How to Respect and Be Open to All Beliefs

Co-authored by Mary Church, PhD and Glenn Carreau

Last Updated: August 3, 2022 References

Being open to all religious beliefs might seem like a tall order, but once you start to understand what they're really about, it's a piece of cake. Regardless of what they believe, most people have more in common than differences. You can get started by doing a little research, listening carefully to perspectives beyond your own, and being kind to everyone you meet. Read on for our complete guide on respecting all religious beliefs!

1

Observe another faith in person.

Seeing a ceremony or service firsthand can provide more insight. If you have friends with different beliefs, start there. See how their traditions differ from yours and learn about religious ceremonies through them. Otherwise, you can visit a religious institution in your area and talk to the people in charge about sitting in on a service.^{[1]
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- Make sure you get permission before attending a ceremony, whether through your friend or a local religious institution.
- Ask for etiquette advice if you need it. It can be seen as disrespectful to attend a ceremony without knowing the ropes, to find out everything you need to know beforehand.

2

Find similarities between all beliefs.

Though the details differ, most religions have similar core values. From Christianity, Islam, and Judaism to Hinduism and beyond, each religion teaches good morals to its followers.^{[2]
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Research source} It's easier to respect all beliefs when you understand that every religious person is working to be the best version of themselves, the same as non-religious people.
- Separate the beliefs of religious extremists from regular people. Terrorists exist in many major religions—including Christianity and Islam—but the religion itself doesn't deserve scorn because of that.^{[3]
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3

Look for the reasons behind a person's beliefs.

Remember that everyone has a valid reason for believing what they do. Many people are religious because of their upbringing, and their early family life was rooted in religious tradition. Others find religion because of a tragedy in their life or find special meaning in a particular spiritual practice. If you understand why people want to live their lives a certain way, it's easier to respect religion as a whole.^{[4]
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- You could say, "I believe what I do because it was a big part of my family's routine. Would you mind sharing where your beliefs come from?"
- Understand that not everyone will want to talk about their connection to religion. Rather than pressing them for an answer, accept this and find someone else to talk to.

4

Ask thoughtful questions.

If you have a friend willing to educate you, consult them for knowledge. Remember that it's not someone else's job to teach you about their beliefs. However, you can ask a friend if they're willing to talk to you about it. So long as you ask politely and show a genuine desire to educate yourself, they most likely will be happy to help.^{[5]
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- While this can be a great way to learn about different religions more personally, do some research beforehand. That way, anyone you ask for help can see you've already made an effort to learn!
- "I realized that I wanted to know more about other religions. I did some research, but there were a few concepts that confused me. Would you be willing to explain them?"
- "I'm trying to be more open to other religious beliefs, and while research has been really enlightening, I thought talking to someone might help. No pressure, but I'd love to hear your perspective on this."

5

Listen to others without judgment.

Let people explain their religion without interrupting them or getting defensive. Listen to what others say (or read what they've written) rather than spending all your time thinking about how to respond. Pay attention to their words, tone, and emotions when discussing their religion. It'll help you understand—and in turn, respect—other beliefs.^{[6]
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6

Create an open dialogue.

Throw out all your assumptions beforehand and embrace your curiosity. Explain your own religious beliefs without trying to convert anyone, and use inclusive dialogue for all religions when you speak.^{[7]
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Research source} Ask thoughtful and respectful questions that help you get on the same page as your peers from other religious backgrounds and gain a deeper understanding of the world around you.
- For example, if you approach an open dialogue as a Christian, don't ask someone a question that assumes there's a singular God. That's your belief, but someone who practices Hinduism believes in many gods.

7

Control your emotions.

Stay calm and resist the urge to argue about religion. It's easy for tempers to flare and defenses to come up when you're talking about your beliefs—and listening to people describe theirs. Remind yourself that everyone has the right to personal beliefs and opinions, just like you. Only reply when you can do so with calm and kindness.^{[8]
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- If you get angry, it's okay to politely excuse yourself. Take a walk, take some deep breaths, and return when you feel calm.
- For example: "This is a sensitive subject for me. I want to be more open, but I think I need to go cool off. Can we come back to this in a few minutes?"

8

Find common ground outside of religion.

It's easy to see people as religious categories rather than human beings. As you get to know people from other religions, find similarities beyond the ones in your religious teachings. Maybe you both love Peruvian cuisine, or you're both big Marvel fans. Respect the individual, and you'll respect their beliefs, too.^{[9]
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- Ask typical "getting to know you" questions like, "What hobbies are you into?" and "What movie could you quote by heart?"
- Once you find something you have in common, it'll be easier to relax and get to know the other person deeper.

9

Empathize with others.

Ask yourself, "How would I feel if they disrespected my religion to me?" When you put yourself in the shoes of people who follow different religious beliefs (or those who don't believe in any religion), you can understand why respecting all beliefs is important. Focus on being kind, polite, and treating people how you want to be treated. If you show respect to others, they'll show you more respect in return!^{[10]
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- Empathy is vital when talking about religion because many people hold it close to their hearts. Study facial cues and body language so you can lighten the conversation if someone gets upset or emotional.

10

Appreciate your differences.

Religions can coexist without trying to convert each other. At the end of the day, it's not a betrayal against your own beliefs to respect and be open to others. You're not converting; you're just trying to understand—and that's a good thing. Celebrate the things you have in common and respect the ways you differ, even if you just agree to disagree about religion in the end.^{[11]
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- If you eventually agree to disagree, you can do it without putting down the other person's beliefs. Acknowledge their point of view, and use "I" statements to avoid sounding argumentative.
- For example, "I'm happy to continue following my own beliefs, but after learning about yours, I feel like I understand you better, and I have a lot of respect for your faith. Thank you for sharing your perspective with me!"

11

Do some research.

Learning about other religions helps to expand your worldview. Some simple research will help you understand why people believe what they believe and what principles each religion is founded on. Think of the questions you'd like to have answered about other beliefs, and conduct research to fill in the blanks. The more you learn, the less likely you'll be to treat others with suspicion or buy into harmful stereotypes.^{[12]
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- Read about different beliefs and traditions from around the world.
- Watch movies and TV shows and listen to podcasts about different cultures and religions.
- Read up on other cultures' viewpoints of your own beliefs.

Warnings

Not everyone likes talking about their faith. That's normal; try to respect that, too.

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Some people take their religion to extreme levels. Try to keep your temper (even if someone else loses theirs), and if necessary, end the conversation politely but firmly.

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