It is important to study the beliefs of others because ‘ choice ‘ is dependent upon having more than one thing to choose from…if you only have an understanding of one belief then you have no choice. It is the difference between having a tree with one apple on it vs a tree with several apples on it.
But…really…who has time to study all the religions and philosophies that exist? or have existed? You could spend your whole life studying and not even complete the study of one religion.
It is unrealistic to expect people to study and learn multiple religions when most people have barely enough time to study one.
And the study of religion is not just the study of their doctrine…but also of the culture and history of the religion and the people who profess/confess it…and…as if that weren’t enough…the examination of your own bias and prejudices which may interfere in that study.
First…you must understand why you believe as you do…why you are this or that…and you’ll likely find it had nothing to do with choice…that there was no freewill involved at all…the decision to be this or that was thrust upon you in many ways through many influences. It was not a rational choice based upon an understanding…but a social/environmental response to various influences.
Most people ‘ adopt ‘ their religion…they do not choose it…nor do they exercise freewill in it…even in embracing as well in rebellion from it…
once you understand the ‘ why ‘…then you begin to exercise your will…and not the will of others.
Studying religion seems like an awful daunting task…very time consuming…and one that cannot ever be completed in your lifetime…yet…the alternative is worse…
to live shrouded in beliefs that were never really your own…and live in ignorance without hope of remedy.
