As humans, we often struggle with an “us vs. them” mentality. We like people who are like us, and tend to despise and look down upon people who are not like us. While this is true in sports, business, and politics, it is also sadly true in race and religion. While we are learning to overcome the “us vs. them” mentality in race relationship, it is still quite common among religions.
While we can all be strongly committed to our particular faiths and practice, it is helpful to remember that people of other religions are not the enemy. Paul writes in Ephesians 6 that our “struggle is not against flesh and blood,” and this is true even when the flesh and blood of another practices a different religion.
So in this synchroblog, I want to invite each of us to write about some things we appreciate about another religion. I want you to pick a religion, like Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, or even Atheism (though it’s not exactly a religion), and write about the things you appreciate about that religion, or the people who practice that religion.
Your post could take a variety of approaches on this topic. You could relate a story about an interaction you had with someone from that other religion, or you could talk about some of the religious beliefs and practices of that other religion and how Christianity could become better by adopting these other beliefs and practices. The goal is to recognize that Christianity can learn and benefit from people of other religions.
Publish your posts by March 17 and include a link to your post in the comment section below. The full link list will get published on March 18.
synchroblog 
Here is my post for March- How Christianity Can Learn From Buddhism. http://markvotava.com/2015/03/12/how-christianity-can-learn-from-buddhism/
Christianity and other Religions: Many roads or exclusive path?http://lifestyleofpeace.blogspot.com/2015/03/christianity-and-other-religions-many.html
Nicely done and said. Amen. I really had a hard time with this topic this month. i was not sure how to tackle it. I questioned why on earth are we even discussing this. My mind has been all over the place on this. I have a hard time appreciating other thoughts and beliefs when they do not align to Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I appreciate your wisdom and understanding on this topic. Thank You!!!
Here’s my post:
Below is the link to my post:
http://clarank.blogspot.de/2015/03/what-i-apreciate-about-islam-as.html
Clara I really appreciate your post. I learned so much from just now. Thank You!!!! Knowing history helps us not be so afraid of other faiths. I didn’t write this time around because I knew I needed to do more research before I say anything. But honestly. I often times say – I don’t really care enough to study other religions. Now I have a bit and I considered other ideas. But I never really dug deep. Your post encourages me to gain more wisdom so that I can love better. Great Post Clara. Thank You!!!
Your canning analogy makes lots of sense. People are too complex to fit in a temporary suit. Our motives behind our beliefs and actions can’t all be the same and can’t all be right. Glenn your post challenges me to pay more attention to why I do what I do. I believe that there is one God and Jesus is the only way to heaven. There is a spiritual world in war. Just about everything I do is centered around who I believe I am. I believe only the Bible can help me with that. I call myself a Christian and I associate with Christians because we can encourage one another in the same beliefs. I have basically categorized myself and separated myself from anything and anyone that does not have what I call truth. I label myself and I’m o.k. with that. Glenn thanks for your post and I’ll probably read it a few more times since I have such a strong internal reaction to it. Its great when writers like you provoke one to think deeper. I didn’t write for this topic this month. I felt like I didn’t have enough words to write what I think and know. I’m always praying for more wisdom. And so I hit reply under your post and write on and on.
my comment above was in regards to Glen’s post. Not sure how it ended up under the wrong person. Soryy
I love Atheists!
http://stuartdelony.com/2015/03/17/i-love-atheists/
Some more controversy probably: “What can Christians learn from neo-pagans and ‘magickal’ traditions?”
Here is mine- Buddhism Reshaped My Easter: http://michelletorigian.com/2015/03/17/buddhism-reshaped-my-easter/
What I don’t Appreciate About Your Religion….
http://visionhub.org/what-i-dont-appreciate-about-your-religion.html
Running a little late tonight, whole family has been sick with the flu. http://urbanpresence.blogspot.com/2015/03/3-things-christians-can-learn-from.html
land, sun, community, crops: synchroblog!
http://www.desertspiritsfire.com/2015/03/land-sun-community-crops-synchroblog.html
mine will be up first thing in the morning, but here’s the link:
kathy escobar
http://kathyescobar.com/2015/03/17/why-i-love-interfaith-conversations/
thanks! i was bummed to miss last month and look forward to reading these.
I find deep meaning for the ‘inter-faith’ conversation in the words of the Gospel: “My house shall be a house of prayer for all people.” The more I study the sacred texts of the great spiritual traditions, the more I am convinced that they are treasures to share. My post on this topic is at http://samuelmahaffy.com/2015/02/house-shall-house-prayer-people/.