why does every major religion insist that only it is right?

Question

every major religion in the world insists that it, and only it, is correct and the divine word of God. So, which one is really right or are they all nothing but primitive superstition that should have disappeared by the time of "The Age Of Reason"?

Answer 1

So your logic is since more then one claims to be the only truth all are wrong. Interesting, perhaps you should reconsider your screen name.

Answer 2

Hmmmm... I know that there are a lot of religions that claim that "they are the only one" as I have heard of a couple that will say that other religions are ok, and some that combine religions into a new thing (like most of the christian-isk Religions)...

I have looked at it this way... With Most of All of the Religions (I'm saying most because some people call crazy guy on the street as having his own religion) there is some universal truth... The Ten Commandments are a constant example of something that almost all religions share in some form (even if they don't call it that)... To that end, there is really probably only one truth, but unfortunatealy, through the years and tellings of man (AKA, playing Telephone) whatever the real truth is has been altered to suit who was telling it, either purpousfully or not...

Answer 3

Does boedhism do that?

Also, I think you're generalising a bit, I myself am a future catholic priest, and I agree that no religion has all the answers. When science makes new discoveries, we should accept these if they are proven. For the record, we do follow the evolution theory and NOT intelligent design (that's a silly theory) and it is theology now states that God first created the energy, after which the Big bang followed. That's miles away from what the church first stated, so if we are so convinced that we are right, why should we change our point of view? Plus, in religion, there is no right or wrong.

Answer 4

Every religion MUST say they are the one true faith. Can you imagine a religion saying they may be wrong, but you should give up your time, money and perhaps life anyway to support it?

I don't think so.

As to which is right, that's the whole point of faith. No person could use reason to prove that of all the beliefs of all the billions of people on earth only they are right. Everyone else is wrong.

The only way to due it is to suspend thought and embrace blind faith. I for one have no idea if any of the current religions are right.

Answer 5

Indoctrination and subjugation under the leadership of despotic religious leaders is an abomination and is anti religious. My religion, if you want to call it that, is private and if all the peoples of the world had the same philosophy, there would be fewer wars. My religion has never been used to control the proletariat or mame the minds of the young or to justify terrorist acts. How many people can say that of their own religio/spiritual beliefs? The answer to, "How can humankind survive the next hundred years," is to rid themselves of religions, ones that desire to call others, un-believers, heathens, heretics or any other racial/religo name calling. If we were not allowed to creat psycologically disturbed people through the brainwashing of religion, the world would be a safer place.

Answer 6

In 3001 - The Final Odyssey, Arthur C Clarke points out through one of his characters that the major religions were (sic) 99% identical yet that differing 1% led to countless horrors all in the name of their one true god.

Whilst I have no problem with people having faith or following religion - each to their own and all that - I personally believe that religion came about simply as a control of the masses by the powerful (and better educated) elite. Just look at the major upheavals caused by the translation of the bible from latin to english. Suddenly the clerics were no longer able to alter its message quite so readily to suit their own agendas.

As the masses have become better educated, people have begun to turn away from religion, often because the literal translation of the texts appears nonsensical and too fantastic to be true.

Maybe this is why fundamentalism (in all its guises - christian as well as muslim) has become more prevalent of late ? Gurus and spiritual leaders appeal to their followers with their own 'interpretations' of the text. And then all too often it seems they are subtley (and sometimes blatantly) tainted with political dogma and motives.

:¬(

Answer 7

Totally agree with you. Religion is a way of "controlling the masses" - what is more likely and more to the point is that we are not alone in the universe. If use mathemetical odds to work this out you will find that it is impossible mathmetically speaking that we are alone - I would rather know if/where are our nearest galactic neighbours are - than whether there is a god or not as logic would dictate that if there was - he/she it would be so all powerful that worshipping such diety would be meaningless !

Answer 8

Actually, many Christian faiths have masses of Ecumenical unity that pray to God "Who we all know by many names, but Who loves us all the same." The pope, both Benedict XVI and John Paul II made repeated comments to this end. Fundamentalists and extremist religious practitioners are the ones who see themselves as the absolute arbiters of divine truth.

This does presuppose a belief in monotheism, but most of the largest religions in the world fit this, as polytheism has become much less common.

Answer 9

Don't lump the Buddhists and Hindus into this confused generalization. They don't see this silly idea as being reality.

As for the rest, they are stuck in a dream of exclusivity. A dream that cannot stand up under even the slightest analysis. That is why this silly belief is always protected by imaginary hell fire and damnation.

We need to pray for them.

Answer 10

No religion insists that its the only path. It is the fanatics of these religions that insist upon being it right.

AS for the sub-question, it all depends on perspective. There is no right or wrong answer.

Answer 11

Not every religiong insists that only it is right. I have spoken with many who say that no matter what path is taken, everyone ends up in heaven. "All paths lead to one road". I insist that the bible says that we must believe on the Lord Jesus, that he came to earth and died as an atonement for my sins, and have a relationship with him-- meaning all that entails: pursuing righteousness and faith in Christ. The truth is that sin is a reality, sin for which we need a savior. In addition to sin, there is the reality of hell.