Is Christianity the Absolute Truth?

Question

It baffles me no end that a religion like Christianity was propagated through wars and other violent means. And in the past, those who refused to be converted were ultimately executed. The contrast with Buddhism is quite stark, since Buddhism spread to East Asia by just letting the spiritual philosophy itself captivate the mind & spirit of the people there without resorting at all to any violent means of propagation. The other question is, if it is really the Absolute Truth, then why is there so much moral degradation in societies that profess the Christian Faith?

I am looking forward to your illumination with zealous eagerness.

Answer 1

Dear brother,

Christianity can't be the Absolute Truth when it persecuted Galileo for what ultimately turned out to be an astronomical Truth, that our planet revolves around the Sun instead of the Sun revolving around our planet - Oh what an embarrassment! It cannot be the Absolute Truth when it continuously preaches the Go-forth-and-multiply Doctrine, which is the root cause of overpopulation, overconsumption, resource depletion, wars, and the inevitable ecological damage and degradation. Moreover, it cannot be the Absolute Truth when it continues to persecute gays and lesbians in the belief that these people consciously choose to be gay or lesbian as the case maybe, denying the biological Truth that as sentient beings in animal bodies, humans are biologically predisposed to have sexual behavior expressed in all its myriad possibilities owing to genetic factors defining sexuality in the first place.

Through mankind's indefatigable fervor for technological advancement, we have finally reached this amazing age of Great Interconnectedness that has never been achieved before in mankind's history, and we should actually exploit this advantage for whatever it is worth in understanding our Brothers in the Jewish Faith, the Islamic Faith, the Buddhist Faith, and all the other belief systems out there. NOT ONE group of people HAS A MONOPOLY ON THE TRUTH. Ever since that fateful day at the mythical Tower of Babel, when the Father, out of His Anger, decided to twist the tongues of mankind to enable the emergence of multitudes of ethnic groups and tribes (Gen. 11:5-9), it is my sincere personal belief as a GOD-revering person that each tribe or ethnic group carried with it a Piece of the Father's Truth. What we should be doing now is to connect all these small Pieces of Truth together, so that, at last, all of mankind will be able to arrive at the Greater Truth (yes, a Veritably Complete Mosaic) relative to man's existence and continuous survival on this planet.

And yet, whatever Greater Truth we may be able to arrive at here on Earth may just be good for this planet. Undeniably, there's an Absolute Truth out there, the Unwavering Truth that has governed the Cosmos, yes, the Whole of the Universe, since the foundation of Time. The only catch is that one has to achieve the consciousness of an Immortal, like our Eternal Father, in order to finally achieve understanding of this Absolute Truth.

As for the moral degradation problem confronted by different societies/civilizations of today, this is a natural effect of spiritual philosophies not grounded on the complete understanding of the Truth. As mankind's understanding of the material world continuously evolves and progresses, the revealed knowledge naturally increases in depth and extent. This increment in the revealed knowledge should have motivated our Elders to expand the understanding of the Spiritual Realm and consequently the attendant Spiritual Philosophy. Tragically, this has never happened. A wide gap, and thereby a dangerous Imbalance, between Science and Religion ensued, paving the way for a catastrophic correction that may happen sooner than later. As the old Adage eloquently expresses it, "We always reap the Fruits of the Seeds we sow."

Blessings,
Bob V.

"Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great" - Rev. 18:2

Answer 2

The absolute truth is that there is no absolute truth; not in the sense that it is non-existent, but that it doesn't exist in the way we, with our limited cognitive capacities, approach it. In other words, we have a far too subjective basis for an opinion on any phenomena - let alone uncompounded space! What we're talking about is an idea. An idea is necessarily subject to the whim of the person thinking it and given that we all come to the discussion believing radically divergent philosophical assertions with the goal "to be understood," it is somewhat of a no-win situation. However, if you look at any phenomena objectively, you would find that not only is it a compound collection that is subject to momentary disintegration, but that it is also capable of performing functions. This is its ultimate truth. That it is empty of an independent, intrinsic existence, beyond the collection, the name it is given and the mental consciousness that is naming it. It's a wonder we can get anything done at all, isn't it? Back to religions, per se, there is benefit to be gained from all religions that seek to end suffering in whatever way they do, so there is little point in blaming one another for any failure to fix everything. We all would do well to be more friendly and inclusive to one another and accept that "our" way is not the only way, nor the "best" way only insofar that we help each other. After all, we are all just moments away from the next life. All we have to do is stop breathing! Put that in your pipe and smoke it! Ha Ha! I hope this helps. Best wishes to you for your ultimate happiness!

Answer 3

"One Truth, many descriptions."

All religions are only subsets of Absolute Truth. Some contain a lot of truth, some don't have nearly as much. Some rivers flow to the sea, some rivers are only tributaries.

Absolute Truth is true at ALL times and in ALL places. Absolute Truth cannot be expressed in words. Relative truth is only true in a given time or place. "I am Christian", "I am Buddhist", and "Y2K Crisis" would all be meaningless statements in the year 2000 B.C.

"Seek the kingdom of Heaven within." Absolute Truth will be found in your Heart. This book, that movie, this building or that code of dress may point to It, but cannot contain it or own It. Whenever someone use the word ONLY, as in "THE ONLY WAY," run for your life. He neither knows nor speaks the Truth, although he may honestly feel that he does.

Do not confuse events in history with Absolute Truth. History is a record of events in the space-time worlds. The worlds of space and time are only a small subset of Absolute Truth. Absolute Truth is Eternal. There could not be a time before Absolute Truth existed, or it would only be relative truth.

There was a time before Buddha and Jesus walked the Earth. There was a time when they did, and experienced this Absolute Truth within themselves. And now there is a time afterwards, in which we try to understand what they described. Do not confuse the finger with what it points at. Whenever we use their words to justify killing each other, it should be obvious that we do not have a clue.

"Than knowledge of This there is nothing else.
Other than This no one can know.
It is This that is read and This that is meditated,
It's This that is discussed in treatises and old legends.
There is no school of Thought that does not take This as its aim..."
Saraha

Answer 4

Just because someone calls themselves "Christian" does not mean that they follow the teachings and example of Jesus and the Apostles.

Spreading the faith by wars and violence was never justified on the basis of New Testament teachings and is not something a true Christian should do.

You cannot judge a religion by the practitioners who got it all wrong. You have to look to the original founder; and the original scriptures; to see if a religion is worthwhile to "achieve the goal".

What is the goal?;

The goal is not to be religious; even the Aztecs were religious.

The goal is right relationship with God; to listen to his words; love Him; please Him with your life; and live forever with Him in Heaven.

Moral degredation is the natural condition of man as a consequence of sin. As far as I know the Bible is the only religious book in which can we find a thorough description of the human condition and an explanation of why our world is in the chaotic state it is currently in. The Bible says we are all sinners at heart who have fallen short of the standards of behavior God requires of us and what we see all around us is the consequence of us breaking God's moral laws and breaking his laws of nature.

Nevertheless, studies of Christian societies, secular societies and atheist societies show a greater degree of charity and morality in the Christian societies.

Admittedly it's no where near as good as the ideal Christian society should be, but I guess that's why we need a Messiah to come back and put everything right!

However, if we deal in cold facts, Atheists and secularists have killed far more people and engaged in worse, more depraved, immorality than the religious, especially in the last few centuries: Hitler, Mao and Stalin alone top anything religious fanatics of all persuations have done.

Throw in Pol Pot, Ho Chi Minh, Idi Amin and assorted other tyrants and dicatators, and the imbalance is even greater.

So even though we practice Christianity imperfectly, it still beats the alternative!

Answer 5

Buddhism teaching of 5 precepts (abstain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying & taking intoxicants), 6 paramitas (charity, following precepts, patience, right effort, contemplation, and wisdom), 10 good acts etc are all about good moral living. One who betray these teachings are victims of their own defilements.

Human's defilements are hard to eliminate. In Buddhism, only Saints who have realized the state of Nirvana (absolute truth) overcomed defilements. Everyone else are either trying to do so, or are simply ignorant of their own defilements.

The same is probably true to other religions.

To P'ang: Without offence to Zen believers, Zen Buddhism in some aspects have drifted apart from Buddha's doctrine which is a result of them abandoning the doctrine (many Zen masters openly claim that there is no need to study the doctrine). The book 'Zen at war', if it is true, is a stark reminder of the danger of abandoning Buddha's doctrine. Nonetheless, the war was not for Zen. There was no effort to propagate Zen to other countries during WWII. It was Not a holy war for Zen. It was just sad to say that the Zen practitioners were involved in the expansion of the 'Great Japan'.

Answer 6

Buddhism has the stereotype of being a peaceful, less-worldly religion. But it's just a stereotype.

In the past, there have been armies of monks in China and Korea. And Japanese Buddhist priests played a shameful role in Japan in the period leading up to World War II. See the book, "Zen at War," at the link below.

Answer 7

Any religion any religion that kills in the name of their god is not a religion or faith that I want to have any part in. Unfortunately but conviently we dont find out till we are dead. So this then means that we will never ever be able to prove one way or another about god, buddah, alah, or any of the leaders of the faith. Im sorry but trying to say one is worse over another is like saying a pond when you throw a stone in it doesnt ripple. All religions, beliefs and followings have zealots and unfortunately these people donot really care about the truth, just the power behind it. I dont mean to offend, this is only my thought on the matter I know there are some great honest people in all religions but religions dont make them honest they always were going to be upstanding citizens. My question will always be... who made god.. and the answer he (God) was always there.. does not cut it for me. Prove it as I dont have the faith or the strength to fight over something that cannot be proven. Oh and I feel all you are looking for is a fight.... or arguement or a flurry of emotion (the person who wrote the question). Find something more important like helping a poor person volunteering for a shelter or donate your time to some homeless or starving or sick kids.. Now that is god thats is goodness..

Answer 8

Most people feel the need to believe in higher power and an afterlife. I think that this must stem from a fundamental fear of our own mortality and the unknown. Most of the wars and violence in this world have arisen, at least ostensibly from religions, but maybe this is just the religions being used to attempt to gain power, control and sometimes prestige?

Answer 9

I'll start with this statement, there is a difference between Christianity in the way persons or groups say they are Christians and Christendom.

By examining the bible yes, Christianity is the absolute Truth. Why, because everything in the bible is beneficial for us. From medical practices that were ahead of its time, and family function, business function and so on.

Why is there so much moral degradation in Christian faith? Anws is two fold,
1. If you believe in Satan the devil, you would understand that the main point of what he wants is to destroy mankind. concider every religion like hindu and islam all believe in the after life. Such teachings deny persons the understanding of what sin really is and how we can over come it.

2. Ones that profess the Christian Faith, are just that, they are only professing it, and their actions are not what the bible teaches, example, How can one pray for blessing for a country like lets say the USA. All nations are under the influence of Satan. and it is Gods Kingdom or (goverment) a christian pledges themselves too. Jesus said be no part of the world. So a christian would not get themselves in poloticts because of the corruptiness and spilling of blood in wars.

So those that profess being a christin have to be examined by what the bible says. Love your neighbor. A christian would not injure kill or do anything to hurt someone.

Answer 10

Yes...

And so is Islam and Hinduism and Scientology and etc, etc...

Absolute truth would not require monasticism or evangelists. Absolute truth would not require wars or inquisitions.
Absolute truth, like the need for air, the life giving power of water and light, and the presence of gravity is innate making them absolute.
Every Religion is designed to mask the two most pervasive truths absolutely... the will of the powerful to control those without power and the absolute truth that each and every person who has lived, is living, or will live will die which is also the ultimate unknown and scares people who are being taken advantage of by the powerful.

When your life sucks it works to stop the oppressed from revolting. Compare how many peoples in the Ancient world revolted against their rulers compared to now.
One life equals making the best of it.
An afterlife equals enduring it for a better hereafter allowing those in power, the one's preaching "absolute truth", to remain unfettered. All one needs to do is look at the religious views of the American and French revolutionaries to see that those without an afterlife will fight injustice to make the world a better place, while like the Christians of the Dark Ages will just sit and wait to die.