Why choose one?

[Nirvana-Eld]

Ok the basic question is this. If God was trying to reveal himself to a people, wouldn't it make sense to reveal himself according to their culture? It doesn't make sense to deny all religions but your own. Any thoughts? (and I don't want any "no the bible says so" cause so does the Koran and the Torah and the Mormons and almost everyone else.)

[Arya]

Aaaah, yes most religions do make claims that their specific viewpoints or beliefs are universal. It does not mean that they are correct in that assumption. It makes those beliefs correct for those who choose to follow those specific beliefs within that particular religion.

Ok, let's say I'm a Wiccan. I sincerely believe that I can make plants grow with my mind. Does this mean that I can actually grow plants with my mind ?


Let's say that I'm a Christian. I believe that I'll go to Heaven after I die. My neighbour is a Muslim, and he believes I'll go to Hell. When I die, where do I go ?

I do not believe that for those who do not happen to follow or practice a particular religion will suffer the "consequences" for doing so. For example, say if you or I have eaten pork, or continue to eat pork, that does not mean that we will not get into heaven simply because we did not follow a particular method or belief. Others may believe differently, and they are entitled to their opinions.

How do you know you're right, and they're wrong ?

Ok, let's say I'm a Wiccan. I sincerely believe that I can make plants grow with my mind. Does this mean that I can actually grow plants with my mind ?

If you actually can grow plants with your mind, then I'd be impressed indeed! lol. Seriously, that question is easy since you can see for yourself whether or not the plant grew or not by mental power.

Let's say that I'm a Christian. I believe that I'll go to Heaven after I die. My neighbour is a Muslim, and he believes I'll go to Hell. When I die, where do I go ?

You will go wherever the creator has placed you. It doesnt matter what the Muslim or yourself actually think-but in the end there are forces that will determine your final destination upon death. I realize that this comment can or will lead into many different questions.....But I'll leave it at that for now.

How do you know you're right, and they're wrong ?

You really don't. You have to take it into faith that either the faith you were born into (Muslim, Wiccan, Christian, etc) or the faith that you have adopted during your life is the correct belief system or religion for you.
Many people from varying faiths would argue this point-but when it comes down to the basic core of every belief system that is still in existence currently; who has definitive proof of the absolute "validity" of their one faith over all others? I would like to see any faith out there that could. I believe in that case they could then also proof the existence of a higher being or god then.

For the time being, IMO we all have to take it into faith that the belief system that we currently believe in is the correct one for us individually.

In a perfect world, all faith systems would also realize that eveyone has a right to their beliefs and there would be no bickering, fighting, or killing over differing religious beliefs. Everyone would have a healthy respect for one another and their faith. Wouldn't that be nice!

[Bugmaster]

For the time being, IMO we all have to take it into faith that the belief system that we currently believe in is the correct one for us individually.

Yes, that's true. My point is that it does, indeed, matter which fait is true (if any). Just because you don't believe in Kali, doesn't mean that Kali's not there. Of course, if you do believe in Kali, it doesn't mean she's there, either. My point is that, since religions make universal truth claims, you're wrong when you say that "whatever you believe in is true for you".

[MagusYanam]

My point is that, since religions make universal truth claims, you're wrong when you say that "whatever you believe in is true for you".

Not all religions do make universal truth claims. The Roman Catholic Church has stated that religious truth does exist outside its own traditions, and that salvation doesn't belong solely to those within the Church. Many liberal Protestant churches (including mine) have the same attitude, though not expressed as formally.

These, and many other claims, apply to everyone. If Wicca is false, and you're a Wiccan, then you're wasting time with all those spells. If Judaism is true, and you're a Christian, then you're in for a nasty surprise in the afterlife for eating all those ham-n-cheese sandwiches.

I don't know too much about Wicca, but I've been told that the laws of Judaism are not universal, from the Jewish perspective. If you don't follow the Deuteronomic rules, it just means you're not a Jew - you're a Gentile. Gentiles are given eschatological consideration, though Jews are considered God's chosen people. If you are a Gentile, you will enter Heaven if you follow the seven laws of Noah: don't murder; don't blaspheme; don't steal; don't engage in idolatry; don't engage in cruelty to animals; don't engage in incest or adultery; be just and fair to others. In other words, just be a good person - if Judaism is right, I won't go to Hell for eating ham-and-cheese sandwiches.

[Arya]

For the time being, IMO we all have to take it into faith that the belief system that we currently believe in is the correct one for us individually.

Yes, that's true. My point is that it does, indeed, matter which fait is true (if any). Just because you don't believe in Kali, doesn't mean that Kali's not there. Of course, if you do believe in Kali, it doesn't mean she's there, either. My point is that, since religions make universal truth claims, you're wrong when you say that "whatever you believe in is true for you".

I do agree that some religions make these claims, so in effect my beliefs (if they do not follow theirs and I am not an active member of their faith) make me "wrong". I just don't have to believe them! But it is unfortunate that so many wars, deaths, and genocides have arisen from extremist beliefs...

[Dilettante]

This is getting interesting. Magus Yanam is right in pointing out that not all religions exclude other people from salvation. However, it is still true that religions contradict each other, that there are about 10,000 different religions, and that not all of them can be correct (also, the possibility remains that all of them are wrong). I agree with Bugmaster that it's extremely important to decide which religion, if any, is true. If we take religion seriously we can't just say "whatever works for you is fine". I know Arya is not saying that whatever you believe to be true is true for you, but just acknowledging the impossibility of proving the truth or falsity of religions, but shouldn't we continually be subjecting our beliefs to critical examination? We definitely have a right to seek the truth, but I don't really think we can say we have a right to our opinions. What kind of right is that and what sort of duties does it impose on others (every right implies a duty)? Certainly not a duty to agree with those opinions, and probably not a duty to listen to every possible opinion. Do we have a duty not to try and change people's opinions? Hardly. That would rule out forums such as this one, as well as any kind of religious proselytizing. All people deserve respect, but opinions are different. Opinions do not exist to be respected but to be tested and debated.

[Nirvana-Eld]

Alright while all this may be true does it matter if someone says your going to hell? In what way do they know any better than you? I think that the topic of who goes to heaven and hell would be God's choice alone.

[Arya]

Alright while all this may be true does it matter if someone says your going to hell? In what way do they know any better than you? I think that the topic of who goes to heaven and hell would be God's choice alone.

This is a good point. I believe that you are correct with the statement that ultimately in the end, it is up to God what happens to us.

But then by saying that, how can you explain to someone whether or not what they currently practice or believe is indeed the correct belief? How do you rationalize that within yourself?

My feelings towards this is that although there is no definitive proof which religion or belief system is the ONE true path, I believe that the individual has to make up his/her mind on what is right for them.

[Bugmaster]

My feelings towards this is that although there is no definitive proof which religion or belief system is the ONE true path, I believe that the individual has to make up his/her mind on what is right for them.

I absolutely agree, but... what if they make the wrong choice ? Shouldn't you stop them from rushing headlong down the wrong path ?

[Arya]

My feelings towards this is that although there is no definitive proof which religion or belief system is the ONE true path, I believe that the individual has to make up his/her mind on what is right for them.

I absolutely agree, but... what if they make the wrong choice ? Shouldn't you stop them from rushing headlong down the wrong path ?

If we are discussing personal differences in opinions here, then I would disagree with your last sentence.

Since nobody really can be sure of what is the "one" true path, then in which authority are you to determine another's path?

Personally, I would not interfere with another's choice in religion or spiritual belief. It is not my place to make a decision for them, or to criticise them otherwise. I can choose to disagree with them of course, and even discuss my thoughts with them. But under no condition do I have the exclusive rights to "stop" them in any way for it is not my decision to make.

It would be a different scenario if the actions that they take due to their religious beliefs do in fact harm another being, such as an "extremist" religion or belief may. But that is a different topic and I will not pursue that aspect here.

Personally, since there is no difinitive proof of a "one" true path, then it is perhaps better to say that this decision falls upon "faith"-the faith of the choice the individual has made, and the reasonings behind that decision.

[Unchanging Truths]

I am surprised at how casually many Christians assume that because they have the Bible they have a perfect understanding of ALL of God's relationships with mankind. If we truly believe that there is one God and that we are all his creations, then it only stands to reason that he has had interaction with all nations and races and peoples at some point and in some way or another. There are many, many generations and regions unaccounted for in the book of Genesis for example. The Bible, a correct book in my belief, is really a compilation. This means that there is much more out there for us to learn about other religions we encounter outside the European/American religious tradition. God loves all his people and they all have their story.

While I obviously believe in certain unchanging truths, I also believe that this religion thing cannot be an all or nothing proposition. We should be thankful for any light and truth we encounter. We should vigorously support the right of all religions to define themselves and to share what they have to offer in life's great questions/mysteries. We should not look at it as a competition. Religion ought to be about the worth of one soul and their journey towards a happier, better life on Earth. The unity a religion can afford a person is worth nothing if it becomes a bashing session. Certainly there are glaring differences among all the religions, but that doesn't mean we can't make room for each other. If we really have truth, why should we be threatened that another religion offers great knowledge as well? If we profess to love our neighbor and our enemy, how can we stop Christ-like love towards them when they believe differently?