its not quite so simple when SATAN is currently tempting many!
2007-05-29 11:11:30
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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I don’t think there is anything in this world that is obvious to everyone other than day is light, the sky is blue and night is dark. So from the beginning you logic is flawed. Also, religion is not about answered prayers.
While not a majority of the world’s population is Christian it does occupy the top slot so to speak with 33% with Islam a close second at 21% and nonreligious at 16% (only half of this group are non believers; atheist, agnostic etc. the other half are Theists but not religious) and Hindus fourth at 14%. All others are in single digits. (http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html)
In the US the numbers are Christian 76.5%, no religion 13.2%, other religions 3.7%, agnostics 0.5%, and atheists 0.4%. (http://www.teachingaboutreligion.org/Demographics/map_demographics.htm)
It is interesting to note though that the majority of the words religious adherents, 54% do worship the same God albeit in a seriously different manner.
2007-05-29 18:51:37
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answer #2
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answered by John 1:1 4
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And beyond that, we can trace the historical and sociological roots of just about all religions. Not a single one is anything other than what we'd expect in a universe without gods.
First people anthropomorphize things they don't understand, and that becomes polytheism. Then they become all tribal, and a few of them promote their own tribal god above all the others to spite the people who kicked their butts in war. Then they decide all other gods don't exist. There's monotheism.
It's even more obvious when you compare, for example, Sabbaths and the various moon festivals (some even mentioned in the Bible!) derived from the various Near East sky-god worship traditions.
If there really were a spiteful God who threw people into hell for simply not believing in her, then that would make her the most evil person of all time. A person's religion is *extremely* strongly correlated with the person's upbringing. Conversion is relatively rare. Therefore, if the god of religion X were real, then she'd essentially be condemning most of the world simply by letting them be born (and not bringing them over to her side).
I don't buy any arguments about devils. If your god is so powerful, why does she let a devil prevent her from saving most of the world from... from the god's own anger? I can think of exactly zero levels on which this makes sense.
If there were a god, then she'd either be malicious, or she'd have to care very little whether or not people worship her.
2007-05-29 18:13:14
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answer #3
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answered by Minh 6
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Well, there's true and then there's "Trueâ¢" . . . o_O
Religions can be divided into two categories: folkish (indigenous) and universalist.
Folkish beliefs only claim "truth" (and sometimes, just efficacy, or tradition, or *die Sitte*) for the people of their originating cultures. To come to these beliefs without being a descendant of the culture requires adoption into the tribe.
Universalist religions claim either that they are A. the One True Way For All, as with Xianity and Islam, or B. open to and available to all, as with Buddhism and Hinduism (SOME Hinduism . . . I don't think you can be Brahmin unless you're born one. Could be wrong.)
Those falling under "A" among the universalists have a vested interest in stripping ALL of us of our cultural differences and ethnic heritages---in proclaiming nonsense like "there's only one race: the human race" and "we're all one in the Lord" and so on.
Those following the ethnic/cultural folkways of their own ancestors have no such agenda.
My godhs aren't Santa Claus, and prayer in our traditions takes the form of "a gift for a gift." We are expected to stand on our own two feet, take up our luck with both hands, and face what comes without flinching, whining, or fear. Invalid? By whose accounting? This worldview, with its myths, beliefs, customs, rites, and folkways, is historically well-documented. Convert the world? We don't proselytize . . . our ways are OUR ways.
In the end, it's what makes THIS life work for someone that is "true" . . . since we have no objective proof of any other.
2007-05-29 18:39:03
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answer #4
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answered by Boar's Heart 5
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All religions has flaws ans set backs, and not one has come near to being the "perfect religion" simply because perfection in any one thing cannot exist as a whole.
Additional -
"Hell" is a christian concept, not shared by every religion in the world, so to use it in any given form is nothing short of controlling people through fear. If someone is righteous enoough to believe in their faith, then it should not matter to them what is right and wrong in other people's eyes.
2007-05-29 18:13:40
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answer #5
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answered by Lief Tanner 5
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While Jesus Christ was on the earth, most people rejected his teachings. They persecuted him, even killed him. He said that "a slave is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also." In the Sermon on the Mount in the gospel book of Matthew 7:13, 14, he stated that "broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it."
So, the majority of people would follow the easy path, which is free from persecution. But there is still a religion which meets the criteria set by Christ himself.
(1) It's teachings would be based on the Bible. --2 Timothy 3:16; Mark 7:7
(2) It would make known God's name, Jehovah. --Matthew 4:10
(3) It would demonstrate true faith in Jesus Christ. --John 3:36
(4) It's worshippers would display qualitites similar to that of Christ Jesus. --Galatians 5:22,23
(5) It's members would show genuine love to everyone, including one another. --John 13:34,35
(6) It's members would be truly separate from the world's politics. --John 15:19
(7) It's members would offer spiritual direction by preaching, without financial gain. --Matthew 10:8; Matthew 24:14.
As Jesus Christ himself stated, "by this all will know that you are my disciples."
Superiority does not necessarily indicate that it would require large numbers. But the Christ said that superiority would be determined by their fruits or evidence of Christianity. (Matthew 7:15-20)
I hope that this will help you on your journey to identifying the superior religion.
2007-05-29 18:38:45
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answer #6
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answered by Corry 2
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Yes, if there was such a thing as "true" religion. People believe what fits them, some of it is good and some isn't, I guess it just depends on their views of life. I myself was Protestant, but as I grew up I became more aware of my surroundings and decided that one religion just wasn't for me, so I draw from several different ones to complete what I feel is the "one."
2007-05-29 18:15:26
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answer #7
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answered by jayjay 1
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Only if that religion is true for everyone.
Some religions only claim to be a perfect fit for some people. I like those best - it accepts that we are all unique individuals and we can't all be shoved into the same hole.
2007-05-29 18:11:54
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answer #8
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answered by Aeryn Whitley 3
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Religions are made by man, not by God. He does answer prayers, He does heal, He does guide our path. Religions are the mix of ideas from man...even if they are in part taken from their understanding of God. People need to seek the "relationship" with God, not seek a religion to follow. Each person is an individual to God. We are not a conglomeration of all of mankind.
2007-05-29 18:13:53
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answer #9
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answered by Poohcat1 7
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My God answers prayer. I believe that Christianity is superior to all others or else I wouldn't believe in it.
The fact that Jesus was born and "all hell broke loose" over his birth. We set calendars based on his birth and death, we celebrate holidays all over the world in His name. People have died for their belief in Christ. People argue (as we all know) about his existence (or lack thereof). It seems to me that there is a pretty big Hoopla regarding Christ. His name is on many lips whether they believe or not. There has to be something in all of this.
2007-05-29 18:18:03
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answer #10
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answered by Kaliko 6
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The most superior religions are the ones that can scare people the most.
Hence, Islam and Christianity. (especially Catholicism)
2007-05-29 18:11:03
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answer #11
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answered by Æ 3
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