a personal question really. For me I like to see the bigger picture of ‘world history’ with civilisations that have come and been, and ideologies and beliefs that inspired the masses. It helps me better understand the world as it is today and others in an increasingly multicultural world. It also brings coherence to my own faith and worldview I can not deny.

Obviously there’s other agendas too. We can learn about another faiths so we can make our own beliefs look good and demean others. Many of us know that illusory satisfaction in our worldview as we build our straw man as to what we imagine another’s faith is about. Ego trips are part of the human condition and whose really immune?

Anyway thoughts and reflections? Thanks for listening and discussing if your interested.

Why learn about other religions? 'Cause the one you believe in might be wrong?

 

[Dawnofhope]

Why learn about other religions? 'Cause the one you believe in might be wrong?

That’s a black and white answer really. A religion that is right for one person may be wrong for another. There may be many right religions. There may be religion that was right for the time God designated. There may be religions that are more suited to the age we live. Who knows, God may have even sent a Messenger for the time we’re living in now.

 

[Dragonslayer]

pagan: a person holding religious beliefs other than those of the main world religions. https://www.google.com/search

I think that Interfaith councils have those people of the main world religions.

Who do you consider Pagans?

There is only one truth and there is only One true God, those who know the true God serve Him faithfully. Those who have been deceived by Satan into believing in other false Gods are "Pagan".

Of the "main world religions", 90% of them are false, the Roman Catholic Church is Pagan. It is the old Pagan Roman religion, just because they use the symbol of the cross doesn't mean it's a true Christian religion.

Gods people know Him and He has a personal relationship with Him, you don't come to God through a religion. Jesus said, " no man comes to the Father but by Me", so He is the only way to God. A person must be converted before they can become one of Gods people.

Gods people have the Holy Spirit indwelling them, so they are protected from deception. Those who don't have the Holy Spirit are all deceived by Satan and His Demons, as they are very powerful and they've had many thousands of years of experience so they know exactly how to deceive a person.

So everyone who doesn't have the Holy Spirit indwelling them is a Pagan

 

[Dragonslayer]

That’s a black and white answer really. A religion that is right for one person may be wrong for another. There may be many right religions. There may be religion that was right for the time God designated. There may be religions that are more suited to the age we live. Who knows, God may have even sent a Messenger for the time we’re living in now.

That's not true, as there is only one true God and only one truth. You can't say that two opposing views are both right, the starting point is always finding the truth. Once you find the truth, then you can make an educated decision.

Jesus Christ said, "I am the truth, nobody comes to the Father but by Me". Most people reject the truth, so they end up in hell forever. If there was other ways to God, Jesus would have told us about them. The Bible says that everyone who goes to spend eternity in hell, do so because they didn't believe in Jesus. No other person in history claimed to be the one true God and the truth.

No other prophet came back to life or performed so many miracles including raising the dead back to life, He is the only One with the power over death and He will not share His holiness with any false prophets like Mohammad.

 

[Trailblazer]

There is only one truth and there is only One true God, those who know the true God serve Him faithfully. Those who have been deceived by Satan into believing in other false Gods are "Pagan".

Of the "main world religions", 90% of them are false, the Roman Catholic Church is Pagan. It is the old Pagan Roman religion, just because they use the symbol of the cross doesn't mean it's a true Christian religion.

Gods people know Him and He has a personal relationship with Him, you don't come to God through a religion. Jesus said, " no man comes to the Father but by Me", so He is the only way to God. A person must be converted before they can become one of Gods people.

Gods people have the Holy Spirit indwelling them, so they are protected from deception. Those who don't have the Holy Spirit are all deceived by Satan and His Demons, as they are very powerful and they've had many thousands of years of experience so they know exactly how to deceive a person.

So everyone who doesn't have the Holy Spirit indwelling them is a Pagan

I agree there is only One True God, but that God was the Revealer of all the major religions, not just Christianity. Many of the older religions believe that there are many gods because they misunderstood, changed, or got away from what was originally revealed in the scriptures. Abraham and Moses straightened that out. There has never been more than One God.

It was true that no man could come to the Father but by Jesus during the Dispensation of Jesus. However, the Dispensation of Jesus ended when Muhammad came and the Dispensation of Muhammad ended when the Bab and Baha’u’llah came. God wants us to know and worship Him through Baha’u’llah, although people can still know and worship God through the previous Manifestations of God.

I do not believe that the Holy Spirit lives inside of human bodies. Entrance and exit, descent and ascent, are not characteristics of spirits. The Holy Spirit has a direct connection to the body through the soul which expresses itself in intelligence, love, knowledge, imagination and thought, but it does not do not enter the body.

In short, the Holy Spirit is the Bounty of God. Christians got the Holy Spirit from Jesus because God sent the Holy Spirit to Jesus. But not only did Christians receive the Holy Spirit from Jesus; the whole world received it, because Christ released the Holy Spirit into the world, and it was thus in the world and affected every living thing…

I do not believe there is a “being called Satan. Satan is the lower selfish nature of man that would prefer self and desire to God. That is why Jesus said in Matthew 16:23-24 “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

 

[Trailblazer]

If there was other ways to God, Jesus would have told us about them.

There were no other ways when Jesus was alive and during His Dispensation, but Jesus never said there would not be other ways in the future.

No other person in history claimed to be the one true God and the truth.

Jesus never claimed to be God. The Church claimed that.

 

[Dawnofhope]

That's not true, as there is only one true God and only one truth. You can't say that two opposing views are both right, the starting point is always finding the truth. Once you find the truth, then you can make an educated decision.

It is true that some Christians have that belief but just because you believe something doesn’t make it true.

I like the parable of the blind men and the elephant. It reminds us we can have very different perspectives on the same realty.

Blind men and an elephant - Wikipedia

Jesus Christ said, "I am the truth, nobody comes to the Father but by Me". Most people reject the truth, so they end up in hell forever. If there was other ways to God, Jesus would have told us about them. The Bible says that everyone who goes to spend eternity in hell, do so because they didn't believe in Jesus. No other person in history claimed to be the one true God and the truth.

There are various understandings of John 14:6. Not every Christian interprets as you do. Likewise with John 1:1 and some other key verses.

No other prophet came back to life or performed so many miracles including raising the dead back to life, He is the only One with the power over death and He will not share His holiness with any false prophets like Mohammad.

Personally I believe in the same God, Jesus and Bible as the Christians. We can not prove any of the miracles happened or not. I don’t believe Jesus literally rose from the dead and ascended to heaven but if you want to believe it I have no objection. Muhammad was a Messenger of God just as Jesus was. His greatest miracle was the Holy Quran.

 

[paarsurrey]

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

Did I mention that, please?
My point is that may be they have a better reason/argument, so I study in comparison to my own faith.
And I have mentioned my approach/method as to how I proceed to study/research other faiths/religions and or no-religions. Right, please?

Regards

 

[paarsurrey]

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.

"Interfaith dialogue is a two way street." Unquote.
That is true.
Regards

 

[paarsurrey]

There were no other ways when Jesus was alive and during His Dispensation, but Jesus never said there would not be other ways in the future.

Jesus never claimed to be God. The Church claimed that.

I agree with one here.

Regards

 

[paarsurrey]

It is true that some Christians have that belief but just because you believe something doesn’t make it true.

I like the parable of the blind men and the elephant. It reminds us we can have very different perspectives on the same realty.

Blind men and an elephant - Wikipedia

There are various understandings of John 14:6. Not every Christian interprets as you do. Likewise with John 1:1 and some other key verses.

Personally I believe in the same God, Jesus and Bible as the Christians. We can not prove any of the miracles happened or not. I don’t believe Jesus literally rose from the dead and ascended to heaven but if you want to believe it I have no objection. Muhammad was a Messenger of God just as Jesus was. His greatest miracle was the Holy Quran.

"Muhammad was a Messenger of God just as Jesus was. His greatest miracle was the Holy Quran." Unquote.

Very truly said.
Regards

 

[Dragonslayer]

I agree there is only One True God, but that God was the Revealer of all the major religions, not just Christianity. Many of the older religions believe that there are many gods because they misunderstood, changed, or got away from what was originally revealed in the scriptures. Abraham and Moses straightened that out. There has never been more than One God.

It was true that no man could come to the Father but by Jesus during the Dispensation of Jesus. However, the Dispensation of Jesus ended when Muhammad came and the Dispensation of Muhammad ended when the Bab and Baha’u’llah came. God wants us to know and worship Him through Baha’u’llah, although people can still know and worship God through the previous Manifestations of God.

I do not believe that the Holy Spirit lives inside of human bodies. Entrance and exit, descent and ascent, are not characteristics of spirits. The Holy Spirit has a direct connection to the body through the soul which expresses itself in intelligence, love, knowledge, imagination and thought, but it does not do not enter the body.

In short, the Holy Spirit is the Bounty of God. Christians got the Holy Spirit from Jesus because God sent the Holy Spirit to Jesus. But not only did Christians receive the Holy Spirit from Jesus; the whole world received it, because Christ released the Holy Spirit into the world, and it was thus in the world and affected every living thing…

I do not believe there is a “being called Satan. Satan is the lower selfish nature of man that would prefer self and desire to God. That is why Jesus said in Matthew 16:23-24 “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

You have been deceived by Satan, He wants you to believe that He doesn't exist. He is happy for you to believe anything except for the truth. The truth is a person and His name is Jesus Christ, He said "I am the truth".

Jesus didn't say there are many ways to God, He said "I am the way, no man comes to the Father but by Me". So you have been deceived by the doctrine of Demons, Jesus warned us before He departed for heaven that many would be deceived by Demons.

It is crystal clear that you have fallen prey to the lies and deception of Satan and his Demons, they have fooled you into believing they don't exist. Their main weapon is deception, they use lies and deception to stop you from believing in the only One who can save you from their grip.

You are in bondage to them, and only Christ can save you. If He doesn't save you then you will spend eternity burning in hell with Satan and His Demons, you will have plenty of time to consider how smart you were by rejecting Christ while you burn.

Mohammad was a Devil, he was a mass murderer who personally murdered around 950 people. He had sex with children as young as 9 years old, he was a thief who robbed caravans and he organised an army of terrorists and committed genocide and robberies. He also told many lies, and you respect him as some prophet because you have been deceived by Demons.

Jesus will not share His glory with any pedophile terrorist murderer, He is the true and living God. Allah is a Demon and Buddha and all the other so called prophets all died, none ascended to heaven as Christ did.

 

[Dragonslayer]

There were no other ways when Jesus was alive and during His Dispensation, but Jesus never said there would not be other ways in the future.

Jesus never claimed to be God. The Church claimed that.

I would urge you to join a Bible study group, you will find that Jesus claimed to be God on many occasions. He claimed to be the creator of all things, He was either a liar, lunatic or Lord.

Thousands witnessed His miracles of raising the dead back to life and giving sight to the blind and many other miracles. No other so called prophet ever did or claimed to be God, only Christ is the One true Lord God.

 

[Dragonslayer]

It is true that some Christians have that belief but just because you believe something doesn’t make it true.

I like the parable of the blind men and the elephant. It reminds us we can have very different perspectives on the same realty.

Blind men and an elephant - Wikipedia



There are various understandings of John 14:6. Not every Christian interprets as you do. Likewise with John 1:1 and some other key verses.



Personally I believe in the same God, Jesus and Bible as the Christians. We can not prove any of the miracles happened or not. I don’t believe Jesus literally rose from the dead and ascended to heaven but if you want to believe it I have no objection. Muhammad was a Messenger of God just as Jesus was. His greatest miracle was the Holy Quran.

With all due respect I reject everything you said. It all proves that you have been deceived by Satan and His Demons. You are relying on your own fallen, totally depraved, sinful and deceived understanding to draw conclusions about the most important question which have eternal ramifications for you.

This life is a war, the truth is under attack by Satan and His Demons. They are hell bent on deceiving the world so they will have as many as possible join them in hell. Christ came to destroy the works of the Devil, His work is deception.

Satan is out to deceive as many as possible, so Christ came into the world to save all those who trust in Him. We are all fallen, every person has sinned so we need to be saved from the penalty our sins deserve.
Don't ever think that God will just forgive your sins without the shedding of blood.

Most have been deceived into believing that God will just forgive them for their sins, but Jesus said that every single sin must be paid for. Either He paid for your sins on the cross or you will pay for them in eternal hell fire.

Don't be fooled into thinking that you can reason with God, He doesn't see sin as a small thing as you do. He is perfectly holy, so sin is a big deal to Him. If you reject Christs free offer of forgiveness and eternal life in paradise then you will spend eternity in hell.

The offer of salvation is only available in this life, all you need to do is get on your knees, repent and ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life. He will never turn anyone away, who asks Him sincerely, so don't gamble with your life. Put your foolish pride aside and ask Christ today, while you still can. Tomorrow might be too late.

 

[Dragonslayer]

Did I mention that, please?
My point is that may be they have a better reason/argument, so I study in comparison to my own faith.
And I have mentioned my approach/method as to how I proceed to study/research other faiths/religions and or no-religions. Right, please?

Regards

I notice you have the word "Love" in you slogan. Do you know what the word actually means, it is the most misused word in the English language. I'm not saying you are misusing it here, I'm just curious to know if you know the meaning of the word.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

So you are not an alcoholic in recovery attending AA meetings and looking to Jesus for sobriety?

I went to an AA meeting for a psych class paper. I found they didn't turn to Jesus, but to cigarettes. I think they emptied out an entire pack in the one hour they were there.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

There is only one truth and there is only One true God

How can I trust that is true when it's abundantly clear it's a later invention?

Of the "main world religions", 90% of them are false, the Roman Catholic Church is Pagan.

Why are Protestant churches not pagan?

Jesus said, " no man comes to the Father but by Me", so He is the only way to God.

But there are clearly people who were in a close relationship with God WITHOUT Jesus, because he hadn't been born yet, so the NT is lying.

Gods people have the Holy Spirit indwelling them, so they are protected from deception.

What if THAT is the deception?

It's like saying if I have ADT, thieves will never break into my house. Of course they can. ADT isn't going to prevent it nor stop them when they're there.

Those who don't have the Holy Spirit are all deceived by Satan and His Demons, as they are very powerful and they've had many thousands of years of experience so they know exactly how to deceive a person.

Name one lie Satan ever used in the bible where he actually is in the scene, because there are none and the NT is lying.

So everyone who doesn't have the Holy Spirit indwelling them is a Pagan

There are plenty of evil people who say the Holy Spirit is in them and there are plenty of pagans who are more moral than many Christians will ever be.

Do not say to yourself, "I have the Holy Spirit", for God can put the Holy Spirit into a rock.

Jesus Christ said, "I am the truth, nobody comes to the Father but by Me". Most people reject the truth, so they end up in hell forever.

Then they can join Jesus. He said anyone who calls people fools will burn in hell and called people fools, so per his own logic, he's in hell.

If there was other ways to God, Jesus would have told us about them.

The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you." You want everyone to be eyes, but that leaves no ears nor hands nor feet nor heart.

No other person in history claimed to be the one true God and the truth.

Claiming it doesn't make it a fact.

No other prophet came back to life

Elijah and Enoch skip death altogether, which is better than Jesus accomplished.

performed so many miracles including raising the dead back to life

Every other prophet has done some sort of miracle. Jesus walked on water. Moses split a sea. Jesus copy/pasted some fish and chips for one or two meals. Elijah (I think) made an unending pot of food. Jesus raised the dead. So did others. Jesus healed. So did others.

In fact, Jesus said anyone with a mustard seed of faith could do what he did and more.

So, clearly, he doesn't have a monopoly on cool talents.

He is the only One with the power over death

People still die, so he didn't win the war.

He will not share His holiness with any false prophets like Mohammad.

Is Jesus lying when he claimed even sinners will love those who love them? Why are we being held to a higher standard than Jesus or God?

The truth is a person and His name is Jesus Christ, He said "I am the truth".

And no one has EVER lied about such grandiose claims. Oh, wait....

Jesus didn't say there are many ways to God, He said "I am the way, no man comes to the Father but by Me".

Besides the eye and the hand thing, Mark 9:

38John said to Him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us." 39But Jesus said, "Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. 40For he who is not against us is for us. 41For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.

The apostles wanted to be selfish with God's blessing, while Jesus was (mostly) cool with having allies, which is better than having enemies, which is what the apostles were, for they ALL betrayed him. You don't hear about the gentile woman or the centurion fleeing from him. No, it was his most loyal butt-kissers who ran off.

It is crystal clear that you have fallen prey to the lies and deception of Satan and his Demons, they have fooled you into believing they don't exist.

I know they exist. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I SHALL FEAR NO EVIL. God is more powerful, right? So why care what demons want?

If He doesn't save you then you will spend eternity burning in hell with Satan and His Demons, you will have plenty of time to consider how smart you were by rejecting Christ while you burn.

So, hell is where Jesus puts you when he's too lazy to save people? Did he come for the sick or the well? It's like a hospital saying they will only treat patients who have nothing wrong with them.

Mohammad was a Devil, he was a mass murderer who personally murdered around 950 people.

Jesus was executed before he had a lot of time to do anything. In his short ministry, he attacked people with whips. This is not a peaceful person.

Jesus will not share His glory with any pedophile terrorist murderer, He is the true and living God.

So, God's grace and forgiveness is just what He offers so you'll shut up, but He has no intention of going through with it?

Allah is a Demon and Buddha and all the other so called prophets all died, none ascended to heaven as Christ did.

Jesus didn't have a cool UFO chariot to go up into heaven, unlike Elijah.

He claimed to be the creator of all things, He was either a liar, lunatic or Lord.

Or he said none of those things and the AUTHORS were lying or lunatics.

Thousands witnessed His miracles of raising the dead back to life and giving sight to the blind and many other miracles.

And no one wrote them down. Roman or Greek physicians don't mention their patients suddenly becoming well after meeting some guy named Jesus.

Satan is out to deceive as many as possible, so Christ came into the world to save all those who trust in Him.

Again, Jesus specifically says to love one's enemies. Why are we being held to a higher standard than Jesus or God?

If it's one thing I can't stand, it's someone who craves a lazy and ineffective deity.

 

[paarsurrey]

I notice you have the word "Love" in you slogan. Do you know what the word actually means, it is the most misused word in the English language. I'm not saying you are misusing it here, I'm just curious to know if you know the meaning of the word.

We use it for affection. Is it wrong?
Regards

 

[Dawnofhope]

I went to an AA meeting for a psych class paper. I found they didn't turn to Jesus, but to cigarettes. I think they emptied out an entire pack in the one hour they were there.

I’ve no doubt about the power of cigarettes. It is an addiction and crutch for certain. But have you ever meet an alcoholic whose become so enmeshed in their new found Christianity that it appears just as much a vice as the bottle the have left behind? Heck, you may even be talking to one on this thread!?

 

[Dawnofhope]

With all due respect I reject everything you said. It all proves that you have been deceived by Satan and His Demons. You are relying on your own fallen, totally depraved, sinful and deceived understanding to draw conclusions about the most important question which have eternal ramifications for you.

That’s a very dark assessment of those you disagree with. Often when people criticise others it says much more about their own character flaws than others. Lord Jesus spoke of this.

Matthew 7:1-4

This life is a war, the truth is under attack by Satan and His Demons. They are hell bent on deceiving the world so they will have as many as possible join them in hell. Christ came to destroy the works of the Devil, His work is deception.

Christ came to bring a New Covenant and Testament.
Jeremiah 31:31-34

Satan is out to deceive as many as possible, so Christ came into the world to save all those who trust in Him. We are all fallen, every person has sinned so we need to be saved from the penalty our sins deserve.
Don't ever think that God will just forgive your sins without the shedding of blood.

Jesus even called His most trusted disciple Peter Satan did he not?

He was clear about those who would and wouldn’t be saved.

Matthew 25:31-46

I’d be much more concerned about your own salvation.

Most have been deceived into believing that God will just forgive them for their sins, but Jesus said that every single sin must be paid for. Either He paid for your sins on the cross or you will pay for them in eternal hell fire.

I’d rather listen to the words of Jesus than one who bears his name yet dishonours Him.

John 8:32

Don't be fooled into thinking that you can reason with God, He doesn't see sin as a small thing as you do. He is perfectly holy, so sin is a big deal to Him. If you reject Christs free offer of forgiveness and eternal life in paradise then you will spend eternity in hell.

Christ is a central part of my faith but I’m seeing none of His spirit in your post.

The offer of salvation is only available in this life, all you need to do is get on your knees, repent and ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life. He will never turn anyone away, who asks Him sincerely, so don't gamble with your life. Put your foolish pride aside and ask Christ today, while you still can. Tomorrow might be too late.

If you sincerely want to spread the gospel of Christ change yourself first and stop being so judgemental.