I have been asked to write an essay on whether theists should learn about religions other than their own. This includes both in school and in one’s general life. I wanted to give an atheists perspective on this question, and I would be grateful to get your opinion on it.
On the one hand I think learning about other religions is a good thing because it means you’re not blindly accepting what you’re told and you are at least are questioning your faith. If learning about other faiths leads people to renounce religion altogether, from an atheists point of view that is surely a good thing?
On the other hand, shouldn’t your faith be purely based on your personal view, and studying other faiths would simply show you don’t really believe in your own.
Or maybe studying religions is just a complete waste of time in the first place, and there are better things to be doing…
What are your views?
On the one hand I think learning about other religions is a good thing because it means you’re not blindly accepting what you’re told and you are at least are questioning your faith. If learning about other faiths leads people to renounce religion altogether, from an atheists point of view that is surely a good thing?
On the other hand, shouldn’t your faith be purely based on your personal view, and studying other faiths would simply show you don’t really believe in your own.
Or maybe studying religions is just a complete waste of time in the first place, and there are better things to be doing…
What are your views?
