Many, wondering if my church leaders were expecting me to apostatize, have asked me if I were allowed to study other religions. At first it seemed ridiculous, but it was asked so often that I began to wonder, myself, if what I was doing was right. I began to doubt whether I should be devoting so much time to studies of other religions, when I already believe wholeheartedly in the truth of the religion I currently practice. Perhaps it was a waste of time.
I was in the midst of this confusion, when I met with Mr. Jenkins, a professor of religion at the University of Idaho. He handed me a book, Religions of the World: A Latter-day Saint View, and told me had suspicions it would be quite useful to me. It seemed he knew what was troubling me even though I had not told him, because right in the Foreword, my doubts were put to rest.
On the first page, it was explained that Latter-day Saints are often condemned as being intolerant towards other beliefs. The authors admitted that sometimes this may be correct, but only of Mormons who either do not understand or do not trust in their own religion. It pointed the readers to the eleventh Article of Faith in the LDS tradition which states that men should always be granted the privilege to “worship how, where, or what they may” (ix).
Then the authors continued by clarifying that religions can be generally placed in three categories: exclusivist, inclusivist, and pluralist (ix).
Exclusivists hold that their religion is the only truth and that no other ideas are needed to answer the question of human existence. Pluralists, on the other extreme, claim that no religion has claim to the truth and that all religions are true… Inclusivists take the middle ground, the position asserting that one religion is correct and true but that other religions do have genuine value. This is the position of the Latter-day Saints.
These words rang true to me. I had already seen the “genuine value” existent in Hinduism and Buddhism. It didn’t make sense to discard the truth within other religions when, as Palmer points out in the book, Latter-day Saints are commanded by the Lord in Doctrine and Covenants 88:79-80 to learn [o]f things both in heaven and in the earth...things which are at home, things which are abroad… and a knowledge also of countries and kingdoms-That ye may be prepared in all things… (3).
Certainly, then, studying other religions was more than just all right. It taught me valuable truths, truths that at first were hidden from me because of my prejudice, but were eventually revealed as I earnestly strove to understand. I will outline some of these traditions that I came to appreciate:
The Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan, seemed cruel and austere at first, as an entire month where food and water is forbidden from sunup to sundown compares to torture in my mind. As I began writing about the tradition, I recognized how prejudiced I was being, and had to stop myself. Instead of looking through my eyes, I tried to look through eyes of a Muslim. I tried to understand why they would do something like this.
Instantly, the practice became beautiful, in a way. The fact that so many people have the faith and diligence to set aside an entire month where their main focuses are to purify their hearts and their minds is touching. They are putting their god, their beliefs, and their wish for a better world and a better self, above their immediate desires.
Fasting, actually, is an important aspect of the LDS religion, as well. Although the only time set aside for it is the first Sunday of every month, Mormons, too, practice it in an attempt to purify themselves. According to the official LDS web site, “the fast day is a special day for us to humble ourselves before the Lord in fasting and prayer. It is a day to pray for forgiveness from our sins and for the power to overcome our faults and to forgive others.” It is “a source of spiritual strength,” just as it is to the Muslims (Why). I knew this before I studied about Ramadan, and I observe the law of the fast myself as I believe it is important, but because an entire month of fasting was a foreign idea to me, it was not until I consciously broke down my biases that I was able to see the holiness of the month.
The Hindus’ use of many idols was absolutely abhorrent to me at first. I still do not agree with the practice, but I now understand why the Hindus do it. They are trying to fill their lives with reminders of what is important so they do not get distracted by less significant things.
I relate to this concept as Latter-day Saints are also encouraged to have many reminders. The term “eternal perspective” is commonly used in the Mormon culture as a reminder to put the majority of one’s efforts into things that are not confined to just this life, such as knowledge, family, and good works. Just as Hindus often have pictures of their gods in their homes, Mormons often hang pictures of Christ. Just as Hindus designate times to worship their gods in the form of idols, Mormons designate times to go to church, go to their temples, spend time with family, and do other activities that serve as faith builders and reminders.
Zen Buddhism first appeared incredibly strange to me. I cannot say that it is something I would ever pursue, or that I agree with the methods practiced. What I can say is that I appreciate their belief that some things cannot be understood logically or conveyed with words. Buddha himself seemed to be a strong believer in this concept, as he did not waste words trying to describe nirvana. Zennists, in their own way, believe that “the things of God are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14) and that “that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:67).
Another concept that I came to appreciate was the Hindu and Buddhist belief that there are several realms a person can be reborn in. There is not just a heavenly realm and a hellish realm, but realms in between for those who did bad things, but were not bad people. The Hell realm is reserved only for those who did the worst of things, not those who simply did not believe or did not worship as they should. Latter-day Saints also believe that there will be several realms in the life after this that people will eternally live in, based on their actions.
Continuing with the belief in rebirth, I recognized the worth in the Hindu belief of the “real self” or Atman. For one, the Atman is incorruptible. It is the infinite part of a person that always remains pure. This is similar to the LDS view of a person’s spirit. The Atman is also hidden behind one’s “ego.” The “ego” is called the “carnal” or “natural” man in the LDS religion, but is the same idea. I appreciate this belief as it encourages people to repress unhealthy, selfish desires and strive to strengthen their “true being” as a Hindu might say.
There are many other practices and beliefs that I can to appreciate throughout my studies. There are aspects of karma, chanting the name of a deity to grow closer to him or her, and the Amitabha Buddha that I came to love.
I understand why my church leaders encourage members to become acquainted with all cultures and religions. It is vital that we strive to understand one another, because as the Latter-day Saint First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated, “as we acknowledge one another with consideration and compassion we will discover that we can all peacefully coexist despite our deepest differences.”
Although there are still many aspects of the Eastern religions that I studied that I do not agree with, I stand with Russell M. Nelson, a member of the Latter-day Saint Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, when he says, “together we may stand, intolerant of transgression but tolerant of neighbors with differences they hold sacred,” and this ELI has helped me to do just that.
~Annica
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