Right or wrong?

[miss1979]

Here's my problem....I was raised Christian and currently don't find myself much of the Christian faith any more. I converted to Islam for about five years and still did not find my faith there. Now here in lies my question, and I do mean to antagonize the zealots here, who's right? I agree with most of the major religions on most things, so choosing strictly on basics wouldn't work. The details are were they all differ. So according to each one the other is going to hell. Now with that said since according to all hard care religious folks I'm going to hell for not believing as they do, what happens if you're all wrong? And secondly, why such squabbling about who's right and who's wrong? End the end wouldn't someone's version of god decide it for us anyway?

[shadowofman]

Now with that said since according to all hard care religious folks I'm going to hell for not believing as they do, what happens if you're all wrong?

 

In all likelyhood, they are all wrong.

 

And secondly, why such squabbling about who's right and who's wrong? End the end wouldn't someone's version of god decide it for us anyway?

 

It would be logical for people to just live and let live, but there is a phenomenon here that underlies the need to "convert". Human cultural existance and ideologies (sometimes called memes) have somehow surpassed our drive for genetic inheritance (or our genes). This is a metaphorical idea that should not be taken literally, but an analogy for the real phenomena. Passing on your culture is more important to a human than passing on your genetics to the next generation. At some point in our history, our cultures began to define us so much so that insulting ones culture is equated with insulting the individual.

 

As a materialist, I am very interested in ultimate truth. I don't believe that reality is relative. So I am very willing to accept peoples attemts to "enlighten". I partake in enlightening as well. I also welcome debate and desent. Although I feel like my ideas define me sometimes, I am careful not to take an assault on my ideas personally. After all, I could be wrong.

[ahoydave]

Here's my problem....I was raised Christian and currently don't find myself much of the Christian faith any more. I converted to Islam for about five years and still did not find my faith there. Now here in lies my question, and I do mean to antagonize the zealots here, who's right? I agree with most of the major religions on most things, so choosing strictly on basics wouldn't work. The details are were they all differ.

 

This is something that I seem to hear quite often but I really don't understand it. Lets take just two of the major religions, the two you have experience of, Christianity and Islam. Now Christianity is all about Jesus Christ - a man who is also God and who died 2000 years ago. He said that he was going to die to pay for the sins of the world and that there was no way for anyone to have a relationship with God, except through him and his sacrifice. So for a Christian one of the core beliefs is that Jesus is the only way to God.

 

Now I am guessing that you know a whole lot more about Islam than I do but I know that Muslims do not agree that Jesus is in any way divine. His death did not pay for anyone's sin. Clearly Muslims and Christians differ on the rather basic point of who Jesus is and what he did.

 

As far as I gather, Islam says that each person is answerable for the good and bad that they do in their life and will be punished or rewarded accordingly. Now Christianity says that someone who puts their trust in Jesus as opposed to themselves will not be judged on their sinfulness. They will escape the judgement they deserve. Again, quite a difference.

 

Anyway, all I am saying is that I see some quite fundamental differences.

 

So according to each one the other is going to hell. Now with that said since according to all hard care religious folks I'm going to hell for not believing as they do, what happens if you're all wrong? And secondly, why such squabbling about who's right and who's wrong? End the end wouldn't someone's version of god decide it for us anyway?

 

Well if they are wrong then something else happens. Or nothing else - depends on who is right. The thing is that if one side IS right, then it has implications for all eternity. I'd say there is nothing more important to "squabble" about because the right answer could be the most important answer in existence.

[blind_otter]

Here's my problem....I was raised Christian and currently don't find myself much of the Christian faith any more. I converted to Islam for about five years and still did not find my faith there. Now here in lies my question, and I do mean to antagonize the zealots here, who's right? I agree with most of the major religions on most things, so choosing strictly on basics wouldn't work. The details are were they all differ. So according to each one the other is going to hell. Now with that said since according to all hard care religious folks I'm going to hell for not believing as they do, what happens if you're all wrong? And secondly, why such squabbling about who's right and who's wrong? End the end wouldn't someone's version of god decide it for us anyway?

 

I think there are many different paths to the sacred, because there are many different types of people. But eventually they all lead to the same end.

 

Ultimately I don't think anyone is right or wrong. Do what works for you, what makes you happy, brings you peace, and motivates you to help others in some way.

[miss1979]

This is something that I seem to hear quite often but I really don't understand it. Lets take just two of the major religions, the two you have experience of, Christianity and Islam. Now Christianity is all about Jesus Christ - a man who is also God and who died 2000 years ago. He said that he was going to die to pay for the sins of the world and that there was no way for anyone to have a relationship with God, except through him and his sacrifice. So for a Christian one of the core beliefs is that Jesus is the only way to God.

 

Now I am guessing that you know a whole lot more about Islam than I do but I know that Muslims do not agree that Jesus is in any way divine. His death did not pay for anyone's sin. Clearly Muslims and Christians differ on the rather basic point of who Jesus is and what he did.

 

As far as I gather, Islam says that each person is answerable for the good and bad that they do in their life and will be punished or rewarded accordingly. Now Christianity says that someone who puts their trust in Jesus as opposed to themselves will not be judged on their sinfulness. They will escape the judgement they deserve. Again, quite a difference.

 

Anyway, all I am saying is that I see some quite fundamental differences.

 

 

 

Well if they are wrong then something else happens. Or nothing else - depends on who is right. The thing is that if one side IS right, then it has implications for all eternity. I'd say there is nothing more important to "squabble" about because the right answer could be the most important answer in existence.

 

 

When I say fundamentals, I mean the very, very basics. Such as there are rules on how to treat each other. The ten commandments are basics in all the religions. Now who brought the message, that's a huge difference in all the religions. I can tell you this, Islam does acknowledge the existance of Jesus and of Mary. Jesus is a great prophet but by no means do they consider him the physical embodiement of god or the same as god. In Islam there is one God and that is not divisable.

 

When I say squabble I mean what is it that provokes people to murder in the name of religion when most religions prohibit that? What makes some one feel superior to the next man simply because they believe in something? Why must people stereo type and put other's down because of their faith? If a person is a good Muslim, a good Catholic, or a good Buddist wouldn't they inheritently be a good person if they are following the religion on the basis of the teachings and not on someone's interpretation? Why can't a devote Catholic and a devote Muslim see that the other is just as good?

[miss1979]

I think there are many different paths to the sacred, because there are many different types of people. But eventually they all lead to the same end.

 

Ultimately I don't think anyone is right or wrong. Do what works for you, what makes you happy, brings you peace, and motivates you to help others in some way.

 

 

Thanks, seems that I've stumbled across someone of like mind. I think my biggest issue is that there are so many similarities amongst all the religions such as the ultimate goal being a peaceful existance (we won't argue where that existance is) and that there is something more than just this; just us. wouldn't it make sense to focus on some common ground for a minute and stop bickering about the differences?

[Lovelybird]

All other religions do contribute good things, and all of them focus on "what you do, what you don't do; or personal efforts to be good". And in Christianity, the focus shift completely to power of God inner transform us to be more like Lord himself.

 

When I wanted to do things all by myself, such as abide by all the rules in the Bible, tried to love others, all I found was frustration and a sense of failure and stuck at somewhere without feeling freedom that Bible teaches about.

 

But when I have a real relationship with God (His Holy Spirit dwell in me), and communicate with God, listen to what God says to me in prayers, it makes all things different. burdens were lift up, peace and joy enter heart instantly, just listen to what God say to you is amazing realization that God does love me and so He guides me in everything. A tough issue I may struggled many days without solution, just several words from God can set me in peace and give me a clear direction, I wondered why I didn't sooner turn to God for advises, maybe pride or fear.

 

and many Christians only want a far distant relationship with God, don't want Him to be more close. If our salvation is totally based on God's mercy and grace, who can boast he/she is better than others? no one can say such a thing. and who is better is not the point, but which is truth is.

 

There must a real God who exists, who answers prayers, who do supernature wonders, who loves us and guide us in our daily lives, and I found Him or He got me. Why I so strongly believe in Jesus Christ not others, I think I tried to do things all by myself, it didn't work, it didn't bring me peace and joy and freedom; but relationship with Lord can bring me peace and joy, it is very real, He guides me in everything I do, I know His love for me is very deep, He forgives me and be patient with me, and give me His perspectives how to deal with issues, who would give up this kind of love? who wouldn't believe in a Lord who try to lift up your burden and give every good thing to you? who wont' love such a Lord who himself is so loving and forgiving and perfect and powerful?

 

 

so which is true religion? when you find true God, you find love, light, freedom, rejoice, peace

[shadowofman]

The issue here is that of "In Groups" and "Out Groups". People and cultures tend to define themselves on beliefs. Religions don't kill people of other religions. Religions are just used to distinguish "In Groups" from "Out Groups". Real social injustices are what start wars. It is just easy for politicians and clerical leaders to create enemies of the people if they are using religions to distiguish good guys from bad guys. Both Chrisitanity and Islam are interesting because all you need to do is confirm or convert and you are part of the group. Not a heathen or infidel anymore. In this sense, the cultures are living and breathing. Expanding! Some people have suggested that these religions act like viruses to culture. This is metaphorical concept similar to the concept of culture of course.

[miss1979]

The issue here is that of "In Groups" and "Out Groups". People and cultures tend to define themselves on beliefs. Religions don't kill people of other religions. Religions are just used to distinguish "In Groups" from "Out Groups". Real social injustices are what start wars. It is just easy for politicians and clerical leaders to create enemies of the people if they are using religions to distiguish good guys from bad guys. Both Chrisitanity and Islam are interesting because all you need to do is confirm or convert and you are part of the group. Not a heathen or infidel anymore. In this sense, the cultures are living and breathing. Expanding! Some people have suggested that these religions act like viruses to culture. This is metaphorical concept similar to the concept of culture of course.

 

 

What I find most interesting is going back to the old school polytheistic religions; is that they were simply a means to explain what could not be explained logically. How do you explain light in darkness; stars and moon? How do you console the loss of a loved one; life after death? I am curious to think that after Greek and Roman theology is stuff of legend and history books; how long before Judaism, Islam, and Christianity are read about as far distant theologies no longer in practice?

[norajane]

What I find most interesting is going back to the old school polytheistic religions; is that they were simply a means to explain what could not be explained logically. How do you explain light in darkness; stars and moon? How do you console the loss of a loved one; life after death? I am curious to think that after Greek and Roman theology is stuff of legend and history books; how long before Judaism, Islam, and Christianity are read about as far distant theologies no longer in practice?

 

Some of us already see them the same way and pay no mind.