How can people say that one religion is right and another is wrong?

Question

I am not here to bash anyone's religion, but I have wondered about this for the longest time. Why is it that most people believe that the religion they choose to follow is the one and only true/right religion? Why is it that most people wont allow others to follow the faith that they believe in without cruelly criticizing them for being themselves?

Answer 1

Because nearly everyone was brought up with a certain religion, and since your parents believe strongly because their parents believed strongly, they expect nothing less from their children. It's a perpetual cycle of indoctrination. Not to say religion is bad, because it does teach basic moral values to some who may not be able to grasp the concept without a religious foundation, but is is bad when taken to extremist levels. So many religions are very old, and from the viewpoint of any religion with a benevolent all forgiving god, I don't think that god would allow most of the world's population to go to hell for not following a specific religious path. It comes back to how people are raised. If your parents have such strong convictions and believe only their religion is right, most of the time their children will inevitably inherit that viewpoint.

Answer 2

You've asked several questions.

1. How can people say that one religion is right and another is wrong?

It's simple when you apply the logical law of non-contradiction which says that two opposing statements cannot both be correct. Jesus said that He was the way, the truth, and the life and that no one could come to the Father apart from Him.

2. Why is it that most people believe that the religion they choose to follow is the one and only true/right religion?

In addition to the answer I gave to question one, I didn't choose to become a Christian. I was an agnostic for most of my life but God called me to Him through Jesus. It wasn't like I sat down and planned it. Jesus said that no one could come to Him unless the Father draws them.

3. Why is it that most people wont allow others to follow the faith that they believe in without cruelly criticizing them for being themselves?

I can't allow or not allow anyone to follow what they believe in. I can only pray for them in Jesus' name. I don't criticize people but I do point out the error of their way. That's no more being "cruel" than telling someone who drinks from a well on their property that the government issued a report saying that the well water in their area has been found to be polluted with toxins and if they don't stop drinking from it they will die a painful death.

What would be cruel would be to worry more about what people might think about me and to bow down to social pressure and say "Gee, I guess if they want to believe that it's safe to drink from that well, who am I to try and get them to see things any differently?"

Answer 3

Because there is only one true faith and all the others is false doctrine to lead people away from the truth . If you look at most of them there is war , reasons to kill , and much strife . I believe that Jesus is the way . He offers everlasting life and happiness . That is far better than this place will ever offer . Look around you , this world is doing exactly what the Bible prophesied . How can you deny that ? Do what you want , but I am not going to fall into the snare of the devil and be deceived . He is the reason for all the different religions , and will continue to deceive and destroy what God has made for us . Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved . John 14:6

Answer 4

Religions contradict each other, so they cannot all be true. For example, many eastern religions believe that you must ear your way to paradise or that living a suffering life now will insure that your next life will be great. Christians believe that you cannot earn salvation but you can receive it by submitting to Jesus. Both cannot be true. When Christians help poor countries there are those who think we are leading people astray by discouraging them from suffering in this life. When they come back(reincarnation) they will have to live a truly suffering life to make up for the help given by Christians. So what should Christians do? Should we stay away from poor countries and let them starve or die from disease because they have beliefs different than ours. Or should we give them help and teach them about Christ which will make them more receptive during the next crisis and maybe even inspire them to help each other? So you see not all of the conflicts are rooted in hate. But they still must be dealt with.

Answer 5

It depends what they teach. A religion that preaches violence against other believers, or hatred for different ethnic groups, needs to be condemned. I won't sit by and say, "Well, it's your faith, so you can say and think what you like," when someone is saying or thinking destructive and evil things. Likewise with religious teaching that women are inferior to men, or that unbelievers are doomed to eternal torment. Those teachings are evil and false, and I would be lying if I said anything different.

You see, there actually IS evil and falsehood in this world, and people who see it for what it is, have to speak up about it. Sometimes that means criticizing deeply held beliefs. If no one ever criticized deeply held beliefs, where would we be? We'd still believe the earth was flat, slavery was acceptable, and women should be silent when men tell them to be.

Answer 6

People were meeting people with other beliefs for the firts time during occupations for many ages... And religious hatred is exploited in the same way today for creation of a second-class, like any racism. It will be used until misrespect and incitement of hatred will not be teated as a crime always - because it pays off to have slaves, especially for illegal businesses.

Answer 7

That is probably because people are getting more and more intolerant of others and their beliefs. No religion tells anyone to bash any other religion or the people following it. it is pure ignorance that forces people to react with hostility towards people following other faiths.

Answer 8

Someone who has strong beleifs in their religion thinks that it's the only right religion.

Answer 9

Fear.

People are afraid that, if everyone does not believe as they do, then they might be wrong and go to "hell" or wherever the "bad" people go.

Answer 10

Because that is why religions were invented, to separate people.