When people say all religions "are basically the same"

[laszlo]

Such debates usually deteriorate to the level: my brother is stronget that yours.

Naturaly there is an objective hierarchy, but that is only in the eye of God, and not something comprehensible with natural means.

We believe, with faith, not with intellectual understanding, that the Catholic religion is the best.

We also know, and this with our intellect, that everything what exists, like other religions, exist from the power of God: God wants protestants, Hindis, Buddhist, Muslims, Jews too.

The question what we should ask: what God wants with the other religions?

And the only answer is: it is His business, not ours. We can pray for others, we can try to explain our truth to others, but we cannot give the grace of faith to others, and we shall accept that God has His plan with the Hindis, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Protestants too; and they shall fulfill God’s plan, not our plan.

The answer is humility.

 

[wisdomseeker]

Such debates usually deteriorate to the level: my brother is stronget that yours.

Naturaly there is an objective hierarchy, but that is only in the eye of God, and not something comprehensible with natural means.

We believe, with faith, not with intellectual understanding, that the Catholic religion is the best.

We also know, and this with our intellect, that everything what exists, like other religions, exist from the power of God: God wants protestants, Hindis, Buddhist, Muslims, Jews too.

The question what we should ask: what God wants with the other religions?

And the only answer is: it is His business, not ours. We can pray for others, we can try to explain our truth to others, but we cannot give the grace of faith to others, and we shall accept that God has His plan with the Hindis, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Protestants too; and they shall fulfill God’s plan, not our plan.

The answer is humility.

I have no idea what you are talking about. God wills that all men come to believe in Him. There is the will of man who rejects God. Jesus says the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Jesus said to His disciples go and teach all that I have commanded you. It is not from the power of God that people rejects His Son. Why do you think taht some have the privilege of acceptiing Jesus to be saved and others dont? St Paul said that those who accepted Christ would be saved and those who dont are already condemned. what do you think of that?

 

[KevinJFUm]

I say to them:

“Yeah, I know what you mean. It’s like when apples fall on the ground. Some people believe apples fall to the ground because there are mysterious little men tugging at them with invisible strings. Other people believe gravity causes the apples to fall. It’s all the same. They’re all trying to explain why apples fall to the ground. No one is right or wrong, because in the end, they’re all reaching for the same thing.”

 

[if_youCthispray]

I believe there is an absolute Truth. If if two religions differ even if they seem “basically the same” the thing is one of them has to be the truth and the other one not. And thats enough to make a world of difference.

But maybe im wrong i will admit i am no theologian and am often wrong.

 

[meltzerboy]

Such debates usually deteriorate to the level: my brother is stronget that yours.

Naturaly there is an objective hierarchy, but that is only in the eye of God, and not something comprehensible with natural means.

We believe, with faith, not with intellectual understanding, that the Catholic religion is the best.

We also know, and this with our intellect, that everything what exists, like other religions, exist from the power of God: God wants protestants, Hindis, Buddhist, Muslims, Jews too.

The question what we should ask: what God wants with the other religions?

And the only answer is: it is His business, not ours. We can pray for others, we can try to explain our truth to others, but we cannot give the grace of faith to others, and we shall accept that God has His plan with the Hindis, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Protestants too; and they shall fulfill God’s plan, not our plan.

The answer is humility.

I agree with your reply. None of the religions you mention are satanic or evil. They all believe in G-d and strive toward better worshiping G-d and loving others. Obviously, they have different means of achieving this goal and their different belief systems make them in effect different religions. Even though both Protestantism and Catholicism may have more in common than the others because they are both forms of Christianity, many members of each believe that theirs is the true or truer form. This makes their differences important, at least to them. On the other hand, to some Jews, their differences are not so important: the fact they are both expressions of Christianity rather than Judaism makes them quite similar. In other words, it depends on who is comparing. Regardless, all such comparisons (Catholic or non-Catholic, Protestant or non-Protestant, Christian or non-Christian, monotheistic or polytheistic) are human comparisons, and although thought by most religions to have been inspired by scripture and/or tradition, the question is still whose scripture and whose tradition? Your comment about G-d’s plan involving the development of all these religions appears to me a valid one. In fact, a famous rabbi was once asked why there are so many different religions in addition to Judaism, and his response was he did not know but he believed it was part of G-d’s plan. I’m content to leave it at that.

 

[wisdomseeker]

I agree with your reply. None of the religions you mention are satanic or evil. They all believe in G-d and strive toward better worshiping G-d and loving others. Obviously, they have different means of achieving this goal and their different belief systems make them in effect different religions. Even though both Protestantism and Catholicism may have more in common than the others because they are both forms of Christianity, many members of each believe that theirs is the true or truer form. This makes their differences important, at least to them. On the other hand, to some Jews, their differences are not so important: the fact they are both expressions of Christianity rather than Judaism makes them quite similar. In other words, it depends on who is comparing. Regardless, all such comparisons (Catholic or non-Catholic, Protestant or non-Protestant, Christian or non-Christian, monotheistic or polytheistic) are human comparisons, and although thought by most religions to have been inspired by scripture and/or tradition, the question is still whose scripture and whose tradition? Your comment about G-d’s plan involving the development of all these religions appears to me a valid one. In fact, a famous rabbi was once asked why there are so many different religions in addition to Judaism, and his response was he did not know but he believed it was part of G-d’s plan. I’m content to leave it at that.

Make no mistake Jesus did not spear even the Jews, how much more He will to us if we reject His Son. Certainly you dont believe that His death was in vain.

 

[meltzerboy]

Make no mistake Jesus did not spear even the Jews, how much more He will to us if we reject His Son. Certainly you dont believe that His death was in vain.

As I’m sure you’re aware, Jews do not believe in the divinity of Jesus. We do believe Jesus was a great rabbi and prophet. As a Catholic and Christian, I realize you disagree and respect your view. I hope you can in turn respect mine.

 

[anp1215]

lol @ all the answers on this thread. when people say this, they mean the effect on one’s lifestyle is the same. all major religions say do not murder, do not have abortions, do not have extramarital sex, do not steal, do not lie etc.

They do?

 

[MontChevalier]

As I’m sure you’re aware, Jews do not believe in the divinity of Jesus. We do believe Jesus was a great rabbi and prophet. As a Catholic and Christian, I realize you disagree and respect your view. I hope you can in turn respect mine.

And I’m sure you understand that your point of view is greatly desired. If not from others, then by me.

 

[meltzerboy]

And I’m sure you understand that your point of view is greatly desired. If not from others, then by me.

Your kind comment is much appreciated, my friend.

 

[SouthpawLink]

We also know, and this with our intellect, that everything what exists, like other religions, exist from the power of God: God wants protestants, Hindis, Buddhist, Muslims, Jews too.

The question what we should ask: what God wants with the other religions?

And the only answer is: it is His business, not ours. We can pray for others, we can try to explain our truth to others, but we cannot give the grace of faith to others, and we shall accept that God has His plan with the Hindis, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Protestants too; and they shall fulfill God’s plan, not our plan.

The answer is humility.

According to traditional catechisms and theological dictionaries, God does not positively will the existence of false religions (i.e. all non-Catholic religions). God wants all men, all nations, to enter into His kingdom, which is the Church.

 

[meltzerboy]

I believe after all is said and done, God will “save” whoever He chooses. He has given us standards and guidelines for us to follow. He has given us a Family (the Catholic Church) to support us and Shepherds to guide us. However, It is up to us to make the journey to Him. Some will make it and some won’t. So I would say all religions are not the same. It matters more what you do than what you believe.

Joh 6:28,29 Then they said to him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’
Jesus answered them, **‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’ **

Mat 25:34-46 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you,** just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.**” Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’
There are some serious scandals in the Church.

1. The scandal of the Cross. Our Savior was nailed to the cross to show God’s love and to redeem us from sin.He said we must eat his flesh and drink his blood. He became bread to nourish us spiritually.
2. We must become bread to nourish those starving around us, physically and spiritually.
3. The third scandal is that Christ often comes to us in the form of the poor, sick and needy, but we are blind.

Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us when we sin and fail to do thy will. Amen

Well stated. Two comments based on what you say: both faith AND works are important (I realize I just opened Pandora’s box again) and sins of omission can be just as devastating as sins of commission, and perhaps more difficult for us to recognize.

 

[heart4home]

I agree with your reply. None of the religions you mention are satanic or evil. **They all believe in G-d and strive toward better worshiping G-d **and loving others. Obviously, they have different means of achieving this goal and their different belief systems make them in effect different religions. Even though both Protestantism and Catholicism may have more in common than the others because they are both forms of Christianity, many members of each believe that theirs is the true or truer form. This makes their differences important, at least to them. On the other hand, to some Jews, their differences are not so important: the fact they are both expressions of Christianity rather than Judaism makes them quite similar. In other words, it depends on who is comparing. Regardless, all such comparisons (Catholic or non-Catholic, Protestant or non-Protestant, Christian or non-Christian, monotheistic or polytheistic) are human comparisons, and although thought by most religions to have been inspired by scripture and/or tradition, the question is still whose scripture and whose tradition? Your comment about G-d’s plan involving the development of all these religions appears to me a valid one. In fact, a famous rabbi was once asked why there are so many different religions in addition to Judaism, and his response was he did not know but he believed it was part of G-d’s plan. I’m content to leave it at that.

My understanding is that many/Most Buddhists do not believe in God. They believe in either many gods or they worship Budda as a god or some are just athiests that just believe in the values of being good, giving to the poor etc. I also believe that Hindus believe in many gods and not our one God.

Most/many humanists, athiests etc,aren’t evil either.

I’m just trying to understand what you are saying…Are you saying that you believe not being evil is really the main/only prerequisite required to spend eternity with God

 

[Crumpy]

When people kind of dismiss different sects of Christianity and Catholicism as “essentially all the same” or “all basically going after the same thing” or “so close it really doesn’t matter” in a conversation, do you let it slide or do you interject? If you interject, how so?

Perception is not reality. If they were all the same, there wouldn’t need to be so many different churches and interpretations.

I’d probably lay back in such a conversation and see what I could pick up on. I don’t have a speech ready to defend the catholic church. I might just throw in the molotov cocktail of a comment that I’d have to check what the Pope said about such and such.

My intellectual anchor: there is only one truth.

 

[curtish1947]

When people kind of dismiss different sects of Christianity and Catholicism as “essentially all the same” or “all basically going after the same thing” or “so close it really doesn’t matter” in a conversation, do you let it slide or do you interject? If you interject, how so?

Hi,

Usually, I would think that phrase dismissive of any conversation about religion. I would maybe, look to their feelings. (((It’s a shortcut to what they are really trying to say, sometimes))) I would look to their feelings if the original message I got, that they don’t really care, is possibly wrong.

The heirarchy ((( who is to not speak or anger))) falls heaviest on Catholics. The reference for this is Mark 9:38-42. It’s the reference I use. The point Jesus seems to be making is that the most educated in His Ways and His Procedures are not to make those angry who know less.

Read that and see if you don’t find that idea, in the text there.

There is more there, and basically the rule not to anger one another about Jesus, about religion goes both ways, but the command from Jesus is stronger to those who know the most. Thus, if you find that so, then what the other person really means by the statement is really really important to God.

If the answer is: “Tell me about your religion” then go ahead. If it is “I don’t think you guys are right and I don’t want to talk about it”, then… your stuck by the rules of Matt 9:38-42.

Personally, it was a hard lesson for me. I learned this the hard way.

The other lessons were also long and hard. There is one about not criticizing God’s servant. (((The reason is because you are criticizing God.))) The statement is concerning if God has a person do this or that for Him, we are to say nothing against the rule God has for that person. The one item, I do, in those cases is ask. I ask. There is much to be found in all the others in this world that Jesus talks of in Matthew 9:38-42, There are many mytics, many people Jesus talks to, and when they open up, sometimes they ask about what we do, what we believe and why.

…Curt…

…Curt…

 

[rben20]

I recall hearing this in high school from my geography teacher when we started talking about all the religions of the world. “Can we all agree that religions pretty much teach to be a good person?”

At the time I just nodded and agreed but when you think about it everyone teaches that. You don’t even need a religion to believe that. The fact is religions are not the same as they teach different truths. Religions use the same tools maybe (scriptures, clergy, sacred relics) but their teachings are different (Personal God, many gods, existence is god). Much like armies use similar weapons but fight for different causes and reasons.

 

[MontChevalier]

My understanding is that many/Most Buddhists do not believe in God. They believe in either many gods or they worship Budda as a god or some are just athiests that just believe in the values of being good, giving to the poor etc. I also believe that Hindus believe in many gods and not our one God.

Most/many humanists, athiests etc,aren’t evil either.

I’m just trying to understand what you are saying…Are you saying that you believe not being evil is really the main/only prerequisite required to spend eternity with God

Well, I would have to disagree with you on certain things. Every person of religious faith, be it Christianity, the jewish faith, Buddhism, or even Islam, have to answer for their wrongs. Atheists don’t answer to anyone. So in a way, you can never tell if he’s lying or not. Not even for the simple things.

If by what Meltzerboy says is correct on the Jewish faith, that “Those who do good, shall enter Heaven.” Then you can imagine how much evil an atheist can do, and he consider himself, as such, good. It wouldn’t be right. A bad deed is a bad deed, and a good is a good one. The problem is that our human perceptions often twist what is good and what is not. That’s why we have things like the Torah and the Bible, to guide us into what is good. Imagine if overnight adultery became good, there would be a rampage of adultery throughout the world. Imagine if thievery, or murder, did as well.

I’m not saying all atheists are evil, but I am saying that I, I, wouldn’t trust an atheist. I’ve had my fair share of bad experiences around atheists and it’s really shocking.

-MontChevalier

 

[meltzerboy]

Perception is not reality. If they were all the same, there wouldn’t need to be so many different churches and interpretations.

I’d probably lay back in such a conversation and see what I could pick up on. I don’t have a speech ready to defend the catholic church. I might just throw in the molotov cocktail of a comment that I’d have to check what the Pope said about such and such.

My intellectual anchor: there is only one truth.

I’m not so sure you proved your case that perception is NOT reality. It seems to me that the many different religions that exist tell us that people have DIFFERENT perceptions of reality; in other words, reality is BASED on perception. I think you’re arguing that absolute Truth exists apart from perception. But then, what if NO ONE perceives the Truth? As an extension of perception, one can also argue that, rather than “seeing is believing,” it is more the case that “believing is seeing,” since one’s beliefs direct what one perceives.

 

[vsedriver]

When people kind of dismiss different sects of Christianity and Catholicism as “essentially all the same” or “all basically going after the same thing” or “so close it really doesn’t matter” in a conversation, do you let it slide or do you interject? If you interject, how so?

The only thing I say is that it only matters if the Truth matters to you at all. If Truth doesn’t matter to you than all sects are essentially all the same.

 

[meltzerboy]

My understanding is that many/Most Buddhists do not believe in God. They believe in either many gods or they worship Budda as a god or some are just athiests that just believe in the values of being good, giving to the poor etc. I also believe that Hindus believe in many gods and not our one God.

Most/many humanists, athiests etc,aren’t evil either.

I’m just trying to understand what you are saying…Are you saying that you believe not being evil is really the main/only prerequisite required to spend eternity with God

You may be right about Buddhists. I thought they believed in an impersonal G-d, something like deism; however, there are several types of Buddhism. I think Hinduism is polytheistic, which I mention in my comment. I also recall that Hindus believe in greater gods and lesser gods. Again, however, there are different forms. I agree that many humanists and atheists are not evil either. Judaism is divided on whether atheists can go to heaven, but since good works are so important in the Jewish faith, it is thought by some that this suffices. I’m basically saying I don’t know who will be saved and who won’t and, at the same time, from the Jewish perspective, the whole business of our discussing the issue, with regard to people of other faiths particularly, is speculative at best and sinful at worst. It would be better to leave the decision-making and judgment to G-d, and instead focus on being caring and compassionate toward others in the here and now.