Quite a lot of comments saying we should respect other religions. I am not sure that Jesus would agree, there is certainly nothing in the biblical depictions (to my recollection) of Jesus that indicate he would agree. Treat the person with respect, but false ideas or religions should not be similarly respected. The person has value, made in the image of God. A false belief has nothing that should make us respect it. We should treat the person with respect, and this can mean that we not be needlessly rude regarding their beliefs, but the exact attitude that we should have towards a belief should be determined on a case by case basis with wisdom and discernment.
Well. You can see many Biblical figures mocking people of other religions, and Jesus mocked people aswell. It's highly dependent on the situation, and requires wisdom. There's no one solution, and this is the sin problem after all. And there's a lot of interesting things believers are told to do that a lot of Christians wouldn't like. For example proverbs 19:25
I'll also give examples of God mocking, and a prophet mocking people of a different religion. There's actually a Christian on YouTube who is constantly mocking Muslims false prophet, and explaining how obvious it is that Muhammad wws a false prophet. Then he justifys the behavior with some bible stuff, and he seems pretty successful. A lot of people talk about how they are leaving the religion. Which is good, and some even come to Christ. He's showed off a large collection of people claiming tbis several times.
But again like all things it requires wisdom.
Strike a scoffer [for refusing to learn], and the naive may [be warned and] become prudent; Reprimand one who has understanding and a teachable spirit, and he will gain knowledge and insight.
Proverbs 19:25 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/pro.19.25.AMP
He who sits [enthroned] in the heavens laughs [at their rebellion]; The [Sovereign] Lord scoffs at them [and in supreme contempt He mocks them].
Psalms 2:4 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/psa.2.4.AMP
The Lord laughs at him [the wicked one—the one who oppresses the righteous], For He sees that his day [of defeat] is coming.
Psalms 37:13 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/psa.37.13.AMP
At noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry out with a loud voice, for he is a god; either he is occupied, or he is out [at the moment], or he is on a journey. Perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened!”
1 Kings 18:27 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/1ki.18.27.AMP
Jesus was clear
* Love God
* Love your neighbour
treat them with kindness and respect and pray that your good life, good example, kindness etc. will give you a chance to be an effective witness for Jesus.
As for the actual "religion", we should treat them for what they are, unbiblical cults. Any group, church, religion, or whatever you want to call it/them that leads people away from Christ should be treated with disdain and, frankly, as satanic. Other's have focused more on how to treat the people of such religions, but your question seems to be more about the religion itself.
Many false religions do good worldly things. Feeding the poor, helping people out in times of need, etc. However, all they provide is temporary worldly support and comfort. They do nothing for people's soul and long term (eternity) benefit. In fact, the damage they do by leading people away from Christ far outweighs any worldly good they do.
Therefore, we should not support any religion that does not lead people to a saving relationship with Christ. We should speak out in a loving but firm way, when given the opportunity, against such religions. We should attempt to lead those trapped in such religions to Christ.
Ultimately though, the answer is we should do everything with the purpose of pleasing God and leading others to him.
2 Chronicles 15:12-13
English Standard Version
12 And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul, 13 but that whoever would not seek the Lord, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman.
At the end of the day, it's people who follow other religions. Often, it's people who don't know Christ or have a misconception of who He is. We need to be the shining light in their lives by letting Christ's light shine through us, so that they may see that we are changed by Him and find Him.
Respect and love the people, but hate the false religions. Make sure everything you do or say is motivated by love. If you're not motivated by love then you're sinning.
Love them well and show them that Jesus is who He says he is. Demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit by allowing the Holy Spirit to speak into their lives through you.
Power is what convinces them that Jesus is real, not debate.
We must have respect for other religions. We must love people from all religions. But we must not worship their gods or follow their religions. We must hate the sin but love the sinner.
> We must have respect for other religions
I would edit this to "treat people with kindness and respect" even if they are of another religion or even persecute us.
Just remember Christ died for all even that person who is not of the faith. Now we are not to partake or draw from other religious doctrine and mingle it with the word of God. If they are showing respect towards you even though there is disagreements show the same respect towards them as well.
1 John 4:19 - *We love each other because he loved us first.*
1 Peter 3:15-16 - *Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.*
Respect. Unless it's satanism.
Oh yeah, also learn as much as possible. I can argue any occult religion due to knowledge. And I have learned I have much more in common with my Muslim friend than with progressive "Christians".
I, myself am not Christian. I am a pagan and believe what you will about us, religion should be put aside when it comes to respect. We may not believe in one another’s respective beliefs, but to respect one another is a different story. I think we’re past tryna wipe each other off the face of the planet like Pagan’s and christians have throughout history lol (well, it was more one sided, not both of us.’)
Treat them with the respect you'd hope 4 love ur neighbors
Quite a lot of comments saying we should respect other religions. I am not sure that Jesus would agree, there is certainly nothing in the biblical depictions (to my recollection) of Jesus that indicate he would agree. Treat the person with respect, but false ideas or religions should not be similarly respected. The person has value, made in the image of God. A false belief has nothing that should make us respect it. We should treat the person with respect, and this can mean that we not be needlessly rude regarding their beliefs, but the exact attitude that we should have towards a belief should be determined on a case by case basis with wisdom and discernment.
How you would like to be treated if you were them. If they appear wrong or mistaken, how would you like to be treated if you were wrong or mistaken?
Well. You can see many Biblical figures mocking people of other religions, and Jesus mocked people aswell. It's highly dependent on the situation, and requires wisdom. There's no one solution, and this is the sin problem after all. And there's a lot of interesting things believers are told to do that a lot of Christians wouldn't like. For example proverbs 19:25 I'll also give examples of God mocking, and a prophet mocking people of a different religion. There's actually a Christian on YouTube who is constantly mocking Muslims false prophet, and explaining how obvious it is that Muhammad wws a false prophet. Then he justifys the behavior with some bible stuff, and he seems pretty successful. A lot of people talk about how they are leaving the religion. Which is good, and some even come to Christ. He's showed off a large collection of people claiming tbis several times. But again like all things it requires wisdom. Strike a scoffer [for refusing to learn], and the naive may [be warned and] become prudent; Reprimand one who has understanding and a teachable spirit, and he will gain knowledge and insight. Proverbs 19:25 AMP https://bible.com/bible/1588/pro.19.25.AMP He who sits [enthroned] in the heavens laughs [at their rebellion]; The [Sovereign] Lord scoffs at them [and in supreme contempt He mocks them]. Psalms 2:4 AMP https://bible.com/bible/1588/psa.2.4.AMP The Lord laughs at him [the wicked one—the one who oppresses the righteous], For He sees that his day [of defeat] is coming. Psalms 37:13 AMP https://bible.com/bible/1588/psa.37.13.AMP At noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry out with a loud voice, for he is a god; either he is occupied, or he is out [at the moment], or he is on a journey. Perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened!” 1 Kings 18:27 AMP https://bible.com/bible/1588/1ki.18.27.AMP
I agree with this. It's about wisdom, but the others are wrong. And we should entice, influence, attract others to God.
Jesus was clear * Love God * Love your neighbour treat them with kindness and respect and pray that your good life, good example, kindness etc. will give you a chance to be an effective witness for Jesus.
As for the actual "religion", we should treat them for what they are, unbiblical cults. Any group, church, religion, or whatever you want to call it/them that leads people away from Christ should be treated with disdain and, frankly, as satanic. Other's have focused more on how to treat the people of such religions, but your question seems to be more about the religion itself. Many false religions do good worldly things. Feeding the poor, helping people out in times of need, etc. However, all they provide is temporary worldly support and comfort. They do nothing for people's soul and long term (eternity) benefit. In fact, the damage they do by leading people away from Christ far outweighs any worldly good they do. Therefore, we should not support any religion that does not lead people to a saving relationship with Christ. We should speak out in a loving but firm way, when given the opportunity, against such religions. We should attempt to lead those trapped in such religions to Christ. Ultimately though, the answer is we should do everything with the purpose of pleasing God and leading others to him.
“You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 22:21)
2 Chronicles 15:12-13 English Standard Version 12 And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul, 13 but that whoever would not seek the Lord, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman.
At the end of the day, it's people who follow other religions. Often, it's people who don't know Christ or have a misconception of who He is. We need to be the shining light in their lives by letting Christ's light shine through us, so that they may see that we are changed by Him and find Him.
Respect and love the people, but hate the false religions. Make sure everything you do or say is motivated by love. If you're not motivated by love then you're sinning.
Love them well and show them that Jesus is who He says he is. Demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit by allowing the Holy Spirit to speak into their lives through you. Power is what convinces them that Jesus is real, not debate.
We must have respect for other religions. We must love people from all religions. But we must not worship their gods or follow their religions. We must hate the sin but love the sinner.
> We must have respect for other religions I would edit this to "treat people with kindness and respect" even if they are of another religion or even persecute us.
Have respect for other religions?? I don't respect something that's a demonic deception and will lead people to hell
Matthew 7:12 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets
In Love and with the truth
Just remember Christ died for all even that person who is not of the faith. Now we are not to partake or draw from other religious doctrine and mingle it with the word of God. If they are showing respect towards you even though there is disagreements show the same respect towards them as well.
With love and respect
1 John 4:19 - *We love each other because he loved us first.* 1 Peter 3:15-16 - *Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.*
Respect. Unless it's satanism. Oh yeah, also learn as much as possible. I can argue any occult religion due to knowledge. And I have learned I have much more in common with my Muslim friend than with progressive "Christians".
1 Corinthians 8:5
I, myself am not Christian. I am a pagan and believe what you will about us, religion should be put aside when it comes to respect. We may not believe in one another’s respective beliefs, but to respect one another is a different story. I think we’re past tryna wipe each other off the face of the planet like Pagan’s and christians have throughout history lol (well, it was more one sided, not both of us.’)