No one religion can be correct

[EnhancedSpirit]

So what about people like me, who reject any and all sacred texts? If we will not seek understanding through the bible or the quran or anything else like that, does that mean that we are doomed?

I would not say you are doomed. Jesus is clear about the fact that our salvation is not measured by our acts. If I fed a million starving children that is a great thing, but if I did it for selfish reasons, the act is 'meaningless'. As for whether you will make it to Heaven or not, is up to you. But it's not possible to get there at all if you don't believe in it. You will be given exactly what you ask for. If you want to rot in the ground along with the body you inhabit, you are allowed to do that.

 

[Fascist Christ]

[...] take for granted that we even have a planet to live on that is hospitable enough for us to create our own world.

That is absurd. If the planet was not hospitable enough, we would not be here. That is the natural order of the Universe. Life simply will not develope if the conditions are inhospitable. And we would not develope the capabilities of manipulating our world if the world was not hospitable enough to allow it. It is cause and effect. Not a coincdence. Not a miracle.

It is important to know everything you can about what has been written before deciding to accept or reject it. This is the logical (sneaked that in) approach. The question that can be asked of scipture or religious writings is how far removed the author was from the inspiration or word they were receiving. Meaning to say that the author's thoughts or understanding could still have a great influence over what was written down. There is the political aspect also. This is why someone can gain a highly advanced spiritual perpective through the study of these materials.

I never said that nothing can be gained from analyzing something that we have rejected. A perfect example of what I mean is Hitler. People have rejected him so thoroughly that they tend to deny that anything can be learned from him. Consequently, the only thing most people (or maybe this is specifically a US issue) really know about him is the monsterous things he did to the Jews. How about the gays, communists, and Atheists? What about the social engineering? What about the economy?

But this is not what you mean. You want us to consider "how far removed the author was from the inspiration or word they were receiving." But if we deny that any inspration or word would have been given, then this consideration would be meaningless. It is much more feasible, and historically popular, that a leader would invoke the name of the god of the masses in order to gain their unquestioning obedience. This should be obvious in situations like Moses, who found it appropriate to kill anyone who questioned his authority.

 

[Fascist Christ]

I would not say you are doomed. Jesus is clear about the fact that our salvation is not measured by our acts. If I fed a million starving children that is a great thing, but if I did it for selfish reasons, the act is 'meaningless'. As for whether you will make it to Heaven or not, is up to you. But it's not possible to get there at all if you don't believe in it. You will be given exactly what you ask for. If you want to rot in the ground along with the body you inhabit, you are allowed to do that.

I don't remember seeing that in the bible. If that is the case, than I ask to be a supergod so that I can join the resistance to overthrow the Jahovian monarchy. We must dethrone the oppressor and establish freedom and democracy in the metaphysical realm.

 

[may]

From the least startling to the truly awe inspiring wonders that happen, it is a gift to be able to witness their unfolding.

You'll See It When You Believe It

ohhhhhh nice one ,now that is very Good................psalm 139;14
I shall laud you because in a fear-inspiring way I am wonderfully made

Your works are wonderful

As my soul is very well aware

 

[stemmill]

Your thread poses significant questions dealing with religious legitimacy and absolutness. your founding ideas tie into the concept called "tabla Rasa." Adressing religious matters from this standpoint exposes the strong influence that socialization plays in the creation of religious belief. Through this perspective one can explain religion in terms of social conventions and nothing more; nothing more being supernatural mandate. Although there can be arguments used against your points, it is is still a valid argument, with which, for the most part I agree with.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

If Bah'hai can be considered a religion, then I'm sure that it's the only "one" religion that can be correct. The rest of us exclusivist religions have to fend for ourselves, each having pretty much an equal chance at being correct.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

I don't remember seeing that in the bible. If that is the case, than I ask to be a supergod so that I can join the resistance to overthrow the Jahovian monarchy. We must dethrone the oppressor and establish freedom and democracy in the metaphysical realm.

Whao... what are you smokin?! I didn't think that a person could feel that warm and fuzzy. It looks like you've had some help.:woohoo:

 

[jazzalta]

Jesus is clear about the fact that our salvation is not measured by our acts.

I remember reading this in James 2, 2:17

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Interesting how some can be confused.