I really don’t think it’s morally right for any one religion to say they are the only true religion and that everyone else is wrong. If any one religion claims to be the only truth, then they must surely be a lie? What do you think?
All religions have some elements of truth in them. Some of the truth. The Catholic Church has the full deposit of the Christian faith. It was founded by Jesus Christ, who IS Truth, (as well as the Way, and the Life).
This is different than saying other religions are a lie. They are incomplete. God Himself became flesh and dwelt among us. There is not much more that can be derived or revealed by God than to live life on earth with us. He left a Church, Bishops, and the deposit of the Christian faith. The fulfillment of the Jewish faith. The obsolescence of all other pre-incarnation faiths. Since He established His Church, and promised that it will last until the consummation of time and the establishment of the new Heaven and the new earth, there is also no reason to look to any religions founded post-incarnation.
It is not a prideful thing. It is not the Church trying to cheapen anyone else and their beliefs. It is certainly not a “lie”. It is what it is. The Church would be lying, and doing no one any favors, or any good by saying that all religions are of equal merit. That would be calling God, (the creator of something rather than nothing, and whose love of us maintains our very existence), a liar.
The Church, and it’s members must do what the Church and it’s members must do. All those outside of the Church are heartily welcomed inside. There is nothing being hidden. The documents of the accounts of Christ are alive and well. All the documents of the Church fathers, the Doctors, Saints, Bishops and Popes are all readily available. There is no intent to hold anyone back whatsoever from experiencing the full truth of the Christian faith, or the sacramental life which Christ set in motion for us.
The Catholic Church is the only church, (that I’m aware of), that even claims to be only true Church. We have what we believe to be all of the evidence to back that up. Once again, not intending to hurt anyone’s feelings, but rather to be the city set on a hill. To be a lighted lampstand which is not hidden under a bushel. We say, with authority, the same thing our blessed Lord and founder said. “Come and see”.
Not morally right? What is your moral take if the Church founded by Christ were to mislead, and say something different, knowing what she knows, and possessing what she possesses? What if she DID try to keep it to herself? What if she DIDN’T make herself available to all? What if she DID say…“oh no, go ahead…be anything you like. None of it makes a speck of difference in the end”. Wouldn’t that be morally reprehensible? Depriving people of The Way, the Truth, and the Life? Depriving people of the Holy Eucharist? Diverting people to pre and post incarnational faiths where Jesus doesn’t make Himself available to man in the Holy Sacraments, in body, blood, soul and divinity?
That would seem to be the bleakest of works for the Church. To hide the light.
The Lord’s peace be with you,
Steven
