Other Religious Traditions You Value?

[everbecoming2007]

In some online spaces I've frequented, I have a sense of dislike because of their triumphalism and arrogance. I don't believe religion is an indifferent matter, that said. It's just that I have a conviction borne out by my sense of scripture, tradition, and the wondrous love of God that God is even now working and willing to save all, and that there are holy people, known by their fruits, from diverse walks of life.

I didn't always respect it, but having experience of my Pentecostal family's faith in action as we deal with dying, I see a great sanctity in how they're handling it, and my great grandfather who is dying breaks into spontaneous thanksgiving and reports himself to have a sense of being enwrapped in the presence of Jesus during this time of his transition.

I find that I have a great deal in common with my family regarding the cultivation of prayer, sanctity, and holiness of life.

Furthermore, I have had very positive experiences with Methodists. Methodism happens to be my great grandfather's faith of origin, though he is now Oneness Pentecostal. Both Methodists and Pentecostals value sanctity of life traditionally.

What traditions do you respect?

 

[seeking.IAM]

I was a Methodist for over 50 years before leaving in search of something else and ending up Episcopalian. I shall always have a lot of fondness for Methodism and Methodist folk, but more so a nostalgic affection for the Methodism as I once knew it than the Methodism at the time I left. I also have a lot of affection for Orthodoxy, which I studied and considered for a year before becoming Episcopalian. I would have joined there except for one or two barriers. I respect the unchanging nature of their faith practice as well as their history and adherence to the faith as practice by the early church.

 

[JackRT]

I grew up Roman Catholic but am now a liberal/progressive Christian but still value that tradition. Other traditions that have had a positive influence on my spiritual development have been Ukrainian Catholic, Fellowship Baptist, United Church of Canada and to lesser extents Baha'i, Buddhism and Hinduism. At the present time I regard the two most hopeful spiritual leaders to be Pope Francis and the Dalai Lama.

 

[public hermit]

Zen Buddhism

 

[Albion]

I find that I have a great deal in common with my family regarding the cultivation of prayer, sanctity, and holiness of life.

Furthermore, I have had very positive experiences with Methodists. Methodism happens to be my great grandfather's faith of origin, though he is now Oneness Pentecostal. Both Methodists and Pentecostals value sanctity of life traditionally.

What traditions do you respect?

I am going to have to give this some careful thought, but I like the topic you chose for us!

 

[rockytopva]

The Foot Washing... I attended a Free Will Baptist church while going to college. One evening we had a footwashing / communion service. Having never been to one my flesh fought me all the way to church that night. During the service there was such tears and shouting, wow! They would pray over you as they washed the feet and it was really a dramatic sight. It was really done decent and there was such a clean spiritual sensation afterwards as I cannot describe.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

I like Hinduism. Not because of all the gods but because they all are seen as expressions of the one God. So it is pretty simple: one God who is all pervading.

 

[jacks]

I may not "like" them, but I tend to respect almost all other religious beliefs. At least they are looking beyond the physical world and trying to be in touch with something other than themselves.

 

[alsughasoughaiuyfygh]

.

 

[Tigger45]

I highly respect how Native Americans interact with nature.

 

[dzheremi]

I think Judaism's tradition of disputation and 'bargaining' (even or maybe especially with God) is something very commendable. There's something very human and humbling about Jacob wrestling with God, you know? I like that.

I heard a joke a few years ago that has stuck with me since then that I think illustrates it better than I can. From memory:

A group of four Jews were arguing among each other regarding the proper interpretation of some passage of the Torah. Three of them came down on one side, and really pressed their friend hard about his interpretation, insisting that it could not be right and that he must come over to their side. Sick of their argument, he told them "You know what? Only God can show us who is really right. I think I am, so I will pray to Him and He will give us an answer, and then we can be done with it, okay?" His friends agreed, and the one Jew turned to pray to God, asking that He reveal His wisdom to all in the dispute.

A booming voice then came from the heavens, which all heard saying the following: "Oh my faithful ones, listen to your friend, for this man you are disputing with and calling obviously wrong is actually correct, and it is you two who must come over to his side! I AM the Lord your God, and this is command which you must heed!"

The voice ceased and the previously annoyed man was very pleased to find that God had actually come down and settled the dispute personally. Thinking his friends could certainly do nothing but what God had told them to do, he turned to his friends with a smile. "Well...?"

His friends responded: "Well what? Now it's two against three." ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[anna ~ grace]

I appreciate the intense and deep beauty of sacred artwork and architecture within Eastern and Oriental Orthodoxy.

I appreciate the modesty and care in dress of many Mennonites.

I appreciate the welcoming kindness and straightforwardness of many Baptists I've met.

I appreciate the devotion to tradition and piety among Haredi Jews.

 

[archer75]

I appreciate how Anglicans recognize other Christians as Christians.

I appreciate how the Non-Chalcedonian Orthodox try not to point fingers.

 

[JackRT]

I like Hinduism. Not because of all the gods but because they all are seen as expressions of the one God. So it is pretty simple: one God who is all pervading.

Some years ago I visited a Hindu temple. I stood before the altar area staring in silent amazement at the multitude of images of various deities, some of them very bizarre indeed. I had been there several minutes when I heard a gentle voice behind me say "God is One." I turned to meet the pundit (priest) of the temple. As he escorted me around the altar area he explained that while God is One, we in our finitude are unable to comprehend the fullness of God in a single "take". Each one of the "deities" before us was simply a different manifestation of God's Oneness. Interestingly enough, the pundit was also a nuclear chemistry professor at a nearby university.

 

[Arcangl86]

I really appreciate the high degree of mysticism in Orthodoxy.

 

[Julian of Norwich]

Wow, what a great topic.

I respect all the people as a Christian, but as to many other denominations/religions I will only name what I know very much about.
Southern Baptist as my best friend in high school brought me thoroughly into Christianity to be baptized (although my grandmother had laid the groundwork by taking me to her Episcopal Church of the 50s/60sh often when I stayed with her). All without saying a word as that would have turned me off - originally Unitarian and very skeptical of Christianity!
Judiaism as a longtime boyfriend of mine was Jewish causing me to do indepth study there.
Orthodoxy due to their keeping much of Christianity/catholicity intact from the early centuries. Plus their mysticism, which I agree with.
I can't think of any other that I know well enough to say. I have heard that either Gandhi or the Dalhi Lama said that they really like Christianity, but not Christians!

 

[JackRT]

I have heard that either Gandhi or the Dalhi Lama said that they really like Christianity, but not Christians!

When Mahatma Gandhi was a young man, working as a lawyer in South Africa, he read the entire Bible. He and several of his Indian friends went to visit a church one Sunday. They were ejected physically. In later life he commented, "I would have become a Christian but then I had the misfortune to meet one."

 

[anna ~ grace]

When Mahatma Gandhi was a young man, working as a lawyer in South Africa, he read the entire Bible. He and several of his Indian friends went to visit a church one Sunday. They were ejected physically. In later life he commented, "I would have become a Christian but then I had the misfortune to meet one."

I've heard that story, too. That always cuts me to the bone. How careful and loving we must be with our witness. No matter our excuse.

 

[JackRT]

I've heard that story, too. That always cuts me to the bone. How careful and loving we must be with our witness. No matter our excuse.

There are people like Gandhi and the Dalai Lama who are more "Christlike" than most Christians. The most Christlike person I have ever personally met is a Hindu but there are several Christians very close behind.

 

[archer75]

There are people like Gandhi and the Dalai Lama who are more "Christlike" than most Christians. The Most Christlike person I have ever personally met is a Hindu but there are several Christians very close behind.

We EO (I assume I can participate in this thread) are fond of saying that we don't control the Holy Spirit, that God works where He will, etc. I assume most Anglicans would agree with this.

It is very obvious that Christians are quite able to behave poorly and that God is at work in people who are not Christians.