How to Enhance Your Understanding of Different Religions

Understanding and connecting with people of different religions can be a fun and interesting way to learn about history and the world around you. Having a basic understanding of what other people believe in will help you have better and more fulfilling conversations with them. You never know when you might learn something new!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Reading about Religions

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1
Search online for each faith that you are interested in learning about. Websites such as the BBC, the United Religions Initiative, and other organizations will have the general background information about a religion, including its founding story, core beliefs, recent events, holidays, and geographical concentration.
- For example, you might be interested in learning about Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam. A quick search about the history of these religions will yield plenty of results.
- It might be helpful to break this research into sections such as history, prominent figures, or core beliefs. Alternatively, choose just one of the websites mentioned above to do all of the reading you can. This will keep your research focused.
2
Search for and carefully read religious publications sponsored by each religion. Many religious organizations have online publications directly from their leaders that discuss current events in the church and refer back to their main core beliefs. Many religious leaders are active online, especially on social media websites, so check out social media accounts for links to meaningful articles and upcoming events or holidays.
- Websites such as the Catholic https://www.vaticannews.va will have information about current events and teachings.
- If you want to learn more about Judaism, check out https://jps.org/, which has a large resource library with Jewish publications.
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Most religions have a text or set of texts that has all of the teachings and stories of the religion. Normally these books are pretty lengthy and complex. If you are truly interested in a religion, read their Holy Book (or some parts of it that interest you). This will give you a good idea of how the religion is set up.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Getting Involved

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If there is a religion that you are particularly interested in learning about, find a nearby place of worship and attend one of their services. Here, you will be able to see the beliefs in practice and participate in an act of worship. It’s also a great place to make connections and meet new people.
2
Have a conversation with someone of a different faith. To deepen your understanding of a religion, sit down and have a conversation with someone of a different religion. Ask them questions about their faith and how they practice their religion. Answer any questions that they might have about yours.
- For example, you can ask questions such as “How many times per week do you worship?” or “What is your favorite religious holiday and why?” or “What does your faith mean to you?”
- They will likely have questions about your faith as well, and you should answer them to the best of your ability.
3
Meet with a religious leader. If you have more complex questions about the foundation or history of a religion, or if you are confused by its practices, set up an appointment to meet with a leader of that religion. They are well educated and should have the answers to most of your questions.
- They might refer you to some additional reading or research to help answer your questions. Be prepared to leave with a little bit of homework.
Cultural aspects of a religion are very important, and many religions have specific music that they incorporate into worship. Listening can give you an idea of the mood of the religion when it comes to worship, and the words (if there are any) can communicate stories from the religion.^{[1]XResearch source}
Taking an online course will provide you with a more structured means of learning about religion. Many colleges offer classes online that will work with your schedule and that can be completed in your free time. You can also find options on websites like Coursera.
Some communities, especially those with a diverse population, will sponsor lectures by different religious leaders. These bring together people of different beliefs to have a conversation about religion and society. Check your local church and community calendars to see if there are any upcoming that you could attend.

Expert Q&A

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How do you discuss religious preferences and beliefs when dating?
Laura Bilotta
Dating Coach & Matchmaker
Laura Bilotta is a Dating Coach, Matchmaker, and the Founder of Single in the City, her dating and relationship coaching service based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. With over 18 years of experience, she focuses on helping singles date more intentionally, encouraging them to let go of negative patterns so that they can attract the love that they deserve. Her experience, skills, and insights have led to thousands of successfully united over 65,000 singles through events and one-on-one matchmaking coaching sessions. She has been the host of The Dating and Relationship Show on Global News Radio 640 Toronto (AM640) for 6 years and is known as The Hookup Queen of Clubhouse; her popular singles club, Single in the City, has over 95.5K members who regularly join in weekly dating and relationship-focused rooms.
Laura Bilotta
Dating Coach & Matchmaker
Expert Answer
First of all, give it some time. There’s nothing more off-putting than giving someone the third-degree ten minutes into a first date. Find a way to segue into the topic gracefully - don’t bring it up out of the blue. Perhaps you were discussing a movie, an event in the news, or a book that touches upon religion. Find an opening in the conversation to bring it up. Approach the conversation with kindness and an open mind - don’t judge or insult someone based on religious differences. Ask mindful questions and be curious about all that you do not know. Know that while it may be awkward, it is an important and meaningful conversation that needs to be had at some point. Religious or spiritual beliefs can often be a huge factor when it comes to the compatibility between two people.
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Tips

Remember that there's a serious basis to religions that are only used as punchlines in the West - there's much more to Rastafarianism than weed, for example.
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Always start with studying the history of the religion.
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Talk to scholars both from and outside of the religion you are studying. It is important to have multiple perspectives.
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Warnings

Always show respect and be polite when discussing religion. This is a very personal topic and should be handled with care.
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