What convinces you that your religion is the true religion?

[Sententia]

There are many faiths for many gods.

By embracing a particular religion you normally also embrace a single god.

How do you explain other gods and other faiths and how do they relate to you?

Beyond gods there are afterlife or prelife beliefs which are in direct conflict with other religious afterlife and prelife beliefs... how do you explain this away to honestly embrace your faith as the one true and only faith? (Or do you just not really think about how you found faith and what other faith or non-faith options might be out there for you?)

 

[Madhuri]

The specific Vedic philosophy that I adhere to is one that is most compatible with my direct experiences of reality. I've explored other philosophies with an open mind but most, especially the Abrahamic religions, seem to contradict the most essential aspect of the reality that I perceive.

Vedic philosophy offers what seems to me to be a satisfactory explanation of why people are the way that they are and why so many perspectives/religions exist.

 

[Irelandrulz2]

Well, when you think about it, all religions are pretty much the same.
Most importantly they all have one God.
As many of the Bibles share stories that are similar, I believe that all religions are practically the same.
As I was raised a Catholic, I am still a Catholic.

 

[Madhuri]

Well, when you think about it, all religions are pretty much the same.

Not true.

Most importantly they all have one God.

Definitely not true.

As many of the Bibles share stories that are similar, I believe that all religions are practically the same.

Are you saying that all religions have a Bible? What does that mean to you?

As I was raised a Catholic, I am still a Catholic.

That's the only reason?

 

[Levite]

There are many faiths for many gods.

By embracing a particular religion you normally also embrace a single god.

How do you explain other gods and other faiths and how do they relate to you?

Beyond gods there are afterlife or prelife beliefs which are in direct conflict with other religious afterlife and prelife beliefs... how do you explain this away to honestly embrace your faith as the one true and only faith? (Or do you just not really think about how you found faith and what other faith or non-faith options might be out there for you?)

I don't believe in the concept of "the one true and only faith."

I am a Jew, and as such I believe that I should practice Judaism, and so should other Jews. I think that it is how our people are meant to relate to God.

I believe that for others, it's good to be faithful to the traditions of spirituality one inherits; those, presumably are the ways in which they are supposed to relate to God.

My assumption is that God spoke to many peoples, perhaps established many covenants. It makes no sense to me that there should be only one method of spiritually drawing near to the Infinite, or that the Creator should speak only to one people, using only one voice. God may be One, but He has many aspects and many voices, and is the embodiment of limitless possibilities and potentials.

I believe in one faith that is right for me. What is right for you is up to you.

 

[james2ko]

No other deity speaks with more ABSOLUTE power... authority...conviction....possessiveness...exclusivity...singularity and total undeniable confidence than the God in the pages of the Holy Bible. He boldly states one day the whole world will be full of the knowledge of His ways, as outlined in scripture (Isa 11:9). And staunchly contends future exclusive worship by the entire planet of Him and His Son (Psa 22:27-28). I figured, why not get a head start

 

[Revoltingest]

Revoltifarianism is the one true religion.
We have no dogma, make no claims, & wouldn't know truth if it came up & bit us on the leg.
Therefore, we have the least likelihood of being wrong.

 

[sandandfoam]

I'm with Levite.
I don't expect the truth of my religion to extend beyond me.

 

[dyanaprajna2011]

I spent most of my life as a dedicated Christian. However, about six years ago, right after I married, I began to investigate philosophy and other religions. I was finding that Christianity was not matching up to my experiences. After my divorce earlier this year, I found myself more and more drawn to Buddhism. Eventually, that's the religion that I accepted. I find that it matches more with my views of reality and my experiences than any other. I also believe that it offers answers to questions that I have that no other religion can offer. I do not believe it is the one and only true religion, as I believe all religions are valid and important. I believe that each individual has to investigate each religion, and find the one that best matches with themselves. For some, Christianity works just fine, for others, another religion does. For me, it was Buddhism.

 

[rusra02]

There are many faiths for many gods.

By embracing a particular religion you normally also embrace a single god.

How do you explain other gods and other faiths and how do they relate to you?

Beyond gods there are afterlife or prelife beliefs which are in direct conflict with other religious afterlife and prelife beliefs... how do you explain this away to honestly embrace your faith as the one true and only faith? (Or do you just not really think about how you found faith and what other faith or non-faith options might be out there for you?)

Good question. Many people accept a religion based on whatever religion their parents or relatives belong to. Others choose a religion that makes them feel good or accords with their world view or desires. Jesus said that true worshipers would worship the Father with spirit and truth, and that those conscious of their spiritual need are happy. (Matthew 5:3, John 4:24). The true religion is based on facts, not fanciful tall tales. The true religion is based on the worship of the only true God. (John 17:3) Thus there can be only one true religion, and all other religions must therefore be false. The gods of false religion are unable to prove their godship. They are powerless, because they are not real. Jehovah, the true God, has proven and continues to prove his Godship by what he has done in the past and what he now does. He accurately foretells what he will do, and brings it to pass. (Isaiah 46:10) Despite international opposition over centuries of time, the Bible is the all-time best selling book ever written. It has proven to be what it claims to be, the inspired word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16,17) A careful examination of the Bible has convinced me that it describes the only true faith, which by the way, is far different from the beliefs and practices of most professed christians. (Matthew 7:21,22)

 

[Breathe]

The specific Vedic philosophy that I adhere to is one that is most compatible with my direct experiences of reality. I've explored other philosophies with an open mind but most, especially the Abrahamic religions, seem to contradict the most essential aspect of the reality that I perceive.

Vedic philosophy offers what seems to me to be a satisfactory explanation of why people are the way that they are and why so many perspectives/religions exist.

What Madhuri said, I think is spot on.

 

[Elder_Bevan]

Why I believe so is that our religion is set up after the same organiztion that existed in the primitive church. we have prophets and apostles, pastors, teachers, evangelists and so forth. we have the priesthood authority to administer the saving ordinances of the gospel on the earth. We have the book of mormon as evidence that our church was restored by jesus christ himself

 

[dyanaprajna2011]

Why I believe so is that our religion is set up after the same organiztion that existed in the primitive church. we have prophets and apostles, pastors, teachers, evangelists and so forth. we have the priesthood authority to administer the saving ordinances of the gospel on the earth. We have the book of mormon as evidence that our church was restored by jesus christ himself

That might be all well and good from a Christian standpoint, but what makes you think Christianity is the correct religion? Is there any objective evidence that points to Christianity being the only true religion, and that all others are false and deceitful? There's hundreds of religions, with tens of thousands of denominations and sects. I was a Christian most of my life, and I floated between several different denominations, including Free Will Baptist, Southern Baptist, Independent Fundamentalist Baptist, United Methodist, Pentecostal Assemblies of God, and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Finally, after taking a look at what I believed about reality, and my experiences, I turned away from Christianity completely, and to Buddhism, which answers all of my questions that Christianity couldn't. This isn't a put down of Christianity, because like I've stated elsewhere, I believe all religions are valid and important, and each individual has to make their own choice about what religion fits them best, if any at all.

 

[Breathe]

I believe all religions are valid and important,

Valid regarding what?
Important how?

Just curious.

 

[dyanaprajna2011]

Valid regarding what?
Important how?

Just curious.

What is the function of religion? Is it to feel a connection to something higher than ourselves? To give our lives meaning and purpose? For an ethical standard to live by? Or all of these, and more? I believe that there is one higher reality, of which each individual religion is descended from, purposely, so that people of different personalities, ideas, philosophies, environments, etc., can have a choice as to what way to this higher reality fits them best. Each religion was revealed at the proper time in the proper place just for this purpose. Some people want a religion that is more philosophical, some more emotional, some more mystical. Since there is this multiplicity of religions, each person has a choice as to what views fit them best. Therefore, each religion is valid, as a means to connect with the higher reality, and the other things I listed, and important, to give each individual the opportunity to a religion that expresses their individual personalities and concerns.

 

[Riverwolf]

Nothing convinces me that my faith is the only true religion, because I don't believe it is; all of them are legitimate paths to the same thing (whatever that may be). The one I picked happens to work best for me (at least of the ones I've seen.)

 

[ellenjanuary]

Ain

I don't believe in the concept of "the one true and only faith."

I am a Jew, and as such I believe that I should practice Judaism, and so should other Jews. I think that it is how our people are meant to relate to God.

I believe that for others, it's good to be faithful to the traditions of spirituality one inherits; those, presumably are the ways in which they are supposed to relate to God.

My assumption is that God spoke to many peoples, perhaps established many covenants. It makes no sense to me that there should be only one method of spiritually drawing near to the Infinite, or that the Creator should speak only to one people, using only one voice. God may be One, but He has many aspects and many voices, and is the embodiment of limitless possibilities and potentials.

I believe in one faith that is right for me. What is right for you is up to you.

Bingo! My "quaternion" (which just means - a group of four) is that "I love Gwyneth Paltrow." Cut that in half, one gets "I love;" there ain't really much to debate. In essence, there's already too many words in my religion.

 

[BruceDLimber]

Granted, not all belief are true or correcxt.

But that said, I will add this:

I acquired my beliefs and convictions as the direct result of reading, prayer, study, research, investigation, observation, and evaluation.

Since reinforced by over 39 years as a Baha'i during which I have NOT ONCE found any reason to regret this decision!

And we accept ALL the great religions as legitimate and of God!

As the Baha'i scriptures put it,

"There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God. The difference between the ordinances under which they abide should be attributed to the varying requirements and exigencies of the age in which they were revealed. All of them, except a few which are the outcome of human perversity, were ordained of God, and are a reflection of His Will and Purpose. Arise and, armed with the power of faith, shatter to pieces the gods of your vain imaginings, the sowers of dissension amongst you. Cleave unto that which draweth you together and uniteth you."

—(The Proclamation of Baha'u'llah, p. 114;
also Gleanings, CXI, pp. 217-8)

Thus, the differences between them are expected (and part of the reason why other ones exist).

Peace,

Bruce

 

[Midnight Pete]

What convinces you that your religion is the true religion?

I am not convinced that my religion is quantifiably better or more true than the other religions. Religions are really crappy substitues for God, anyway. They are the finger pointing to the moon that is God. Do not mistake the finger for the moon!

 

[dyanaprajna2011]

Granted, not all belief are true or correcxt.

But that said, I will add this:

I acquired my beliefs and convictions as the direct result of reading, prayer, study, research, investigation, observation, and evaluation.

Since reinforced by over 39 years as a Baha'i during which I have NOT ONCE found any reason to regret this decision!

And we accept ALL the great religions as legitimate and of God!

As the Baha'i scriptures put it,

"There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God. The difference between the ordinances under which they abide should be attributed to the varying requirements and exigencies of the age in which they were revealed. All of them, except a few which are the outcome of human perversity, were ordained of God, and are a reflection of His Will and Purpose. Arise and, armed with the power of faith, shatter to pieces the gods of your vain imaginings, the sowers of dissension amongst you. Cleave unto that which draweth you together and uniteth you."

—(The Proclamation of Baha'u'llah, p. 114;
also Gleanings, CXI, pp. 217-8)

Thus, the differences between them are expected (and part of the reason why other ones exist).

Peace,

Bruce

I've investigated Baha'i before. I thought it was a pretty good religion. Some people make a big deal about Baha'ullah basically reforming the Twelver Shia sect of Islam, but anyone can see this is not the case. One problem that I have with the Baha'i religion is that it tries to combine all religions into one. It tries to take the major doctrines of each individual religion and turn them into one coherent whole. Now, it works for some people, but it never really made much sense to me. I like the multiplicity of different religions, so each individual person can find one that matches with their views, experiences and personalities. Another problem I have with Baha'i is how Baha'ullah claimed to be the 'expectant messiah' of each religion, such as the second coming of Christ, al-Madhi, Maitreya, etc. I believe this is almost offensive to people of the faiths that are represented in the personages that Baha'ullah claimed to be. But, other than those, I had no other problems with it. And I do think it's a valid and equal religion.