Are other religions wrong or just not fully true?

[SpeakKindly]

How do we know we’re correct, let alone following the full truth?

Environmental factors do play a part of what we are open to accept, right? For example, reincarnation would probably be a lot easier to accept in other parts of the world than where mainstream Western ideas exist.

 

[jochoa]

How do we know we’re correct, let alone following the full truth?

One way to know Catholicism is the fullness of truth is by resolving the following:
In consideration of God, as the Creator of Everything, we must concur on what is this person’s greatest creation, why create it, and what must logically happen in order to fulfill this creation?

Thanks for sharing the interesting food for thought, and I look forward to further discussion!

 

[mikekle]

Alot of it has to do what you believe to be true.

It is true where you live has a great influence on what religion a person will stick with, I also think how a person is raised and what the parents try to teach their kids has alot to do with how that person feels and what they believe when they grow up.

I tend to let my conscience tell me what is right and wrong and what I should believe in as far as religion goes, I will admit there are a few things about the catholic faith that I dont entirely believe to be accurate, and some of the things they teach/ dont teach makes me wonder, but you cant go wrong listening to your heart in this regard.

 

[MichaelHowling]

We met the God-man… Jesus. His miracles, His obvious truths from His mouth, the proof of His love on the cross, His resurrection and assention - proving His power over death itself!

The change of His disciples…from cowardly, to after the resurrection… more than happy to suffer and die for Him and His given mission for them to go into the world and teach and represent Christ!

The overwhelming evidence that the new testament is well documented as a TRUE reliable source of info and that we have a reliable copy of it down through the centuries.

All the miracles down through the centuries and the very fact that the catholic church still survives and GROWS more and more every year! " The gates of hell will NEVER prevail against it!"

Jesus gave authority to the first leaders of the catholic church…and we’ve been walking with Christ ever since !

and the proof is in the pudding.

Everyone else is kind of grasping in the dark…although may have some glimerings of light either because they still have retained some of OUR teachings since they split from us, OR because they are a counterfit and ape us somewhat, OR because they have picked up some of the light due to logic…because there is logic in the churches teaching OR because God is able to work outside of the church to enlighten the hearts and minds of people of good will who are open to Truth…through the graces and blessings of the Catholic since it is the very Body of Christ who is the source of all good and light!

God bless

 

[marywarfield]

Some are wrong and some not fully true.

 

[thistle]

Alot of it has to do what you believe to be true.

It is true where you live has a great influence on what religion a person will stick with, I also think how a person is raised and what the parents try to teach their kids has alot to do with how that person feels and what they believe when they grow up.

I tend to let my conscience tell me what is right and wrong and what I should believe in as far as religion goes, I will admit there are a few things about the catholic faith that I dont entirely believe to be accurate, and some of the things they teach/ dont teach makes me wonder, but you cant go wrong listening to your heart in this regard.

As the Catholic Church is the only Church Christ established and entrusted with the Deposit of Faith the Church cannot be in error in matters of faith and morals.
Therefore even if there are some teachings you might not fully understand you must still believe them to be correct if you believe the Catholic Church to be the true Church. If following your heart means rejecting a Church teaching then that would be a sin of grave matter. A properly formed conscience is based on Church teachings which after all have the full authority of God supporting them.

 

[SecretCatholic]

How do we know we’re correct, let alone following the full truth?

We don’t. It’s called “faith” for a reason. It’s not unreasonable, but it cannot be found solely by reason. Pope Benedict called faith a “gift” and praised those who sought goodness and truth even without the gift of faith.

Environmental factors do play a part of what we are open to accept, right? For example, reincarnation would probably be a lot easier to accept in other parts of the world than where mainstream Western ideas exist.

Culture? Sure. That said, Catholicism is believed and practiced by people in almost every culture around the world now.

 

[Abu]

Mikekle
there are a few things about the catholic faith that I dont entirely believe to be accurate, and some of the things they teach/ dont teach makes me wonder, but you cant go wrong listening to your heart in this regard.

The heart cannot substitute for the mind and reason by which truth can be assessed and believed.

Anyone who believes that Christ is God the Son and founded His Church on the Rock of St Peter can be faithful to Christ only by assenting to all that His Church teaches on dogma and doctrine on faith and morals. Nothing put forward on doctrine can be true if it is contrary to that taught by Christ’s Catholic Church.

 

[hansard]

To the adherents of those religions, they are right and we are wrong. They can point to scripture or their holy text to prove it in most cases.

Overwhelmingly, people follow the religion of their birth. Once a Catholic, always - even if you don’t attend church any more. Catholics rarely convert out, even the uncommitted ones.
Once a Muslim, always. Muslims rarely convert out and get a decent number of drop-ins.
Jews very rarely convert in or out.

The most likely Christian groups to convert are uncommitted Protestants and Pentecostals. Pentecostals have a comparatively high rate of drop-ins and drop-outs. Many (but certainly not all) Protestants are unfazed by attending another Protestant church if necessary.

The point is that the religion you adopt or inherit is the religion you believe in. Most people are highly offended by those who tell them that their faith is wrong or “not fully true”.

 

[St_Francis]

The way i see it is that the Catholic Church has “the fullness of the Faith.” We have all the truth man can have.

The is natural knowledge, which a lot of people have a lot of, and knowledge revealed by Gos, which the Church has all of.

Insofar as another ecclesial community differs from the Church, they are wrong, but insofar as they are rhe same, they are right. So all those groups which believe in God as a Trinity are correct *in that, *but those which have moved away from that position are in error.

 

[openmind77]

How do we know we’re correct, let alone following the full truth?

Environmental factors do play a part of what we are open to accept, right? For example, reincarnation would probably be a lot easier to accept in other parts of the world than where mainstream Western ideas exist.

No religion has the complete truth but at the same time no major religion is completely wrong either.

I believe that these differences and misconceptions will all be corrected when the Christ returns - which I think will happen quite soon (2-3 years).

But the question is whether people are ready to discard their dogmas and accept new ‘truths’?

If the Christ returns and says that reincarnation is a fact, will most Christians be ready to accept this new truth?

Actually I think many Christians will say that they know better, that this Christ is not the real one, that he is an imposter and will totally reject him.

 

[SecretCatholic]

Overwhelmingly, people follow the religion of their birth. Once a Catholic, always - even if you don’t attend church any more. Catholics rarely convert out, even the uncommitted ones.

If they’re uncommitted, they don’t really care either way. I suppose if you’re truly apathetic about religion, you just stay with what you have. If you cared to reject it, then it means you’re not fully apathetic, and you care about what you believe at least enough to reject it (and call yourself a non-believer or an atheist).

I can’t speak for the statistics (I’m just going on your word here), but I can say that in my search I have found Catholicism to be authentic at least in regards to true Christianity. If Catholicism is not true, then it calls all Christianity into question. Why would any of the later off-shoots have any more credibility? So, I’ve concluded that if there’s anything to Christianity, the Catholic church is probably the true one (with a small chance of the Orthodox Greek or some other very similar one being more correct). I do like the Quakers, though.

If Christianity is wrong, then the next most similar, historically-authentic religion would be Judaism. I could see belief in that, but then you’re left without the new testament, with a rather older religion. I find that unsatisfying. Islam is more “structured” with more silly rules than Christianity.

I have difficulty believing in any recently–]invented/-] “revealed” religion. I mean, where was God all this time? So that leaves out Sc-Fi-tology and all the newer stuff for me.

I suppose what makes more sense then would be some form of Hinduism, though there seems to be a lot of mythology involved with it, or the simpler Buddhism. But then the very focus and goal seem to change (it’s not about God, it’s more about you and your happiness). From there on out you get into spiritual philosophies, maybe new age, then more psychological/secular and finally totally atheistic philosophies.

I am still on an intentional spiritual journey (as I suspect you are), but so far I find lots of good reasons to stick with Catholicism if I am to consider religion at all (versus the “spiritual but none of that icky religious stuff” people). I have found things I don’t understand or maybe don’t fully agree with, but I haven’t found the very shaky foundations you do in so many other forms of Christianity. And for the most part, it is a very coherent and “open-minded” religion while still retaining a two-thousand year old tradition and dogma.

I would have “switched” by now if I had been born into Jehovah’s witness or a protestant church, for instance. Maybe not if I had been born into Buddhism, since its a totally different belief system.

 

[marywarfield]

If the Christ returns and says that reincarnation is a fact, will most Christians be ready to accept this new truth?

Actually I think many Christians will say that they know better, that this Christ is not the real one, that he is an imposter and will totally reject him.

Most likely the Buddhists for they believe re incarnation
is a fact to be avoided at all costs. Lol.

 

[rinnie]

How do we know we’re correct, let alone following the full truth?

Environmental factors do play a part of what we are open to accept, right? For example, reincarnation would probably be a lot easier to accept in other parts of the world than where mainstream Western ideas exist.

When you follow the fullness of Christ in his RCC. If you read the bible it shows you where Christ told you to follow the teaching’s of the Apostles and to not stray to false prophets.

 

[rightofcenter77]

I have difficulty believing in any recently–]invented/-] “revealed” religion. I mean, where was God all this time? So that leaves out Sc-Fi-tology and all the newer stuff for me.

This is actually a really good point. Judaism is a very ancient religion. Now many will tell you that it isn’t the oldest modern religion. Hinduism is, supposedly, even though without research I can’t tell you if there is any real continuity between Hinduism of 2000 B.C and Hinduism today.

However, it is hard to ignore the fact that, if you consider Catholicism to be the perfect continuation of Judaism, which I do (a completely different topic), then Catholicism is one of the oldest religions in the world.

I think that makes the “trueness” of Catholicism even more convincing when you consider the continuity.

Peace,

Sean

 

[Abu]

hansard #9
To the adherents of those religions, they are right and we are wrong. They can point to scripture or their holy text to prove it in most cases.

The Sacred Scriptures are clear on Christ as God the Son, and nothing can be “proved” otherwise.

1. The documents of Scripture are historical.
2. Historically, the documents of Scripture relate that the man Jesus claimed to be sent by God, claimed to be God, proved His claim by His miracles and His Resurrection, established His Church on St Peter to continue His teaching until the end of time.
3. His Church, historically established, then teaches what writings form God’s Word and that all of those writings, and no others, are inspired by the Holy Spirit. No one else can decide what books are inspired or has any authority to do so.

openmind77 #11
No religion has the complete truth

There’s no point in blindly putting Christ in eclipse – He built only ONE CHURCH on Peter, and gave Peter primacy and infallibility, and His Church all authority to teach, sanctify and rule. There is no salvation without His Church whether known or unknown. That is why He gave us also His seven sacraments and His continued sacrifice on our altars. She alone has the fullness of truth and gave us the N.T., infallibly declaring which, of all the writings, form the inspired Word of God in the Bible. There is no Bible without the Catholic Church, some don’t even have seven of the books, thus missing out on vital doctrines, as well as not participating in Christ’s priesthood: “He holds His priesthood permanently.” (Heb 7:24). That is precisely why His continuing priesthood breaks through to our altars at every Holy Sacrifice of the Mass – in the Mystical Body of Christ which is His Bride, His Church.

 

[openmind77]

openmind77;11988448:

No religion has the complete truth but at the same time no major religion is completely wrong either.

There’s no point in blindly putting Christ in eclipse – He built only ONE CHURCH on Peter, and gave Peter primacy and infallibility, and His Church all authority to teach, sanctify and rule. There is no salvation without His Church whether known or unknown. That is why He gave us also His seven sacraments and His continued sacrifice on our altars. She alone has the fullness of truth and gave us the N.T., infallibly declaring which, of all the writings, form the inspired Word of God in the Bible. There is no Bible without the Catholic Church, some don’t even have seven of the books, thus missing out on vital doctrines, as well as not participating in Christ’s priesthood: “He holds His priesthood permanently.” (Heb 7:24). That is precisely why His continuing priesthood breaks through to our altars at every Holy Sacrifice of the Mass – in the Mystical Body of Christ which is His Bride, His Church.

Of course! Of course! The Christ set up the Catholic Church and gave it infallibility etc etc. And there is the fact of binding and loosing etc.

But just consider a hypothetical situation. There may be something in Catholic teaching that the Christ wants to correct - maybe just slightly improve upon. Maybe for instance the story that the Church preaches about the afterlife is not completely accurate, Just suppose the Christ wants to change it a bit.

Suppose the Christ returns tomorrow and tries to correct that story. What are most Catholics going to do? The question is - Are they going to choose the Christ or will they go with their dogma?

I think most of them will reject the Christ, They are too invested in their dogma and beliefs to be willing to change them even if God tells them to,

 

[Abu]

openmind77 #17
But just consider a hypothetical situation. There may be something in Catholic teaching that the Christ wants to correct - maybe just slightly improve upon. Maybe for instance the story that the Church preaches about the afterlife is not completely accurate, Just suppose the Christ wants to change it a bit.
Suppose the Christ returns tomorrow and tries to correct that story. What are most Catholics going to do? The question is - Are they going to choose the Christ or will they go with their dogma?

Real Catholics follow the Christ who is not contradictory and who already has given His fullness of truth to His Church.

The dogma and doctrine which She teaches through Her Popes infallibly to the whole Church has already been protected by Him from error in installing His first Pope as Christ established His Church with four promises to St Peter:
“You are Peter and on this rock I will build My Church.” (Mt 16:18)
“The gates of hell will not prevail against it.”(Mt 16:18)
I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven.” ( Mt 16:19)
“Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven.” (Mt 16:19) [Later, also to the Twelve Apostles].

Sole authority:
“Strengthen your brethren.” (Lk 22:32)
“Feed My sheep.”(Jn 21:17).

So God the Son, the Christ, has ensured that dogma and doctrine on faith and morals taught to the whole Church in His Name by His Popes magisterially are “bound in heaven” by Himself, and not open to error. Fantasizing won’t help us to know or follow His truth.

 

[JSSD]

If the Christ returns and says that reincarnation is a fact, will most Christians be ready to accept this new truth?

Actually I think many Christians will say that they know better, that this Christ is not the real one, that he is an imposter and will totally reject him.

This is an equally interesting train of thought, IMHO, to the original question. Many contemporary Jews didn’t recognize Jesus as the Christ. The risk is certainly there.

 

[jochoa]

Suppose the Christ returns tomorrow and tries to correct that story. What are most Catholics going to do? The question is - Are they going to choose the Christ or will they go with their dogma?

I think most of them will reject the Christ, They are too invested in their dogma and beliefs to be willing to change them even if God tells them to,

Interesting idea!

Now suppose the Christ returned three days after His death to demonstrate the eternal promise of His Word (the Holy Bible). What should Catholics do if the Christ returned tomorrow, in order to annul the eternal promise of His Word?