All religions are the "one true religion", according to the theists of the corresponding religion

[�� Saint Atheist ��]

Why would all religions be wrong except the religion you believe in?
Is there some explanation for this, putting holy texts aside?

 

[Monk Of Reason]

I think the mutually conflicting terms of any given religion with another religion plays a part in it. Though there is more to do with the tribal mentality of humans as a whole as well. Compromised ideas upon what we believe to be "truth" isn't something that come easy and usually doesn't come at all if it an idea held sacred.

 

[Vinayaka]

Why would all religions be wrong except the religion you believe in?
Is there some explanation for this, putting holy texts aside?

I don't understand. They're not wrong for their adherents.

 

[�� Saint Atheist ��]

Thanks for the replies!
Vinayaka, I didn't mean that theists are *in the wrong* for their individual beliefs, I rather meant that all religions seem to be assertive of the truth they speak of.

 

[Vinayaka]

I rather meant that all religions seem to be assertive of the truth they speak of.

I still don't get it then. My religion is valid for me, and some others, but other religions are equally as valid for others. We're not all of the 'I'm right, you're wrong,' vein. Not all religions have that POV.

 

[�� Saint Atheist ��]

That's good to know actually, but doesn't that mean that the truth religions speak about is completely different than the rest? I see the similarity with most religions, but if religions are equally as valid as others, why doesn't it mean that they're also equally invalid?

 

[Vinayaka]

That's good to know actually, but doesn't that mean that the truth religions speak about is completely different than the rest? I see the similarity with most religions, but if religions are equally as valid as others, why doesn't it mean that they're also equally invalid?

I believe the truth is different, yes. Certainly the goals, the path, ethics, and all that. Some would argue that at the core the truth is the same. I don't buy that.

Unlike you, I do not see the similarities between religions. The dharmic, or eastern faiths are just INCREDIBLY different from Abrahamic or western faiths. For example, we're closer to atheists that we are to Abrahamics.

I don't understand the notion of equally invalid. You mean for non-adherents? So Christianity isn't valid for me, just as Saivite Hinduism isn't valid for a Christian?

 

[amorphous_constellation]

A term I believed to be notable and kind of works as an adjunct to your idea was "henotheism." Arguably and with what seems to be some biblical support, and although they may have been assertive of their own 'truth,' ancient Israelites or pre-Israelites seem to recognize other gods as ruling over other tribes or having separate territorial jurisdictions. The whole concept of the "foreign god." The actual ancient world may have had views sort of like henotheism or some kind of pluraltheism in many places. Perhaps the warring Celts and Romans believed their gods were pitted against one another, or as it was described the ancient Germanic people believed Hercules "visited their country," or that the real jurisdiction of Pan was the wooded northland.

All in all, perhaps it kind of devolved into the dogmatic. Many or all of the more superstitious people who originally created the beta software for modern systems were surely living in less certainty that their world didn't contain other deities which challenged and ruled, or had yet to be recognized.

 

[Etritonakin]

So you feel better.


If religion has to do with knowing and doing the truth -and the source of truth is an eternal God....

and you are a newbie to the universe....

then the true religion is one that you begin to know and increase in knowing -if what you begin to know and increase in knowing is correct.

So the true religion would be God's -not any man's

The source of that religion would be the eternal God who truly exists -and that God would necessarily be responsible for teaching the truth as that God saw fit.

If that God set forth guidelines and taught truths somehow, others who claimed authority from God could set forth and teach counterfeits.

If that God could prevent such, perhaps there would be a good reason to allow it.

 

[�� Saint Atheist ��]

If, though. "If"...

 

[Sabour]

Is your OP an invitation for every reader to talk about his religion? Or is it just a point you are trying to make ?

 

[Levite]

Why would all religions be wrong except the religion you believe in?
Is there some explanation for this, putting holy texts aside?

FWIW, Judaism does not traditionally have the idea that only it is true and all others are false. Judaism teaches that only Judaism is the correct and appropriate religion for Jews. But Judaism is not universalist-- it was never intended for non-Jews, who we presume are able to have productive relations with God on their own. Even for non-Jews, we do traditionally teach that monotheism is the only truth, but that could include any monotheistic faith, not just Judaism.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Even for non-Jews, we do traditionally teach that monotheism is the only truth, but that could include any monotheistic faith, not just Judaism.

And if we are not interested in monotheism? What about polytheists and animists?

 

[Levite]

And if we are not interested in monotheism? What about polytheists and animists?

Traditionally, we hold that polytheism is erroneous. Animism also, though problematic for different reasons. But most of the authorities we follow today teach that non-Jews who practice polytheism or other non-monotheistic faiths, but in general behave decently and act rightly, are caught in well-meaning errors. That they are trying to worship God, they have simply mistaken one for many, or His immanence for equivalence with objects or the universe in general, or suchlike. We don't make it our business to interfere, we presume if God wants them to do differently, He can talk to them Himself. But we do hold them to be in error.

 

[Riverwolf]

Why would all religions be wrong except the religion you believe in?
Is there some explanation for this, putting holy texts aside?

Ever hear of pluralism? 'Cause I follow it.

Basically, I don't believe that only mine is the "one true religion", and therefore that makes your OP title's statement false.

Traditionally, we hold that polytheism is erroneous. ... We don't make it our business to interfere, we presume if God wants them to do differently, He can talk to them Himself.

Just as I, a polytheist, regard classical monotheism to be in error, but don't make it my business to interfere with your guys' practice. Any problems I may have with a specific God is between me and that God alone, and I likewise apply that to others.

...btw, if it looks like I just contradicted myself, not holding the belief that mine is the "one true religion" does not mean that I believe all religions to be inherently correct. ^_^

 

[Levite]

Ever hear of pluralism? 'Cause I follow it.

Just as I, a polytheist, regard classical monotheism to be in error, but don't make it my business to interfere with your guys' practice. Any problems I may have with a specific God is between me and that God alone, and I likewise apply that to others.

...btw, if it looks like I just contradicted myself, not holding the belief that mine is the "one true religion" does not mean that I believe all religions to be inherently correct. ^_^

Fair enough, sir. And well said on all the above points.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Ever hear of pluralism? 'Cause I follow it.

Basically, I don't believe that only mine is the "one true religion", and therefore that makes your OP title false.

Same here. My religion isn't even meant for large numbers of people, especially with humanity as it is now.

Just as I, a polytheist, regard classical monotheism to be in error, but don't make it my business to interfere with your guys' practice. Any problems I may have with a specific God is between me and that God alone, and I likewise apply that to others.

...btw, if it looks like I just contradicted myself, not holding the belief that mine is the "one true religion" does not mean that I believe all religions to be inherently correct. ^_^

I agree with you. I don't believe my religion is for everyone, but I don't think all religions are correct, either.

 

[Riverwolf]

Same here. My religion isn't even meant for large numbers of people, especially with humanity as it is now.

I would definitely be seriously worried if Asatru ended up becoming more and more mainstream. A lot of people might try to revive aspects best left in the past, such as raiding and warmongering.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I would definitely be seriously worried if Asatru ended up becoming more and more mainstream. A lot of people might try to revive aspects best left in the past, such as raiding and warmongering.

Lol. True. I would love to see more of a revival of Aztec religion, myself, but the human sacrifice probably should stay in the past (that is, what human sacrifice actually happened and weren't lies told by the Spanish).

But the LHP and esotericism aren't designed for a mass following in the first place. Only a few people will truly understand it.

 

[Draka]

I once tried to explain my view of life and religions/beliefs by comparing it to a house with many various sizes and shapes of rooms and windows. Life itself is the house, contained within, beyond the house, that is outside of it, is what is beyond life. The "Divine"/paranormal/deity/unexplained, what-have-you. Everyone is in a room in this house and some of these rooms are small, some are large, some have grand windows, some have small windows, some have no windows at all. Some afford a narrow view outside the house, some may provide many views. You many move around the house and explore rooms if you wish, though some people choose to remain in the same room their entire life. Fact is though, no one within the house has a complete view of what, exactly, is outside the house and can only surmise what is outside by their limited knowledge gained by gazing out the window. The only way to know for certain what is outside the house...is to leave it.

I hold that everyone walks the path they are on, believes what they believe for some purpose. Perhaps they have something to learn from believing that at this juncture? A lesson? As a believer in reincarnation and one who believes that all paths bring some kind of lesson or knowledge to gain to the spirit, then all religious paths, I believe, serve some purpose for some to learn something from.