"Although thousands have died in recent years in India in violence involving Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims, an amazing open-mindedness exists about other people's religions. And there is a willingness to draw on other faiths. Buddhists and Christians worship at Hindu shrines and vice versa." Click "listen" here
With all the debates, arguments, attacks, and accusations on this site lately about whose God can kick whose ass, and if there is even a God in the first place, so I thought this would be a great opportunity to focus on something a little different but in the same spectrum.
You see, especially in Hinduism, there are many sides to god, thats one reason why I found this rather refreshing and interesting when we're surrounded by the violence,
bigotry, intolerance, superiority, I could go on and on about the things that are justified by religion (not that it hasn't always been there). But even in India were many have been killed due to religious reason, they have more of a willingness to incorporate other religions, that's not of their, own into their lives.
This is something that I think is beneficial could be done more in mainstream America and frankly on this site also, whether you believe in a deity or not. For example, if you are an atheist, you could take something thats more known in Buddhism like meditation, and incorporate it into your life to be a better/happier/calm/etc person.
Like the reporter said, although many have died, there remains a amazing open mindedness about other peoples religion. I think this is saying that maybe...just maybe for
the most part people are open minded to other religions across the world. Unfortunately, it's the pushy, violent, hypocritical loudmouths who get all the attention.
As far as that open mindedness in America, I don't know if a lot of people would go as far as worshiping at a Hindu temple rather than a church or vise versa. It really gives you something to think about, I just might do a paper on that in the coming months. :)
So in a short but sweet blog I leave you with these questions...
If you are religious...
Would you ever worship at another place aside from your own, even if it's for a unique and different experience? Why or why not?
Something to think about....
Do you think the majority of Americans would be willing to do that, and by doing it not just going through the motions I mean actively engaging in different aspects? Do we already do that to a certain extent or no? Or if you currently hold a certain belief would you be will to incorporate other things?
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Do you think the majority of Americans would be willing to do that, and by doing it not just going through the motions I mean actively engaging in different aspects?
I say absolutely not. Too many Americans are set in the "my way is the only right way and your way is an inferior mockery" mentality and wouldn't dare debase themselves by worshipping at the temple, shrine, synagogue, etc of another religion. As biased as this is probably going to sound (though in my experience, it's true nonetheless), I think that those of minority faith would be more likely to do this than would Christians. From personal experience, I've met a lot of Pagans that actively go Church, synagogue, etc simply to learn and experience religion from different perspectives. Minority faiths tend to be more overall accepting of other faiths and willing to participate whereas too many in the Christian community have enforced the belief that it's a horrible awful thing to even contemplate attending a Hindu, Muslim, Pagan, etc celebration or worship service. And before I start getting flamed, I'm not saying that all Christians are like this, only that too many in positions of some authority within the Christian framework take that view and make it difficult for others to stray from that without being outcasted or what have you.
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Fallon
"It is never too late to give up your prejudices." Henry David Thoreau
"In case of dissension, never dare to judge till you've heard the other side." Euripides
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This is a really interesting blog. I think that a good section of religious Americans see other religious institutions as competition for souls, especially Christians. This breeds contempt and hostility towards others with different beliefs. Indeed, the entire conception of the "One True God" scenario breeds a superiority complex. "I'm right, your wrong."
Because of this, I highly doubt American Christians will ever consider worshiping outside of their specific locations of worship, even in differently aligned churches. Does anyone remember the youtube video of a Hindu priest being harassed by elected representatives in congress? "Christ forgive us for hearing this heathen!!!!!!!!"
What a joke. Elected or not, anyone who said such things during a congressional prayer session aimed at the Hindu priest that was invited should be punished. The Sargent In Arms needed to do more then just ask them to be quiet. Tasers anyone?
I find theology to be fascinating. I intend to, at the very least, learn about all the different religions that I can.
"Every man makes a god of his own desire."
-Virgil
My friend, who is Jewish, was taught that he could go to pray in a mosque, but that it was horrible to go pray in a Christian church. That personally makes no sense to me (especially since he has a thing about Palestinians, most of whom are Muslim...).
My little sisters' stepmom is Mormon, and they're not allowed in the temple part of her 'church' during religious activities. I imagine they feel much the same way about going to other churches. I personally would be interested in seeing different religious ceremonies, but I'm too afraid that I'll be shunned by those people if I tried...
~C
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i still find it hard to believe that only one religion is right so i, personally, see nothing wrong in participating in multiple religions on a regular basis.
People are much too afraid and pigheaded to take part in another persons religion. not only is it considered a "sin" against their God (which i don't REALLY believe their God would even care), but there are people who actually believe that by simply taking part in one day's ceremony automatically/magically turns them into that religion. i say, if you see people who go to church every Sunday (which apparently is enough to be considered a "practicing Christian")and still go against the teachings of love, acceptance, and tolerance, (you know, the REAL teachings of Jesus Christ) then obviously you AREN'T going to "change into" another religion after just one day's participation.
i think that if people took the time to practice another persons religion they would find out they are more alike than different (and perhaps this is another thing people are afraid of....being most like the thing you were taught to "hate"). There's a great scene that reflects this in Kingdom of Heaven where Orlando Bloom's character has a Muslim prayer translated for him only to realize that it sounds exactly the same as one of his own Christian prayers that he also recites every day. but still he is expected to fight these people simple for believing the SAME thing he does, just in a different way.
i've always thought it's funny when there's this unsaid rule that you aren't supposed to fraternize or engage with others who are different from you. In most religions where acceptance is preached, i find it a bit fishy when there's a rule that keeps you from actually BEING accepting. Makes you wonder where the rule came from, and what would be so horrible about seeing each other as more alike than different??
Another point to take into account with this subject is houses that have parents of two different religions. Often times, the children participate in both and say they are both....do you REALLY think that that whole family is going to hell (the children for particpating in both, and the parents for allowing them or encouraging them to do so).....i doubt it.
**Though my reply references to Christians I'm certain there are people of many different religions who feel the same way in having a lack of acceptance for other religions. I've just heard/seen it happen with Christians. So please no "why are you only picking on Christians?" comments. thanks :)