Do you accept other religions?

[Sharysa]

Its a simple question really: Do you accept other religions/faiths, and might consider that they are right?

I accept other religions as long as they 1) don't try to convert me, and 2) aren't doing horrible things to others in the names of their beliefs. This ranges from the obvious "Christianity mows down any cultural/religious opposition" to parents abusing their kids in the name of whatever deity they believe in.

On whether various religions are "right," that would depend on your definition. I think everyone's right in regards to themselves and their fellows, but they have no control over people who don't share those beliefs.

'Cause, well... belief and all.

[PlaceboArtist]

Don't know if this is the right forum, but I didnt find a more suiting :-)

Its a simple question really: Do you accept other religions/faiths, and might consider that they are right?

I personally accept all religions (except the ones clearly made for making money) and I know that one of them might be right. But I have found my path, and I will stick with it even if its wrong

As an atheist, I believe that I have found the most likely situation given all the evidence that I have available. But I won't say that I'm certainly right.

[Jabberwocky]

Exclusivists believe that their religion is the true religion and that all others are wrong. A lot of people are like this, even if their religion is not. I doubt you'll find it TOO much in a Pagan community however - this is more common in Christianity, Judaism, and the Church of Islam.

Coming to this late, but that really isn't true theologically of Judaism- it's strictly a non proselytising religion, certainly since the Hellenistic era. In fact, Orthodox Jews tend to try and discourage conversions. Non-Jews are supposed to be encouraged to follow the Noahide Laws but even that isn't really a priority of most modern Jewish denominations.

[Aine Rayne]

When I began to ponder this, I realized that most religions, at their core, had began with good intentions, and were built around what I consider to be ideologies that most people should live by. The problems that have arisen from many religions, particularly the mainstream ones, is the interpretation of things like the Bible, the Qu'ran, etc. People throughout history are infamous for twisting ideologies of religions in order to suit their personal agendas. It's not the religions that are at fault, it's some of the people who practice them.

I can agree with the above. But...

Most people here have said some variation of what I would answer for myself, but I thought it might be nice to put some categories out here that may help you understand how people tend to view religion:

Exclusivists believe that their religion is the true religion and that all others are wrong. A lot of people are like this, even if their religion is not. I doubt you'll find it TOO much in a Pagan community however - this is more common in Christianity, Judaism, and the Church of Islam.

I would like to stop you on this one. Not the definition, but the assertion that the Pagan community doesn't do this (or doesn't do this as much). For one thing a lot of pagans leave the mainstream religions and bring certain ideas with them, and for another there are just as many humans with agendas, misconceptions and/or purposeful deceit in paganism as the Abraham Trio. It isn't fair and quite detrimental to think and spread the thought that exclusivity is on the far side of paganism and rife through the other religions. Just because we don't necessarily have the extremely loud exclusivists like them doesn't mean exclusivists are a rarity. After all Silver RavenWolf is one example. Saying something like that has the potential to be misinterpreted as all non pagans are like that while pagans aren't and create attitudes of superiority, which is certainly detrimental to both sides. I'm not trying to attack you, just saying that this is a sweeping generalisation and we all should be aware that they cause everyone problems.

[nancyrowina]

Its a simple question really: Do you accept other religions/faiths, and might consider that they are right?

I'm actually becoming interested in Catholicism the older I get, when I was younger I thought they were oppressive to women and didn't like their views about homosexuality (I still don't) but am starting to see they actually do give women their dues in a lot of ways. It's just sad they won't allow women to be priests, and even catholic women don't seem to want that to change.



They also have a saint who is also a pagan goddess, Bridget. I always found that really interesting.

[Zoness]

Don't know if this is the right forum, but I didnt find a more suiting :-)

Its a simple question really: Do you accept other religions/faiths, and might consider that they are right?

I personally accept all religions (except the ones clearly made for making money) and I know that one of them might be right. But I have found my path, and I will stick with it even if its wrong

I don't know if I would use the word "accept", since that implies I believe in them in some capacity (which may or may not be true, depending on the specific faith) but I feel like saying I "tolerate" them sounds like I am inches from going on a heretic killing spree. :P

I take a live and let live approach the religion, if nobody is terrorizing me about my choices then I won't bother other people. I encourage people to seek whatever works for them. However, I actively will warn them about dangerous branches within the two biggest religions: Christianity and Islam. As well, I strongly warm people about known cult groups, exploitation groups etc.

[A Disgruntled Scotsman]

Don't know if this is the right forum, but I didnt find a more suiting :-)

Its a simple question really: Do you accept other religions/faiths, and might consider that they are right?

I personally accept all religions (except the ones clearly made for making money) and I know that one of them might be right. But I have found my path, and I will stick with it even if its wrong

I accept all religions which try to deal with the divine or some spiritual aspect of life (the only reason I add the 2nd part is so I can add Buddhism). Skits like Scientology don't fly with me. They're just out to get your money and they're pretty open about it. It's like pissing on someone and not having the courtesy to call it 'rain'.

As for thinking they are right; the lives we lead are determined by the journeys we're on. To try and fit any religion other than my own into some arbitary, objective box of 'right' or 'wrong' is, frankly, a waste of time.

That said, there are religious systems which I hope are wrong - namely the big 3 mono's and most/all of the related sects. Mostly because according to each anyone and everyone not of religion X is screwed come the final curtain.

[A Disgruntled Scotsman]

To try and fit any religion other than my own into some arbitary, objective box of 'right' or 'wrong' is, frankly, a waste of time.

I just noticed that I typed the above when I meant to type 'To try and fit any religion including my own into some arbitrary, objective box of 'right' or 'wrong'' etc etc.

[Cat Empire]

Don't know if this is the right forum, but I didnt find a more suiting :-)

Its a simple question really: Do you accept other religions/faiths, and might consider that they are right?

I personally accept all religions (except the ones clearly made for making money) and I know that one of them might be right. But I have found my path, and I will stick with it even if its wrong

All religions come to one point, one source of power and life.
I do not need a religion to tell me what is good and what is not and what's out there.I will find it all myself..
As a part of this universe I flow with the universal rules. Rules of positive and negative energies and everything within them.

religions bring a lot of misunderstanding, misunderstanding between people of the same religion and different once. If everyone agreed on being positive for the most part of their lives, we wouldn't need religions, laws, police, gossip, wars, elections... If only people knew they can bringing peace to this planet by bringing peace within themselves first!

[Forest Lady]

Its a simple question really: Do you accept other religions/faiths, and might consider that they are right?

I've belonged to several religions. I've read / studied the bible front to back and inside out. I've studied most of the major world religions.

I wouldn't say that I accept them ... I don't want them. I do not believe that any of them are right, in the sense of being the "true" religion, while the rest are "wrong".

However, all that being said, I think if a person's religion 1) Brings them peace and fulfills their spiritual need 2) Makes them peaceable toward their neighbor 3) Makes them respect the earth ... then it is the right religion for that person. I respect that.

We all have different spiritual needs. We all come from different backgrounds. We all have different frame of reference. We all have different histories. I don't think there is a one size fits all to religion.

Worship and spirituality is a personal decision. I don't want anyone imposing their beliefs on me. I won't impose mine on others.