Studying religion thus provides you an opportunity to learn about a range of disciplinary approaches, and, even more importantly, the connections and linkages among them. To help us understand how the world got to be the way it is, and to hopefully avoid the same pitfalls in the future. The native religions of North America have much to say about what it is to live a balanced life. Republish for free. Why Study the Major Religions of the World? 2. I am a Biblical Christian. But we’re going to try anyway. William A. Graham I was asked to consider the question "Why study religion in the twenty-first century," and, in a moment of weakness, I agreed to try to tackle it, massive as it is. Gain an understanding of another culture. Find common ground with other cultures. For example, Islam agrees that Jesus is the Messiah, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, is alive in heaven today, and will come again at the end of history. The Study of Other Religions: Its Necessity and Problems however, a much more important issue in our openness and response to other religious traditions. According to A. Kenneth Primrose. I have much more to learn, but several personal insights intrigue me. We go to a wonderful church, St. Mary’s, in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, every Saturday, at 5 p.m., weather permitting. Yet, on studying other religions, I find that they have different focuses on life and have come to more indepth understanding in some elements of life than I have found in my own system of beliefs. Yet, on studying other religions, I find that they have different focuses on life and have come to. Zane Pratt serves as vice president of training at the International Mission Board. Add a Comment. All persons crave for … Women can get married to women, men to men, men can be women, and women can … Find common ground … What Christians Can Learn from Other Religions by J. Philip Wogaman. Let's now consider some additional pleasures and rewards of studying religions. Some attempts to help an individual that hold different beliefs may actually be taboo in their religion. Green, religion has three universal functions. Understanding other religions is fundamental to citizenship Kenneth Primrose. Religion is a very important aspect of human life. Ronald W. Neufeldt. As TeachingValues.com points out, this tenet is expressed in Christianity, Confuscianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Taoism, and Zoroastriantism. What is the importance of studying/understanding other religions? David Evers/Flickr. And what can be more powerful than greater self-knowledge to a 20 year old? But religion is as much a part of education as education is a part of religion. i need about four different reasons. It also helps you to understand who started it all and what (s)he taught to the other believers. Yet both are distant from each other when it comes to the modern-day system of education. He referred to a pagan altar as a connection point for his sermon on the Areopagus. What can Christians learn from other religions? It is yes in the sense that we want the gospel to be understood since good communication requires that we understand what the other person hears when we say what we say. This can also get you prepared for future arguments. I have evangelized done a few times before and… Most of the people and followers of a specific religion or denomination think that their religion or sect is the true religion and all others are false! The concept “Value of Diversity” refers to, understanding each other and moving beyond religion and culture to appreciate the person’s principles and their presence in the society. Chapter 1 in the student book notes the importance of empathy in the study of world religions. 10:21), and we approach the demonic at our peril. These are: (1) Religion explains individual suffering. Religious education is important because it equips students with cultural, social, moral and spiritual knowledge that aids in mental and physical development within society. This view is especially prominent in Indonesia (85%), the Philippines (58%) and India (53%). I do not believe in Islam, macro-evolution, or all man-made religions. This attitude rises from inscience and illiteracy that somebody have. Roughly half of Orthodox Christians (52%) also say this. 2. Religion and Education are seemingly two different roads in the present day scenario. Though the religion is a highly personal thing, yet it has a social aspect and social role to play. Yet, on studying other religions, I find that they have different focuses on life and have come to more indepth understanding in some elements of life than I have found in my own system of beliefs. The native religions of North America have … Greater religious literacy leads to more work for the common good. Shared religious beliefs bind people together. 4. The journal is a very significant endeavor since, until we launched it, there was no journal in the study of religion that has focused exclusively on developing a critical approach. Support Aeon this December Support our work to create a unique … Publics in other regions of the world are generally more favorable of a more important role for religion, including 51% in the U.S. A median of 44% across the seven Asia-Pacific countries polled favor a greater role for religion in their nations. William A. Graham I was asked to consider the question "Why study religion in the twenty-first century," and, in a moment of weakness, I agreed to try to tackle it, massive as it is. A good way to start learning from other religion is to study the basics. This creates compassion and tolerance from those different from us. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul provided us with a great model to follow here. Rather, we study it to be good evangelists and good disciple makers. Muslims use almost all the same theological vocabulary as Christians, but they understand different things by those words. Slugsie. Religion is one of the primary disciplines for investigating the boundary questions of life and death, of love and hate, that characterize the human condition. These are all important lessons, but religion is not required to learn them. Ironically, the Greek philosophical traditions which the church fathers took seriously and which we … My name is Annika and I'm going to be writing about why it is important to study other religions. It has emerged as the single most important means of communication for those interested in critical approaches to the study of religion. This includes 64% of Muslims, 58% of Catholics and 53% of mainline Protestants. Empathy is essential for maintaining academic integrity. The point is to make the gospel clearly understood. What problems do they have and how do they face them? Empathy is especially important when comparing religions across cultures, and not just for the sake of respecting other … studying religion helps you understand other people better; 0 0 1 0 0 0 0. Lv 7. On the other hand, people who have grown up in a very restricted life, such as those raised by fundamentalists or cults in any religion (remember that "fundamental" can apply to any tradition), where all they have been exposed to is one side of the issue, they really NEED to study other beliefs. heyitshannahlynn. On the contrary – religious education is more important now than it has probably ever been. It is often the case that people make these assumptions when they meet but it is evident that much confusion and misunderstanding would be prevented if instead, the assumptions held were that new acquainanced were discoveries to be made. Aviation: Aviation psychologists study all aspects related to pilot performance in order to increase safety. Study of religion - Study of religion - Basic aims and methods: The growth of various disciplines in the 19th century, notably psychology and sociology, stimulated a more analytic approach to religions, while at the same time theology became more sophisticated and, in a sense, scientific as it began to be affected by and thus to make use of historical and other methods. You may not believe in what they do, but its their culture and what they feel… Skip to content. Yet, on studying other religions, I find that they have different focuses on life and have come to. However, Islam explicitly denies that Jesus was God in human flesh, that he died on the cross, that he atoned for our sins, and that he is the only Savior for sinners. If we simply tell a Hindu, “You must be born again,” we have told him the truth, but he hears that statement as meaning, “You must be reincarnated.” He will agree, but he will be agreeing with something we never meant. Religion is everywhere and always integral to human cultures. The Study of Other Religions: Its Necessity and Problems however, a much more important issue in our openness and response to other religious traditions. Religious Studies is intellectually exciting because it provides access to the mystery of the other. So why should a follower of Christ study anything that is not truth? I mostly have learned from other religions is that I’m in the right one–I’ve finally found one I can love and respect! In this way studying religion invites us all to think in a more interdisciplinary and integral way about the world and our place in … This page was Last edited on 14 June 2017, at 22:17 in Aberdeen, Scotland problems do they them... 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