Is all religion basically the same?
ArmsinaV
Posts: 108
In other words, do the larger world religions basically ask the same of people and, if followed in a positive way, do they result in essentially the same thing?
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Just look at the details behind Catholicism and the Baptists.
They all ask people to donate money. They also ask people to be moral, though I think they all define moral differently. For the big things, it's the same, they instruct not to kill, steal, etc.
I think, however, they can contribute toward producing different kinds of followers. For example, Christianity's primary moral is the belief in Christ as the savior. Those who do not believe can go to hell. Intuitively (though I cannot back this up), it occurs to me that the idea that all others are going to hell can lead to more hate and contemp in comparison to a religion that is less judgemental of different believers. Of course, I do not think most modern Christians actually feel this way, but some do.
(All gripes about "christian bashing" better be thrown by those who do not also gripe about "political correctness" stoping us from being frank and honest in dialogue)
That is a good point. Do most modern day Christians follow a strict intrepretation of the bible and believe all non-believers will go to hell? Do they believe this is justified? To punish someone eternally for thinking differently? Or do they believe more tolerance will be permitted by God and that the bible is a bit off on this? Very interesting.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
There are many different Christian denominations and each one is different. There are some that DO feel that if you do not accept Jesus as your savior that you will go to hell. Some feel that that hell is just 'separation from God'. There are also some that feel that you have to follow their particular brand of Christianity or else. Then there are many that simply believe that Christianity is right for them, but respect and have no problem with other belief systems. So, there is a spectrum of Christian beliefs, I think.
but the illusion of knowledge.
~Daniel Boorstin
Only a life lived for others is worth living.
~Albert Einstein
I think there is plenty of both.
Plenty of people look at the so-called ills and others and can easily pass them off to hell with their own judgement.
But, realistically, there are plenty of christians that are just good people and are believers, but live and let live deciding that while they may not condone an activity, it's not for their judgment (judgment to hell I mean).
I think singly our Christianity is easy since most of us on here live in a World dominanted by that religion, but I think most religions have all the same issues. I think where they stand depends more on how the people and the area in which they are being practiced have developed. Hence you have stoning an adulterer in Iran whereas you have mainly name calling and mud-slinging (not really throwing mud
People have a natural tendency to want to believe that they are superior to others. It's an innate "snobbery" so to speak. Religion satisfies that need by creating the image of a "supreme being" and promising that its followers will walk in its image, so to speak.
So, subscribers to religion develop the idea that their belief in god makes them superior to those who don't believe in god, as god is the supreme being.
http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?t=272825
We do alot of excuting here, as well. Not for adultry, thankfully but still it seems like a highly irrational form a justice to me.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
There is a big "feel good" movement going through the church right now. If it doesn't sound good, they won't preach it. Nice people going to hell doesn't sound good, so they don't preach it. Many churches (and I've been in one like this) have pastors that preach out of books instead out of the Bible. Instead of preaching about what God said through the Bible, they preach out of some book written a year ago.
Here's the deal. The Bible clearly states in order to get to Heaven you must accept Jesus Christ. "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me'" (John 14:6). If the Bible is "off" on this, then why listen to the rest of it? The Bible says the words inside it were written by God through the writers. Does it make sense to follow some parts of the Bible and not follow others if you believe in God and claim to be a Christian? If the Bible claims that it was written by God, and you decide that parts of it are wrong, why are the other parts right? Basically, people want to believe the parts that make them feel good, and disregard the parts that don't. Either people believe the Bible is written by God, or it is not. The people that pick and choose may not think it, but they are saying that they are smarter than God. Truth does not change, but what people choose to believe does.
I never can understand why people are so shocked when Christians say that you must accept Christ to go to Heaven. Why wouldn't they? That's what the Bible says. If you were a Christian, and believe that you had to accept Jesus to go to Heaven, and your friend wasn't a believer, what kind of friend would you be not to talk to your friend about Jesus? So, I just get shocked over and over when people are surprised that Christians can say that Jesus is the only way. IT IS THE CENTRAL PART OF CHRISTIANITY. The Bible states Jesus died for the sins of the world. The Bible states that if you accept Jesus for your savior, your sins are forgiven and you are blameless before God, and can then enter heaven. Why wouldn't Christians want to tell people about this!
Obviously, I understand why this annoys non-Christians. But to be surprised that they feel the way they do should not be shocking.
With so many denominations out there, what makes sense? The Bible. Follow the words inside and find a church who also preaches out of the Bible. The Bible is supposed to be God's Word, so you can either go by God's Word or by what some preacher believes in his gut.
First off thanks for the honest answer. I obviously don't buy into the bible stuff myself but it does surprise me when Christian's claim to be so tolerant and loving of everyone when their religious teaching are anything but. And I agree if you want to cherry pick your bible verses maybe the validity of the whole thing needs to be looked over. Also to me, it is promising to hear that churches are moving away from teaching all this condemnation...but that's just me.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
I didn't see your answer, baraka.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
I am not shocked. But I remain disturbed. It's really the main thing about Christianity that really bothers me. And the reason that if I ever do start to get spiritual and go shopping for a religion that I will not look into Christianity.
Same here. I got into spirituality this past year but I opted to not rely on a organized religion. Buddhism was the closest one I would consider.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
yes
and yes
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say
However, many get lost in dogmas and the very fine print of their particular book, leading to conflict with those of a slightly different opinion. In the right time and place, religion can be used as a marker between "them" and "us" and drive conflict further, as have been seen time and time again. But never is a conflict purely about religion. It can be mixed very much up in it and contribute to it (for instance if those inclined look up the most violent parts of the bible, or quaran for that matter, to justify own violence later).
I believe the drive towards religion is the same in all people. Some more than others. What religion they end up with depends on where they are in the world. A religiously inclined person in Iran becomes a muslim, while the same person born in the USA would be a christian. To me, the difference between religions is semantics and defining of "in" and "out" groups.
Peace
Dan
"Every judgment teeters on the brink of error. To claim absolute knowledge is to become monstrous. Knowledge is an unending adventure at the edge of uncertainty." - Frank Herbert, Dune, 1965
Some she-hooved types may beg to differ.
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i do agree that preaching to people by scaring them into heaven has never been affective. so that's why, and for many other reason, i don't support christianity... cause basically it's been accepted as a form of religion... even by christians themselves. i don't think it was christ's objective to form a religion... and it wasn't christ who formed christianity either. and it also wasn't christ's objective to scare people into heaven... he simply spoke what he believed to be true. he believed that we humans as a whole were digging ourselves in some grave... eventually waste ourselves out. so he decides to "save us" before it happens.
i mean, hell or not... there are people who are living in hell, figuratively. drug addicts, depressed, prostitutes and people of such... these were the kinds of people that christ was aiming for. although prostitution has become more of an accepted form in most sub-cultures there are those who sell themselves to get money for drugs... and i don't think that's been accepted in any culture as of late. that's the sad side of our nature. sure, we could blame society... blame it on the republicans, or liberals... ahh, but that's such a headache. and it's so hard... to me i guess it's much easier to focus on one thing and one thing alone. the one thing that has kept me sane are christ's teachings... and his lifestyle which have nothing to do with religion.
but other than that... yeah, every religion holds similar concepts... even scientology has a similar concept like christianity.
Matthew 22 - Teacher which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[a] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.
I think this one sums it up perfectly.
Do you think Jesus was a snob?
A truly liberal person is conservative when necessary.
Pro-life by choice.
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That is a fantastic post!
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
I would not exist? Or a believer would not exist?
I know I exist. And I don't need to know why.
...are those who've helped us.
Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
Probably explains why Atheists don't kill other Atheists because their lack of belief is is different from another's lack of belief.
Hail, Hail!!!
No - they kill each other for other reasons.
I personally would never kill anyone for religious reasons, so I guess that makes my religion different....
...are those who've helped us.
Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.