The Catholic approach to different religions
There are two approaches to different religions and they are comparative methodology, and empathy. If you know one religion then you should know all religions. All religions have the same overall goal. They want spiritual perfection. Even though all the religions study differently they all have the same meanings. If we study many religions then just our own we have a better understanding of the people around us, and their lifestyles. Another way we can approach none catholic religions is to approach them with empathy. We do this by see this in another perspective. We need to study the religions through the eyes of the different religious people. We should study each religion just like a Muslim, Buddhist, and etc. If we do this then this will have us get a better connection to the different religions and their teaching ways. When we do this our religious education will grow, and we will truly understand not only other religions more, but also our own. One document that shows that we should not judge other religions was the, Nostra Aetate. This document says we shouldn't find the theological differences, but emphasize the commonalities of each religion. There are various aspects of the church, faith, and beliefs found in other religions then just the catholic religion. The religions need to forget the past issues between each religion and grow together, so they can protect the rights of every religion. The way you act to man to man should be the say way you act between man and God. " He who does not love does not know God" This saying is stating that we need to love everyone, no matter the religion or the race, because if we love one another than we will love God, and truly understand God.
Photo used under Creative Commons from aulbarnes08