If you think about it, none of us really know what comes next. There's beliefs and differing oppinions but when you tell someone there way is wrong and damn them... aren't you the one that sounds stupid?
2007-07-21 16:03:06 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thank God! you're one of the few Christian pluralists on R&S! Isn't possible there are many ways to see God (if that your belief), and that what works for some may not work for another?
2007-07-21 16:07:25 · answer #1 · answered by Worzel Gummidge 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
We really have no way of knowing. There are many, many religions in the world, and many of them have their strong points. I personally believe that all religions are flawed - due to the human element. However, I also believe that most religions have an universal truth within them. I have been studying religions for many years, and I enjoy finding the similarities of religions and tracing the origins. I personally have no objection to people finding the path that's right for them, as long as they respect my path as well.
Remember, not all religions make the claim that they are the only way to reach the Mysterious Tremendum, and whatever else comes along with that package - like the afterlife and so forth. There are religions, ancient and contemporary, that place personal responsibility in belief on the believer. Those religions are malleable and allow for different belief systems to coexist. While Buddhism and Hinduism have stories about how this God is better than Buddha, or Buddha is better than that God, they both can exist at the same time. It really is the Abraham religions that denounce other religions since their God is a jealous God.
2007-07-21 23:14:31 · answer #2 · answered by Mrs. Pears 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Since I am a Christian, I HAVE to. Otherwise, Jesus was a liar when He said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me." Kind of hard to blur the lines there. Either I believe Him or I don't. But I can't believe Him and entertain the idea that everyone else is right too. That's not possible.
But having said that, let's clarify the difference between believing what I believe and thinking I have the right or the power or desire to "damn" people who don't believe that. When I say I believe what the Bible says, that means that I believe that Christ is the only means of salvation. The only way to the Father. And that those who willfully reject Him will not enter heaven. That does NOT mean I WISH anyone hell. There is a drastic difference.
I can live my life peacefully beside people of other religions. I can respect them without believing they're right. I wouldn't expect them to believe I was.
2007-07-21 23:10:45 · answer #3 · answered by hoff_mom 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
While you should always be open to listen to others, seek the truth, and be unbiased and research before you reject a view, you have to keep in mind that there is a possibility that only one can be true. Are you being closed-minded saying one faith can't be the only way? Most of the religions contradict eachother on the key points. It's possible that they can't all be right at the same time. Don't focus on the arrogance you perceive. From their point of view, they aren't being jerks, they're just being honest. It's what they really believe.
2007-07-21 23:08:17 · answer #4 · answered by Mrs. Eric Cartman 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Believe them all.
Or believe in none.
But believe in one?
Then which? Why? Why not the others?
That is where religion fails. The answer to the Why and Why Not questions is so easily shifted from one religion to another that it provides the real answer.
Believe in none.
2007-07-21 23:55:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Either you believe what you believe or you don't. It's simple as that. I know what God says, and I rest in His promises. I'm not blindly accepting anything, but I do know that what I believe is the absolute truth. If I don't, what's the point of my faith? Sounds to me like nyou are searching and I admire your honesty.
2007-07-21 23:25:50 · answer #6 · answered by 4 Shades of Blue 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes there is.
No, I'm not.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that buidling a nuclear bomb that can blow up a city is not cool.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that raping a girl is not cool.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that robbing a bank or liqour store is not neat.
2007-07-22 00:27:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah ... unless you happen to belong to the religion that IS the right one ... butt then you would know that only God can judge someone to hell.
2007-07-22 01:58:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well in my religion we dont have blind faith and teaching are based on how you treat each other and what you believe is right and wrong.
2007-07-21 23:25:38 · answer #9 · answered by jayfierce 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, there certainly is not...
i am an atheist, and that's what i believe to be true, but no disrespect whatsoever to other religious... it's none of my business, and as long as it doesn't hurt/harm anyone else, they have my full support in continuing to do what they do and believe what they believe... no one can claim all of their beliefs are the only correct ones in the world and everyone that opposes them is wrong.
2007-07-21 23:12:12 · answer #10 · answered by cast.no.shadow 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋