[Religousman3]

I am a Christian. I worship both God and Jesus Christ everday of my life ever since I could remember. I am highly fascinated and intrigued by the Japanese culture and I recently researched the "Shinto" Religion, along with my own deeply. I still want to practice Chrstianity but I also want to practice the same form of respect, self-respect, compassion, and devotion as the Shinto Religion. In the Shinto religion they believe in a spiritual essence (or "Kami") that resides both living and non-living things and that you should respect all things whether they are living or non-living. Also when they eat a meal that contains meat in which the lifeform was killed in order to make the meal, you say "I will humbly accept this food in which you have prepared for me" In regards of respect to the preperator and the animal that lost it's life for the meal. And also with the whole "Killing Others" deal, they only kill in order to protect others and not themselves. Is this rational and respectful towards my own religion?



One last question: I want to travel to different countries someday and expierience multiple cultures. Do you think I could particapate in a religous/cultural ceremony or festival (If that culture allows me to) that follows a religion that I don't but just for enlightment and expierience?

[Fr_Chuck]

I am sorry, butg no, once you accept the spiritual essence in living and non living things and start but you can have respect, but not practice, if you start accepting thiers, you stop doing yours.

You have to choice and if you believe and accept Christ you are not going to practice that relgion,

[Religousman3]

I am sorry, butg no, once you accept the spiritual essence in living and non living things and start but you can have respect, but not practice, if you start accepting thiers, you stop doing yours.

You have to choice and if you beleive and accept Christ you are not going to practice that relgion,

But that's not the entire religion that's just certain aspects of the religion. I asked about Buddhism earlier and I was told I could practice certain aspects of that religion. You said that that a great deal of aspects that exist in Buddhism exist in Christianity. Well same goes for Shinto, Elements like: respect- self-respect- mannors, and compassion are practices and aspects of Shinto and those are aspects of Christianity too. Respect is important if you want others to show respect to you which will make you feel happy. Compassion is a way to let others feel comforted in which most likely, and eventually they will show to you. These are aspects of both religions. I'm not going to practice both religions because that's impossible, but what about maintaining faith in God and Christ while showing respect and compassion as the Shinto religion does, is that so wrong? I have not converted to Buddhism however like I mentioned above. But Shinto has a lot of respectful aspects that shows respect not only within those who practice Shinto but also it is a good form of respect among others who don't. For example, if someone makes you a birthday gift you show respect for that gift by taking good care of it, because you know that that person made it out of their love for you and it was their hands that created the gift for you.

[Fr_Chuck]

There is respect in christianity, but when you start accepting and practing a non Christian religion, you will start givingin on values of one.

You can not serve two masters, plain and simple in the bible. I can call my dog a chicken all day but I don't get the eggs. It is fine to show respect, christianity teaches you to, but when you start accepting non christian beleiefs, you waver from the faith.

But these things of "respect" is just proper respect all should have, if you have to go to another religion to find it, you were not looking in your own.

[talaniman]

If you believe in one God, he is with you where ever you go. Gaining knowledge of others and learning is a good thing as God, has no religious affiliations, but humans do. At least some do. But I'm a non religious person, and I suspect many of your fellow christians will see you as a traitor.

[ebaines]

I want to travel to different countries someday and expierience multiple cultures. Do you think I could particapate in a religous/cultural ceremony or festival (If that culture allows me to) that follows a religion that I don't but just for enlightment and expierience?

I think the key here is what you mean by "participate" in religious/cultural ceremonies. I see nothing wrong with observing or experiencing ceremonies of other religions, and "participating" to the extent that you are remaining true to your own religion. For example, I've had the good fortune to be invited to wedding ceremonies of friends who are protestant (several denominations), roman catholic, eastern orthodox catholic, jewish, and muslim, and have enjoyed them all. My level of participation has varied, depending on circumstance - for example, since I am Episcopalian, I have no problem taking communion in a Lutheran church, but not in an RC one (Bill Clinton I'm not). My participation in Jewish and Muslim ceremonies is limited to standing or sitting at the correct time, observing silence as appropriate, and listening respectfully to the rabbi or imam. Just last week I visited a Hindu shrine in India with my Indian hosts, consisting of a large statue of Shiva that is highly revered. I joined them in walking up to the statue, and observing it respectfully, but did not lay hands on it or pray to it (as they did). I think we can all learn a lot from experiencing other cultures and religious practices, so don't be afraid to experience them, just be sure to maintain a clear line between "observing" and "participating."

[talaniman]

agrees: I agree that you don't seem to know religion. It is not up to the opinions of man(which you profess) it's up to God.

There is but one God, and that God gives all men and women the choice of how we get to know him. Sorry you misunderstood. And if one who is christian, explores what others do to get understanding of their way of knowing HIM, then that is his choice, and between him and his GOD, and may be a life long journey, just in my opinion.

[Retrotia]

Yes, my dear. But Shinto does not believe in the God of the Bible, which the questioner does.
One doesn't have to experience what another religion does to understand it or them.
God wants our faith. It is impossible to please Him without it. Idolatry does not please God.
One doesn't have to participate in a spiritual sense.
Experience is a strong teacher, but not always the best.
Have a nice day y'all!

[ActionJackson]

I am a Christian. I worship both God and Jesus Christ everday of my life ever since I could remember. I am highly fascinated and intrigued by the Japanese culture and i recently researched the "Shinto" Religion, along with my own deeply. I still want to practice Chrstianity but I also want to practice the same form of respect, self-respect, compassion, and devotion as the Shinto Religion. In the Shinto religion they believe in a spiritual essence (or "Kami") that resides both living and non-living things and that you should respect all things whether they are living or non-living. Also when they eat a meal that contains meat in which the lifeform was killed in order to make the meal, you say "I will humbly accept this food in which you have prepared for me" In regards of respect to the preperator and the animal that lost it's life for the meal. And also with the whole "Killing Others" deal, they only kill in order to protect others and not themselves. Is this rational and respectful towards my own religion? One last question: I want to travel to different countries someday and expierience multiple cultures. Do you think I could particapate in a religous/cultural ceremony or festival (If that culture allows me to) that follows a religion that I don't but just for enlightment and expierience?

You can do all the above and still remain 100% Christian. In fact, to be Christian is to be 100% Christian. You can't be part Christian and part Buddhist, etc. There is no reason why, as a Christian, you can't respect God's creation; offer Him a prayer of thanks for providing a meal (whether meat or veggie); have compassion, self respect, respect for others, etc. Paul spoke of eating meals in a non-Christian atmosphere. As long as you aren't participating in the rituals of non-Christians for the purpose of honoring another god and as long as you fully understand that Christ is the only true and everliving God, then I don't personally see any problem checking out other cultures. I am a Bible believing Christian. I travelled to Greece to see the ruins and the countryside. While there, I visited many of the Greek Orthodox temples. I enjoyed viewing the culture and the architecture but the Orthodox church blends the Bible with man's traditions to form their religion. I didn't participate in the "man's traditions" but still enjoyed the overall experience.

[NeedKarma]

One last question: I want to travel to different countries someday and expierience multiple cultures. Do you think I could particapate in a religous/cultural ceremony or festival (If that culture allows me to) that follows a religion that I don't but just for enlightment and expierience?

I think that is a great idea. It beings you closer to understanding your fellow man, regardless of what their beliefs are. I see no reason to shun others because of their beliefs. I'm just jealous that you have the opportunity to do this. :)

[ActionJackson]

There is but one God, and that God gives all men and women the choice of how we get to know him. Sorry you misunderstood. And if one who is christian, explores what others do to get understanding of their way of knowing HIM, then that is his choice, and between him and his GOD, and may be a life long journey, just in my opinion.

God does give everyone the ability to choose but not how they choose to "get to know Him." Christ is the only way. All other ways won't work.

[NeedKarma]

God does give everyone the ability to choose but not how they choose to "get to know Him." Christ is the only way. All other ways won't work.

But they are going through Christ, just not the exact way you are doing it and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Good people should be celebrated the world over, regardless of what makes them good people.

[Marily]

Honestly, if God means anything to you, you would abide by His Word... and His Word only

[NeedKarma]

Yes Marily, we know where you stand.

[Capuchin]

Another thing that I don't understand, if god is omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent, then why does he care if we worship or follow his word? That doesn't make sense to me.

Anyone care to explain?

[Fr_Chuck]

Where did omnibenevolent come from ?

He is also demanding of our obedience.

[Capuchin]

See this I don't understand, one day he just decided to create us? To me an omniscient and omnipotenet entity would be unchanging, what would cause him to decide to make us unless something changed in his circumstances (like how we make decisions). He made us because he wanted someone to worship him? How very vain.

This isn't the right thread for this, I only brought it up because of Marily's comment.

[talaniman]

God does give everyone the ability to choose but not how they choose to "get to know Him." Christ is the only way. All other ways won't work.

Action, The God that I understands implores me to love and respect you, but I don't have to believe or follow you, as it doesn't matter to me the path you take. That is your choice and I sincerely wish you well on your journey.

[Marily]

Negative NK, AJ is right there is only one way to Jesus and that is through His Word

[cassini]

A person who follow truth and love it is sure that god is with him. Even he didn't agree god, but god like him.