Positive aspects to other denominations, faiths, religions?

[Skadi]

Are there any positives that you see in other faiths/denominations that you either incorporate into your belief system, or that you believe would benefit your faith community? I’m not implying that what they have is true and what you have is false, but rather aspects that don’t go against your own beliefs that you could see how they are beneficial.

So, I’ll give some examples that apply to me;

Zen Buddhism/Taoism and certain other eastern philosophies appeal to me in the aspect of “going with the flow.” Not stressing over things that will happen regardless of anxiety. Also the aspect of learning from nature, and trying to live simply.

Amish; community without gov’t reliance

Buddhism; meditative-style control over the physical self (regulation of heart rate, body temp, etc…).

And one that I find particularly relevant here on CAF and also in general outlook on things; the difference between liturgical style churches and more free form. For the sake of illustration, I’ll reference RC beliefs and practices and non-denominational non-liturgical protestant practices/beliefs.

Liturgical churches have attempted to elevate church life into every day, and calendar days. Many non-liturgical churches do not. Each style has their people who are Christmas and Easter members, but I can admire one of the ideas of a more liturgical church, such as the RCC, and that is the understanding that “every day” or everyday is connected with church life, take advent for example.

Sometimes I wonder if that is one of the biggest differences between the RCC and a more non-liturgical protestant perspective; the focus is completely different in the sense that it seems if the protestant church doesn’t watch it, it seems to repeatedly “just” offer the gospel message of salvation again and again and again. In effect, exhorting the sheep to become sheep even though they are already sheep. To stop at the milk of the gospel and go no further. I respect the RCC in its attempt to be more of direction as how to carry out life in general beyond salvation (again, from a non-liturgical prot. perspective).

On the flip side, I do believe protestant churches, for that very reason, (esp. evangelicals) do a fantastic job of presenting the good news. But, perhaps where they have let people down is in the area of trying to help their people live out, daily, the church life. Now, obviously in all of this I’ve presented an idealistic perspective, in reality we have people on each side not living up to what they “should” do, but it’s just some thoughts I had on the whole matter.

Anyone else care to share?

Im a Germanic Pagan but I have quite a bit of Shinto-Buddhism from Japan in my philosophy. Maybe because I practice Kenjutsu.

 

[TexanKnight]

Mormons for their camaraderie and family unity. Also their morals and missionary program.

Protestants for their Bible knowledge and zeal.

 

[KathleenGee]

These posts reflect Vatican II, that states all people and beliefs of good will are working out their own salvtion to eternal life.

John Paul II talked about the soul and conscience, of which P Francis referred to a little when conversing with an atheist this past year.

We are created in the image of God and His commandments are imprinted on the human soul, irregardless of your beliefs or where you come from.

God does not need us. But we please Him when we love each other as family and serve one another, and cultivate and care for God’s creation.

God Is Love, and in this essence, He created us out of love. He loves everyone the same. Everyone, whether they are Christian or not.

Christ lives at the door of every human heart and if we mistreat our neighbor, we are mistreating Christ Himself, and we will be judged accordingly dependent on the grace given to each one of us.

What really helps humanity, is when we can be at peace, and unity and serve one another in love, irregardless of our beliefs.

But we as Christians know this great love comes to us from God through Christ.

So when we unite with our neighbor, irregardless of differences, we are uniting them to Christ.

But we all must work to develop and enhance our conscience, a life long journey.

It is not as if we believe differently now than before Vatican II… It is just that the world is ready to hear this message of love and conscience.

 

[Nicea325]

Are there any positives that you see in other faiths/denominations that you either incorporate into your belief system, or that you believe would benefit your faith community? I’m not implying that what they have is true and what you have is false, but rather aspects that don’t go against your own beliefs that you could see how they are beneficial.

So, I’ll give some examples that apply to me;

Zen Buddhism/Taoism and certain other eastern philosophies appeal to me in the aspect of “going with the flow.” Not stressing over things that will happen regardless of anxiety. Also the aspect of learning from nature, and trying to live simply.

Amish; community without gov’t reliance

Buddhism; meditative-style control over the physical self (regulation of heart rate, body temp, etc…).

And one that I find particularly relevant here on CAF and also in general outlook on things; the difference between liturgical style churches and more free form. For the sake of illustration, I’ll reference RC beliefs and practices and non-denominational non-liturgical protestant practices/beliefs.

Liturgical churches have attempted to elevate church life into every day, and calendar days. Many non-liturgical churches do not. Each style has their people who are Christmas and Easter members, but I can admire one of the ideas of a more liturgical church, such as the RCC, and that is the understanding that “every day” or everyday is connected with church life, take advent for example.

Sometimes I wonder if that is one of the biggest differences between the RCC and a more non-liturgical protestant perspective; the focus is completely different in the sense that it seems if the protestant church doesn’t watch it, it seems to repeatedly “just” offer the gospel message of salvation again and again and again. In effect, exhorting the sheep to become sheep even though they are already sheep. To stop at the milk of the gospel and go no further. I respect the RCC in its attempt to be more of direction as how to carry out life in general beyond salvation (again, from a non-liturgical prot. perspective).

On the flip side, I do believe protestant churches, for that very reason, (esp. evangelicals) do a fantastic job of presenting the good news. But, perhaps where they have let people down is in the area of trying to help their people live out, daily, the church life. Now, obviously in all of this I’ve presented an idealistic perspective, in reality we have people on each side not living up to what they “should” do, but it’s just some thoughts I had on the whole matter.

Anyone else care to share?

I admire the Orthodoxs liturgy,Protestants/Evangelicals devotion to Scripture,Islam its obedience and CC defending the dignity of humanity.