All religions: same substance or incompatible?

Question

There are two arguments about religions. The first is that either all religions are false or only one is right. The other is that all religions are different explanations of the same phenomena. What do you think describes reality?

Answer 1

Regardless of how anyone feels about religion (or a particular faith, creed, etc). this question is really about logic. When two religions differ on the same point, for example, that Christians affirm the divinity of Christ while Muslims deny it, they can't BOTH be right. Nor can they both be wrong. The argument that says "all religions are the same" really, in practice, pays no respect to any religions at all. Since they contradict each other, this view holds that doctrines and teachings of the religions are really meaningless. This does not really answer any religious/spiritual questions at all.

This is easily seen if you apply the formula to some other field, such as politics. Take two opposing parties- one says a war is just, the other says it is unjust. It helps nothing to say that the parties are the same because they are essentially "reacting to the same phenomena!"

If this position is taken vis-a-vis spiritual questions, discussion and conclusion is not possible. One religion/philosophy might affirm something about about the nature of the soul that another emphatically denies. It doesn't help to say that they are the same because they simply "talk about the soul".

In summary, the first position you described is the most logical. The second position can be summed up as "truth cannot be known", which is sadly a widespread myth.

Answer 2

The incompatible theory is unlikely in my opinion. This is because religion is somewhat of a guessing game, there is no fact or substance from which all the theory comes about. Often, there are conflicts within theories. For instance, in the Bible there are two creation stories, "God created the world in seven days" and "Adam & Eve". Why are these stories told seperately? The academic answer is that these stories were written by two different writers hundreds of years apart and hundreds of years after the death of Jesus Christ. Another explanation is that God is testing your faith, and you must accept that it is the word of God and that is how He wanted you to understand how He made you. Hence, even if you adapt a religion, you must complete the jigsaw puzzle of possible theories, meanings, and interpretations of events and phenomena.

There are too many conflicts between religious thoughts and practices to allow for assured use of the same substance theory. This means, inevitably, that you must "handpick" the thoeries that apply in different realms, for instance afterlife. You must choose heaven/hell, reincarnation, etc. These are different explanations of the same phenomena, so this is inherently flawed and leaves room for doubt. Therefore, I would say that it is best to look at all religions in search for good practices to live a spiritually meaningful life. I do not believe that beliefs have anything to do with it. If God wanted me to believe in Him with no "real" evidence, then He did not make me gullible enough. Frankly, I wish I could believe in God, it would nullify my fear of death; but, deep down, I just don't believe in Christianity. It is far too dogmatic. Also, many Christians are overly literal in interpretations, and take offense to "outsiders". I think they misunderstand Christianity on MANY fundamental levels; Christians should not pass judgement on other people, they should respect anyone and everyone on Earth no matter what the sexual orientation, belief system, hair style, or complexion. Christians should let God pass judgement and evaluate us as humans. Anyway, I digress.

In any event, I think you must be open minded to improving the way that you treat other people. Everyone everywhere should be doing everything they comfortably can to make everyone else's life as pleasant as possible. At the very least, do not go out of your way to make other people's lives unpleasant. It doesn't really matter what happens when you die. Nobody really knows because when you die you don't come back. All you have to stand for are your decisions here on Earth. Your past experiences are immortal; they will always have been. Be a good person, that is all anyone can ask of you. The example of the way you live your life changes the people around you in ways you can never completely comprehend.

Answer 3

Your second explanation is closer to the truth.

If you do any study in comparative religion, you'll find that the major religions have more in common than what separates them. And....some of the major concepts embraced by Christianity were around for a thousand years beforehand.

A little "religion" never did a man any harm; it's when you get to the point of intolerance that things get sticky.

We have our own "domestic" brand of terrorists, right here in the USA. Some of them even wear camo and play with guns, as well as Bibles. They're on the fringe, to be sure, but so are a lot of trouble-makers.

Intolerance is the red flag.

The rest is basically harmless.

Answer 4

Religion, spirituality, and philosophy are related but not interchangeable.
If we speak of religion as an organized system, with leaders and adherents, and political, social, and economical motives, then we must consider religions to be disparate.
They are positioned to do battle as are any other group competing for resources, and nationalism, and the right to claim first place in the world.
Taken as spirituality and philosophy, one will find many of the same themes throughout, because ofthe basic human condition.
We want to know where we came from,w hat to do while we're here, WHY we're her, and what will happen to us after, if anything indeed.
We explain mystery through gods, or just Mystery (Tao).
And we can find common ground in those things.

Answer 5

No ------- God - the earth grew to become into null and void Scientists - not something is only too lots to describe what grew to become into right here on the commencing up God - permit there be easy Scientists - enormous bang God - permit there be fish interior the sea Scientists - existence began interior the sea God - made guy from dirt Scientists - guy is created from earthly stuff i might desire to flow on and on, to boot reading medical American, i'm a Christian so a good distance as i'm worried , Scientists are only attempting to be sure how God did it and doing a darn solid interest of it. If Genesis wasn't inspired by God those flat landers particular made some powerful stunning guesses. No tree gods, eagles , cows and so on.

Answer 6

There can be only one truth.

1.) Either God exists or He doesn't.

2.) Either He sent His Only Son here, or he didn't.

3.) Either Muhammad is His Prophet, or he isn't.

4.) Either Moses talked to God, or He didn't.

Once you figure out those, you're good to go.

It is fairly obvious to me that judiasm, christianity, buddhism, shinto, islam, and hindu are contrary and thus not compatible. Only one, if any, of those can accurately describe spiritual reality.

Answer 7

I think that most are actually the same substance. I kind of think about it like the children's game "telephone". Like most history, it was passed down verbally for a while. Things change when that happens.

Answer 8

Religion is a personal believe system and there is no one right or wrong religion.

Answer 9

Different angles in which the same Deity is looked upon.