Catholic Approach
As Catholics, it is very important for us to learn about and understand other world religions. In a lot of cases this can be hard because we need to know how to approach them, while still staying within the bounds of Catholicism. The Catholic document, Nostra Aetate, helps us better understand the Catholic approach. Studying other religions can be very helpful in learning more about our own religion. Before the Nostra Aetate there was no document that explained how we should view other beliefs, and, at the time, there were many conflicts between religions. At the Second Vatican Council they decided to do something about this.
The Nostra Aetate is split into five major sections. These sections focus on how knowing of other religions is extremely important in growing deeper in ours. It talks about the ties we have to Judaism, which was very important in this time, because Catholics and Jews we really struggling to get along. Originally, Judaism was the primary focus, but all major religions were later added. Islam is also mentioned because of our roots in Abraham. Respect to Hinduism and Buddhism is also shared because of he similar ways we pray and meditate. These are the majors religions it mentions be name, but the Nostra Aetate encourages not only acknowledgment, but respect for all religions. It ends by saying the church reproves discrimination to anyone based on religion, race, color, or condition of life.
The Nostra Aetate was an amazing milestone in coming to know our place in dealing with other religions, but it was only the beginning. Although it answers many questions, it leaves many unanswered. Another document, called Dominus Iesus, came out a short time after, and helps us understand even further. The Dominus Iesus focuses a lot on Christ, and how, ultimately, salvation is through him alone. In order to be saved we need Christ and the Church. Another thing this document talks about is how Christianity is not complimented by other religions. This means that, yes, there are many things about other religions that could help us grow and learn, but we do not need to understand them in order to be saved.
The ultimate goal when looking into other religions is to find what is true and holy. We do this by learning about the religion, and keeping in mind that everything we participate in isn't practicing the religion. We have to do what we call "baptizing" aspects of the religion.You could go out and participate in a Hindu form of meditation, but use to pray to our God. You could also visit a Sikh temple and learn about what they believe in, and apply it to why we believe in Catholicism. By doing these things through Christ, you will be finding what is true and holy in the religions you study.
The Nostra Aetate is split into five major sections. These sections focus on how knowing of other religions is extremely important in growing deeper in ours. It talks about the ties we have to Judaism, which was very important in this time, because Catholics and Jews we really struggling to get along. Originally, Judaism was the primary focus, but all major religions were later added. Islam is also mentioned because of our roots in Abraham. Respect to Hinduism and Buddhism is also shared because of he similar ways we pray and meditate. These are the majors religions it mentions be name, but the Nostra Aetate encourages not only acknowledgment, but respect for all religions. It ends by saying the church reproves discrimination to anyone based on religion, race, color, or condition of life.
The Nostra Aetate was an amazing milestone in coming to know our place in dealing with other religions, but it was only the beginning. Although it answers many questions, it leaves many unanswered. Another document, called Dominus Iesus, came out a short time after, and helps us understand even further. The Dominus Iesus focuses a lot on Christ, and how, ultimately, salvation is through him alone. In order to be saved we need Christ and the Church. Another thing this document talks about is how Christianity is not complimented by other religions. This means that, yes, there are many things about other religions that could help us grow and learn, but we do not need to understand them in order to be saved.
The ultimate goal when looking into other religions is to find what is true and holy. We do this by learning about the religion, and keeping in mind that everything we participate in isn't practicing the religion. We have to do what we call "baptizing" aspects of the religion.You could go out and participate in a Hindu form of meditation, but use to pray to our God. You could also visit a Sikh temple and learn about what they believe in, and apply it to why we believe in Catholicism. By doing these things through Christ, you will be finding what is true and holy in the religions you study.