Different religions & what is your suggestions?

[Lee_Aaronaldo]

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Long time I have not posted any question here. Not because I have neglected this Forum actually. I do visit here everyday as I learn many things about the Catholic faiths and other religions as well. I hope this thread is suited under this group. Correct me if I’m wrong.

My question to you (teacher or parents especially) is we know that each religion has definitely got its own values right? So how you can teach your kids or students to respect the difference religions?

I would like to see what approach and ways you teach your kids to respect and accept the different religions in your community.

Have a blessed and fruitful Lenten journey everyone

 

[jpk1313]

I have a deep intrest in comparitve religion and I think the best way to enter religous dialog (for that is what starts respect for other faiths) is not the theological differences but the simalarities. start with what every religion (major ones anyways) have in common-moral teachings- I have found in my studies that the major faiths of the world have almost identical teachings. Judeism, christianity, Islam, Buhddism all teach that Life must be respected, not to steal, sexual purity, love one another ect. Then move on to other things that are the same. In judeism the oral torah is past down from teacher to student almost like apostolic succession in the catholic church, the dahli lama in buhddism is in a postion almost like the pope (politicly speaking). Disscusing the theological differences however can get complicated. As Christian one naturaly wants every one to be saved, so to those in other faiths it comes across as trying to convert them (which is half true) and one must walk softly. My brother is in studies to become a buhddist monk (he’s working on a ph.d in buhddist theology) and I’ve found that it is very diffucult to talk with him about theology since buhddists do not belive in god and while we for the most part keep it friendly it can cause problems when I argue a certain point and it comes across as trying to convert. recently the dialog between the catholic church and jews had a small blow up becuse the rabbis do not want dialog to be an invitation to be baptised. So it think if we keep it at a level of morality and co-operation in social justice that will be sufficent to encourage mutual respect. and keep the theology light, such as when disscusing god keep it general, and make clear from the beging that it is a mutual sharing of love of God and not an attempt to convert. though I should point out that no one ever converts someone else God does that. I can argue with someone till I’m blue in the face but if they do not want to belive all I’m doing is making my self blue in the face. conversion is a private matter between the person and god.

 

[Lee_Aaronaldo]

Dear jpk1313 (Whoever you are)

Thanks for taking your time to answer this thread. I appreciate it very much. I totally agree with you. We must look for common values to enter a healthy discussion in the classroom. Besides that, I would think that teacher must be a role model for everyone. What I meant here is to treat and respect every individual equally regardless of their different religions. No prejudice and no sensitive issues!

 

[CPA2]

Catholics believe that the truth from the Holy Spirit must be honored wherever it is found. Neither the Catholic Church, nor other Christian churches, is the only one to possess truth. Other religions, especially the Jewish faith, share many essential traditions with Christianity. However, I would think that our intimacy with Jesus would make finding the truth a little bit easier.

 

[TriuneUnity]

My question to you (teacher or parents especially) is we know that each religion has definitely got its own values right? So how you can teach your kids or students to respect the difference religions?

I think that there is a difference between respecting the religion and respecting the adherent of the religion. I do not teach my children to respect a religion which is an offense to the true God and is a form of invented, human idolatry. However, all religions teach the basics of God’s Law, because all religions come from the mind of man, which is the seat of the Law in human conscience. This is why nearly all world religions share a common morality, because they all spring from the same Law of God implanted in the human heart. I would point this out to my child and thereby teach him that he can work alongside members of other religions for those morals which are common to humanity and which benefit our common society. This is civil righteousness and should be encouraged irrespective of what the person’s religious creed (or lack thereof) happens to be. We can stand shoulder to shoulder with other people as God’s image bearers and as sinners.

However, civil righteousness does not equal righteousness before God, which only the Gospel of Christianity can provide. It is the confusion of these two concepts in secular politics which has led to the false views of the “Christian right,” as well as the “Christian left.”

 

[CMatt25]

In one sentence. Love has no boundries.