Is one religion better than the other.. and if so....

[loverofhumanity]

In my view there is no superior doctrine or truth. Whatever works best is the best guide. I have beliefs but they say we are all equal humans and the different religions are like the different coloured flowers in a garden. We can appreciate the truth and beauty of all Faiths.

The important thing for me personally is that I want people to live in peace and live and let live and not try and dominate and control each other but accept our diversity.

I think exclusiveness and the 'I'm saved you're not ' attitude of superiority with terms such as infidel etc are destructive and dangerous ideas.

 

[rusra02]

I Actually agree with part of your answer.. and you are the first to ever admit that he is yet to have found God... (Not saying it in sarcasm or something.. I Actually mean it)
But I have only one problem with that statement...
Why do you assume that God requires worshiping?
Do you require your kids to worship you?
And what about billions that claim they have found the true God... ? How can you say they are wrong if you believe there is a God?


Wow... I Guess we really do live in different worlds
Last time i checked humanity is at one of its worst decades..

Most parents want honor and respect from their children, not worship, although in some cultures parents may expect more. I believe as our Creator, Jehovah is unique. He is worthy of our worship as Sovereign of the Universe and the only true God. Why does he expect our worship? I believe the answer is based on 1 John 4:8; "God is love." Jehovah realizes for peace and good order to exist, we must rightly acknowledge his position and authority. I believe God created us with a spiritual need that can be properly satisfied only by worshipping Jehovah. It is as Revelation 4:11 says; “You are worthy, Jehovah our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they came into existence and were created." Thus our obedience to his commands and our reverential fear of God brings us happiness and peace of mind. The sad state the world is in today comes from believing the lie that we can live successfully apart from our Creator, IMO.

 

[Segev Moran]

LOL. Various cultures can absolutely claim to be the best/right culture and then try to impose that on other cultures. My own country is notorious for this - thinking that every country should in some way emulate our values and practices... and then in one way or another proselytizing or forcing that where it isn't wanted. Culture probably should be a preference. Just like religion done right is also a preference (it certainly is for me... I don't know of any Pagan religion that claims to have the "objective truth" or of any religion outside of particular groups of Abrahamic ones that do this to be honest).

It's true that some cultures try to show that they are the "right" way to act as a society.. yet their claims relate to POC...
What are the arguments of your country to justify their culture?
Try and think if it is based on social values or religious (or spiritual) aspects?

In Israel for example, there are people who believe that everyone needs to be "Primitive" in a way of living..
They make a lot of social claims.. yet when you learn their claims and study their argument a bit deeper, you come to realize that the basis of their claims is religious

Same goes for a lot of Muslim dominated countries... (Not all of course.. Not generalizing or whatever)

They make cultural claims that their culture is the right way to live, yet when you look deeper you realize it all related to their religious based culture...

Can you give me an example of arguments your culture makes to justify their way that are not religious or spiritual?

 

[Segev Moran]

Most parents want honor and respect from their children, not worship, although in some cultures parents may expect more. I believe as our Creator, Jehovah is unique. He is worthy of our worship as Sovereign of the Universe and the only true God. Why does he expect our worship? I believe the answer is based on 1 John 4:8; "God is love." Jehovah realizes for peace and good order to exist, we must rightly acknowledge his position and authority. I believe God created us with a spiritual need that can be properly satisfied only by worshipping Jehovah. It is as Revelation 4:11 says; “You are worthy, Jehovah our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they came into existence and were created." Thus our obedience to his commands and our reverential fear of God brings us happiness and peace of mind. The sad state the world is in today comes from believing the lie that we can live successfully apart from our Creator, IMO.

Acknowledging someone's existence or respecting it's power and glory is not worshiping...
Is there a reference to the bible (Either one) where God itself says people should worship it?
Or is it always a reference that a human said?

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Religions are like rivers , each is one is pure in the beginning but on their courses lots of dirt get mixed up in the form of opinions , options , preferences , conveniences ,... and then on their way they encounter hard rocks called egos , which split these religions into many streams called sects and denominations.

Heh... you do realize that this is the opposite of how rivers work, right?

A river is fed by many tributaries. Many flowing into one, not one flowing into many.

When corrected, I think your analogy works better: religion as an amalgam of many different beliefs with no one "true source".

 

[Tabu]

Heh... you do realize that this is the opposite of how rivers work, right?
".

Yes , you are right , ... but wait did I say Earth , Ok then this is on a different planet in the super celestial space, thinks work opposite there.
Any ways the idea is religions started pure , branched off , collect dirt and join the Ocean.

A river is fed by many tributaries. Many flowing into one, not one flowing into many.

Its a cycle , the water from the river raises up rains down and makes these tributaries , so its both ways one spreading into many and many joining to one.

When corrected, I think your analogy works better: religion as an amalgam of many different beliefs with no one "true source".

The source is one , The Ocean , the source of most of the rainfall which forms these rivers , though the source is one the tastes are different depending on the soil it flows over , and as long as it is good it is healthy.

 

[meghanwaterlillies]

Which religion is for holy b I t ches ? that's the one I want to join
(or I cant)(I don't not believe as I say)

 

[Tabu]

Which religion is for holy b I t ches ? that's the one I want to join
(or I cant)(I don't not believe as I say)

Is that a challenge , then embark with us on a journey from the iron age to The Golden Age.

 

[The_Fisher_King]

Do you think that God is really in favor of one religion?

Yes.

If so, Which one and why?

My one! Because it is the right one!

If you think that one religion is indeed the "right" one, do you believe that following the wrong religion is a "Sin" or on the lighter case, Not the way to salvation.

Define 'sin' and 'salvation'.

Also, If indeed one religion is better than the other, Is it better to be a Good person believing the wrong religion or a Bad person believing the right religion?

Define 'Good' and 'Bad'.

 

[The_Fisher_King]

So I believe the first step to finding the right way to worship God

But why are you assuming we should worship God?

this true God, our Creator and Lifegiver

You are assuming that the true God is our Creator and Lifegiver. What if this is not the case?

It is evident to me based on the abundant blessings of life that the true God is not only infinitely powerful and wise, but also warm and loving.

Which 'abundant blessings of life' are you referring to?

I am convinced he has communicated all that we presently need to know about him in the Bible, and that this one true God is Jehovah

On what basis?

 

[Segev Moran]

Yes.

Great...

My one! Because it is the right one!

Shocking

Define 'sin' and 'salvation'.

Wow.. I Have my definition but i assume it is not relevant to the post as I see all religions as not true..

But for the sake of the argument.. I'll describe the "spiritual" definition and the correct answer ( jk )

The philosophical / spiritual / religious:

A Sin would be to commit an action that goes against a a belief
A Salvation will be finding your "place" in the world and become united and accepted in the spiritual realm

The atheistic view (mine at least)

A Sin is not really valid.. as you don't have a "holy" law or "truth"... but if i have to use the term it might be considered a crime so bad that you describe it as a Sin against those the crime was committed to...

A Salvation is being rescued from a situation that enslave you... that keeps you "prisoner" or even worse can, causes you death.

Define 'Good' and 'Bad'.

I'll give it a try..
First, I hope we are on an agreement that Good and Bad is a relational (or respective) thing...
Something can only be considered Good as opposed to something that is not Good...

Now comes the big question always presented by Theists...

How do you know good from Bad if there is no God???

I'll try to keep my answer brief because its a whole different debate...

Assuming we agree that Good and Bad are relative definitions, We can assume that they are subject to the culture you live in...
If we disagree that they are relative things, this means you assume there is an Objective Good and Bad... defined i assume by the scriptures...
Now comes the tricky part... as the scriptures are very violent, there are interpretation to the scriptures... causing for example discrimination...
now each religion or a steam of beliefs, determines what is considered objective Good and what not...

For example, conquering territories might be considered good if you follow ones interpretations...
and then of course.. you have the more modern religions that are a "peaceful" version of the scriptures, when people (Like you and me...) eliminate the violence and harsh parts in a form of claiming that big part of religion is to learn and understand its true intent which is peace and love.
(I'm all for it btw.. if you already believe there is a God... at least use the positive parts of religion and abandon the negatives.

Now.. what about Morale? (It might be a part of defining Good)
Is there an Objective Morale? I think everybody body know the answer only people are afraid of it...

there is No Objective Morale!

If there was such, all humans would have it...
everyone would have follow this morale code...
but some don't.. in fact, i assume that everyone that ever lived did "immoral" things...

but morality is something that evolves over time..

as science, and socialism and cultures evolved, they have come to understand that some things advance our species and some don't.. For example, killing others of your species is not really beneficial to humanity..
Same goes for any harm to other beings.. we know the affect of this is devastation to our species..
so we come up with laws and "behavioral codes" that help us to evolve..
a lot of times it does just the opposite...

phew.. was much longer than i anticipated...

 

[Etritonakin]

Hi All,

I Was wondering what you think about the various religions and religion streams in the world.

Do you think that God is really in favor of one religion? If so, Which one and why?
Please try to avoid using scriptures as arguments as all religions are eventually based on scriptures and this is not a valid argument IMO.

If you think that one religion is indeed the "right" one, do you believe that following the wrong religion is a "Sin" or on the lighter case, Not the way to salvation.
Please note I'm asking those question out of interest and not because I look for a religion to follow (I personally think they are all false).

I Raise this question because it seems that no matter who i debate, their religion is always seems to be the truth and the valid way to win God's favor.

Also, If indeed one religion is better than the other, Is it better to be a Good person believing the wrong religion or a Bad person believing the right religion?

And I'm not talking about Good and Bad in a sense of following traditions or Mitzvot..

For example:
For Jews, the Sabath is one of the holiest things..
So is it better to be a thief that keeps the Sabath or A decent honest person who sees Sunday as a holy day?

Regards All, and Happy Rosh hashana

If God did not exist, God could not be in favor of anything.
If God was logic alone -rather than a self-aware intelligence based on perfect logic -logic should still not be ignored.

God is in favor of that which should be done.

Biblically, that is defined (given our present situation) as visiting the widow and fatherless in their affliction, and keeping one's self un-spotted from the world.

 

[Segev Moran]

If God did not exist, God could not be in favor of anything.
If God was logic alone -rather than a self-aware intelligence based on perfect logic -logic should still not be ignored.

God is in favor of that which should be done.

Biblically, that is defined (given our present situation) as visiting the widow and fatherless in their affliction, and keeping one's self un-spotted from the world.

What does which should be done means??

 

[rusra02]

Acknowledging someone's existence or respecting it's power and glory is not worshiping...
Is there a reference to the bible (Either one) where God itself says people should worship it?
Or is it always a reference that a human said?

"Then God spoke all these words: "I am Jehovah your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You must not have any other gods besides me. "You must not make for yourself a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. You must not bow down to them nor be enticed to serve them, for I, Jehovah your God, am a God who requires exclusive devotion." (Exodus 20:1-5)
Matthew 4:10; "For it is written: ‘It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’”
There are many other references.

 

[The_Fisher_King]

Shocking

A Sin would be to commit an action that goes against a a belief

On that reading, if it is my belief that it is wrong to follow a wrong religion and someone goes against that, they have indeed committed a sin..

A Salvation will be finding your "place" in the world and become united and accepted in the spiritual realm

My conception of religion doesn't really have this notion of salvation. But I do believe everyone ends up in the same Place eventually (regardless of the religion they follow now or in the future).

First, I hope we are on an agreement that Good and Bad is a relational (or respective) thing...

Probably not generally...

Something can only be considered Good as opposed to something that is not Good...

But in that sense, yes...

If we disagree that they are relative things, this means you assume there is an Objective Good and Bad

I believe that there is an Objective Good and an Objective Not-Good (i.e. Bad).

defined i assume by the scriptures...

Not for me...

you have the more modern religions that are a "peaceful" version of the scriptures, when people (Like you and me...) eliminate the violence and harsh parts

I don't eliminate the violence and harsh parts from the scriptures.

Now.. what about Morale? (It might be a part of defining Good)
Is there an Objective Morale? I think everybody body know the answer only people are afraid of it...

there is No Objective Morale!

If there was such, all humans would have it...
everyone would have follow this morale code...
but some don't.. in fact, i assume that everyone that ever lived did "immoral" things...

but morality is something that evolves over time..

You're going to have to define what you mean by Morals too...

To return to your OP though, and your question:

Is it better to be a Good person believing the wrong religion or a Bad person believing the right religion?

In short, it depends! To a certain extent, this will depend on how wrong the wrong religion is (i.e. how far from the right religion it is). But it also depends to an extent on intentions - to what extent does the person do the thing perceived to be Good as an act of service/worship to a being I consider Bad? And on what kinds of Goodness and Badness we are talking about - the kinds of Goodness and Badness that are relative to a time, place and culture? Or the Good and Bad that are always applicable. Insofar as I believe that there is a Bad that is always applicable (that is always Bad), I don't believe it is possible for someone to be a Bad person (in this latter sense) and still believe the right religion. That might have come out a bit convoluted! Needless to say, ask if you want some clarification!

 

[rusra02]

But why are you assuming we should worship God?



You are assuming that the true God is our Creator and Lifegiver. What if this is not the case?



Which 'abundant blessings of life' are you referring to?



On what basis?

Life is a blessing, as is the beauty and glory of heaven and earth. Food is a blessing. Water is also. Our senses bring us delight in many ways. Family and friends are a blessing to many. Animals and plants add to our enjoyment of life. In fact, every good thing comes from our Creator, IMO. As to why I believe there is a Creator and that the Bible is his communication to mankind, I have carefully researched the available evidence, something I highly recommend, rather than gullibly accepting the word of so-called experts.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Life is a blessing, as is the beauty and glory of heaven and earth. Food is a blessing. Water is also. Our senses bring us delight in many ways. Family and friends are a blessing to many. Animals and plants add to our enjoyment of life. In fact, every good thing comes from our Creator, IMO. As to why I believe there is a Creator and that the Bible is his communication to mankind, I have carefully researched the available evidence, something I highly recommend, rather than gullibly accepting the word of so-called experts.

Forgive me for being blunt. No disrespect intended.

When I think of worship, I think of being om your hands and knees and submitting yourself to god. I think of peolle holding their hands far put as if to touch gods spirit. I think of Roman and Greek gods on tv and their need for worship. In all creator-religions Ive come accross, not just christianity, I notice god holds a power that makes people want to worship him.

It doesnt sound like love. In love, you have a relation-ship with the other. You see his/her pain as visa versa. You become married to that person. Different roles not one over another. Once you make one over another, thats not love thats submssion and highly political.

When I think of worship, I think of paganism (as defined by scripture not actual Paganism). I think sacrifice of a human very barbaric regardless if the sacrifice is for others or for self. People sacrifice themselves for god all the time ans I find the best sacrifice is to give your life in service to others not your physical life for which you were given. Its barbaric, Roman, and Pagan (native Roman traditions).

When I think of worship, I think of force submission whether it be intentional, indirectly, or directly. I think that believers "have no choice" because they find no "positive" alternative. This leads to fear, guilt, or need (rather than a want to) worship-as described above.

I read scripture; and, it supports what I am saying as well as it being the reason Im saying this.

When I was at the Catholic Church, it changed my life. The Church taught me about what sacrifice means and the inner importance of it. It taught (taught as in spiritual experience) me the need for repentence to live a new spiritual life. It taught me scripture as I read it. It taught me life.

That is what I beliebe true Christianity is, through the Church because everything from Roman native traditions to apostle teachings and theology are through the church. Christianity isnt its on faith but built on the apostles stories of jesus ans believers personalizing Their stories and tbeir spirit with jesus spirit (described by apostles).

Jesus was a jew not Roman. He did not promote sacrifice as sacrifices were no longer needed. As a jew, he would not have sacrificed his Body and Blood (literal) for all people. That is against jewish teachings. I feel Christianity (NT) have paganized Jesus teachings severely.

Think about it. You dont have to believe in the physical Eucharist but every Christian believes in the Eucharist. They literally believe (spiritual is literal unless you believe his sacrifice is fake) he died for them. The slaughter jesus sustained didnt need to be by jews to cover sins. The same sacrifice in the OT was done in the new by jesus not negating the claim against him.

Sorry.

How can a christian believe in human sacrifice?

I understand the Eucharist because that is part of Roman teachings. Protestants are no different other than changing language use and physical elements. Yet, you guys still believe in actual human sacrifice.

When I was Catholic, I Never believed jesus died and sacrificed himself for me. Thats barbaric. I believe that I (me) sacrificed myself in him by blood and body (hence why we have conviction and repentence)

I notice Catholics dont share my sentiment so I left. How can anyone believe in and cherish the actual fact of human sacrifice?

Regardless if its god who sanctioned it, if you sacrifice your life for others that means you will go against gods will for another persons life. The apostles didnt teach that.

How can you believe in human sacrifice and regardless if the person still lives after death, ans god sanctioned it, does life mean so little to where one thinks of god over others?

Thank you for reading this. I am serious. Any christian (someone who believes jesus actually died for their sins not just take up his morals) can answer.

EDIT: True sacrifice of a believer is giving up your life even if it means by the wrath lf god. No hope you will go to heaven. Total disobedience.

 

[Muffled]

Hi All,

I Was wondering what you think about the various religions and religion streams in the world.

Do you think that God is really in favor of one religion? If so, Which one and why?
Please try to avoid using scriptures as arguments as all religions are eventually based on scriptures and this is not a valid argument IMO.

If you think that one religion is indeed the "right" one, do you believe that following the wrong religion is a "Sin" or on the lighter case, Not the way to salvation.
Please note I'm asking those question out of interest and not because I look for a religion to follow (I personally think they are all false).

I Raise this question because it seems that no matter who i debate, their religion is always seems to be the truth and the valid way to win God's favor.

Also, If indeed one religion is better than the other, Is it better to be a Good person believing the wrong religion or a Bad person believing the right religion?

And I'm not talking about Good and Bad in a sense of following traditions or Mitzvot..

For example:
For Jews, the Sabath is one of the holiest things..
So is it better to be a thief that keeps the Sabath or A decent honest person who sees Sunday as a holy day?

Regards All, and Happy Rosh hashana

I believe Christianity is the best and the only way to be saved from sin but other religions can be helpful if they don't get in the way of believing in Jesus.

I believe there are no good people. There are people saved from sin and people who are not.

 

[Muffled]

Considering the number of religions that exist and have existed along history, isn’t it reasonable to think they are most likely all wrong?

I believe one may go to a karaoke bar and find lots of people who can't sing well but that does not mean there are no people who sing well. Maybe you just haven't found the one that works yet.

 

[metis]

I believe Christianity is the best and the only way to be saved from sin but other religions can be helpful if they don't get in the way of believing in Jesus.

I believe there are no good people. There are people saved from sin and people who are not.

So, people are "saved from sin" by merely having a politically-correct belief about Jesus?

Nah, I'll propose that it's probably not anywhere near that simple, especially since Jesus puts far more emphasis on moral actions versus one p-c belief.