The wrong religion

[Quintessence]

Libraries, by the way, are a fantastic gateway. They are sacred spaces to me. It would be a bit of personal bias to say so, but I feel that another sign you're in the wrong religion is that you're not learning and exploring new things about your religion or the world in general. Or that you have stopped asking questions.

 

[Sabour]

What other things might you add to signs you're practicing the wrong religion?

In order for a religion to be true I think one should be tangibly handed something to prove that it is actually true.


You can disregard my response as I am a person who believes that there is a truth, meaning there is only one right way.

 

[Secret Chief]

Interesting thread.
Regarding the first notion, I know a couple of people who are hopefully generally happy. One is a JW and the other a Creationist. Both lovely people. IMO parts of their mind are insanely deluded. Is this a good way to be overall? To be an adult, but unable to think critically, rationally, independently, to blithely accept nonsensical claims but reject objective reality? I'm sure neither person will ever cause deliberate harm but such mindsets can lead to hell and genuinely concern me.

 

[Quintessence]

Interesting thread.
Regarding the first notion, I know a couple of people who are hopefully generally happy. One is a JW and the other a Creationist. Both lovely people. IMO parts of their mind are insanely deluded. Is this a good way to be overall? To be an adult, but unable to think critically, rationally, independently, to blithely accept nonsensical claims but reject objective reality? I'm sure neither person will ever cause deliberate harm but such mindsets can lead to hell and genuinely concern me.

I think we need to be very careful judging other people. Unless we have a very deep relationship with someone, we rarely have a complete picture of a person, and arguably even with depth we do not have a complete picture. I highly doubt either of these people can't use the type of thinking you're talking about, and I also highly doubt you or I use that type of thinking as much as we'd like to claim.

I find it a good policy that whenever I get concerned about someone else's way of life that differs from my own, to really cross-examine myself and ask why that is. Most of the time, it says far more about me than it does about the people I was far too hasty to judge. Besides, the core of this thread is not to ask "would this person's religion be right for me," it is only to ask "is the religion I am practicing right for me." Knowing that which you are not is part of that process, and to me, that is the only purpose such otherwise pointless judgements and condemnations of others have.

 

[Jainarayan]

... meaning there is only one right way.

That must be qualified with "there is only one right way for me". Your way is in no way right for me, and my way is obviously not right for you. That's the premise of this thread... what is the wrong religion for an individual, and how you determine what is right or wrong for you.

 

[Sabour]

That must be qualified with "there is only one right way for me". Your way is in no way right for me, and my way is obviously not right for you. That's the premise of this thread... what is the wrong religion for an individual, and how you determine what is right or wrong for you.

I know the premise of this read and that is why I added " you can disregard my opinion because ...... "

However, reality is one and hence only one way is the correct way. Others are roads that would lead somewhere else for my argument is that the true religion isn't the one that best suits you, the true religion is the true religion because it offers the true answers.

Whilst all religions have different answers to different questions, I would say only one is correct.


Again you can disregard my argument because it doesn't answer much questions regarding the topic of this thread ...

 

[viole]

I know the premise of this read and that is why I added " you can disregard my opinion because ...... "

However, reality is one and hence only one way is the correct way. Others are roads that would lead somewhere else for my argument is that the true religion isn't the one that best suits you, the true religion is the true religion because it offers the true answers.

Whilst all religions have different answers to different questions, I would say only one is correct.


Again you can disregard my argument because it doesn't answer much questions regarding the topic of this thread ...

Can you make an example of an answer that is true only for your religion and not for other religions or atheism?

Together with independent, and not circular evidence that it is the case, of course.

Ciao

- viole

 

[Sabour]

Can you make an example of an answer that is true only for your religion and not for other religions or atheism?

Together with independent, and not circular evidence that it is true, of course.

Ciao

- viole

If I would now to start from blank and pick up a religion, the first thing I would look for is at the religions which say that there is One God. This is what I believe and that if true is a fact. And if it is a fact, than it is the right thing to every one to say that there is One God.

Now with how many options that would leave me?

Every fact that I know will leave me with less and less choices.

 

[Secret Chief]

Perhaps I am judgmental of those who judge me and find me wanting. I'm a fool to accept evolution and need to reject my ungodliness so I can go to paradise.

 

[viole]

If I would now to start from blank and pick up a religion, the first thing I would look for is at the religions which say that there is One God. This is what I believe and that if true is a fact. And if it is a fact, than it is the right thing to every one to say that there is One God.

Now with how many options that would leave me?

Every fact that I know will leave me with less and less choices.

Yes, I am sure that is the case.

But you did not answer my primary question, did you? What is a provably and not circular true answer that only your religion can give? Caveat: saying that it is true because it comes from the true God does count as circular, obviously.

So, what is it?

In a sense, that is self defeating. If giving no answer is the true answer then, well.

Ciao

- viole

 

[Sabour]

Yes, I am sure that is the case.

But you did not answer my primary question, did you? What is a provably and not circular true answer that only your religion can give? Caveat: saying that it is true because it comes from the true God does count as circular, obviously.

So, what is it?

In a sense, that is self defeating. If giving no answer is the true answer then, well.

Ciao

- viole

I wouldn't say that there is a question that only my religion answered. But rather I would say that there are a set of beliefs that are found only in Islam.

For example, God is One, why do we suffer, what happens when we die, purpose of life,free will ....

These things that I mentioned are explained differently by every religion, but only one answer is the true answer.


I can't give you a definitive answer to your question. But I can tell you that from scratch, I would begin with the religion that teaches that there is One God because I am sure of that. Second, I am sure that God didn't send us to this world to live by our own desires so I am sure that there is something for me to find out. Third, that religion has to have something that proves it and talks about it, something that you can someone can find and be able to understand the religion through it, something like a book.

I would say that these three questions can lead me to what I am looking for. Of course, if you ask another muslim, he will have a complete different list of questions and approaches.

A right religion should have answers to all the question THAT NEED AN ANSWER TOO. so I would suggest instead of asking me what are the questions that my religion had answers to, you should start your own list of questions and approaches.

 

[viole]

I wouldn't say that there is a question that only my religion answered. But rather I would say that there are a set of beliefs that are found only in Islam.

For example, God is One, why do we suffer, what happens when we die, purpose of life,free will ....

These things that I mentioned are explained differently by every religion, but only one answer is the true answer.


I can't give you a definitive answer to your question. But I can tell you that from scratch, I would begin with the religion that teaches that there is One God because I am sure of that. Second, I am sure that God didn't send us to this world to live by our own desires so I am sure that there is something for me to find out. Third, that religion has to have something that proves it and talks about it, something that you can someone can find and be able to understand the religion through it, something like a book.

I would say that these three questions can lead me to what I am looking for. Of course, if you ask another muslim, he will have a complete different list of questions and approaches.

A right religion should have answers to all the question THAT NEED AN ANSWER TOO. so I would suggest instead of asking me what are the questions that my religion had answers to, you should start your own list of questions and approaches.

Well, yes. But why should I care?

You claimed that the right religion is the one that can give true answers, yet you fail to tell us what those mysterious answers are that only your religion can answer, without assuming in the premises that your religion is the true one.

How is that not circular reasoning? And as such, useless to find the true religion, if any.

Cio

- viole

 

[Quintessence]

I know the premise of this read and that is why I added " you can disregard my opinion because ...... "

However, reality is one and hence only one way is the correct way. Others are roads that would lead somewhere else for my argument is that the true religion isn't the one that best suits you, the true religion is the true religion because it offers the true answers.

Whilst all religions have different answers to different questions, I would say only one is correct.


Again you can disregard my argument because it doesn't answer much questions regarding the topic of this thread ...

In a sense, though, this is relevant to the thread topic. The belief that there is only one correct way is correct for you. And although I personally disagree in exclusivism, I would not say that exclusivist mindsets are signs that one is practicing the wrong religion. For some, exclusivist religions are exactly what they need. There is a certainty that comes with them that has great appeal, especially for those who favor thinking in black and white terms. We sometimes use "black and white" thinking as an insult, but really, it's just another way of going about understanding reality. If that works for people, and gives their lives meaning and purpose, that's good enough for me.

 

[Cephus]

These things that I mentioned are explained differently by every religion, but only one answer is the true answer.

Actually, it's just as likely that all answers are wrong. The religious answer is only potentially true if a god actually exists, but since there is no objective evidence to support such a statement, all claims made contingent to a real god are very likely false.

 

[Sabour]

Well, yes. But why should I care?

You claimed that the right religion is the one that can give true answers, yet you fail to tell us what those mysterious answers are that only your religion can answer, without assuming in the premises that your religion is the true one.

How is that not circular reasoning? And as such, useless to find the true religion, if any.

Cio

- viole

I told you you they were questions about free will, how life is fair to everyone, what happens once we die, what is the purpose of life, what happens once we go ...

These are not scientific questions that I would prove to you as I speak, but rather are checked logically. Every person has his own approach towards things and my approach may mean nothing to you. The important question is does that religion offer you answers to your questions.

 

[Sabour]

Actually, it's just as likely that all answers are wrong. The religious answer is only potentially true if a god actually exists, but since there is no objective evidence to support such a statement, all claims made contingent to a real god are very likely false.

I am afraid that would head us towards having a debate about the existence of God.

 

[Cephus]

I am afraid that would head us towards having a debate about the existence of God.

Which is really the only important discussion to have. Without a god, all theistic religious traditions fall apart.

 

[Quintessence]

I am afraid that would head us towards having a debate about the existence of God.

Yes, and that is quite beyond the scope of this thread. Please and thank you.

But as an aside, Cephus, I think you'er also overlooking that not all religions are theistic, and that not all gods are supernaturalistic or transcendent. And more importantly, overlooking that none of this is relevant with respect to whether or not a particular religion is correct for the individual practicing it. This is not a discussion about "objective truth" or some such.

 

[Quintessence]

Which is really the only important discussion to have. Without a god, all theistic religious traditions fall apart.

If you believe that, sure. But this is not the thread for discussing it. I would be interested to see you start a thread about this claim, because it is certainly one I disagree with.

 

[Cephus]

Yes, and that is quite beyond the scope of this thread. Please and thank you.

But as an aside, Cephus, I think you'er also overlooking that not all religions are theistic, and that not all gods are supernaturalistic or transcendent. And more importantly, overlooking that none of this is relevant with respect to whether or not a particular religion is correct for the individual practicing it. This is not a discussion about "objective truth" or some such.

That's why I specifically referred to theistic religious beliefs. And "correct for the individual" is an oxymoron. Either it is correct or it is incorrect. If the individual is practicing an incorrect religion, they are incorrect regardless of how they feel about it or how they are doing it. If someone feels really, really good about thinking that 2+2=47, they're wrong, no matter how wonderful such a belief is in their lives.