Religious people: How do you know your religion is the correct one? [Spirituality & Religion]

There are loads of different religions and each of them has belief systems which are mutually incompatible. There are different sects within each religion and different interpretations of all religious texts. Why is it for example, that an American born in the Bible Belt 'happens' to be part of the chosen people by God? I guess someone born in China or the Middle-East is just out of luck when it comes to St Peter's judgement. Why is it that British Christians are largely tolerant of abortion, yet American Christians see it as murdering babies? I accept there are scientific arguments for that but I'm looking here at the cultural reasons why groups of people believe what they do.

I have respect for religious people who are tolerant of others. If you accept other people's right to have opinions and that you might not have all the answers then that is OK. What I don't get is the highly religious people who make consequential decisions affecting others (personal and political) based on their belief in God. I also hate how religion often is used as a justification for the persecution or intolerance of others.

If anyone thinks 'God spoke to me' counts as proof, then you need to explain why God tells different people different things.

-The Onion, January 1, 2000

[quote][b][u][big][center]Christian Right Ascends To Heaven[/center][/big][/u][/b]

TULSA, OK -- At the stroke of midnight, Jan. 1, 2000, the clouds opened above the Bible Belt and a golden staircase appeared for all born-again Christians who do not bear the Mark of the Beast to ascend into Heaven and enjoy Everlasting Salvation.

Night turned to day as Jesus Christ appeared at the top of the staircase in a blinding white sun-beam to select only 1,000 believers for ascension into Heaven, as outlined in the Book of Revelation.

"Follow Me," the bearded, unkempt Jew told His assembled flock as He unrolled a papyrus scroll bearing a list of names. The list was a veritable Who's Who of the Christian Right. "Pat Buchanan, Bob Dornan, Jerry Falwell, Fred Phelps, Ralph Reed, Trent Lott..." Jesus read on, as those named followed Him into the clouds.

Millionaire cable-TV executive and right-wing politician Pat Robertson smiled gleefully as he slowly climbed the stairs. "I've been waiting for this moment all my life," he said, his three-piece suit shimmering in the beatific glare.

"I am going to a place where everybody is like me, filled with Christian love and understanding," said conservative talk-show host and two-time presidential candidate Buchanan. "There will also be a shared hatred of gays."

Sources close to Jesus say He and Buchanan will meet privately later this week to discuss a gay-killing meteor, which could smite the Earth's wicked Sodomites by as early as 2002.

"Remember, Jesus loves you," said Christ, waving from atop the golden staircase, flanked by Robertson, Buchanan and Falwell, who also waved down to the damned. "So long, suckers!" Falwell exclaimed.

Noted astronomer and atheist Carl Sagan, whose skull is now the drinking gourd of Satan, spoke from the fourth level of Hell, saying, "Save me, Jesus. I was wrong to value scientific reasoning over divine faith. Please, take me with you."

The chosen Christians are expected to enjoy an eternity of worshipping God and singing hymns in Heaven. "I expect it will be a great deal like being in Sunday service, except it will never end," Robertson said. "I am very excited about it."[/quote]

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Mamapolo2016 · F

I won't say all paths lead to God, anymore than I would say my direction is the only correct one. The God I worship created individuals who may or may not seek the Eternal. That is their choice.

The fact that religion and the name of God have been used to subjugate, oppress and murder, therefore God is invalid, is specious. Of course greedy and corrupt humans throughout history have seen the value in a mass of believers who could be manipulated. There is no avenue of power that has not been used to further evil. That is the fault of humans, not God.

Those who choose to believe in God rather than man have been able to avoid those pitfalls. They are discounted as brainless and misled sheep.

Each human must seek their own way, or believe there is none. Humans are outraged by parents who instill their religion into their children, even though those parents believe it is the best road to happiness. How much more would they hate a God who left them no option, who created an earth full of puppets?

God is blamed fot the acts of man by the same people who do not believe God exists, while mocking believers for their illogical stance.

Yours are all clever and deftly crafted arguments but they don't bear much scrutiny.

Pfuzylogic · M

@Mamapolo2016
I subscribe to this!

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@Mamapolo2016 But... you haven't really answered my question. Take the point about where you were born. Christians are a tiny minority in some parts of the world and virtually don't exist in others. Has God chosen to ignore people in those places because he judges them as less worthy? It hardly seems fair. People who are religious usually take their faith from their parents. Some change their beliefs in life but they are the exception. In addition, if a religion (the hypothetical correct religion) is to attract new converts then it almost always already exists in the culture.

I think you are a nice person and tolerent of others. Your argument for people misusing God's name is a good one. However, even this is a subjective opinion. Who says that warlike people and their interpretation of God is not correct. They will be able to quote scriptures to justify their actions. Granted, your religious interpretation makes more sense to me and is a lot more benign but the point about subjectivity stands.

Mamapolo2016 · F

@Burnley123 I addressed the 'people born different places' with 'I do not claim my direction is the only correct one.'

I believe people who truly seek God will find God, and God will find them. Whatever their holy book and whatever their mode of dress or speech, there will be no boundaries between them and God. If they choose not to seek, that is theit choice.

People from different places eat, sleep, dress, speak and think differently. Why would they not worship differently? That does not mean there are different gods, only that men approach God differently.

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@Mamapolo2016 I think I understand your point now. You are making an argument for all faiths being equally valid provided they are practiced on a peaceful way?

Pfuzylogic · M

@Burnley123
I will assert in my belief that salvation through the Messiah is the only way.

Mamapolo2016 · F

@Burnley123 My God is embracing, not exclusive, and those practicers of religion who hold themselves up as the [b][i]only[/i][/b] right ones are building fences. Fences are a human construct.

Quite similar to those who believe their precise political stance is the only right one.

God has been wooing us throughout history and while the human interpretations (and additions and corrections) to God's message have created confusion and devastation, the general message is clear.

Don't hurt anybody.

Worry about your own righteousness, not that of others. Others are in the hands of God.

Try every moment to be better, more compassionate, more fair, more less self-centered.

Admit your own crimes. Make amends for them. That will keep you busy.