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I'm fairly confident it is true, though. While you won't hear such things said, they definitely won't advise you on a "History of Christianity" reading list. I
by ErrantX 16y ago
I'm fairly confident it is true, though. While you won't hear such things said, they definitely won't advise you on a "History of Christianity" reading list.
In fact what your talking about is reading the religious book, which is only useful for a small portion of information about a religion. For most religions it's not even a very good briefing a) because it's usually obscure and open to interpretation (which the cleric will do for you) and b) because it often doesn't deal with the practices of the religion.
At their core religious leaders aim to propagate their religion; so they will steer people away from things that might put followers off (note: probably not intentionally).
If you were an adherent and showed an interest then, sure, I doubt they would actively discourage you. But they might direct you at "nicer" material, and they certainly won't encourage interest in the disinterested :)
- eitally 16y agoI don't think this is a fair blanket statement. The fact is that most people don't enjoy reading (or learning) and many are functionally illiterate. Religious leaders aren't going to stop practicing & preaching in order to educate their flocks -- ESPECIALLY in Christianity; many other major religions have a stronger focus on education. I know many people, of different religions, who place a strong emphasis on scholarly research to inform and strengthen their faith.
- hugh3 16y agoI'm fairly confident it is true, though. While you won't hear such things said, they definitely won't advise you on a "History of Christianity" reading list. Try talking to a Jesuit priest. Their knowledge of these sorts of things will astound you, and they'll be only too willing to share it. Rabbis, too, so I hear. Your average American evangelical preacher? Well, maybe not -- they don't come from the same sort of academic tradition.