How do you know the religion you chose was the right one?

Question

I would really like to hear from people from a variety of religions on this, I would like to compare their answers.

I'm sure there will be plenty of Christians answering, but PLEASE answer if you are Hindu, or Buddhist, or something even more rare here, like a Shinto, Taoist, or Ba'hai! I would definitely like a couple of answers from Muslims too. (Getting some answers from people in native-religions, like Native-American or African, would be great too).

As for anyone tempted to say something like "You can't know, you have to just have faith", please tell me how you think you know which religion you should "just have faith" in.

How did you go about deciding to be part of the faith you are in? Did you just choose to believe in the first religion that came along, or did you look at other religions?

Answer 1

I was raised in Christian Science, experienced physical healing based on faith... I took a World Religions and Philosophy of Religions class in college.
I don't call myself any one "religion" - people say they don't have "religion" are referring to "organized religion". Religion is a set of beliefs, which everyone has their own. I pull truth from Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, and there is some truth in many others. Atheists are just confused.

I believe there is ultimate truth, that we as humans will only ever conceive of a minute portion. I believe that God, the Universe, etc. existed long before man, long before written word, long before the Bible, and will continue to exist even if we don't.
I have had several very spiritual experiences, epiphanies, visions, whatever you want to call them that have led me to what I believe today.
I believe that as long as your religion works for you, helps you live and understand life, strengthens you and helps you grow, then great. It's more important for people to have faith in a higher order/power than for people to believe "the same".

Answer 2

I grew up in a christian household. I had no other choice but to believe in the faith of my mother because I didn't know about other religions nor was I interested to know. Recently I have made a change of belief that was based on research of how Christianity came about. I am an Israelite. I believe in following the laws in the old testament and the new testament. Once the truth was discovered I stopped calling myself a christian because I don't believe in what it stands for. People have the choice of worshiping the most High God which is Yahweh or Satan. I chose Yahweh. The bible says: God, Lord. Many things were changed when translating from Hebrew to another language. I hope this was helpful. I hope you find what you are looking for. I searched for two years for the truth before I made a decision. I am willing to answer any further questions if needed.

Answer 3

Well worded question especially the part about . How you think you know which religion you should just have faith in. I am a Christian and there are a number of evidences I considered when arriving at this conclusion. I was born into a Catholic family but left the Catholic church. So it wasn' just a matter of believing the first thing I came across. I did in high school study to a small degree world religions and I did not think they made allot of sense. I have to admit partially comparing their truth claims to the truth claims of Christ which I knew. Other religions seem to have no answer to knowing if you are saved or not just hopeful speculation. You never know when you have done enough or have been good enough. Other religions seem to get lost in a selfish spritual pusuit of looking for but never knowing or committing to truth. Such as spending years meditiating on questions like what is the sound of one hand clapping before reaching enlightenment. I think there re many evidences for the life and death and resurrection of Jesus. Such as the hundreds of prophecies in the old testament that predicted Jesus birthplace Bethlehem, the fact he was born of a virgin, his manner of death, his betrayel. The thirty pieces of sliver he was betrayed for. The fact that he would be rejected. I read a decent book lately titled What leading lawyers say about the resuurection. In it it contains what some of the top legal minds in history have said about the resurrection. They come out in favour of it being acceptable evidence in any court room. Finally I know some try to deny any healing claims, however I know and have known some who have experianced healings that medical science cannot acount for. Not that I buy all of the shenaningans you see on some televangists programs. Someone made a statement abot Jesus that is worthy of consideration. Jesus was either a Lunatic, a Liar, or who he said he was. One can hardly read the scripture and get the impression that he was anything but what he claimed to be. I also have to say many beliefs try to avoid responsibility for the sinful actions we all have committed.

Answer 4

I was born in a Muslim family, and accepted what came my way. But I have lately studied my religion and accepted from my heart. The good thing about being a Muslim is that you learn about the past, present and future. What I mean is you learn about how the world came into being and how humans were formed, what is the reason for you existence, and what will happen to you when you die.

As a human (not only Muslim) you are jugged by God(Allah) on the actions that you perform during your lifetime. So when you die, your good deeds are weighed against your bad, and which everyone out weighs the other you are sent to heaven or hell accordingly. There are zillions of ways to perform a good deed, even making a person smile or helping a person in the smallest way possible earns you a good deed. Think about is as you earn points for answering questions in yahoo answers.

If you are looking to find out more about Islam click the link below for some useful information. Please consider becoming a Muslim, a good Muslim, it is not for my good but will benefit you in ways you have never thought about.

One more thing, in Islam all humans are treated equal, they are not separated by race, color, nation of origin. Muslims combine to form one Uman who worship Allah.

Answer 5

I have been a Cradle Catholic for 57 years. I know my religion back and forth and in between :) Not that I agree on everything.

But I have gone to other churches, I have read other bibles I have listen to other people talking about their religions. I enjoy reading about other religions.

I love being a Catholic for the closeness that it brings me to God. I believe in the bible.

How do I know if my religion or my faith in my religion is the true one? I don't. I just pray to God and ask for guidance, I will know the answer when I am in heaven.

Answer 6

If the beliefs of the religion fit your own beliefs, it is right for you. I was raised a Lutheran but have become more of a deist. I believe there is some higher power. But, I began questioning my own religion when I was studying Anthropology in college. I wondered what made one religion more right than any other. I think it's more of how you were raised, what religion your parents are and what they raised you to believe. If you change religions it's through your own beliefs, things that have happened to you. I have given it to much thought, disagreed to much with the Bible and church doctrine to even consider calling myself a Christian anymore.

Answer 7

I am a heathen---a follower of a reconstructed indigenous ethnic folk religion of ancient Northern Europe.

I know this folkway is right for me because it *works* to improve my life, Luck, wisdom, inner strength, and spirituality . . . but ALSO because it is, simply put, my cultural and ancestral birthright: the pre-xian ways of my own people. I can look in a mirror, and see my ancestors looking back at me from the evidence of my own physical features, and know that the godhs I look to in my life are the ones they looked to prior to the Conversion, 1000 or so years ago.

I wasn't raised heathen, and I wasn't really looking for a religion when this one found me. But it's Home.

Answer 8

A Christian answer would be that the Bible gives criteria by which to make sure.
The major, number 1 factor is God's name.
The Lord's Prayer, item 1 ...."May your name be sanctified."
That means held on high, honored, used.
Jesus said toward the end of his ministry:
"“I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me...."
John 17:6.
Most religions (even 'christian' religions) HIDE God's name.
That is working against criteria.
What did God say through Ezekial?
"And they will have to know that I am Jehovah!"

Answer 9

Scripture reveals this Church to be the one Jesus Christ built upon the rock of Saint Peter (Matt. 16:18). By giving Peter the keys of authority (Matt. 16:19), Jesus appointed Peter as the chief steward over His earthly kingdom (cf. Isaiah. 22:19-22). Jesus also charged Peter to be the source of strength for the rest of the apostles (Luke 22:32) and the earthly shepherd of Jesus' flock (John 21:15-17). Jesus further gave Peter, and the apostles and elders in union with him, the power to bind and loose in heaven what they bound and loosed on earth. (Matt. 16:19; 18:18). This teaching authority did not die with Peter and the apostles, but was transferred to future bishops through the laying on of hands (e.g., Acts 1:20; 6:6; 13:3; 8:18; 9:17; 1 Tim. 4:14; 5:22; 2 Tim. 1:6).

By virtue of this divinely-appointed authority, the Catholic Church determined the canon of Scripture (what books belong in the Bible) at the end of the fourth century. We therefore believe in the Scriptures on the authority of the Catholic Church. After all, nothing in Scripture tells us what Scriptures are inspired, what books belong in the Bible, or that Scripture is the final authority on questions concerning the Christian faith. Instead, the Bible says that the Church, not the Scriptures, is the pinnacle and foundation of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15) and the final arbiter on questions of the Christian faith (Matt. 18:17). It is through the teaching authority and Apostolic Tradition (2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6; 1 Cor. 11:2) of this Church, who is guided by the Holy Spirit (John 14:16,26; 16:13), that we know of the divine inspiration of the Scriptures, and the manifold wisdom of God. (cf. Ephesians 3:10).

Answer 10

I actually prayed on my own. I said, "God if I can know you and know that you know me, well, I'll give my life for that." At that moment, it seemed the only thing that mattered.

He answered immediately and I KNEW that He was real and that He knew me and I knew Him and that Jesus was the way. I have been a Christian for many years now, still walking with Christ and I KNOW beyond any doubt.