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 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.
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SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury
People get ugly and legalistic, much like the Pharisees and Saducees in the Bible. People focus too much on the negativity and that makes Christianity look horrible.
What people don't realize it even focus on is John 3:17 where it tells us quite plainly that Christ did not come to judge the world. The word for "Satan" or the "Devil" in the ancient languages meant "Accuser." Kind of along the meaning like a prosecuting attorney. With that knowledge and knowing John 3:17, I believe that if condemnation and judgmental natures are the works of Satan - not of God.
Many of the things people are doing today look nothing like what was recorded in the Bible. It does mention that many false teachers would come. I think we see that more than we see the good. (Then again, good stories often aren't as interesting).
As a believer, I have a choice - I can submit and be an example (as best I can) and be a help and inspiration to others, or I can be negative and cause hate and discontent. The former is a tall challenge - the latter is actually much easier. We are to examine ourselves daily to ensure we meet our personal "rally point" with God through prayer and reading of the word. I have to be on guard against negativity in my own life or I could wind up just another bitter and hateful person. I share that not trying to appear "big and holy" - but to remind even myself that there are no perfect ones out there - but there is a difference in willful sin and mistakes.
I could on and on but hope I was effective in a more concise response. Thank you so much for sharing - these have been some awesome discussions and each response has a lot of wisdom and experience in them.
What people don't realize it even focus on is John 3:17 where it tells us quite plainly that Christ did not come to judge the world. The word for "Satan" or the "Devil" in the ancient languages meant "Accuser." Kind of along the meaning like a prosecuting attorney. With that knowledge and knowing John 3:17, I believe that if condemnation and judgmental natures are the works of Satan - not of God.
Many of the things people are doing today look nothing like what was recorded in the Bible. It does mention that many false teachers would come. I think we see that more than we see the good. (Then again, good stories often aren't as interesting).
As a believer, I have a choice - I can submit and be an example (as best I can) and be a help and inspiration to others, or I can be negative and cause hate and discontent. The former is a tall challenge - the latter is actually much easier. We are to examine ourselves daily to ensure we meet our personal "rally point" with God through prayer and reading of the word. I have to be on guard against negativity in my own life or I could wind up just another bitter and hateful person. I share that not trying to appear "big and holy" - but to remind even myself that there are no perfect ones out there - but there is a difference in willful sin and mistakes.
I could on and on but hope I was effective in a more concise response. Thank you so much for sharing - these have been some awesome discussions and each response has a lot of wisdom and experience in them.
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Actually everything I've seen from every faith has helped solidify my theological stance...
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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.
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.
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