Why is it so important for every major religion to think they're right?

Question

And on that note - if you think you're right, is it important for you to force your beliefs on others or to destroy the non-believers if they refuse to believe as you do?

Answer 1

Because, almost be definition, religion is absolutist, there is no room for any doubts or variances. The only way that faith discipline can be maintain is to maintain the structure, the structure is obviously is a house of cards. Anyone that doesn't believe precisely what they believe introduces "doubts" and interferes with the structure. Can't have that. It lets evil demons in, of course the evil demons are potentially rational thought processes, but demons nonetheless.

Answer 2

first question: It MUST be important, because religious beliefs HAVE to be based on faith. With out faith, there would no point in that religion.

So the answer is yes.

Regarding the rest, you must know that not all faiths expect people to prosthlytize. For others, it is a tenet of the religion to make attempts to convert. MANY Christian religions, either have requirred this, or still do.

As far as the destruction of non believers, certianly the Catholics in Europe did a pretty good job of eliminating Jews and other non believers during the Inquisition. (in the 1930's and early 40's, too, but we don't usually blame the Catholics or any particular religion for that) More fundamentalists did a series of witch burnings and other forms of elimination in later Europe, and colonial American History.

Of course, when the Moors went across Northern Africa and Southern Europe, the word was "convert of die!", much like during the Spanish Inquisition.

I'm sure there are more.

Answer 3

I have heard that the Dalai Lama has said that it doesn't matter what religion you believe in as long as you believe in it with all your heart. If you do not do so, you will never be able to come to the point of having perfect faith in life. Building faith in God--that is why it's important for religions to believe that they are completely right. Without that confidence, human progress stalls in terms of spiritual growth. On your other point, killing the non-believers is not a precept of most major religions.

Answer 4

I believe that my beliefs are right..I try to make people understand my religion as whhow it really is without fabrication..But I don't force others to accept them or destroy them if they don't..this is what I learned from the Qur'an:

Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and excellent admonition and discuss things with people in the best manner. Your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Way and He knows best who is rightly guided."16, 125"

There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower. "2, 256"

Answer 5

that is exactly why I am a deist.
I believe the path is different for everyone and to assume a cookie cutter approach (only 1 way for everyone) that is based on the writing of fallible humans is ludicrous- but to each their own. I can't judge for anyone except myself, I just ask that while I can respect another's right to their own personal religious expression they respect the same right in others. Religious tolerance is a beautiful thing.

Answer 6

God is the source of all truth—and He has revealed the truth about Himself to us. Christians believe God did this in a way that staggers our imagination: He became a human being. Do you want to know what God is like? Look at Jesus Christ, for He was God in human flesh! As the Bible says, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory" (John 1:14).

This is why I invite you to look at Jesus Christ as He is revealed in the pages of the Gospels. When you do, you will realize how much God loves you and why Jesus alone could say, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).

Answer 7

The main issue is that nearly all religions believe in absolute truth. If there is only ONE true thing (including a deity, and what the deity's name is, and the laws it set, etc.) then everything else has to be false.

Note that I said nearly all--some sects of Buddhism and nearly all sects of paganism don't have this sort of "absolute" mentality.

Answer 8

So far as I can tell, the militant "We're right" attitude is only a feature of Christianity and Islam. Everybody else seems to be content to keep their convictions to themselves.

I don't think anybody's religious beliefs are right... except for those who think the whole concept of magical, supernatural dieties is patently ridiculous.

Answer 9

For the *individual*, the concept of one religion and it being "right" is very important. Without this one cannot develop genuine faith and follow it faithfully.

With regard to the *community* we obviously need the concept of several religions and several "rights". Pluralism.

Answer 10

i like to think that the theology i am following is right. i wouldn't follow it if i didn't think it was right. i try not to force my beliefs on others or destroy non-believers, but i do wish they would at least listen to me when i try to tell them what i believe is right. they don't have to agree, but all i can hope for is that they will listen.