Is the study of other religions dangerous?

BustedFlat · #21 11th February 2007, 01:54 PM

Following in those same lines in an article for The Koinonia House entitled Thomas Jefferson's Koran, William P. Welty, PhD. Writes:

Did anybody besides me happen to ask why it was that Jefferson felt the need to own and read a copy of the Koran?
<snip>
Jefferson also figured that the best way to learn about the political, military, social, economic, and religious agendas of America’s enemies was to read the best textbook on all things Muslim. So he read the Koran in what for his day was a state-of-the-art translation into English directly from the Arabic. Jefferson’s copy of the Koran equipped him with everything he needed to know on how to respond to threats from the caliphates of the early 1800s.

As always I urge you to read the whole text.

In Jesus

BustedFlat

Cris413 · #22 11th February 2007, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by kenblaster5000

I have found people that make arguments in other religions, so it is good to find scripture to back it. I have studied other religions, new age, which I will not go into, because people talk to me about not caring to know about what they beleive, but my suggestion is to put on the full armor of God, and stand in a viewpoint from the bible, knowing that it is truly God's word. I have looked at the death metal music in Hastings, not to buy it, but to see what the enemy is up to, and what people are thinking. Alot of blasphemy, perversion, spirit of the antichrist in that music, but I felt lead to look at it. One prophet was told to go to the temple, by a vision, to see all the vile things the priests and people were doing in there, and he was sickened and angry. So, be careful, it is good to know other religions for debating, or pointing out scriptures from Christian standpoint, but they always swat at flies, saying the bible has been translated so many times. It is hard, you cannot argue or wrestle someone into the Kingdom of God, the spirit convict them of sin, and a need for a savior. They will give an account for all the people who tried to bring the gospel, and they rejected, but some things need to be left unsaid. It is not by preaching of hell that people turn to God, but showing them the light that is within you. God bless you.

Absolutely, that's what I meant by the right situations.

It's very hard and perhaps sometimes, unwise, to argue with someone regarding their beliefs.

Sometimes you get a wonderful opportunity when someone comes to you asking questions truly seeking the truth. Young minds, for one example, when they are bombarded by misleading information everyday on the net or people that haven't made a decision one way or another.

Some of my best opportunities to witness was not from anything I said or Scripture I quoted or any knowledge I had about anything, but by the Spirit living in me.

People asking "Why are you so happy all the time, nothing seems to bother you?"

Or bailing a co-worker out of jail. I wondered why she called me and not someone else until she said "Thank you" and my response (without even thinking about it) was don't thank me..thank the Lord. Cris didn't want to get out of bed at 3am and sit in the police officer's station for 2 hours. God is awesome! She accepted Christ the very next day.

Sometimes I forget...and sometimes I remember....It's not about me at all.

God bless!

fellowsjs · #23 11th February 2007, 02:50 PM

The key to effective witnessing is not in the ability to reason and argue and convinve, but is in firstly the effective fervrent prayer of a righteous man in his closet, secondly the leading of the Holy Spirit and thirdly the power of God.

We must also live lifestyles that reflect the time we spend in prayer.

Don't worry about all that studying. Rather spend that time in prayer. You will be far more effective

childofGod31 · #24 12th February 2007, 01:22 AM

The key to be an effective witness is to know your own beliefs (top to bottom). Then if they tell you anything whatsoever that sounds contradictory to your belief, you can correct them right away. You don't really need to know their beliefs, they will tell you.

Like when Mormons tell you that "the other sheep" is them. You could quote all the Bible verses that imply that it's not true and that it's talking about Israel vs. Gentiles.

Or when the Witnesses of Jehova tell you about 144000 being them, you can point out that those are Jews.

But if you don't know those things before hand, of course, you wouldn't be able to answer them and you would have to have a script of their responses vs. your responses, provided by a more knowledgable Christian.

Sometimes, learning another religion could be dangerous. What you learn on the surface, could sound really good and you could go for it. But if you are not spiritually mature to disern the evil (between the lines) than you could be in danger.

Sketcher · #25 13th February 2007, 07:13 PM

I would say it depends on where you are at. If your faith is weak or unstable, I wouldn't recommend it at all. Likewise if you are just not devoted. But I believe that you need to know where certain unbelievers are coming from if you are going to reach them. Otherwise, how would we counter heresy? There are many claims out there that all religions are essentially the same thing - this is bogus. Any basic understanding of both Eastern and Western thought will make this obvious. If it is God's will, then I would say go ahead and learn about other faiths - preferably those you would feel called to reach - and as you do so, be sure to spend more time in the Word and in prayer, praising God especially.

Nadiine · #26 14th February 2007, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by twistedsketch

I would say it depends on where you are at. If your faith is weak or unstable, I wouldn't recommend it at all. Likewise if you are just not devoted. But I believe that you need to know where certain unbelievers are coming from if you are going to reach them. Otherwise, how would we counter heresy? There are many claims out there that all religions are essentially the same thing - this is bogus. Any basic understanding of both Eastern and Western thought will make this obvious. If it is God's will, then I would say go ahead and learn about other faiths - preferably those you would feel called to reach - and as you do so, be sure to spend more time in the Word and in prayer, praising God especially.

I completely agree with this.

I don't believe that brand new Christians or those weak in their faith/doubting or unstable should be delving into other religions.
It's about equivalent to playing Russian Roulette with your soul imo.

But at the same time, I also believe this, that IF they are genuinely born again, they won't leave their faith anyways.
Even still, we're warned of stumbling blocks & to stay away from what is harmful or temptation... so we need to be careful with it.

The bible calls them "doctrines of DEMONS". Demonic forces hold power thru false teachings, it's nothing we should take lightly as if nothing can harm us. If we think we cant' fall, there's already pride going on in our heart - as Peter found out of himself after he fell.

thenewageriseth · #27 15th February 2007, 02:15 AM

Originally Posted by Cris413

It has been suggested to me that we need to study other religions to gain understanding to be effective witnesses to refute false religion.

It has also been suggested to me that by studying other religions we endanger our spiritual well being. That putting false doctrine into our minds leaves us vulnerable

I think that it's a cool idea to study others if that's what you want to do to get a better idea of what to preach.
And I think that only the potentially "dangerous" religions like Goth and Satanism are worth converting from.
I have no biased opinion about Buddhism or Shintoism, and the like.

Nadiine · #28 15th February 2007, 07:10 AM

Originally Posted by thenewageriseth

I have no biased opinion about Buddhism or Shintoism, and the like.

I do, they're in a religion that is absent the True God that SAVES souls. So they seek peace and 'salvation' in what cannot help them and in what isn't the truth.

thenewageriseth · #29 15th February 2007, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by Nadiine

I do, they're in a religion that is absent the True God that SAVES souls. So they seek peace and 'salvation' in what cannot help them and in what isn't the truth.

Hmm well it may not be the truth but I suppose they do what they do-I don't think I'm one of those missionary kinds who try to convert.

Isn't it true that Buddha and Shinto are priests or rather monks are something? Not Gods?

Nadiine · #30 15th February 2007, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by thenewageriseth

Hmm well it may not be the truth but I suppose they do what they do-I don't think I'm one of those missionary kinds who try to convert.

Isn't it true that Buddha and Shinto are priests or rather monks are something? Not Gods?

Here's a wikipedia pg. on Buddha/Buddhism for info that will save time writing it out.

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism

I'd submit that no Buddha has found the key to life until promoting Jesus Christ who died for man's sin & is the BRIDGE to God (Christ being God the Son) for man.