Posted on Jan 7, 2016
What things have you seen in different faith traditions or even other religions that have helped you in your own faith?
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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?
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?
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Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 13
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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.
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.
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SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury
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 (Join to see) CW5 Charlie Poulton SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt (Join to see) TSgt John Temblador, PI, CIPA SGT (Join to see) SGT Robert Hawks SGT Forrest Stewart SGT Randal Groover
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 (Join to see) CW5 Charlie Poulton SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt (Join to see) TSgt John Temblador, PI, CIPA SGT (Join to see) SGT Robert Hawks SGT Forrest Stewart SGT Randal Groover
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SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury
LTC Stephen F. - I agree with the point you made in #4 a we should live in the freedom of grace and not the bondage of legalism. There are some who would nit pick everything and that is awful. I guess it's easier. But to encourage each other and to be there for one another is what we should be doing. In John, Jesus said that "this is how people will know you are my disciples - that you love one another.
I'm sure it was negative people and legalism that prompted Ghandi to say, "My biggest problem is Christians - they are so unlike their Christ."
I'm sure it was negative people and legalism that prompted Ghandi to say, "My biggest problem is Christians - they are so unlike their Christ."
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SCPO (Join to see)
SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury - I love your last sentence. I have long studied the Mahatma, and his quiet, inner strength was a powerful source of inspiration to those who could "see."
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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.
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SSG (Join to see)
I don't really see God(s) as a being(s) that keeps bad things from happening to us. We are in the world and subject to the fate as well as consequences of our own and others actions. Now I believe that we can derive knowledge and blessings from our own actions, each other as well as Nature... however we are all still subject to Fate, and both positive and negative consequences.
There were assignments where Chaplains were fairly understanding and accommodating and others where they were not. I was a part of the Ft. Hood open circle for a while, which received good support and I've been places where we couldn't get the time of day.
There were assignments where Chaplains were fairly understanding and accommodating and others where they were not. I was a part of the Ft. Hood open circle for a while, which received good support and I've been places where we couldn't get the time of day.
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CPT Pedro Meza
In my younger days, I had a friend that made it a habit of attending different churches and temples through out the year, when I asked him why his responds was "One of them is bound to be right, or combined they are right."
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SSG (Join to see)
I don't believe we are really capable of wrapping our minds around what is God(s), so trying to judge someones religion is tricky. If it's working for them and they are loving, respectful, patient, and happy people I want to emulate, then there is likely something I can learn from their religious beliefs as well.
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SCPO (Join to see)
Many years ago, in KCMO, my pastor and some fellow ministers of our congregation belonged to an organization that my Dad co-founded after the devastating 1968 riots our city and many others in the nation experienced that terrible year. It was called MICA, Metropolitan Inter-Church Association. It's goal was to bring people of faith together without the boundaries set by decades upon decades of religious tradition and dogma, not the simple Gospel. Fast forward to my pastor and the others who were asked by a fellow MICA member, the black pastor of a large, but struggling inner city AME church, to come to his church for as much time as they could offer in an attempt to get his congregation "jump started." On that first Sunday, three white ministers were met with, shall we say, some notable resistance. When my pastor was asked to respond, he said, "We are NOT here to baptize a single one of you into our faith. I'll be happy to discuss our faith with anyone, but that is still not why we are here. We are NOT here to convert you, to proselytize you, or do anything but that one thing your pastor asked of us: We're here to help each of you become the best African Methodist Episcopalian that you can be." For me, that was a transforming statement: 'I'm not here to change you, I'm here to help you become a better you' The message in those few words underscores why I am who I am today and around what or who my "religious life" centers. Nature asks me to revere all living things, to live in harmony with all things, and to find my place in the Great Circle of Life. Not yours, not my wife's, but mine. By living in harmony with all living things and by following my own path, I can help others on their journey, as they help me. It's pretty basic stuff, but, if followed by all peoples of Mother Earth, think of the peace and harmony that would exist.
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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.
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CPT Pedro Meza
I lived near a community of Eastern Orthodox and yes they are a very loving community, but the wives never wanted me around their husbands because of my past divorces they said I was a bad influence; Christmas time I was chaperoned.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury
PO2 (Join to see) - He is a great Pope. I think he lives the talk he talks. I would say that both him and Pope John Paul II have had me consider becoming Catholic.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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