World Religions

Halogen had an interfaith dialog series for the last three weeks that I've been spending a lot of time contemplating. It revived my passion of world religions. They are fascinating and I kind of kick myself for not furthering my education in theology when I was in college because I just soak it up like a sponge.
We went through three major religions, Islamic, Hinduism, and Buddhism. There are so many assumptions and misconceptions about them it was nice to get clarification from an unbiased and educated perspective. The speaker, an instructor from Fuller Theological Seminary, had a great approach to the topics. Instead of looking at interfaith dialog as a battle or conversation that needs to be "won" she taught more on the mutual understanding and appreciation of other faiths and organized religions. I really appreciated it.

I learned that each of these religions has something to be admired. For example, Muslims and their Haji, Buddhism and the idea of living in the now, and Hinduism and karma. Karma is interesting. Its not really the saying, "what goes around comes around" but more perspective that everything you do has a positive or negative affect on others, the earth, etc, and to alway take that into consideration. Don't you hear some Jesus in that?

I also learned what a hypocrite I have been...or really that we all kind of are. What we hear and read in the media about certain religious groups is always the extremists and radicals, yet we judge the masses by the few. Just like the evil "Burn a Koran" "Christian" pastor that was all over the news. I don't want to be judged by his hypocritical teachings. If we aren't educated, we can't have educated conversation or have an understanding of others believe, but it happens all the time.

This really hit me hard because I felt like I hadn't taken the time to learn even what my friends believe. Scotty, one of my very close friends, is Sikh. After learning about Hinduism, which is what Sikh branched off of, I couldn't wait to pick his brain and learn more about his faith. I realized how important it is to learn from our friends and gain a broader understanding of the cornerstone of their lives and appreciate and love them for it.

That exact concept is all I wanted from Randy in our relationship. I wanted him to educate himself, and learn what it is I love and believe with my whole heart, and then make an educated decision about what he thinks of it. Instead, he believed all the assumptions, and misconceptions he has picked up in his life and judged me and my faith against it...and let me tell you he is full of negativity toward it. His inability to do that was very hurtful to me and I don't want to turn and do that to my friends, peers, or especially people I love. It's just not right.

Sometime next year we are going to continue with a few other religions including, Scientology, Judaism, and The Church of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints (although, I'm pretty sure I'm almost an expert in that arena. JK!). I also have an Everything World Religion book in my Christmas wish list to further my readings and education on the topic. Very fascinating stuff and not something to be ignored. Educate yourself.