As a Muslim, I read only the entire Holy Quran, in addition to reading a specific part of the gospel and the torah, and now completing the reading.

Yes, I did read books of other religions as part of scholarship as well as part of curiosity. The old and new testaments (the Bible), for example, have many common tenets and principles found in Islam or Qur'an (despite differences, of course). This can be explained as the three religion (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are known as belonging to Abrahamic religion.

For a former academic, only one answer is possible: yes. Our mission needs a high degree of objectivity, a plurality of informations, etc.

I recommend that people should read (or be familiar with) Hinduism and Budhism. The Hindu belief is that divinities can take many forms. They also believe in Brahman as the one true God who is limitless and eternal. For the Vedas, Truth is One. Budhism aspires to reach a state of nirvana which is a place of peace and happiness.

According to the previous opinion of the academics, does this mean that all religions are different in their beliefs, but ultimately they will return to one religion, namely Abrahamism.

I am muslim, but I did read other books too.

Not all religions-only three (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) belong to Abrahamic religion. Although these (three) religions have common or shared tenets (such as one God, there are differences in principles and practices. For more information, see: http://christianityinview.com/xncomparison.html

Indeed I read books on other religions. It is very important to know each other better and enhance levels of respect between us all. Many people I know and dont actually read all kinds of books on magic, fantasy, comics etc. but a far better read would be any book on religion including their own.

Now, I would like to know about Hiba's experience about reading books of other religions. It would be nice to share the experience. thank you.

It's a very useful experience.

It is very useful to know other religions by reading their religious books such as the gospel and the Torah .The most accurate thing to know is what these religions carry by reading these books with extreme precision away from bias in belonging to religion ... in order to know the other correctly.

With my respect and appreciation.

God is the only source of all the religions of Islam, Christianity and Judaism. There is no objection to the readings of the heavenly books.

Sorry, I didn't !!!

This discussion is good to raise the awareness of reading texts or books of religions other than the one you follow. God bless you all.

Because I was a student of English literature, I needed to read the Bible to get familiar with the religious themes in Christianity.

Sure. I think that it is essential a) to know the principles of other religions as taught in their scriptures, b) to know especially the Biblical books because they are, as it were, part of the shared tradition that the Qur'an refers back to when it prompts its readers to remember earlier messengers.

My respect and appreciation for all opinions.

The answers lead me to another question which is.

Is it possible, in the future, to make the convergence and tolerance between religions and how this is done.

Or is it difficult to achieve.

Thanks for this question. In fact, I don't think that is difficult. There is, for example, a project called Scriptural Reasoning where scriptures (Bible and Qur'an) are studied together by Jews, Christians, and Muslims (see link below). In a research project at our university, Buddhist partners were also included in a study of Hermeneutics (unfortunately, the report is in German). As for me, I've been working in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim workshops for years exploring (need to find the article I wrote about it). Results are at least mutual understanding and respect.

http://www.scripturalreasoning.org/

حليمة كراوسن

It is a really useful project ... but can it be possible to establish other projects similar to it in your university in the future or will stand at this project only.

my Greetings for you.

The research project has so far only been a matter of our university although I'd find it very useful to introduce it elsewhere. In my estimation, it is essential to find partners from all involved religions who are competent not only to choose and agree on corresponding texts from there traditions and comment on them but also to let the other participants explore them without too much dogmatic intervention.

Scriptural reasoning is practiced in many places on different level, both in an academic context and in a grassroots/community context. One initiative was started last month in Bern, Switzerland, by a university department but open for participants from the communities.

The attached file is an essay of mine in which I describe three different projects from my own experience (I uploaded it on academia.edu), a German version of which was published in a local celebratory volume.

Best wishes

حليمة كراوسن

The project is nice and hopefully taught at more than one university with the participation of all religions.

my Greetings for you.

This is more important today than ever before. Spreading the tolerance of all with all is demanded. Reading the other is the way.