There are many people-more than I can count -who declare the Bible as the Word of God -or the Inspired word of God... but yet refuse to believe that any other spiritual text could ALSO be the Inspired word of God and worthy of our study. How does this make sense? Or am I the only one who is confused?
Shouldn't we as educated individuals be encouraged to seek out spiritual fulfillment from whatever source God has put in our path? It will either ressonate within you as truth at which point you carry it as such or it won't and in that case you can dismiss it as nothing, but either way, would we be more educated in our respective Faith's?
This is not just directed towards just Christians - the same could be true of Muslim's, Mormon's, or really any religion who declares that their Holy text is the ONLY holy text... Thoughts?
And I'm not just looking for people to agree with me - I'm seriously looking for a valid explaination on why I shouldn't seek information from EVERY source
2007-11-08 08:24:46 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Good point Layla - I guess my question is more directed at those who dismiss without any knowledge of the subject at all... like if someone were to say that Rock and Roll is the work of the devil without ever hearing it and only listening to gospel... Shouldn't we first expose ourselves to other ways of thinking before dismissing them?
2007-11-08 08:35:54 · update #1
Connie - but WHY - because the bible says so? (I know it sounds like I'm being confrontational, and that's not the intent...I'm just saying WHY)
2007-11-08 08:37:30 · update #2
Opiniona - BUT WHY... I hear you say that, and I respectfully disagree and want to know WHY the other's couldn't be the divine works of God as well.
2007-11-08 08:39:05 · update #3
(((((((gorgeous)))))) you are a doll! Perhaps the purpose was to get others thinking...
2007-11-08 08:40:16 · update #4
Someone who cares - I didn't mean to imply that Mormons weren't Christians... I was really more referring to the Book of Mormon as a spiritual text and I apologize for the implication.
2007-11-08 08:47:32 · update #5
Justin R - So are you saying that either I'm religious or I don't need to beleive in a higher power? hmmmm that is very interesting because I believe that there is a higher power to the core of my being in ways that I can't explain and yet, I'm not religious...I explore all that each religion and phylosophy can offer and come to my own conclusions
2007-11-08 08:50:42 · update #6
You make an excellent point, and it is one that I put into practice. I have read many sacred texts and it's amazing what resonates. It's equally amazing what does not. From my point of view, spirituality is a process that evolves as I evolve. I am still a seeker of knowledge and probably always will be.
My reality is constantly changing and expanding, as does my spirituality and spiritual path.
Learn and explore as much as you please. Take with you what resonates, and if it does not, the message was not meant for you.
Enjoy the journey!
Namaste
2007-11-08 08:33:13 · answer #1 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very well spoken. That's always confused me too. How can one person that believes so strongly in their own religion and not be open to the fact that other religions could also bring the same kind of enlightenment? I don't belong to a particular religion myself but there's something that I can take from each one. If people were more open-minded about differing religions there wouldn't be such a strong divide because they may all really lead to the same God.
2007-11-08 08:31:33 · answer #2 · answered by Tiacola Version 9.0 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree there is truth and inspired words to be found in many different sources. Indeed many of the ancient texts discovered in recent years not only shed additional light onto many subjects but also confirm truths in books such as the Bible. (some that come to mind, Dead sea scrolls, Book of the Rolls, Book of Enoch, Book of Jasher, etc. )
By the way, Mormons(nickname for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) ARE christians...... and.....
We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
2007-11-08 08:35:51 · answer #3 · answered by Someone who cares 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
congratulations! The blinders are off and your eyes are beginning to adjust. There is so much that is sacred in the world yet many are still afraid. Keep asking questions and exploring what is. Just because a religious tradition teaches it is the "only way" does not make it so. Religions can only talk about our spiritual nature, it is up to us to experience it.
2007-11-08 08:58:36 · answer #4 · answered by Tamara S 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
study away beloved...get a full snapshot..here's a taste...
Generally Buddhism does not believe in a personal God or a divine being, it does not have worship, praying to, or praising of a divine being (although some sects do.) It offers no form of redemption, forgiveness, no heavenly hope, or a final judgment to those practicing its system. (Would God teach people that He doesnt exist...probably not)
The Quran is based on oral account given with no witnesses by the prophet Muhammad who performed no miracles, had multiple wives the youngest of which was 9, died of pneumonia at age 62 and is mentioned about 25 times in the Quran. There was no OT fortelling of his coming and he only had self fulfilling prophecy to support him. He ordered the death of many and there is no teaching that Mohammad lives but instead is lingering in his grave awaiting the Day of Judgement.
Jesus is mentioned in the Quran 97 times, was prophesied by more than 300 scriptures for His first coming and fulfilled them all including Deut.18:15, ordered the death of no one, but instead died guiltless in place of the guilty. He never married, peformed more miracles than could even be chronicled in the BIble and had throngs of witnesses for those He did perform, is the only one who ever claimed to be GOD and His death, burial and resurrection attest to His deity.
No matter how great any teacher is of the different religions if one looks at the claims of Christ they can find no fault with him. If one accepts what He said of Himself as true then they are left with a decision that can effect their eternal destiny.
After reading about the religions you have to ask yourself...would God tell us to not believe He exists? Would God have us put our faith in life after death in someone who is dead? Would the greatest sacrifice of a loving God be to die for you or to kill you? Does access to Heaven/eternal life sound FAIR even by man's standard if it were 'works' based..and wouldnt that mean that whoever had the most money would always win? Does it make more sense that you need nothing to get into Heaven but to believe (which buddism doesnt advocate) that God IS, and that we need only confess Him as savior (not martry ourselves by blowing up people) and we shall be saved.
Frankly, when you compare the religions,I think it becomes blaringly obvious what religion expresses the nature of God.
2007-11-08 08:53:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to have some objective criteria for what qualifies as "the word of God" or "inspired".
Most Christians don't understand that the Bible never refers to itself as "the word of God" but refers to what their preacher does every Sunday morning as "preaching the word of God". They listen to the word of God every week but call it something else; they read the Bible every day but call it something it doesn't itself claim to be.
This is not to say that the Bible isn't inspired, it's to say that most people misuse the term "word of God" and apply it incorrectly.
So to address the issues you raise, the fact of the matter is that most Christians listen to the word of God in many forms, including what they read in the Bible.
You can't simply accept all "holy books" as being inspired, or inerrant, or "the word of God". You have to have a standard by which you judge them. So it wouldn't be right to accept everything that claims to be inspired as inspired, but rather you should test it and see if it meets the qualifications.
2007-11-08 08:33:12 · answer #6 · answered by Craig R 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Revelations 22:18
2007-11-08 08:29:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Your inclusive view is admirable. The problem is that the various books sometimes conflict with each other on crucial issues. That being the case, they can't ALL be right, although they may have valuable things to say.
I can't speak to any other view than the Christian one: we take it as proof that the Bible is the only inspired Word because of the curcifixion and resurrection. Mohamed, Joseph Smith, Buddha et. al. did not die for anyone else's sins, nor did any of them rise in victory over death and judgment.
2007-11-08 08:30:48 · answer #8 · answered by r_moulton76 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
As a mormon I won't tell you to just believe because everyone else is or by peer pressure. I can't convince you by myself of any scriptural verse, chapter or book.
You have to ask God himself James 1:5
and seek with contrite spirit.
and wait for the answer.
2007-11-08 13:13:07 · answer #9 · answered by Brother G 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I look for inspiration wherever I can find it
I dont understand either how anyone would think that God can be contained in one book
2007-11-08 08:33:12 · answer #10 · answered by ☮ Pangel ☮ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋