Are There Things That You Like About Other Religions?

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jonbhorton said:
gallery.sjsu.edu/sacrifice/precolumbian.html

latinamericanstudies.org/aztecs6.htm

What revisionist fairytale land do you live in?

You’re totally changing the reality of Aztec culture to find good where the “good” is so overshadowed by the bad that it’s obvious.

Anything I like about another religion which is good is found in Holy Mother Church.
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You mean life Human Sacrifice,Eating flesh and drinking blood is a practice in Aztec religion. Holy Mother Church reveals a Human sacrifice and eating flesh, drinking of blood.

Aztecs have a calender, communion of saints, female and male deity, prophecy etc…
 
Judaism because Gentiles are grafted onto their vine. Christians came out of Judaism.

The other religions base their beliefs on trying to live a perfect spiritual life, even Islam.

I can’t say that I dislike the other religions, but believing that as Christians we have a Savior, a Redeemer, Jesus who makes us righteous before God works for me. No one can live a perfect life. No one has other than Jesus.

To think that one can acheive anything remotely close to perfection on their own is literally gravely mistaken.
 
Lokabrenna said:
Now I’d like to know whether there are aspects of other religions that you find appealing in some way? It could be as simple as: “I like this religion’s art,” or whatever.
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You asked for it. 😉

Taoism
Talismans. Jiangshi. The mythology featuring beings like the Chinese dragons, the Jade Emperor, and the 8 Immortals. Oh and of course, its ever prevailing influence in strikes a stance Waaya!! breaks leg Ow!! DX Kung-fu Fighting plays

Egyptian Paganism
By the power of Ra! (Yes I’m singing that song. :p) Mut… Nut… Khnum… Ptah… Nephthys… Nekhbet… Sobek… Sekhment… Sokar… Selket…Reshpu… Wadjet… Anubis… Anukis… Seshmu… Meshkent… Hemsut… Tefnut… Heket… Mafdet. (What can I say? I’m a fan of the Prince of Egypt and The Mummy movies. Accuracy aside, I like the use of Egyptian themes and hieroglyphics. :p)

Greek Paganism
The monsters. God I love them. The Hydra. Cerberus. Harpies. The Chimera. The gorgon Medusa. The Minotaur. Oh and the weapons? Mmm! I also take a strong interest in their gods. On one hand, I wouldn’t mind stealing Zeus’s thunder but on the other, I can never get over how I’m like the Disney version of Hades. Speaking of which, you also have Hercules and other heroes. Odysseus. Perseus. Theseus. A lotta 'euses. 😛 Oh and of course, who could forget the classic line… “THIS. IS. SPARTA!!” kicks

Hinduism
Funky yoga poses and equally funky music. 😛 On a more serious note though, I like the influence of entities like Garuda, Ganesha, and the Naga in popular fantasy.

Islam
sings When Ali Baba had them Forty Thieves. Scheherezad-ie had a thousand tales… Yes, people. I like genies too and I also like the Arabian feel that Islam tends to give in its more fantastical depictions. There’s also a slightly less known legacy in the form of the assassin job-class. (And no, I’m not really talking about Assassin’s Creed. :rolleyes:)

Norse Paganism
Odin. Freya. Thor. Loki. For me, these names (among many others) stand only one thing for me: Power. I also never get tired of seeing the use of runes as fantasy tropes. As much as I admire the legendary items of Greek myth, it’s the Norse who have weapons I can name and also strongly desire: The hammer, Mjolnir. The spear, Gungnir. The legendary sword Gram.

Buddhism
Buff, bald monks with large beads around their necks and whose punches level entire mountains while they can palm-thrust you so hard, you’ll fly around the world in eighty-seconds.

Shintoism
plays Half-Demon Inuyasha Oh were to begin!? XD Lessee, nine-tailed kitsune. The tanuki. The oni. The kami. Legends featuring the likes of Yamato no Orochi. Hand seals. Temples. Oh and those cute little miko outfi-shot and katana-ed

Catholicism (What, you didn’t think I wouldn’t appreciate my own religion? :p)
Gothic architecture. Gargoyles. Apocalyptic imagery as well as the concepts of angels and demons. Ooh and Gregorian chant actually sounds pleasing to me in the right place and circumstances.

All in all, it’s easy to summarize that the things I like most about other religions (as well as my own) are the more mythological, artistic, and fantastical aspects. As far as theology and morality is concerned, I just stick to Catholicism. :o

And yes people, it’s easy to separate a religion for its more aesthetic aspects. Believe me. :rolleyes:
 
Yes, I am very attracted to Hinduism. It is the oldest existing religion, despite attempts to wipe it out. I find much wisdom in its teachings, such as the law of karma (every action brings an inevitable reaction) and that God is our mother or lover, as well as our father “out there somewhere” with a long, white beard. I also find chanting mantras very relaxing and it helps with my anxiety. And I very much admire Hinduism’s credo that there is but one truth (God) and many paths to it. Nor do they proselytize.

It is a beautiful faith.
 
Agnosticism (not camouflaged atheism or antitheism): A humble posture to take when presented with the Ultimate Question of whether there is a God.

Hinduism: (Sometimes) an admirable ethical system, tons of piety, belief that one reaps what one sows.

Paganism: Honor, (sometimes) white magic, an enchanted view of the world.

Judaism: Prophecy, unafraid to portray saints with warts and all.
 
Absolutely.

I love the dedication and community that Mormons frequently exhibit. I love the passion that many evangelicals tend to display. I love the deep love for the Bible that many of my Baptist and non-denominational friends have.

I think it’s important to remember that we can learn something from basically every situation and every person, we just have to look. God bless.
 
I love the Buddhist idea of being at peace with oneself and no longer feeling craving can lead to ultimate peace with the universe, and in many ways Buddha is a very Christ-like figure, in addition to the Buddhist belief of absolute pacifism and not harming any living creatures. I’m often surprised at the similarities between Buddhism and Christianity, and I find both can be very compatible.

Islamic culture- such as the arts and music of the religion- are inspiring. I disagree with a lot of their teachings, however, the idea of hijab and conservative dress- at least as I see it- is to keep oneself entirely saved for marriage. It might not work for everyone, but to me that’s like the ultimate commitment to your future husband or wife, although I think some Islamic states take it too far.

I also find the incredible resilience of the Jewish culture and faith astounding. They have been persecuted every step of the way throughout history, millions of them have died for what they believed in and been enslaved for it too, yet the admittedly few Jews I have met have always been proud of their heritage and they aren’t afraid to declare they are Jewish in a world that is still subvertedly racist to them very often. The strength and ultimate perseverance of the Jewish people and faith has won my respect, and I would proudly call them brothers and sisters in faith, as they truly do deserve.
 
There are always interesting elements in every other religions and beliefs, such as traditions and cultures. Practically, I love Confucious teaching ‘what you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others’ comes first, imho, it’s safe to say the message is to treat others the way you want to be treated’. Secondly, Prophet Mohammed said (more or less) ‘Eat only when you’re starved, stop eat before you have a full stomach’. I believe the message is for us not to be greedy. There must be a whole lot more, but in my opinion, the two are the most relevant for us, people who live in materialistic world, where ego and greed are very likely to predominate. I truly hope you all can get the idea and pardon my languange because I seldomly speak or write in English.
 
I think Native American traditions are interesting, and intense…everything has meaning. I also enjoy the fellowship of many non-denominational evangelical churches. I guess in my 13 years of being Catholic, it wasn’t until two years ago after I moved to OC that I witnessed the priests not knowing all of their parishioners, or kids playing on the church property for over an hour as families spoke. Even when I lived in Philadelphia where there was no land…just the steps and you were on the sidewalk. The whole street would be filled…people going out to breakfast, making plans to meet up later in the week. OC and LA as far as I see, even the churches with lots of ministries are just running over each other after properly kissing up to the priest…the same people who leave as soon as the priest passes them after Mass. My other churches always had etiquette suggestions, to remain in the pews until the END of the mass. Feels like a popularity contest sometimes. The Evangelicals are definitely more friendly and should I say…? entertaining. obviously nothing that would make me leave the church Jesus Himself created though…but some parts could be incorporated in terms of fellowship
 
Inkwell said:
I also find the incredible resilience of the Jewish culture and faith astounding. They have been persecuted every step of the way throughout history, millions of them have died for what they believed in and been enslaved for it too, yet the admittedly few Jews I have met have always been proud of their heritage and they aren’t afraid to declare they are Jewish in a world that is still subvertedly racist to them very often. The strength and ultimate perseverance of the Jewish people and faith has won my respect, and I would proudly call them brothers and sisters in faith, as they truly do deserve.
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THIS!

No other faith in the history of mankind has been persecuted to the extent that the Jews have been. Despite the unending quests to wipe them off the face of this planet for thousands of years…they are still here and still kicking around. They are the chosen people for a reason and I will always respect them for it.

I’ve always had a fascination with Greek paganism…simply because I find the stories of their myths deeply entertaining.

I can respect and sometimes admire the devotion to evangelization, the enthusiasm and near encyclopedic knowledge of scripture that some Protestant denominations have.
 
Technically other Christian communities don’t count as ‘other’ religions :), but here we go:
  • Seventh Day Adventists: Emphasis on health and hygiene as spiritual purposes.
  • Jehovah’s Witnesses: I really have to credit Witnesses with their tenacity, even at its most arrogant and bull-headed, because they don’t seem to be afraid of blunt criticism, and the ones who are dedicated really are dedicated (at least the ones I know).
  • Anglicans: The bells 🙂
  • Eastern Orthodox: Amongst other things, they’ve an interesting philosophy on the Fall and ancestral sin, and the mysteries.
  • Judaism: Too many to name here, but to give a general picture, the ideas are very simple but highly profound, and Judaism is “portable.”
  • Islam: The frequent prayers, beautiful mosques and Quranic recitations, intense fasting
  • Zoroastrianism: The symbolism of fire, myths
 
Gabriel_of_12 said:
You mean life Human Sacrifice,Eating flesh and drinking blood is a practice in Aztec religion. Holy Mother Church reveals a Human sacrifice and eating flesh, drinking of blood.

Aztecs have a calender, communion of saints, female and male deity, prophecy etc…
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Totally different context.

That’s like saying the marriage bed is similar to a dark alley and a passed out drunk woman.

This thread is nothing but an appeal to the global move of religious pluralism and syncretistic belief systems.

I have no use for any religion but the true one. I don’t need to know that not-coke is carbonated and sweet when I have coca-cola in a glass bottle and made without HFCS.
 
jonbhorton said:
Anything I like about another religion which is good is found in Holy Mother Church.
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jonbhorton said:
This thread is nothing but an appeal to the global move of religious pluralism and syncretistic belief systems.

I have no use for any religion but the true one. I don’t need to know that not-coke is carbonated and sweet when I have coca-cola in a glass bottle and made without HFCS.
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I have to respectfully disagree. Even the Catholic Tolkien drew heavily from ancient European paganism as inspiration for his work. The result is the popularization of an entire genre of fiction that covers everything from novels and art to comic books and video games.

Besides, as much as I appreciate the artistic merit of Catholic/Medieval art, I can’t say it’s better than that of any other religion or culture. Heck, by itself, it’s dread boring.

I for one see myself more in the young man garbed in black, hooded robes with a glowing, pentagram-style alchemy circle turning in front of his hand than the blonde knight in heavy, white plate armor decked with golden crosses and sigils. 😛
 
Kelfa28 said:
No other faith in the history of mankind has been persecuted to the extent that the Jews have been. Despite the unending quests to wipe them off the face of this planet for thousands of years…they are still here and still kicking around. They are the chosen people for a reason and I will always respect them for it.
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While the Jewish people have been very much persecuted I would not say “no other faith,” Christians have been persecuted and still are persecuted throughout the world even now. Many Christians are persecuted in Africa and the Middle East one thing I don’t know is how serious others take this or even care what is happening.

islam for it’s PR
 
John_Paul_Jones said:
While the Jewish people have been very much persecuted I would not say “no other faith,” Christians have been persecuted and still are persecuted throughout the world even now. Many Christians are persecuted in Africa and the Middle East one thing I don’t know is how serious others take this or even care what is happening.

islam for it’s P R
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There is a lot of persecution of Christians across the world. I think the Tibetan Buddhists have also been suffering a great deal, though I don’t read about it as regularly (I subscribe to the Voice of the Martyrs magazine, for the Christian stories).

Very broadly, I love religion, if its colorful and involves sacred motion or bodily discipline. I love the colors, and the fact that many colors and patterns, as well as tattoos, have a religious meaning. I love the various cultural expressions of what it means to be a good human, and what existence and the universe means in general. I love the Buddhist emphasis on illusion and the nature of the Self, on being a tree to provide shelter and food to whatever needed it from me, and allowing feelings of pain as well as happiness in my life without clinging to either.

Its very discouraging, if I’ve found delight in looking at a religion, to realize that some of the adherents thereof found it otherwise: it was actually oppressive, cruel, hopeless, etc. I look at the Church especially, like St. Francis de Sales described it - a heavenly dove with hidden depths of mystery and beauty in its eyes, or like GKC described, as being much bigger inside than out, and I wish that I and other adherents could picture that always, but instead there is so much discouragement and common ugliness.
 
Don’t know a thing about non-Christain faiths, but what I admire about many protestant faiths is their Youth Programs.

I teach 5th grade CCD at my parish and when I ask the children if they will be attending Vacation Bible School this summer, all said yes, at their friends protestant churches:eek: That explains why for the past 3 years ours have been cancelled for lack of interest:(

I love their spiritual energy as well. Their theology may be a bit sideways and off the mark just a bit, but they worship with an intensitiy that I find beautiful.👍

I could listen to their Praise and Worship music all the time, oh wait, I DO:p,I have tons of CD’s that I listen to in my vehicle when I travel.😃
 
jonbhorton said:
I have no use for any religion but the true one. I don’t need to know that not-coke is carbonated and sweet when I have coca-cola in a glass bottle and made without HFCS.
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Um, it’s good to know things that aren’t in your immediate context. Just knowing about Mormonism doesn’t tempt me to convert, for instance. Even if you’re entirely opposed to religion X, then it would at least benefit you to know your enemy.
 
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