What things have you seen in different faith traditions or even other religions that have helped you in your own faith?

SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 09:53:41 -0500

http://www.explorefaith.org/other_religions.html

I think I can say that seeing various aspects of other religions or other faith traditions within Christianity have helped me find more solid footing in my own faith.

From a friend who was a member of an Assembly of God congregation, I saw a boldness and fervor in his faith.

In the Catholic tradition I have admired how they use a lot of symbology in their ceremonies and like how everywhere throughout the world reads the same scripture and has a homily on the same subject during their worship.

One of the best chaplains I ever worked with was a Jewish Rabbi. He used to walk around base and hand out Chap-stick (his play on the CHAP-lain thing). He used to come by my office and ask me how life was and we used to have some of the best conversations. I could open up to him about things that were bothering me and he was very wise. Similarly, a had a physician I worked with who was Jewish and he and his wife were very caring and giving. I cried the day he left the ship and that never happened before or after...

In Buddhism and in nature-based religions such as Wicca, I have seen how powerful Meditation can be. In America, we have all but eliminated quiet time with our fast-paced lifestyle. We need balance, and the Bible speaks more about meditation than we practice in today's world. I see that as an unfortunate thing.

In Humanism, I have seen an emphasis on what humans have done to improve the world around them and a celebration of our advances. Their motto is "Be good for goodness' sake," talking about the lack of a real need to have spiritual consequences for doing good things for others wherever you can.

So what things do you see in other religions or faith traditions that inspire you?

What can Christians learn from other religions? - explore faith

We can learn more about God. After college I lived in Japan for two years. Among the many things I did there was to study and practice Zen. Zen introduced me to a tradition and discipline of silence that I had never experienced before. I discovered that silence is a common "language"--transcending cultures and religions. And it was in silence--which I later discovered in the monastic Christian tradition--that I discovered a new dimension of...

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 7 at 2016 10:04 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 10:04:47 -0500

Actually everything I've seen from every faith has helped solidify my theological stance...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 10:29 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 10:29:38 -0500

SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury There are a lot of different ones, however one that sticks with me is the Eastern Orthodox Church (Syria/Lebanon) a love of community, of each other, and welcoming anyone who comes in peace.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 10:34 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 10:34:14 -0500

SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury There are many but one sticks with me more than others.... The Eastern Orthodox Church (Syria/Lebanon) Their love of community, each other and welcoming anyone who comes in peace.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 10:37 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 10:37:38 -0500

As a Neopagan I perceive the Divine as being everywhere and in all things (Pantheism). Jesus's commands to Love God and to love my fellow man carries a slightly different meaning for me that it would for most Christians, however I do see it as a very succinct guide for how we should live our lives. From Buddhism I learn to pay attention to attachments, and remember that all this separateness is an illusion. From Shinto I lean to honor my ancestors, to always strive to be good/pure, to always be sincere and honor the kami/spirits/nature of where I am. From Wicca and various indigenous traditions I learned to meditate and do trance work to explore and try to understand my own nature.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jan 7 at 2016 11:55 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 11:55:04 -0500

1. I have celebrated a passover-seder with an orthodox Jewish family a couple decades ago. As a believer it wa so easy for me to see the substance of Christ which was the fulfillment of the symbolism and language emberaced in the seeder.
2. Thankfully usually from afar, I have long seen the impact of people following the dictates of their holy books and how that has hurt them and others from the Koran through the Book of Mormon.
3. I have learned to appreciate the beauty of art and music within the Christian tradition thanks in part to the works of Francis A. Schaeffer. All talent come from God and He is the author of all beauty in this world.
4. I have seen the negative impact of some fundamental Christian groups when they focused on what not to do instead of what we should be doing. My own dear wife grew up avoiding movies, rock music, and putting on a bathing suit.
I am thankful for the grace we have in and through Christ.
What are your thoughts? COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. CH (MAJ) William Beaver CW5 Private RallyPoint Member CW5 Charlie Poulton SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt Private RallyPoint Member TSgt John Temblador, PI, CIPA SGT Private RallyPoint Member SGT Robert Hawks SGT Forrest Stewart SGT Randal Groover

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 1:37 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 13:37:21 -0500

Both my parents were Russian Jews, and I'm proud of that heritage. Unfortunately, as with most organized religions, it's become quite political. But when I listen to Pope Francis, I feel like he speaks to ALL of us when he says, "we need to just start living right"! I envision my relationship with God is not defined by religious boundaries but determined by the kind of person I am to others. I hope I have some of the humble compassionate traits, I find so very attractive in Pope Francis, along with some of the wonderful traditions and beliefs of my Jewish faith.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jan 7 at 2016 1:49 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 13:49:34 -0500

I used to speak ill of Atheist, until I observed that although they do not believe in God, they practice the teachings of Jesus which often leads to the dialogue "So what are you?" Their reply is one that has a different belief but practices the teaching of a Man called Jesus.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 3:24 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 15:24:14 -0500

My Dad was a minister/missionary his entire adult life. I was a lay minister, myself, for 35 years. Witnessing my own faith, witnessing countless other religions around this country and the world has led me to this singular belief: NO ONE, NO CHURCH, NO FAITH, NO SECT, NO RELIGION has a clue, let alone irrefutable proof, about anything, and they certainly don't own the Keys to some Kingdom that is often referred to in their Dogma or spoken about from their pulpits. For me, today and tomorrow, as it has been with the Native Peoples for millennia, my religion is Nature and Mother Earth is my church.

Response by GySgt Carl Rumbolo made Jan 7 at 2016 9:06 PM

GySgt Carl Rumbolo — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 21:06:32 -0500

I think the most I ever learned was a 5 month period where I shared a room in the barracks with a Jew, a Southern Baptist and a Methodist turned Muslim - and me - the half-agnostic / half atheist. (and yes I realize it sounds like the opening of a bad joke )

We had some initial wowzer arguments but we sat down one day and made an agreement - no hate, respect and open discussion - we shared books on faith, and some great conversations and we all came away with something and respect for each other.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 9:11 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 21:11:42 -0500

I hesitate to add the one profoundly negative thing that I have learned about religion over the course of my life, whether by participating in my own or witnessing the religions/faiths of others, here in America or abroad: organized religion can be defined by one word - intolerance. One need only take a few moments to understand and appreciate what I mean. I have a sneaking suspicion that that is why the word "religion" never appears even once in any of the earliest versions of the Bible, including the KJV, the most widely used version in the world today. Neither is it a coincidence that the word was not even "authored" until the 13th Century.

Response by PO1 Todd Cousins made Jan 7 at 2016 10:47 PM

PO1 Todd Cousins — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 22:47:57 -0500

I have had the pleasure of seeing and learning about many religions over the years. It is amazing what one can learn about themselves and others if they just keep an open mind.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2016 9:21 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 09:21:33 -0500

Tough question when you think about it.

I would like to think that the teachings of Christ, and the power of God is larger than any single "denomination"...as a Christian, I certainly find "commonality" with believers whether they be Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, or any flavor of doctrinal Christian.

I have profound respect for Judaism, as it is the faith of Abraham, and the root of law from which the Messiah's message of forgiveness extends. Like many Christians, I suppose I would consider my own faith a form of "fulfilled" Judaism...though I realize that most Jewish people would disagree.

While I hold it as impossible for one man to judge the soul of another...I have never been able to find that same continuity with Islam. I've often wondered, if Jewish, Christian and Muslim believers could focus on what makes us similar...and expunge the centuries of human, not divine difference...we may find we're essentially all drinking from the same spiritual well that a humble carpenter from Nazareth was talking about.

Through a variety of experiences, I've been deeply exposed to many Far-Eastern philosophies over the years as well. While there are components of their beliefs I can find common wisdom in, there are never the less, inconsistencies that I can't resolve, and a general focus on humanism that for me personally, seems self-supporting.

In more recent years, I've been close friends with people following "Neo-Paganism", and without any desire to sound demeaning or dismissive...I simply can't get past the relative post-modern context these beliefs seem designed to accommodate.

Response by CMSgt Dennis Heath made Jan 8 at 2016 10:13 PM

CMSgt Dennis Heath — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 22:13:17 -0500

When you have a genuine exposure to the truth of other religions, you should come away with at least a clearer understanding of them. It helps in relating with those of those religious experiences.