Which Religion is the One True Religion?

Quote:

Rational-Muslim
To you I have but one think to say. And it's not merry christmas.

Keep up with the time man, Christmas is a symbolic and commercial holiday now. :wink: Even Buddhists are celebrating it.

I believe in St. Nick! Razz

Quote:

What do the major religions have in common?
1-The concept of a creator, even in religions believing in more than one God there is the concept of a 'supreme God' (the most powerful of all gods)
2-Prophets or messengers of God.
3-The concept of good and evil.
4-The do's and don'ts and other concepts described in a "holy book" revealed to the prophet, and the prophet's own teachings to mankind.
5-Some concept of life here after.
6-The concept of some form of accountability for one's deeds in this word "the judgement day".
7-Mention of other religions in the holy books.
8-Mention of a common event in the various religious books (e.g." The great flood")

I believe that Buddhism does not have most of these except number 3.

Quote:

Best laugh I had all week. "Religion created Humanity." Religion fosters hatred, intolerance, war, genocide, massacre as well as being a detriment to progress.

Disagreed. If there was no religion, the people who committed these immoral acts would have done so under another excuse. Cult of Personality, live for the state, anyone? I don't like the statement religion fosters hatred, intolerance , war, genocide, etc. as much as religion created humanity.

Rational Muslim, if you want to prove this view to those who don't believe, then you need to find at least some evidences.

0 Replies

But why would anyone agree that we need religion to guide us
Thank you Frank Apisa for your question, Pl tell me what you think about this answer.

Why do we need religion? OR
Do I need to follow a religion?
Isn’t it sufficient to follow the religion of my parents?
Does it mater which religion I follow?

A thinking mind frequently asks itself these and other similar questions.
Since I do not believe in “Blind faith” I asked myself these questions and looked for the answers with an open mind, without being bogged down by the religion that I inherited from my parents.
The only difference between humans and other animals is intelligence, our ability to think, to ask questions, to seek answers, to observe and to deduct conclusions.

Since the beginning of human race man has wondered how this world and this whole universe so big and complex came into being? It could not have come into being all by itself, out of nowhere?
Some people call it “nature”, like “nature” has created such and such wonder. This word has become a general term that the common man as well as scientists often use instead of “God “. What is the difference between Nature & God? And who created this universe? The boundaries of which both at the smallest and the largest scale (from the smallest subatomic level or “string” to the outermost limits of cosmos are yet unknown).
There must be someone who created all this, and that someone has to be all intelligent and all-powerful. The concept of an all-powerful being or creator is so basic, that it is almost in built into human psyche. And the concept of worship of that divine all-powerful being is also as old as the human race itself. This built-in concept of an all-powerful being or "God" also surfaces in times of acute distress when most humans irrespective of their religion feel the need of help from that divine being. The all too common phrase" 0 God please help me" is heard.

The need of guidance from the creator
Yet another human need is that for a code of conduct or guidelines to govern our complex lives. Where should that come from? Should we make it on our own through trial and error? Or "best guess" basis. Just think that when you buy a new unfamiliar gadget you have to read the manufacturer instructions & warnings and follow them to get the best results or some friend familiar with it tells you the Dos and Don’ts. You ignore the instructions and the result is – malfunction, damage to the gadget or worse getting yourself hurt. (Hasn’t the mankind been doing just that?)
When we need manufactures instructions to use these gadgets, where is the manual that tells us how to manage something as complex as individual and collective human lives? The need of such code of conduct coming from our manufacture, our creator is obvious.

Where is that code? that manual? The answer is “Religion”.

If what I have said above makes sense to you then please read my posting above on why Islam is the best religion (it is lengthy but to someone looking for the truth there is some food for thought.)

0 Replies

Rational-Muslim wrote:

Thank you Frank Apisa for your question, Pl tell me what you think about this answer.

Okay...and I will start with the last thing you wrote:

Quote:

If what I have said above makes sense to you then please read my posting above on why Islam is the best religion (it is lengthy but to someone looking for the truth there is some food for thought.)

With all the respect possible, RM...it doesn't make any sense at all.

Quote:

Since the beginning of human race man has wondered how this world and this whole universe so big and complex came into being? It could not have come into being all by itself, out of nowhere?

Really! And how do you know that...or is this merely a guess?

Quote:

Some people call it "nature", like "nature" has created such and such wonder. This word has become a general term that the common man as well as scientists often use instead of "God ". What is the difference between Nature & God? And who created this universe?

Once again...how do you know the universe was "created?"

Are you saying that it is impossible for something to simply have always been?

Quote:

The boundaries of which both at the smallest and the largest scale (from the smallest subatomic level or "string" to the outermost limits of cosmos are yet unknown).
There must be someone who created all this...

That is the third time you have asserted this...and so far you have not provided any reason to suppose this has to be so.

It is self-serving and gratuituous.

Quote:

...and that someone has to be all intelligent and all-powerful.

Now you are taking one thing that does not have to be at all...and adding a definition of what it must be.

You are dreaming this stuff. Pulling it out of thin air.

This is belief...nothing more. Blind guesses about the unknown.

Quote:

The concept of an all-powerful being or creator is so basic, that it is almost in built into human psyche.

Yes...there are lots of superstitious people and always have been. Thankfully, we seem to be progressing beyond that.

Quote:

And the concept of worship of that divine all-powerful being is also as old as the human race itself.

Yes...people have always been afraid of the unknown...and have allowed their fear to drive them to incredible silliness.

Quote:

This built-in concept of an all-powerful being or "God" also surfaces in times of acute distress when most humans irrespective of their religion feel the need of help from that divine being. The all too common phrase" 0 God please help me" is heard.

Indeed! That is why I call it the result of fear...and why I call it silliness.

Quote:

The need of guidance from the creator

No we do not. We do not even know if there is a "creator." Try to get that concept!

Quote:

Yet another human need is that for a code of conduct or guidelines to govern our complex lives. Where should that come from?

Either we make it up for ourselves...or we use the code devised by ancient, superstitious people who pretended that their code came from the gods. I think the former makes much more sense than the latter.

Quote:

Should we make it on our own through trial and error?

Yes.

Quote:

Or "best guess" basis. Just think that when you buy a new unfamiliar gadget you have to read the manufacturer instructions & warnings and follow them to get the best results or some friend familiar with it tells you the Dos and Don'ts. You ignore the instructions and the result is - malfunction, damage to the gadget or worse getting yourself hurt. (Hasn't the mankind been doing just that?)
When we need manufactures instructions to use these gadgets, where is the manual that tells us how to manage something as complex as individual and collective human lives? The need of such code of conduct coming from our manufacture, our creator is obvious.

If I am putting together a gadget...I use the instructions.

But this simile is trite if you are trying to use ancient scripture as the instructions for life.

Quote:

Where is that code? that manual? The answer is "Religion".

Only for the superstitious.

In any case...earlier you wrote:

Quote:

If one agrees that we need religion to guide us through our lives than the question arises which religion out of the many to choose?

In response, I wrote:

Quote:

But why would anyone agree that we need religion to guide us through our lives???

We most assuredly do not.

Perhaps you can better understand that if I rephrase that proposition:

"If one agrees that we need mythology and superstition to guide us through our lives...."

You really haven't answered that.

And I can understand why...because we simply do not NEED religion to guide us through life. It may help some people...but by no means is it a NEED.

In fact, in my opinion, it is most often an unnecessary crutch.

0 Replies

The more things change the more they stay the same. Religion and the idea of a supreme being has been, from time immemorial driven by mans inability to cope with the unknown. Man from time to time has, inorder to explain what to them is inexplicable worshipped the sun, moon, wind and a host of other supposed deities. Here we in the 21st century,and as we have from the time of our emergence from the primeval mist still clinging to religion to explain the unknown.

0 Replies

au1929 wrote:

The more things change the more they stay the same. Religion and the idea of a supreme being has been, from time immemorial driven by mans inability to cope with the unknown. Man from time to time has, inorder to explain what to them is inexplicable worshipped the sun, moon, wind and a host of other supposed deities. Here we in the 21st century,and as we have from the time of our emergence from the primeval mist still clinging to religion to explain the unknown.

Here's the problem I have with the rejection of a Creator:
Intelligent Design is a sound scientific theory.
The Big Bang, a new scientific theory explaining the origins of the universe, is the first scientific theory that corresponds with the Creation in Bereshis (Genesis) - "When G-d began to Create..."
Except Bereshis explains where the Energy came from to initialize the Big Bang.
The mathematical odds of Life (as we define it via DNA) occurring are 1 in E to 113th power. Scientists consider a "probability" of 1 in E to the 50th power as something that is "impossible."
Man as the "randomly evolved" intelligent being makes no sense vis a vis evolution or "nature."
And, it is possible for humans to have a plethora of "extrasensory" experiences ranging from "prophecy" to simply controlling one's autonomic bodily functions. The unexplainable, non-logical, "non-scientific" abilities of Man are extensively documented. And, a person can, if they so choose, induce a "different state of consciousness" within oneself verifying this inexplicable relationship with the "natural" universe.

These are all logical reasons to conclude that "there is more to Heaven and Earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy..."

0 Replies

Moishe3rd wrote:

au1929 wrote:
The more things change the more they stay the same. Religion and the idea of a supreme being has been, from time immemorial driven by mans inability to cope with the unknown. Man from time to time has, inorder to explain what to them is inexplicable worshipped the sun, moon, wind and a host of other supposed deities. Here we in the 21st century,and as we have from the time of our emergence from the primeval mist still clinging to religion to explain the unknown.

Here's the problem I have with the rejection of a Creator:
Intelligent Design is a sound scientific theory.
The Big Bang, a new scientific theory explaining the origins of the universe, is the first scientific theory that corresponds with the Creation in Bereshis (Genesis) - "When G-d began to Create..."
Except Bereshis explains where the Energy came from to initialize the Big Bang.
The mathematical odds of Life (as we define it via DNA) occurring are 1 in E to 113th power. Scientists consider a "probability" of 1 in E to the 50th power as something that is "impossible."

There is at least the possibility that existence in infinite...had no beginning. It is possible that universes have come into existence and gone out of existence FOREVER...infinitely.

If that happens to be the case...and that case is as likely as any other considering the evidence we have available now...then odds of 1 in E to 113th power is a joke. In an infinite existence...odds of a gazillion times 1 in E to 113th power is a joke.

Quote:

Man as the "randomly evolved" intelligent being makes no sense vis a vis evolution or "nature."

It makes one hell of a lot more sense than supposing a god created it this way...unless the god was drunk while doing so.

Quote:

And, it is possible for humans to have a plethora of "extrasensory" experiences ranging from "prophecy" to simply controlling one's autonomic bodily functions. The unexplainable, non-logical, "non-scientific" abilities of Man are extensively documented.

No they are not. And most literature on the subject does not rise to the level of UFO theories.

Quote:

And, a person can, if they so choose, induce a "different state of consciousness" within oneself verifying this inexplicable relationship with the "natural" universe.

A person can do lots of things...but that is not evidence of a "higher being."

Quote:

These are all logical reasons to conclude that "there is more to Heaven and Earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy..."

There is certainly more to existence than we know...or can dream of. But that stuff is more properly called the unknown...rather than the gods.

0 Replies

Moishe3rd
How do I explain this. I am torn between my emotions and logic. In my heart I believe there is a supreme being. Is it because I was brought up to believe in God or I need the emotional support and comfort in believing that there is something more than our moment on earth. And admittedly as I grow older the need becomes greater. I do not know. As for religion itself, despite the fact that I am Jewish and am rooting for our side. I find it very difficult to believe that religion any religion is not a creation of mans fertile mind.
I should note that I have been exposed to all sides of our religion. Although I was brought up in a secular household I had a Hasidic phase while attending the Lebavitcher Yeshiva for three years ages 10 thru 13. My Mom yanked me out when she witnessed the Hasidic Simchas Torah celebration.

0 Replies

Bearism...all is Bearism...

0 Replies

Religious teaching is a lot like studying high school history. We just learn the facts. At least that has been my experience. That doesn't mean there aren't other teachings that go beyond "facts." I don't know if its the purpose of religion to get involved in "mystical" teachings, but neither is it their purpose to scare people from such study.

Perhaps the Jewish religion informs its followers of the possibility of mystical experiences (The Kaballah, I think) as does Budism, some others, but the protestant churches do not, and the Catholic church certainly does not as far as I know.

0 Replies

And to think.......we laughed at (questioned? knocked?) the Aztecs, Mayans, Egyptians who believed in the rain god, sun god, et al......?

I say pick a god, messiah, messenger, and knock yourself out..........

0 Replies

Moishe3rd wrote:

Here's the problem I have with the rejection of a Creator:
Intelligent Design is a sound scientific theory.

No it is not. Scientific Theory requires evidence and extensive testing. Religion requires neither. Intelligent Design is religion (and against the teachings in the Bible I might add, however it does make 21st century Xtians feel better doesn't it)

Quote:

The Big Bang, a new scientific theory explaining the origins of the universe, is the first scientific theory that corresponds with the Creation in Bereshis (Genesis) - "When G-d began to Create..."

Genesis also says that it took god only 6 days to create the universe. I'm sure you'll say "that one day to god is different than one day to man", whereas I'll say, "if you're able to pick and choose what parts of the Bible to read in the literal form and which parts to read figurativly then how can the Bible hold any true significance?"

Quote:

Except Bereshis explains where the Energy came from to initialize the Big Bang.
The mathematical odds of Life (as we define it via DNA) occurring are 1 in E to 113th power. Scientists consider a "probability" of 1 in E to the 50th power as something that is "impossible."
Man as the "randomly evolved" intelligent being makes no sense vis a vis evolution or "nature."

Just who calculates these odds? And how do they do it? And if the big bang theory is correct and the universe goes through big crunches as well, couldn't the uinverse have done this 1 in E to 113th power times over. Maybe this is all one galactic chance or roll of the dice or spin of the wheel.

Let's imagine your odds are correct. Couldn't this universe just be lucky? The odds of rolling a six on a standard six-sided dice is 1:6. But you could roll a six on your first roll couldn't you? Couldn't this universe be our first roll?

Quote:

These are all logical reasons to conclude that "there is more to Heaven and Earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy..."

This is why our intellectually primative ancestors created this religion.

0 Replies

It's always been my opinion that every religion holds some degree of validity to it because they're all essentially different interrpretations of the same thing, which I think is God. To me at least, there is no such thing as a wrong viewpoint or a right viewpoint.

There is no such thing as the one true religion, nor is there a wrong religion. There all just different ways of looking at things.

0 Replies

Very good, prometheus13.

"Every religion is true in this sense: it is true as metaphorical of the human and cosmic mystery, but when it gets stuck to the metaphor, then you're in trouble." Joseph Campbell—"The Power of Myth."

0 Replies

thats the everybody is right way. which make every one the same. wich means sameness. we all become on and live in a world with out choices then.
The most important thing in life is being right. the right relion will take you the right path making you have the life the Creator wants you to have.
Christianity is what i know is true. It is Christ or Hell. i am sorry but thats the way it is and nothing can change it. NOTHING.

0 Replies

Match Stick wrote:

thats the everybody is right way. which make every one the same. wich means sameness. we all become on and live in a world with out choices then.
The most important thing in life is being right. the right relion will take you the right path making you have the life the Creator wants you to have.
Christianity is what i know is true. It is Christ or Hell. i am sorry but thats the way it is and nothing can change it. NOTHING.

Then you might consider that you are in serious trouble...because you obviously do not understand Christianity very well.

0 Replies

BTW, MatchStick, which Christian religion are you talking about? Catholicism, Orthodox, or which of the protestant ones? 'Cause you know they all have differences in their beliefs.

0 Replies

Well, let me pose you this question. If God wanted us to all find him through only one path, why would he all give us free choice? What you're saying is that if everyone's viewpoint is essentially valid, then we're all the same, there's no difference between us. But according to you, there is no other way to salvation than for everyone to be the same.

Oh, and I may have to argue your idea of being right is the most important value.

0 Replies

The Christianity with it's umpty ump denominations are the true religions

The Judaism based upon the Torah is the true religion

Islam is the true religion

All the other religions are the true religion religions

Now is everybody satisfied?

0 Replies

au1929 wrote:

The Christianity with it's umpty ump denominations are the true religions

The Judaism based upon the Torah is the true religion

Islam is the true religion

All the other religions are the true religion religions

Now is everybody satisfied?

Nope!

0 Replies

Quote:

The Christianity with it's umpty ump denominations are the true religions

The Judaism based upon the Torah is the true religion

Islam is the true religion

All the other religions are the true religion religions

Now is everybody satisfied?

Refer to last post.

0 Replies

Which Religion is the One True Religion?

Related Topics

Quick Links

My Account

able2know