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Some people claim to possess knowledge of what happens after death with absolute certainty. How do they know what happens after death with absolute certainty if they have never died before? Furthermore, how does someone choose which religion is the truth if the supposedly authoratative text purports ideas that they cannot prove or disprove (i.e., Life after Death, Heaven, Hell, etc.)? In choosing a particular religion, does one make an arbitrary decision?

2007-03-24 08:49:08 · 27 answers · asked by job_32787 1 in Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

27 answers

there is no valid way to discern which religion is the correct one.

To believe that you can is either an act of self-deception, or arrogance of the highest order.

2007-03-24 08:52:07 · answer #1 · answered by Skippy 6 · 4 1

I have asked myself this question many times, since I live in a culture where a different faith than mine is the majority. I have also asked myself the question since joining Y/A and hearing some of the arguments of atheists etc.
If a religious system is filled with meaningless rituals and requirements without giving you the assurance that in the end it will be worth all the effort, then why stay in that religious system?
If a religion can't give your life meaning, purpose and hope, what's the use of all the time and money spent observing it?

I have come to the conclusion that if a religion doesn't allow you to have a personal relationship with God, then all your efforts to please a distant, transcendent Being are a hopeless uphill struggle with no end in sight.

If a religion can only say that "perhaps God will accept you into heaven" and not say it with certainty, it's not worth joining.

The only faith I have found that gives certainty, and meaning of life is faith in Jesus. He is the only One who gives me a purpose for living now, certainty of a life in heaven, freedom from the bondage of sin, unconditional acceptance, access to the wisdom of God, and the loving companionship of His Holy Spirit.

2007-03-24 09:47:29 · answer #2 · answered by pinkrose 3 · 0 0

No, not arbitrary, exactly. I am a Christian because I was brought up in a Christian culture. I am an Anglican because that is the tradition I identify with most strongly. But if I had been born to Muslim parents in - say - Yemen, I quite happily admit that I would probably be a Muslim. And I'd be a Muslim who had some issues with Islam - instead of an Anglican who has issues with the CofE. 'Truth' comes into it, certainly, but we have to be honest and admit the role that acculturation plays as well. Proving which religion has a monopoly on truth is beside the point: we are talking about faith.

2007-03-24 08:56:28 · answer #3 · answered by completelysurroundedbyimbeciles 4 · 0 0

I believe that a man has religion, and a wise man has faith. If you are confused about which religion is the right one, simply choose them all. Read every holy book, the Bible, the Torah, the Qu'ran, etc. Because the bible has been altered so much, it is not suitable for one to choose a religion after reading it. Choose the non altered books as well, the torah, which is amazingly similar to the bible, and the Qu'ran. Afterwards, youl feel you can relate to many more people, because the whole world is connected by religion, or the lack therof.

2007-03-24 09:05:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

That is just the problem. You can only truly know that which you yourself experience. If you run with this understanding then you can begin to fathom why most religion can't be true.

I will give you a hint: The only real relationship is that which is within based on what you experience for yourself. Anything else is about control of or manipulations of people. Never give up individual thought. More importantly no the difference between individual thought from conditioning, indoctrination, or faulty conclusion based on lack of education.

2007-03-24 08:58:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

If you MUST have a religion, I'd recommend picking one that recognizes and encourages your own freedom, personal responsibility, creativity, and insights; live and die free. Bonus points if you find one you enjoy and/or has a sense of humor.

If you'd rather DENY your own freedom, personal responsibility, creativity and insights, there are plenty which will do that. Some use roles, some use Sciptures, some use classes, some use peer pressure, some try to use laws, even.

Once you're adult or aware, it is up to you, always was, always will be.

And what's right for you :) isn't necessarily right for everyone or anyone else. And that being Creation or Reality, who dares say otherwise? Diversity is a good thing.

2007-03-24 09:02:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

Right, the best thing to do is to assume that they are all false. Then you examine the religion and examine the evidence. No one knows what happens after death. It is just a claim to keep the weak minded people controlled. Did you see the piece on 20/20 where the preachers are raking in millions with private jets, mansion, Bentleys, etc......

2007-03-24 08:54:19 · answer #7 · answered by nicewknd 5 · 2 0

You need to ask some basic questions when choosing a religion:
1) Do they practise what they preach?
2) Do they hold the Bible as the Word of God, and therefore the ultimate authority in life?
3) Are its followers happy?
4) Are they hypocritical?
5) Do they show the love for one another that Jesus said would be the hallmark of his true followers? (John 13:35)
6) Do they teach things that are not found in the Bible (hellfire, etc)?

2007-03-24 08:57:02 · answer #8 · answered by Epitome_inc 4 · 2 1

God has provided a manual.
Its called The Bible.
It explains the things of which we are ignorant ....so that we don't have to be ignorant.
It provides the criteria for determining the true religion.
1 Example:
God's name is to be respected and used.
That's the idea of Matthew 6:9 and John 17:6.
Who does that?
Most people don't even know God has a name.
Pooooh on their religious organization. It failed.

2007-03-24 09:01:23 · answer #9 · answered by Uncle Thesis 7 · 1 1

You have to start somewhere. If you believe in God Almighty then you have to believe in His Word. If you believe in His Word then you cannot pick and choose what you want to believe...you must believe it all....or otherwise what is the point at all? If God says something is true...than it is....who would know more than Him? It is possible to know truth because God said so in John 8:32..."And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." So, the question really is...how do you find it? 2Timothy 2:15 says to "Study to show thyself approved unto God..." We are to compare scripture to scripture...line upon line...let the Bible interpret itself. (Isa 28:9,10 1 Cor.2:13) That would be how you would choose the correct religion. One that obeys all that God says to do....which basically is to keep the commandments. (Rev. 14:12) If they do not according to God's Word it is because there is NO LIGHT in them! (Isa 8:20)

2007-03-24 09:42:59 · answer #10 · answered by bethybug 5 · 0 0

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of god.....

The only way you can be absolutly sure about anything is to go directly to the source. We are invited over and over to do this in the scriptures. I find it is easiest when we ask god a yes or no question. If we feel good clear feelings, that is the holy ghost speaking to us that it is good.
So study it out in your mind, make a descion then kneel and ask God if is the right one.

2007-03-24 09:06:25 · answer #11 · answered by AirForceNut 1 · 0 0

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