Expert: John of AllFaith - 10/24/2009

Question
Is there a point when a Christian should stop researching other religions? I mean, if I am interested in another religion (purely out of curiosity) is there an extent where I should stop getting into it because I might fall into the "lies" it says about the world and so forth?  
I know that I love God and that he has died on the cross for me and that I am going to heaven, but I was raised in a Christian home and want to make sure that I'm right.  If the bible is true, and believe it is, I will end up coming back to Jesus anyways, right?  
I just don't want to get sucked into what these other religions teach because I am too interested in feeling and such things if I shouldn't be looking into them- some of those religions are really scary.

Answer
Hi Kay,

This is a tough one with lots of opinions.

From a traditional Baptist perspective (you asked this in the Baptist section) the answer would be that Satan appears as an Angel of Light and studying other religions can open the door for him to deceive and mislead you and assault your faith. Therefore the risk of such endeavors, from that perspective, outweighs any possible benefits. It is often pointed out that experts in counterfeiting study real money rather than counterfeit money. Most Baptists (most Fundamentalist Christians) will say to study those doctrines supported by their beliefs (i.e. be a "Bible-believing Christian" and avoid all "false doctrines") and you will know the counterfeit when you see it.

It is true and all but certain that the deeper an honest seeker explores other religions the more likely it is that they will come to question the belief that Jesus is the only way to God and that Christianity is the only true religion.

There is much good and spiritual wisdom to be found in all religions. Countless holy and pious people sincerely worship God according to their knowledge within the other religions. The more one comes to know these people and see their faith in action the more difficult it becomes to say they are not accepted by God while Christians are, that they are going to spend eternity in Hell for not accepting Jesus while Christians will be admitted to heaven.

As one reads and comes to understand the Bhagavad Gita, the Avesta and other religious texts it becomes more and more difficult to say they are not of God while the Bible alone in its many contradictory versions is inspired.

When "average" Christians are contrasted with the followers of other religions it becomes very difficult to say that Christians -- who by and large are less devout than most of other religious people -- alone know and are accepted by God. Many of the holiest and most devout people I have ever met have been Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims etc.

If one maintains Christian Faith and bases their beliefs solely on the Bible and their denominational beliefs without studying other religions, it is much easier to maintain faith in the Church and its teachings. This is a fact.

On the other hand, we don't like the notion that "ignorance is bliss."

Its a bit of a catch 22.

I can not advise you on what to do. Seek God.

I can say as one who grew up in a devout Missionary Baptist family and left the Church early to study most of the major religions from the inside, that there comes a point when study will make you question your faith in the Baptist version of Christianity and in Nicene Christianity itself. Is this bad? Baptists would certainly say it is.

I can't say that. I believe 'seek and you will find" as Jesus taught, but understand that seeking has its price and its risks.

I began my quest for God forty years ago this year and I have no regrets on this score. I believe I am closer to God now than ever before in my life, BUT my beliefs are unique and are based upon what I have found through my studies. While I have mainly returned to "biblical religion," I am no longer a Baptist nor a member of any Nicene Christian denomination. I found that while I admire the Church, I can not agree with certain critical points of its doctrines.

So... What I would say is this... if you wish to maintain your Baptist faith and beliefs it is best not to delve into other religions (or even other denominations) too deeply. Maintain and strengthen your beliefs as a Baptist. Most people do best following one established belief system and God looks at the heart.

However if you are compelled to seek God in a larger context, it can be a wonderful quest.

Honestly, this is the most best opinion I can offer you.

You must decide.

Shalom,
~ John of AllFaith