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This article talks about how some Christians are using practices of other religions, but still considering themselves Christians. I think it's okay for some Christians to use rituals of other religions. This article talks about a Catholic woman who attends Church every Sunday and celebrates all Christian holidays, but she also meditates and does yoga, which are practices of Eastern religions. She thinks these practices are similar to praying because they open you up to a connection with God, just like praying does. I think it's okay for her to do this if it makes her happy and helps her to connect with God. I do think that Church leaders should be concerned, because they want their communities to stay strong and stable. If people start practicing other rituals of other religions, then it could weaken the Church community they belong to. Pope Benedict XVI, back in 1989, discouraged outside exploration and
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger warned people that they shouldn't mistake the benefits of yoga for spiritual well being. They are not the same. I think it's fine to connect with God through yoga if a person wants to do that. A man named Matthew Goodemote, who is the founder of a wellness in Gloversville, NY, says that after his grandmother died by a drunk driver, he started practicing meditation even though he was Presbyterian.
Meditation helped him in a way Christian practices couldn't. Most Christian leaders believe that you have to be dedicated to your religious traditions in order to engage with other religions, and if people are taking on other religions practices, it is the Church's fault. I don't think it would be the Church's fault. I think anyone should be able to practice outside of their religion if it makes them happy. A Christian can still be a Christian, and practice Hindu or Buddhist ritual like meditation or yoga. I think that's okay.

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'"The biggest part of praying is opening yourself up to a connection with God, and I perceive clearing your mind in meditation as another form of receptivity", says the thirty-something textbook editor. Although she is a devoted Roman Catholic, she says she does not "believe it's the one true path and anything else is flirting with the devil."'

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http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/suic/NewsDetailsPage/NewsDetailsWindow?disableHighlighting=true&displayGroupName=News&currPage=&scanId=&query=&docIndex=&source=&prodId=SUIC&search_within_results=&p=SUIC&mode=view&catId=&u=nysl_ca_nisk&limiter=&display-query=&displayGroups=&contentModules=&action=e&sortBy=&documentId=GALE%7CA217546950&windowstate=normal&activityType=DocumentWithCommentary&failOverType=&commentary=true

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Founder: Muhammed
Holy Book: Qu'ran
Origin: Arabia 622 CE
Beliefs: Monotheistic, Heaven and Hell, stand before God on Judgement Day
Laws: Sharia - Religion/criminal/civil laws not separate. There are no priests.
Customs: Give to charity and help the poor
Rituals: The Five Pillars of Islam, Fasting during Ramadan, pray towards Mecca. They pray in a Mosque.

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Founder: Abraham
Holy Book: The Torah
Origin: Palestine around 2000 BCE
Beliefs: Monotheistic, Jews do not believe Jesus is the Messiah.
Laws: The Ten Commandment, Kosher (foods  that are appropriate for a Jew to eat)
Customs: Men wear Yamakas/Kippah,
Rituals: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, Shabbat, Passover, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Pray in Synagogues on Shabbat (Friday evening to Saturday evening)

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Founder: Jesus Christ
Holy Book: The Bible
Origin: Israel Palestine 30 CE
Beliefs: Believe in one god, monotheistic, Jesus is the son of God, Heaven and Hell, stand on God before Judgement Day.
Laws: There are ministers and priests who spread the word of  God, The Ten Commandments.
Customs: Giving to charity, helping the poor.
Rituals: Prayer, reading bible, church, singing songs, baptism, Christmas, and Easter.