Many people want to learn about another religion for business or pleasure. For those who do not have the time or resources to take a world religions class, all hope is not lost. The internet, local library, visiting houses of worship or religious groups, traveling, and friends and colleagues can all be sources of information to learn about other faiths and cultures.
How to Read About World Religions
A basic knowledge is the first step in learning about another religion or belief system such as atheism. A general encyclopedia or dictionary of religion at the local library or online can be a great place to start. Other possibilities in learning about a new religion might include:
- Read or browse a general introduction to the religion, such as an Everything Guide or a college world religions text.
- Scan some of that religion's literature. For non-Muslims, pick up a copy of the Qu'ran. For non-Christians, browse the Bible.
- Enjoy other religions' art. Take some time at an art museum to pause at an image of a Buddha praying or a medieval Catholic statue of a Madonna and child.
- Scan the local library or bookstores section on religion and spirituality for other books of interest.
Start learning the necessary terminology, history, and rituals to engage the religion further and open up new doors of discovery.
Learn About World Religions Online
The Internet offers a wealth of information on religion and spirituality, some factual and some not so factual. Here are some tips for learning about world religions online from sound sources:
- Visit websites from organizations that represent another religion. Note that most religious bodies and groups have a .org website. For example, if wanting to learn more about Ba'hai, check out the Ba'hai international website.
- Utilize internet sources to understand more about another religion and its culture from the perspective of its believers. Suite101 offers great sections in Hinduism, Catholicism, Paganism/Wicca and other world religions written by believers as well as enlightened enthusiasts.
- Visit a temple, great church, or other holy place associated with a religion online. For example, check out a virtual tour of the Taj Mahal to learn about Islam or a virtual tour of Notre Dame de Paris to learn about Catholicism.
- Subscribe to a podcast that engages faith and religion from a political, social, and spiritual dimension, such as American Public Media's Krista Tippett on Being.
Play with a search engine and various search terms to see what other resources crop up for a fresh perspective on another faith. Be cautious about sites written by those outside the religion you are studying, as they may have have ulterior motives.
How to Experience Another Religion Outside a Book
Reading books and internet sources can only teach so much about other religions. Those wanting a deeper taste may take the plunge and experience another religion for themselves. For starters, try the following:
- Attend worship at a mosque, synagogue, temple, church, coven or other holy place or gathering (note that calling ahead and asking questions such as appropriate behavior and dress for outsiders will increase the comfort level of both believers and visitors).
- Visit another religion's religious site, such as a grotto, shrine, temple, or monastery.
- Travel to other places where one's own religious beliefs and culture are not dominant and seek to engage others of different beliefs in the new place.
- Sign up for a seeker class, such as a weekly Wicca study group or a Catholic catechism class, to engage the religion from the perspective of those who practice it.
- Make a friend from a different religion or faith background and practice interfaith dialogue to learn more about each other's faith.
Understanding another religion is not just about facts. Experience a religion's values, worship, and culture firsthand for the fullest understanding and appreciation.
Books, online resources, a trip abroad, an interfaith conversation or attending a worship service can help the curious grow in their knowledge and appreciation of the world's many faith traditions. Be open to new people, places, foods, and cultures, and understanding of their respective religions will follow.
For more in a series on learning about world religions, Part 1: How to Talk About Religion: Engaging in Interfaith Dialogue may be of interest.
Melissa Roberts - A trained hospital chaplain, Melissa is a freelance writer, teacher, retreat leader, and spiritual director.
