Interfaith

[yeshuaslavejeff]

I guess God is his own enemy then.

Why ?
Which god ?

 

[Jack of Spades]

I think it's wonderful. My religion is actually an interfaith community. People with all sorts of different beliefs are welcome, and we take wisdom from many different sources.

I'm envious of people who have it that way. I've been a member of online communities where this happens, but never in real life.

Those online communities left a lasting impact on me though. It's nice to talk with people in a way that everyone just openly puts on the table what they believe and practice, and it's not a contest of who is orthodox or who is heretic, but rather people are just seeking inspiration from each others. I love it.

 

[Cearbhall]

Being a humanitarian is great, and Christians should absolutely care for others, however, it still matters in whose name such things are being done. Unity under anything other than Christ is a false unity, even if such unity is advocated for in the name of helping people in this life.

This makes me curious. What sort of relationship do you have with the members of your community who aren't of the same religion as you?

I remember a friend telling me how, when her family moved into a new home, the next-door neighbors were cold towards them. They had no idea why. Eventually, it became known that my friend and her family are Christian, and the neighbors said "Oh, we thought you were Jewish!" They were friendly after that. What the neighbors didn't realize is that they were poisoning themselves more than any Jewish family could have.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

This makes me curious. What sort of relationship do you have with the members of your community who aren't of the same religion as you?

I remember a friend telling me how, when her family moved into a new home, the next-door neighbors were cold towards them. They had no idea why. Eventually, it became known that my friend and her family are Christian, and the neighbors said "Oh, we thought you were Jewish!" They were friendly after that. What the neighbors didn't realize is that they were poisoning themselves more than any Jewish family could have.

When I moved to my little house in the city and our neighbors to the left saw us getting out of our Suburban they said “Oh thank God! We heard some Jews had bought the place.” To this day I am glad that they have no idea what “Jews” look like or that we don’t look like the “Jews” that have in their mind.

 

[redblue22]

I don't get the fear of people who believe different from oneself.

What is there to be afraid of?

And let's say someone is of another belief.

Why the need to treat them bad?

 

[Noxot]

I think that often it is in part due to how the natural creatuerly body functions. it has natural aims such as survival and reproduction. this can get pretty complicated... but being around others who believe what you believe would act as a kind of guarantee for your continued survival and thriving. so some of the hatred is due to ignorance, the subconscious mind, genetics, instincts, and all that kind of jazz.

 

[juvenissun]

What do you think of interfaith gatherings?

This is when people of various religious beliefs, especially religious leaders, get together to encourage peace between everyone. Often there are papers to sign showing that we can get along and have something in common and make for a better community in spite of differences.

Peace.

If so, it should be a political gathering, not a religious gathering.
Religious faith can NOT be negotiated and compromised.

 

[redblue22]

I don't think they were negotiating and compromising.

 

[MehGuy]

When I moved to my little house in the city and our neighbors to the left saw us getting out of our Suburban they said “Oh thank God! We heard some Jews had bought the place.” To this day I am glad that they have no idea what “Jews” look like or that we don’t look like the “Jews” that have in their mind.

Wow, sad to hear.

I'm not Jewish, although I get mistaken one all the time due to my semitic like looks. Sadly I've received some hate as well.

 

[Jack of Spades]

If so, it should be a political gathering, not a religious gathering.
Religious faith can NOT be negotiated and compromised.

Yep, like for example, the sick should not be healed on the Sabbath!

Good cause, good outcomes or good intentions can never excuse compromises on the religious details! That's what Jesus taught by his example: There is no excuse for disrespecting any religious details, no matter how small, no matter for what reason.

 

[Robban]

If so, it should be a political gathering, not a religious gathering.
Religious faith can NOT be negotiated and compromised.

(Gen 28:13-15)

OK, your on, it's a deal.
Gen 28:20-22.

Or what?

 

[awitch]

I don't get the fear of people who believe different from oneself.

What is there to be afraid of?

And let's say someone is of another belief.

Why the need to treat them bad?

It's a safety mechanism.

When you have an "Us vs. Them" religion, it's hard to find a justification for happy, functional people who don't subscribe to that religion.

People who follow a "My way or the highway" religion may also start to feel bad about that religion if they develop an emotional attachment to friendly, normal people who they think are going to be tortured for the rest of eternity.

 

[juvenissun]

Yep, like for example, the sick should not be healed on the Sabbath!

Good cause, good outcomes or good intentions can never excuse compromises on the religious details! That's what Jesus taught by his example: There is no excuse for disrespecting any religious details, no matter how small, no matter for what reason.

To be respectful is one thing. To be true or not-true is another thing.
I don't have to be critical on the ritual of any religion. But I definitely do not have to participate, and I do have the religious reason and freedom to give comments.

 

[juvenissun]

(Gen 28:13-15)

OK, your on, it's a deal.
Gen 28:20-22.

Or what?

Jocob is testing his God. For a youngster, it is normal.

 

[dlamberth]

If so, it should be a political gathering, not a religious gathering.
Religious faith can NOT be negotiated and compromised.

Religious faith can be expanded, though. That's especially true when one sees God so very alive with in other spiritual traditions.

 

[Robban]

Jocob is testing his God. For a youngster, it is normal.

Normal?

On the run, running for his Life.

How many do you know where an angel of the Lord appears in a dream?
Knowing his anxiety he was shown a ladder, with angels ascending and descending,
Why not descending and ascending,
Would that not be more normal?


God never does anything twice identically.

 

[dlamberth]

But I definitely do not have to participate, and I do have the religious reason and freedom to give comments.

That's true. "You" don't have to participate with others of other spiritual traditions. You have that freedom. For myself though, I have grown in God for the very reason that I have participated with others of other spiritual traditions.

 

[Jack of Spades]

To be respectful is one thing. To be true or not-true is another thing.

Jesus didn't keep the Sabbath as the law orders, so he wasn't true to it, because he was true to higher principles that override such details.

I don't have to be critical on the ritual of any religion. But I definitely do not have to participate, and I do have the religious reason and freedom to give comments.

I can't see anyone suggesting it's a matter of "having to" participate. Some people are suggesting it's productive to do that.

 

[juvenissun]

Religious faith can be expanded, though. That's especially true when one sees God so very alive with in other spiritual traditions.

Expand the love, OK. Expand the doctrine, NO.

 

[juvenissun]

That's true. "You" don't have to participate with others of other spiritual traditions. You have that freedom. For myself though, I have grown in God for the very reason that I have participated with others of other spiritual traditions.

You should read the OT carefully. You made the same mistake as they did.