Many religious sects believe that theirs is the only way. Some Christian churches even exclude each other. Paganism and Witchcraft are frowned upon by many governments. What makes a particular sect correct to the exclusion of all others? Is there a way to believe you're right without making heretics of other faiths?
2006-10-05 16:10:21 · 16 answers · asked by Deirdre H 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am a Buddhist and I think that there is a kernel of truth in most of the religionsout there. THe beauty of following a philosophy is that the faiths out there are all in the outsider-looking-in column. THere are many things that I see in each that are good and some things that are bad.
I think any diety would have offered its message to man in a way that each region would recognize and accept, thus leading to the different faiths.
Look at the others as being the same, but the message was given to a different people at a different time. Might work for you.
2006-10-05 16:15:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
truth to me is more important than exclusivity. I know it is politicaly incorrect these days to be exclusive but is it worth compromising your faith? I don't think so.
I can respect and be friends with people of other faiths but that does not mean I have to agree to or adopt their religion. A lot of major religions contradict each other. Jesus said I am the Way, the Truth and the Life and no man comes to the Father except through Me - so in christianity it started with the claims that Jesus made. For me to say there was another way to God I would be denying my own faith.
Lets let people exercise their free will and believe what they want to but at the end of the day if you have ten groups claiming exclusive truth then it stands to reason they can't all be right if they contradict each other.
2006-10-05 23:17:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Exclusivity is necessary from the religious point of view. If a religion (religion A) claims "our religion gets you to heaven, but so does religion B and religion C", not as many people are going to follow religion A. However, if religion A were to provide a supposedly divinely-inspired book claiming religion A to be the only true religion, much more people would follow religion A. There aren't as many Jews, Baha'is, Pagans, Buddhists, or Hindus for the sole reason that they teach you don't have to adhere to their faith to be rewarded. Compare that to Christianity and Islam, who both claim to be the only way to heaven. Christians and Muslims combined make up over 50% of the world's population.
2006-10-05 23:15:42 · answer #3 · answered by Nowhere Man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure. Just follow a faith that doesn't require people to believe in it. That way you can believe something fully without condemning others for not thinking that way. Of course, other sects will prolly feel threatened by this openness and all target your faith, but you weren't really asking about that. You can't control what others do.
2006-10-05 23:16:39 · answer #4 · answered by Phil 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
[11:118] Had your Lord willed, all the people would have been one congregation (of believers). But they will always dispute (the truth).
[11:119] Only those blessed with mercy from your Lord (will not dispute the truth). This is why He created them.* The judgment of your Lord has already been issued: "I will fill Hell with jinns and humans, all together."
I think the best people among religions and beliefs are those who relaize that they do not posses all truth and someone from a different religion, race, nation, sex, or age can posses truth that they do not posses. Many people believe that truth comes in a box, People should stop trying to play God or All-Knowing and humble themselves and have respect for knowledge outside of themselves. Truth is widespread and infinite and not one group can posses it all. Humanity as a whole can't posses all truth its impossible. People who like to argue are ignorant and wrapped up in themselves, or trying to play God.
2006-10-05 23:21:58 · answer #5 · answered by Muse 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the biggest struggle mankind has . . . tolerance. Whether it is in religion, race, culture, income, language, etc.
Love thy neighbor as thy self. Love the lord thy god.
Just do the above and you will be fine and you will be making the world a much happier place.
2006-10-05 23:18:15 · answer #6 · answered by Payne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Fallow Christ.
He never made a religion. A church is a group of people that believe in the same thing, not necessarily a religion.
2006-10-05 23:15:34 · answer #7 · answered by Investigation Specialist 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You're out of luck with abrahamic religions. Try anything else, and you'll be saved, happy and a humanist.
2006-10-05 23:12:36 · answer #8 · answered by noitall 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not. Most all religions are universal anyway. They are all SLIGHTLY different paths to get to the same goal.
2006-10-05 23:14:33 · answer #9 · answered by Ana 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the only way to know who or which religion is correct is to comparativley study them.study them like your soul depends on you getting it right."and for those who listen, in truth will believe."[Quran].
2006-10-06 00:29:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋