Should Christians study other religions?

[kjvtrue]

What if you've studied all religions, before you picked one? Is it wrong to study Wiccan as a Christian?

[artsylady]

What if you've studied all religions, before you picked one? Is it wrong to study Wiccan as a Christian?

I think it's okay to study all religions before picking one.

I think Christians can have a good background knowledge on Wicca. Learn about it's history, it's philosophy. I wouldn't go studying books on casting spells or anything. Just have some knowledge and find out why it's wrong. That way, if you come across a Wiccan, you'll know a bit of what you're talking about.

[Blood Stained Soul]

What if you've studied all religions, before you picked one? Is it wrong to study Wiccan as a Christian?

yep

[artsylady]

I guess it all depends on your comfort level and amount of faith you have. If you feel weird or eery about studying other religions then don't do it. Personally, I feel that nothing can steer me away from the truth of Jesus Christ, therefore studying other religions history and beliefs is no problem and can be helpful when witnessing to those of other faiths. Again, I don't think you have to look very far to find major problems in other religions. Again, I don't think you need to, nor should you delve deeply by reading the actual writings of the religion. This could be dangerous, even to a strong beleiver. Plus, there is no need to do this. I certainly wouldn't read the koran (qu'ran) or books on spells on witchraft or anything of the sort.

If you feel strong enough to study other religions on a superficial level to get history, background info and a general knowledge then do so. A good place to start is a Christian website, like Christiananswers.net or contender ministries. They have great information on other religions and cults.

Wonderful strong intelligent Christians have studied these other religions and have provided us with information so that we know how to combat them. Some are called to the ministry of apologetics - some are not. If you feel timid or scared or unsure, then you likely aren't called to this type of ministry.

[His son]

Yes i think you should research other religions as the Bible tells us to test everything and that means other faiths to see who is in lone with Gods Word.

But that's not what The Bible says. God tells us to meditate in His Scriptures all the time, no time to studey other religions. I came out of mormonism, and I found out more about what was wrong with mormonism by reading The Bible than I ever did by reading the doctrines, and covenants or the book of momon. In any situation where you have so many different philosophies, you have one Truth, and many manufactured by man truths. The best way to spot the phony is to know the real One so well that you can spot the phony a mile away. You spend all the time you can in God's presence and you'l learn more about all the other religions than you will by studying them. Being man manufactured there are many things that they have to keep hidden to avoid detection, where as with God He has opened himself up completely to us in His Scriptures. And no other denomination, group, philosophy, sect, or religion will ever be able to do that because they will be exposed.

[Blood Stained Soul]

Great post...you know I hear those who have come out of other religions that it was the WORD that brought them out and not some theological debate from someone comparing and contrasting the difference...they say only the "strong" Christian can handle study of other religions...and that those who do not..without outright saying so...they some how weak or immature...I find that arrogant and totally unscriptural...I used to be of their side...but through GFA...I have had my eyes opened to truth....you know these Native Missionaries, brought out from false religions, not even they use those religions to prove the Bible right...they use the Bible...along with signs and wonders...to prove the Bible right...

Where in the Bible does it say to study other religions to prove them wrong. EVERYTHING a Christian does should be backed by Bible....

[artsylady]

Judging by the poll, most think it's okay to study other religions.

Personally, as said before I don't think it's a good idea for even a 'strong' Christian to study the spells of Wicca or studying in depth along those lines, but who am I to say it's wrong for another person to do so. Maybe someone stronger than myself will be okay with this much depth of study. I guess God leads all of us in different paths and gives us all different convictions.

[Blood Stained Soul]

Just cause most people say its okay does not mean the Bible says its okay....none has shown Bible to prove their point...his son did just that a few posts back...I want to add that someone who studies other faiths is NOT stronger than one who does not...

[artsylady]

This is from a great link I found regarding studying other faiths. They give a lot of Biblical verses too. Here's a paragraph from that link.

Christians also have an obligation to maintain unity with one another based on truth (Ephesians 4:1-3). Divergent doctrines are obviously the enemy of unity (Ephesians 4:14). We should "not be carried about with various and strange doctrines" (Hebrews 13:9).

One of the best safe guards against false teaching is a thorough awareness of it; we should be able to recognize a false doctrine (1 John 4:1), convincingly explain what is wrong with it (Titus 1:9; 2 Timothy 4:2), and identify those who teach it (Romans 16:17-18). In Matthew 16:6-12, Jesus warned his disciples to "take heed" and "beware" of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The phrase "take heed" (Greek. horao) means to "discern clearly" and the word "beware" (Greek. prosexo) means to "hold the mind towards," "pay attention to," or "be cautious about" (Strong's Greek Dictionary). When it comes to false teaching, the most dangerous thing we can do is stick our heads in the sand and ignore it. To beware is to be aware. The many passages found in the New Testament warning us to beware of false teachers are sufficient by themselves to authorize us to study other religions (cf. Matthew 7:15; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 2 Peter 2:1-4; 3:17; 1 John 4:1).

I'll post the whole link on the next post.

[artsylady]

http://www.newgeorgiachurch.com/xpoints.html

Good information.

I find that studing other religions always strengthens my faith in Christianity as well - probably the opposite of what some here might think.

Think about it, if you're a strong believer in the one and only faith that is true, what is to fear by seeing falsehoods in false religions?

I guess, as mentioned before, that if you feel it is dangerous in some way, then you shouldn't do this.