[Gemstone]

I think learning about different religions is very interesting.

I posted this in another thread but it was off topic, so I thought I would start a thread for religious discussion. It can only be healthy to learn new things. I am not starting this to be an argument thread. I just think it is important to understand what people around you may believe. It can help people be more tolerant of each other.

This link compares Christianity and Islam, but the site itself has a lot of information about other religions too.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/comp_isl_chr.htm

Please feel free to add whatever you want to this thread as long as it isn't argument. This thread is for learning and not for conflict.

[Gemstone]

http://www.meta-religion.com/World_R..._religions.htm

This site also has a lot of information.

Hey. Yeah, I found that religious tolerance website too :-)
It looks like a terrific resource :-)

Thanks for posting it.

[(JD)]

That site of religious tolerance might be a Isuitable site to begin such a learning journey. I, being a strong Christian, have a different view of "religious tolerance" and believe that God would not have me be so accomodating.

Gem, anytime you wish me to explain my beliefs, feel free to PM me. TC!

[radio_flyer]

The link "religious tolerance" is not a "good" link to start a discussion of various religions. Am sure if I were to comment on that very link listed, this thread would be closed faster than you can blink an eye...

I think each religion should be discussed separately... Any anyone who wants to do the comparing, can then do it for themselves...

[Gemstone]

Sky or Radioflyer,

Do either of you have a link you feel more suitable? Please feel free to share it if you do. I'm happy to read any resource. This thread isn't to discuss those sites only. I would like it to grow with whatever anyone wants.

I just found the site interesting and informative so I decided to share.

I'm glad you liked the site as well Alexandra.

[SeptemberMorn]

I for one, don't see anything wrong with someone posting links that contain information about other religions besides Christianity. For someone just thinking about learning about Faith in general, it could be very helpful. They just may need a gentle nudge in that direction. If they don't read and inform themselves, how are they going to know what is or isn't for them.

For those of us who are strong Christians, it only serves to make us that much stronger in our faith.

Let's not forget that Jesus didn't cram Himself down anyone's throat. He did and still does honor our own free will to chose.

I liken it to my own ACCEPTANCE of gay people. I know what the Bible says, I know it's not for me, but their own persuasions are between them and their God. That goes beyond tolerance, doesn't it?

[(JD)]

Can't say it's more suitable to anyone else, but here is MY church and it's basic beliefs, for those who want to know.
http://www.crpc.org/2000/About%20CRP...Statement.html
Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (PCA)

The Presbyterian Church of America PCA is NOT the same as the PC USA.
The Presbyterian Church of USA is more liberal, even allowing homosexuals to serve in the pulpit...for example.

BTW there is always a Minister ON DUTY for those who wish to call during a crisis.

[Gemstone]

Thank you SeptemberMorn. You are right it does go beyond tolerance.

Thanks to sky as well. I will take a look, and I appreciate your contribution.

[radio_flyer]

Ummm I don't think anything is wrong with posting links to other religions besides Christianity. As you said learning about different beliefs is a good thing..

I believe if we are to learn about other religions, it is best not to start off with comparing two different religions. The idea is to learn about all religions... not to start with comparing them....

Sometimes a good way of learning about something is to learn about similarities and contrasts with what is already known. If I wanted to know what it was like to live in Canada, for example, then one way of learning about it would be to learn about how Canada is similar to and different from Australia. Learning about similarities and differences doesn't have to be about saying that one is 'better than' or 'worse than' or 'right' or 'wrong'. It can just be about learning about what people believe. Though of course generalisations about what groups of people believe are always going to be rough and a bit inaccurate like how there is no such thing as what ALL christians believe there probably isn't any such thing as what ALL hindus or buddists or muslims etc believe.

If people aren't interested in learning about what people of other faiths believe then they don't have to read the threads. If there are buddists or hindus or muslims here who don't want to learn about christianity then they don't need to read the threads about christianity and similarly if there are christians here who don't want to learn about buddism or hinduism or the muslim faith then they don't need to read the threads.

[(JD)]

I personally have no problem learning, and have already studied other religions and those mentioned as well.

I think it's best to stay with the links only, rather than have it become a discussion. Because if/when someone says something that sounds like something different than what is written or exampled by others of the religion, then it's cause for discourse. If one just goes to other sites and reads and forms their own opinions, that sounds fine from my POV>

[nothemama8]

Post deleted by nothemama8

[(JD)]

Hmmm IMO anything negative should not be posted explicitly.... I imagine everyone has a bad story to tell about a particular church or such...and then that would force others to confront it etc, you know?

I also wanted to add that I wouldn't appreciate links to sites that do compare one religion with another, but only those that promote their own religion/beliefs.

TC

[nothemama8]

for my own sanity I decided to let my past rest in peace
Angie

[LMo]

[edited by LMo]

[radio_flyer]

I guess folks like the idea of comparing religions.. So I found a most interesting link on Christianity and Islam..

http://www.dianedew.com/islam.htm

[(JD)]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
For links to other websites, the following guidelines apply:
<ul type="square">[*]Links in your profile are fine. Link to almost anything you want in your profile page, as long as it doesn't violate our sexual, illegal activities, or profanity guidelines. [*]Links on a post to anything except another mental health community are okay one-time only, as long as it's your personal site, photos, whatever. We don't want to see people abusing this by saying, "Hey, I just updated my site" and posting about it every week (which we've seen done elsewhere).[*]Links to other community sites are on a case-by-case basis. While in general we don't mind them, we want the member to run the link by DocJohn (and DocJohn only) first. [*]Links in your signature are okay, as long as they are your personal site (no commercial or community site links allowed in one's signature, ever).


</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">[/list]
...from Community Guidelines

Ok. I posted my Church's website link so those who wished to know what the basics about what I believe could read it without a debate.

I DO request that Administrators weigh in on whether they think posting links comparing their views of various religions is appropriate. It sounds like argument to me...and not personal enough of what a member believes personally.

[radio_flyer]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
I think it's best to stay with the links only, rather than have it become a discussion.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

This is your quote sky.. So I posted a link.. Others have said comparing religions help them understand better the differences. So I posted a link comparing two beliefs...


Bottom line I guess.. is anything that is said that is different from one religion would be taking it as "bashing"... So prob the whole idea of learning different religious beliefs might be better for individuals who are interested to search on their own, rather than bringing it here. IMHO.

Each religion have different beliefs. And maybe some are similar. And when a "truth" on one belief might be on the negative side, then that would be considered bashing and then no one would be learning anything because fighting would take over.. Thinks we should keep this forum for support and let those who want to learn other religions to do so on their own....

I think Sky has her opinion (which she is entitled to) but that other people have opinions too.

My understanding was that the thread was started for the discussion of different religions.

If you don't want to participate in a discussion then don't.

If you do want to participate in a discussion than do.

What happened to 'live and let live'???

[(JD)]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Bottom line I guess.. is anything that is said that is different from one religion would be taking it as "bashing"

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

IDK why you think I said any such thing. Obviously you are not the only one who has totally MISSED my point.

IF you wish to post a link about YOUR faith or religion, I say, go for it. What I am not condoning is the posting of a site that is arguing two religions against each other, because 1) it is not your own personal faith or belief only from your own view and 2) it is opening the thread to debate as to whether the religions shown on the other website(s) are being fairly represented.

IDK that's why I asked for ADMIN opinion.

[Greenleaves]

I know next to nothing about religions. I find the comparisons very informative. The information is nice and concise.

It's a nice summary I think.

[radio_flyer]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Bottom line I guess.. is anything that is said that is different from one religion would be taking it as "bashing"

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Um I am the one that said what is quoted.

Well if we were to post only links of our personal beliefs, I guess that would be ok.. but then that leaves out folks searching for info on other religions...

Bottom line is ALL RELIGIONS can be debated. I think the link I posted gives Koran reference and Bible references as to where the info was gathered to pretty much cancel out "opinions"...

Already we are all fussing on how to learn about various religions..Religion is a personal thing. And so our personal beliefs takes hold.. and we do not want to offend anyone.

I guess at first I thought this was a good idea... Too much hassle already so I am removing myself from this discussion. If we could look at various religions without putting our beliefs into it, we all would learn something new. But the way things are going, only arguments and misunderstandings will surface....And my life already has too many hassles, I sure don't need to add more with religious beliefs...

[(JD)]

But if everyone posted a link to their own religion/beliefs then couldn't anyone searching go view all the different websites and links to compare on their own, without any debate here?

[LMo]

I checked with DocJohn - you don't need his permission to post links like this. I had originally misunderstood something he had said. My bad! Sorry!