Different religions...HAS to be a TRUE religion!

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Paris_Blues

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I have a question…

I know this is about religionS but I’m just wondering why the world has so many different religions? I mean, there has to be one truth when it comes to religion! I know, people will say, oh Christianity is the TRUE religion and others will say theirs is, etc.

I don’t know much about religions and all but someone told me that all the religions are worshipping the same God but in a different way. Huh? I don’t quite get it.

Anyone want to explain to me?
 
The way I see it, one religion or system of beliefs out of the many has to be right. They cannot all be right, but they can all be equally worthless.

I believe in Christianity firstly because I find it more factual and philosophically sound. The origin of other religions can be explained in the Bible…

From the beginning man knew the one truth and beliefs as a whole may have been uniform. However after the Tower of Babel incident, the confusion of languages and seperation of people began to dissipate their knowledge, causing them to lose knowledge as well as err in remembering past events, history and contaminate their beliefs that they tried to hold on to. Eventually the further separation and inability to transmit and remember their past overtime, their beliefs changed more and more and they began to incorporate other things into the one truth and overtime the change became great.

This is why many religions today still hold on to similar morals as well as many share similar stories about creation, the Fall, a worldwide flood etc. If I remember right, the ancient Chinese used to be monotheistic, a temple dedicated to that God is still there, as well the ancient Chinese alphabet contains symbols closely related to events in the Book of Genesis. Many native tribes in North America as well as the Australian aboriginies have amazingly similar accounts of creation and the flood.

The most famous and close creation account to Genesis is the Gilgamesh account from Babylon I believe. It would not be until the time of Moses, who under the inspiration of God, would edit the Gilgamesh epic into the true account we have in Genesis and deliver the laws and commandments to the Israelites as well as recording their Exodus and travel giving Joshua the task of finishing it before he died.

Since it appears the Old Testament Book of Genesis is more sound and offers a possible explanation of the other world religions, I believe Judaism up to it’s conclusion in Christianity, is the true religion.
 
If you want to understand how different religions could be venerating the same truth but in different ways, consider all the people who live along the Atlantic Ocean. You have Africans, South Americans, Europeans, North Americans, Icelanders, etcs. They all see different coastlines, experience different climatic changes, and interact with the Atlantic in different ways…yet, we all agree that it’s the same Atlantic Ocean.

Another example: Imagine five blind men all trying to describe an elephant. One blind man will say, “Oh, the elephant is long and slender”. That’s because he’s actually only touching the elephant’s trunk. Likewise, the other blind men will each touch a particular part of the elephant, thinking that the part they’ve touched actually is the whole elephant: the legs, the ears, the stomach, the tail, e.g. So, it’s all one elephant, being described in different ways.

The Hindus have a saying in their scriptures:
[ Sanskrit](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit): **एकम् सत् विप्रा: बहुदा वदन्ति** Transliteration: *Ekam Sat Vipraaha Bahudaa Vadanti* English: "Truth is One, though the Sages know it as Many." — *The Rig Veda (Book I, Hymn CLXIV, Verse 46)*
 
If you want to understand how different religions could be venerating the same truth but in different ways, consider all the people who live along the Atlantic Ocean. You have Africans, South Americans, Europeans, North Americans, Icelanders, etcs. They all see different coastlines, experience different climatic changes, and interact with the Atlantic in different ways…yet, we all agree that it’s the same Atlantic Ocean.

Another example: Imagine five blind men all trying to describe an elephant. One blind man will say, “Oh, the elephant is long and slender”. That’s because he’s actually only touching the elephant’s trunk. Likewise, the other blind men will each touch a particular part of the elephant, thinking that the part they’ve touched actually is the whole elephant: the legs, the ears, the stomach, the tail, e.g. So, it’s all one elephant, being described in different ways.

The Hindus have a saying in their scriptures:
[ Sanskrit](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit): **एकम् सत् विप्रा: बहुदा वदन्ति** Transliteration: *Ekam Sat Vipraaha Bahudaa Vadanti* English: "Truth is One, though the Sages know it as Many." — *The Rig Veda (Book I, Hymn CLXIV, Verse 46)*
 
Here is a key verse to remember. Jesus said in John 14:6, “No man can come to the Father, except by me. I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.”
Code: 
                         This simple verse is very important. Why? Because we can't get to God through Allah and we can't get to God through Confucius. ONLY THROUGH JESUS. Because Jesus said "I am the Way." So that eliminates all religions that don't emphasize Jesus as the way to get to God.

                           But what about all the Christian denominations and the Catholic church? They all believe in Jesus as the way to get to God. True. But do they all follow what Jesus instructed his apostles to teach others? That is the million dollar question. No, they all don't. You must study exactly what Jesus did tell his apostles and then decide who's telling the truth. Many churches will tell you this and that. But they only tell you parts of what they say is truth. In other words, they just pick certain scriptures that suit their choice beliefs and ignore the rest.

                           Also you must study early church HISTORY. What did the early church really believe for the first 500 years. The best book you will ever read is JND Kelly's book "Early Christian Doctrine" This book is an unbiased book, that only presents the facts.And it is an easy read. It is a real eye opener.

                            This will help you immensely in your quest. May God bless you on your journey.
 
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Ahimsa:
If you want to understand how different religions could be venerating the same truth but in different ways, consider all the people who live along the Atlantic Ocean. You have Africans, South Americans, Europeans, North Americans, Icelanders, etcs. They all see different coastlines, experience different climatic changes, and interact with the Atlantic in different ways…yet, we all agree that it’s the same Atlantic Ocean.

Another example: Imagine five blind men all trying to describe an elephant. One blind man will say, “Oh, the elephant is long and slender”. That’s because he’s actually only touching the elephant’s trunk. Likewise, the other blind men will each touch a particular part of the elephant, thinking that the part they’ve touched actually is the whole elephant: the legs, the ears, the stomach, the tail, e.g. So, it’s all one elephant, being described in different ways.

The Hindus have a saying in their scriptures:

Sanskrit: एकम् सत् विप्रा: बहुदा वदन्ति Transliteration: Ekam Sat Vipraaha Bahudaa Vadanti English: “Truth is One, though the Sages know it as Many.” — The Rig Veda (Book I, Hymn CLXIV, Verse 46)
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I think that you put this very well. As your elephant example shows, all religions have some truth to them. Maybe not the whole truth, but some truth. There is no “one, true religion”. In my opinion, if a certain religion helps a person to form a connection with Divinity and to live the best life they can, who is anyone else to call them wrong.
 
Paris Blues:
I have a question…

I know this is about religionS but I’m just wondering why the world has so many different religions? I mean, there has to be one truth when it comes to religion! I know, people will say, oh Christianity is the TRUE religion and others will say theirs is, etc.

I don’t know much about religions and all but someone told me that all the religions are worshipping the same God but in a different way. Huh? I don’t quite get it.

Anyone want to explain to me?
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Original sin.
 
There are many different religions but they all come down to good and evil. All good comes from God. Evil does not. You will know the truth and the light when you see it. If a person kills innocents in the name of their religion you know it’s not coming from God. Other dogmas are more subtle. They may tell you, don’t worry if you do bad things in this life, you can make up for it in a latter life, then that philosophy is also falling short. Jesus preached a moral theology that sets a very high standard. Most people can never live up to that standard. He told us to do the best we can.
 
Paris Blues:
I have a question…

I know this is about religionS but I’m just wondering why the world has so many different religions?
Anyone want to explain to me?
Click to expand...
Yes, since Jesus showed us the correct religion, the other religions became void. The reason he came was to set things right once and for all. Many people since will have to answer for the schisms they created.

On the same theme, this is why there is no such thing as freedom of religion. In fact by definition of religion, and the fact made clear by Jesus, all other institutions are really cult gatherings. The only true Church is the one set up by the Son of God, and ensuring it’s existance for the benefit of all mankind by the descendency of Peter to the present day.

Everything was made ready for man, all he had to do was open his heart for acceptance. Some have been swayed by the entertainment value of their “religion”, some by the worldly orientation to things as devine, some by the worship of natural things as devine,etc. In these we have Mohamed,Wickens(witchcraft),Crishnas,etc.

Some “religions” were started because of falling out or disagreement in the Authority of Peter or it’s dogma. Luther, Henry VIII(Church of England),Mennonites,Mormones,etc. Many were taken in by these obstinate schismatics.

Whatever the excuse, they will be separated until hearts change.

Andy
 
Because we were made for God, to love and worship Him. He has written His law into every heart. So those who do not have His full revelation (given through Christ and His Church) stumble about as best they can, driven by the God-sized hole in their hearts.

Then there’s the situation of those who have been led to the full revelation and yet reject it, out of pride or fear or ???. Their situation is more problematic.
 
Mike …

I think you make a lot of sense. Your response fits closest to the belief I really have in my heart of hearts. I think of a set of identical twins separated at birth. One to a good Catholic home the other to a good Protestant home. Each led a good life according to their conscience and according to the beliefs of their church. Neither were anti anything. I can probably expect an “invincible ignorance” response here but the story goes on.

The twins meet each other in their middle age. Each explains to the other the life they have led within the structure of their belief system. Both good lives. Each decides they like and would prefer the other’s belief system (good bye ignorance) so they switch and live happily ever after.

Now what?
 
If you believe in a supranatural existence, there can only be one. Just as we all believe there is only one reality. Through proper prayer, reflection, and study I have come to the conclusion that the Church reflects that supranatural existence.

Now with sincere belief if someone disagrees with me, I can live with that. Their desire would be recognized by the Lord and acknowledge through a baptism through desire, but it wouldn’t be the pathway the Lord asked us to follow.

And I believe that I can’t though sit around and say there are many pathways to the same supranatural existense and say there is my way and your way. These is only God’s way.
 
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PeterC:
Mike …

I think you make a lot of sense. Your response fits closest to the belief I really have in my heart of hearts. I think of a set of identical twins separated at birth. One to a good Catholic home the other to a good Protestant home. Each led a good life according to their conscience and according to the beliefs of their church. Neither were anti anything. I can probably expect an “invincible ignorance” response here but the story goes on.

The twins meet each other in their middle age. Each explains to the other the life they have led within the structure of their belief system. Both good lives. Each decides they like and would prefer the other’s belief system (good bye ignorance) so they switch and live happily ever after.

Now what?
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Sound interesting. When does the book come out? 🙂

As for the ending. Take a look in your hart. Jesus teached the perfect good. Today we have two moral systems in Catholicism and Protestantism. One supports divorce and contraception as acceptable. I know perfection is hard to reach but does that teaching come from God? 😉
 
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Maranatha:
Sound interesting. When does the book come out? 🙂

As for the ending. Take a look in your hart. Jesus teached the perfect good. Today we have two moral systems in Catholicism and Protestantism. One supports divorce and contraception as acceptable. I know perfection is hard to reach but does that teaching come from God? 😉
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I believe the Catholic Church is the One True Church. If there is something I don’t understand I accept the church’s teachings as a matter of faith. Faith I have and continue to pray for. It has been received by me without reluctance. So my position is clear.

The point of the story is the path to eternity. They crossed and each headed in the former direction of the other. My question is related to intentions. Each (although not in agreement with each other) have the intention and desire of conformance. Will one be denied?
 
You have a responsibility to testify Truth, in accordance with you abilities. This evangelization can come in many forms. One acceptable form is to live the Truth as best you can as an example.
 
I like the question you asked. You see, a few months ago, I asked a question very similar. I think Christianity is the true religion. I think that the denominations is what separates Christians the most because people are biased and judgemental towards any religion that is not their own. I think it is very hypocritcal for someone to look down on someone who is of another denomination if their intention is to serve God. When it comes to religion, I think that God judges the heart. If a person is serving God and doing their best to be God-like, then their religion doesn’t matter.
 
Originally posted by Ahimsa:
If you want to understand how different religions could be venerating the same truth but in different ways, consider all the people who live along the Atlantic Ocean. You have Africans, South Americans, Europeans, North Americans, Icelanders, etcs. They all see different coastlines, experience different climatic changes, and interact with the Atlantic in different ways…yet, we all agree that it’s the same Atlantic Ocean.

Another example: Imagine five blind men all trying to describe an elephant. One blind man will say, “Oh, the elephant is long and slender”. That’s because he’s actually only touching the elephant’s trunk. Likewise, the other blind men will each touch a particular part of the elephant, thinking that the part they’ve touched actually is the whole elephant: the legs, the ears, the stomach, the tail, e.g. So, it’s all one elephant, being described in different ways.
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This would seem a good analogy, and it certainly works for the Hindus, but there are problems with it, as it leaves out Revelation. In Christianity, we believe that God has revealed Himself to us. Rather than search for God on our own, He has come into our midst and explained to us the absolute truths about Himself. This would be as if the elephant could talk, and describe his appearance to the blind men, rather than let them pathetically grope him and come to their own incomplete conclusions.

Christianity is the one, true, universal religion established by God Himself (Jesus Christ), and present in all its fullness only in the Catholic Church, guided by God Himself (Holy Spirit). All other religions are a vain, misguided search for God (Hinduism, Islam etc.) or a corruption of religion for personal empowerment (magick). Man seeks God, or Man seeks to become a god. In Judeo-Christianity, God seeks Man.

Though mankind may on its own happen upon Truth, as Parmenides long ago explained, we can never grasp wholly and assuredly the truths of Faith without divine teaching; hence Revelation, which is present today solely in the great Christian religion, and fully in Holy Mother Church.
 
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Neithan:
This would seem a good analogy, and it certainly works for the Hindus, but there are problems with it, as it leaves out Revelation. In Christianity, we believe that God has revealed Himself to us. Rather than search for God on our own, He has come into our midst and explained to us the absolute truths about Himself. This would be as if the elephant could talk, and describe his appearance to the blind men, rather than let them pathetically grope him and come to their own incomplete conclusions.
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But what if that elephant speaks a language that none of the blind men completely understand, but all understand to one degree or another? Whether it’s language or physical touch, you still have the question of: are you receiving the whole picture, or a portion of the picture?
Christianity is the one, true, universal religion established by God Himself (Jesus Christ), and present in all its fullness only in the Catholic Church, guided by God Himself (Holy Spirit). All other religions are a vain, misguided search for God (Hinduism, Islam etc.) or a corruption of religion for personal empowerment (magick). Man seeks God, or Man seeks to become a god. In Judeo-Christianity, God seeks Man.

Though mankind may on its own happen upon Truth, as Parmenides long ago explained, we can never grasp wholly and assuredly the truths of Faith without divine teaching; hence Revelation, which is present today solely in the great Christian religion, and fully in Holy Mother Church.
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Other religions can’t be completely vain or misguided since, as the CCC says, they do contain parts that are correct.
 
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