Encyclopedia Religiosa

ENCYCLOPEDIA RELIGIOSA

To grow in Christ, we must ponder thoughts other than those written by our Christian masters. We have just started writing articles about different movements and ideas to aid our studies. The pieces will grow to form an encyclopedia of religious beliefs.


N.B.

These articles often focus on non-Christian content. We offer these articles because we must put on the Armor of Faith to combat ignorance.    

Why learn about other religions?


First and foremost, it helps us understand what people believe and why they think the way they do. We can, thereby, better relate to others and even understand ourselves.


Second, it helps us understand religion and appreciate its positive role, abuses, corruption, and failures. It will tend to reduce religious tensions and misunderstandings, fanaticism, superstitions, and prejudices that have been the cause of much suffering and strife throughout history.


Third, just as studying different nations and cultures broadens our horizons and causes us to reassess ourselves and our beliefs. Just as learning another language can improve the mastery of our language, studying religions is an excellent way to test, process, and deepen our faith and understanding.


We believe it is presumptuous to assume that the religion one has chosen or was raised in is correct and all others are false. It is also presumptuous to think that our beliefs and understandings are objectively accurate, even if we firmly believe in our Christian faith. 

Understanding Ourselves


First, it helps us understand what we believe and why we think the way they do. 

Understanding Others


Second, it helps us understand other religions and appreciate context.

Master Your Faith


Third, studying different religions broadens our horizons.

Gnosticism

Gnosticism is the belief that human beings contain a piece of God (the highest good or a divine spark) within themselves, which has fallen from the immaterial world into the bodies of humans. All physical matter is subject to decay, rotting, and death.


Bahá'í Faith

The Baháʼí Faith is a religion founded in the 19th century that teaches the essential worth of all religions and the unity of all people. Established by Baháʼu'lláh, it initially developed in Iran and parts of the Middle East, where it has faced ongoing persecution since its inception.


Jehovah's Witnesses


Jehovah's Witnesses are members of a Christian-based religious movement probably best known for their door-to-door evangelistic work.

The group reports a worldwide membership of approximately 8.5 million adherents involved in evangelism.