NationStates Jolt Archive

How do you know if your religion is the "true" one? It seems there's really no evidence to indicate which one's true.

Oh this will be intresting.

my bets on

"Becuase of the bible/torah/Qu'ran ect (delete as aplicable)"

I hope we get some bites.

In my opinion, it doesn't matter one iota which one's "true", or that none are "true", as long as they work for the individual.

In my opinion, it doesn't matter one iota which one's "true", or that none are "true", as long as they work for the individual.

Hmmm, in reality with something as volatile as religion, they don’t tend to like competition

How do you know if your religion is the "true" one? It seems there's really no evidence to indicate which one's true.

Your religious beliefs are your own. As far as I'm concerned, mine are true for me. A product of personal experience.

I should add:

The "truth" of an idea should be simple. It should be commonly reflected in everyday life. You should be able to see its truth in almost every place you look.

If you can't see it everywhere, then it isn't there.

I should add:

The "truth" of an idea should be simple. It should be commonly reflected in everyday life. You should be able to see its truth in almost every place you look.

If you can't see it everywhere, then it isn't there.

Edit, what i said made no sense

Be carefull with the T word mister, you'll set me off.

Really? I used the lowercase "t".

If religion is true, its true for everyone, not just the individual. Truth is not relative, its absolute. If something is true, its true for me and for you.

I dont think any religion can prove that its message is true. They can say that their religion is historically or archeologically accurate, ect., but they cant prove that they are true. It goes on Faith.

Really? I used the lowercase "t".

Damn it you caught me before i could edit it, i realised it din't make any sense.

What i was trying to imply what that belief, as in religious belief is quite different from truth which is a belief tested and proven by empirical evidence. *I think that’s the correct definition I should know it*

But I’ve had enough theological debates today to last me a life time.

Damn it you caught me before i could edit it, i realised it din't make any sense.

What i was trying to imply what that belief, as in religious belief is quite different from truth which is a belief tested and proven by empirical evidence. *I think that’s the correct definition I should know it*

But I’ve had enough theological debates today to last me a life time.

If something is "true" to me, then it's "true" to me. Doesn't mean you have to think it's "true".

If something is "true" to me, then it's "true" to me. Doesn't mean you have to think it's "true".

If something is true, its true for everyone. You can believe something is true and still be wrong.

If religion is true, its true for everyone, not just the individual. Truth is not relative, its absolute. If something is true, its true for me and for you.
So, if I say, "I am happy," it's true for you as well as for me? It's absolutely true, but only for me. In truth, the only truth for you in that statement is that I said I was happy.

So, if I say, "I am happy," it's true for you as well as for me? It's absolutely true, but only for me. In truth, the only truth for you in that statement is that I said I was happy.

That’s a subjective truth, if you where to be happy and I was to observe that happiness, then yes it would also be true to me.

We are all happy that’s a different kettle of fish

So, if I say, "I am happy," it's true for you as well as for me? It's absolutely true, but only for me. In truth, the only truth for you in that statement is that I said I was happy.

Well, if you were happy today at say 3:50pm, its true for you and for me. Its true for me because you were happy at 3:50pm. If I feel hot one wednesday at noon, its true for me and everyone else, because i got the sensation of being hot at noon on wednesday.

i disagree with Secluded Islands - religion is not math
further more there are many cases where people can have differences of opinions - but the opinion could still be true to each person

the true religion is the one you put your faith into

further more - its fair to believe - that christians (including catholics) - jews and muslims will all end up in the same heaven - its the same god just different ways of worshiping him -

heh heh... wouldnt that be fun?! (no im sure the people commiting murder in the name of religion wont make it)

and whos to say that religions like hindu - buddhist and so on - arnt right "or true" for the people who follow them - in fact isnt that like a buddhist teaching?

how do we know that the Egyptians and people of other ancient religions didnt achieve their after-life ... and we will achieve ours - making both religions "true"

That’s a subjective truth, if you where to be happy and I was to observe that happiness, then yes it would also be true to me.
Right, and what Whispering Legs said was also a subjective truth, seen from the subjective perspective, applicable only to the individual: Man, the Observer. "You should be able to see its truth in almost every place you look. If you can't see it everywhere, then it isn't there."

Be careful that you are not confusing truth and perception.

In answer to the origional question my answer would be...

James 1:5
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Find somthing you believe\have faith in and ask God with enough faith that He will and does answer.

Inebri-Nation, All religions cant be true because they dissagree with each other, like salvation for example. Your opinions do not make something true. You can say that christianity, for example, is what you choose to believe. But, believing that religion does not make it true. The true religion is not the one you put your faith into, because you can put your faith into a false religion.

It's all well and good that we can all find our own "truths"... except if there is a God with His own set of rules which are absolute ("oh my God, you're closed-minded, God!"), then many of our personal "truths" will be rendered unworthy and false in the eyes of the judge.

"Man proposes, God disposes"

Quiz: Who came up with that gem?

you could put your faith into something wrong - but you might not as well - but take just the example of Muslim -Christianity - and Judaism - they all follow the same God - so if that god is the "true" god... doesn't that make all 3 religions "true" ? - or are you spilting hairs and want to know how do we know which is the best way to follow him?

you could put your faith into something wrong - but you might not as well - but take just the example of Muslim -Christianity - and Judaism - they all follow the same God - so if that god is the "true" god... doesn't that make all 3 religions "true" ? - or are you spilting hairs and want to know how do we know which is the best way to follow him?
How can they all be true when they are so different. For example, a jew beleives that wearing a cotton/poly blend shirt while eating a bacon cheeseburger served between two crabcakes is a horrible affront to god. A muslim beleives that a person who dies while fighting non-beleivers gets an instant pass into heaven regardless of his sins. A christian beleives that one can only get into heaven if he accepts Jesus as his personal savior. How do you reconcile all of those? Clearly they are very different religions.

- errr - a difference of opinions on how to worship him -
and as a side note most muslims do not believe that and concider that a gross bastardization on the faiths teachings -
also it seems that you didnt read the post right - if that is the "true" god... and they all worship him... are all 3 not right - or "true"

- errr - a difference of opinions on how to worship him -
and as a side note most muslims do not believe that and concider that a gross bastardization on the faiths teachings -
also it seems that you didnt read the post right - if that is the "true" god... and they all worship him... are all 3 not right - or "true"
No, all three are not right or true. They're not even similar in their concept of god. For example, christianity insists that god and jesus are one. In Islam that's blasphemy. Same with Judaism. Judaism, from my limited understanding, has no hell. Islam and christianity do. No, they can't all be true. They contradict each other.

Oh, by the way, the idea that one who dies fighting on behalf of Islam gets into heaven is supported by the Koran, Hadiths, and many if not most muslim scholars. The debate is over killing yourself intentionally to kill "enemies of the fait", as in suicide bombing.

One of the little verses that support the concept of a warrior's death earning paradise goes like this: A soldier sitting around eating dates heard Muhammad say that anyone who died in the battle would enter into heaven. He flung his snack down and charged into battle. I'm paraphrasing because I don't have my source nearby.

any mulsim wanna to responed as to whether they believe that or not
raised a catholic i think that most christians (although i dont know about all sects) - God is God alone - but God also was/is jesus either way its still the same God - even if muslims think christians and jews are wrong on how to worship god

any mulsim wanna to responed as to whether they believe that or not
raised a catholic i think that most christians (although i dont know about all sects) - God is God alone - but God also was/is jesus either way its still the same God - even if muslims think christians and jews are wrong on how to worship god
How can it be the same god if one side says "god=Jesus" and the other side says "that's polytheistic blasphemy"? Even if it's the same god, the religions are different enough so that if one is true the others are false. Or perhaps all three are false.

How do you know if your religion is the "true" one? It seems there's really no evidence to indicate which one's true.

There is no empirical evidence which can be shown to other people. However, there is personal evidence and (for those who believe in a God willing to provide guidance) the guidance of God.

Naturally, people will come to vastly different conclusions for many different reasons. In truth, it is pretty certain that *no one* has the absolute truth, but that everyone has some part of it.

so ok - assume its a different god - can they not all be "true" then?

How do you know if your religion is the "true" one?

Because I said so. Now go wash up for dinner.

so ok - assume its a different god - can they not all be "true" then?
Not if only one of the gods exist. Also not if they contradict each other.

Because I said so. Now go wash up for dinner.
That's the same answer I got from my mom once. It's a damn shame when Catholics and Muslims use the same evidence to support different religions.

well it seems like you're saying - they the way they worship is more important is more important then what god they worship - and your right it is - what about religions with no god at all? are they automatically wrong - even if there is a god - a religion should be judge more on what kind of teachings and lessons they give - there are some religions with no god at all isnt there? - anyways - a group of athests who get together once a week and read philosophy to gain moral guidance to better their lives and better themselves as a person - would be wrong for doing it? - same as any religion - if you have faith and follow the teachings of the religion that is right for you - doesnt that make all religions right - or true?

note - religions the preach killing people would of course be wrong - cults that promote suicide wrong... thats not personal growth but self destruction

well it seems like you're saying - they the way they worship is more important is more important then what god they worship - and your right it is - what about religions with no god at all? are they automatically wrong - even if there is a god - a religion should be judge more on what kind of teachings and lessons they give - there are some religions with no god at all isnt there? - anyways - a group of athests who get together once a week and read philosophy to gain moral guidance to better their lives and better themselves as a person - would be wrong for doing it? - same as any religion - if you have faith and follow the teachings of the religion that is right for you - doesnt that make all religions right - or true?

note - religions the preach killing people would of course be wrong - cults that promote suicide wrong... thats not personal growth but self destruction
I'm not asking about which religion serves it's followers better. I'm asking if anyone who truly beleives in an organized religion can provide evidence that indicates his religion is the correct one and all others either worship false gods, or worship the real god incorrectly.

I'm not asking about which religion serves it's followers better. I'm asking if anyone who truly beleives in an organized religion can provide evidence that indicates his religion is the correct one and all others either worship false gods, or worship the real god incorrectly.

Nope, God by his very nature can not be either proved or disproved...sorry

'But the fact is that nothing in the real world can be proved to be true by logically watertight argument. Logically watertight arguments exist only in the unreal world of mathematics or pure logic.' Transmission ~Peter Hicks

My evidence? None that you would believe. But I don't as some people believe, follow blindly.

see but- religion is not something that can - or should be looked like that way -

the only evidence there is - devine "god said so" - or scripture/religious leaders saying so - you wouldnt accept

while its true all religions claim things like this - how we know that they arent all telling the truth - maybe they are

In my opinion, it is really whatever works for that person. If someone wants to think that a god, goddess or themselves will save them then so be it. Like anything elce, what works for one woun't work for another.

things can have different amounts of truth.

For example, I could point to a blonde and say that she is hot. You could disagree. In each view, we are correct. Same with religion. Agnosticism is true to me. We cannot know if there is a god. A christian knows that Jesus is the son of God. A Hindu knows that his three gods rule the universe.

Not if only one of the gods exist. Also not if they contradict each other.

You are confusing truth with TRUTH.

That's the same answer I got from my mom once. It's a damn shame when Catholics and Muslims use the same evidence to support different religions.

It was a joke, silly. I have an answer, but nobody really ever wants to hear it. It makes too much sense and NS Generalites can't handle rational thinking from a religious person.

How do you know if your religion is the "true" one? It seems there's really no evidence to indicate which one's true.

What if they are all true?

things can have different amounts of truth.

For example, I could point to a blonde and say that she is hot. You could disagree. In each view, we are correct. Same with religion. Agnosticism is true to me. We cannot know if there is a god. A christian knows that Jesus is the son of God. A Hindu knows that his three gods rule the universe.

Is it three Gods or three aspects of the one God?

Three Gods, IIRc.

things can have different amounts of truth.

For example, I could point to a blonde and say that she is hot. You could disagree. In each view, we are correct. Same with religion. Agnosticism is true to me. We cannot know if there is a god. A christian knows that Jesus is the son of God. A Hindu knows that his three gods rule the universe.

The first example works because we each have different standards of beauty.

The second example doesn't work because there is only one definition of truth: it's true only if it really is that way. Hence only one of the three mentioned could be true. Or they could all be false. THey could each have aspects and pieces of truth, but they can't all be true.

things can have different amounts of truth.

For example, I could point to a blonde and say that she is hot. You could disagree. In each view, we are correct. Same with religion. Agnosticism is true to me. We cannot know if there is a god. A christian knows that Jesus is the son of God. A Hindu knows that his three gods rule the universe.

If you think the blonde is hot, I could disagree. But, the truth is that you think she is hot, so that truth is true for me also. Its true for me that you think she is hot.

Someone said this, on another thread, but I don't remember who. It was to the effect that: no religion is completely true, that each is a piece of a larger picture. No religion has the entire picture, just bits. Like as not, I mangled that quote. But that sums up what I believe.

Then again, I also believe that it doesn't matter what a person believes in life, rather it matters what they do. So what do I know? :p

Oh this will be intresting.

my bets on

"Becuase of the bible/torah/Qu'ran ect (delete as aplicable)"

That's a good guess... "To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them."

Someone said this, on another thread, but I don't remember who. It was to the effect that: no religion is completely true, that each is a piece of a larger picture. No religion has the entire picture, just bits. Like as not, I mangled that quote. But that sums up what I believe.

Then again, I also believe that it doesn't matter what a person believes in life, rather it matters what they do. So what do I know? :p

I think I used a mirror reflecting God analogy once. If the mirror were shattered, everyone would gets bits and aspects of God.

Truth is what you percieve.
Its all subjective, there is no absolute.
Also if I said 2+2 is 67 it would be a truthfull as anything else since i assign the meaning of each item.

As to why I believe in my religion, it is my desicion and what I percieve as true therefore what you percieve of it is not important to me. as my view is unimportant to me.

You simply assume your own religion is the correct one. Why? Because it's the most plausible to you, for whatever reason. That isn't what determines which religion is the "right" one, the right one is the right one, regardless of who believes or disbelieves in it. If the true god is a giant five eyed fish, then all the Jews, Christians, Muslims, Pagans, and Atheists in the world believing whatever it is they believe won't change the reality that god is a big fish.

Truth is what you percieve.
Its all subjective, there is no absolute.
Also if I said 2+2 is 67 it would be a truthfull as anything else since i assign the meaning of each item.
Two is an absolute value, as is 67. You can't change an absolute. Your statement is false.

there is no absolute.

Are you absolutely sure?

How do you know if your religion is the "true" one? It seems there's really no evidence to indicate which one's true.

That's definitely where the word Faith comes in...every religion has it, even *winces in expectation of replies* atheists.

As a Christian, I believe in the Historical account of Jesus Christ, his historical death, and historical resurrection. I believe the Bible to be God's Word, and see how he's preserved it through centuries of people trying to destroy it. I also have faith in God because of the change he's made in my life, and others that I've had the opportunity to witness. While there are several intellectual supports for my faith, they aren't the primary reason for it.

To "qualify" my atheist comment before, simply put, a person who does not believe in a God must have faith in himself, and his intellectual arguments. He must have faith that his reasoning is correct, and that at the end of his life he will not be standing before his creator.

Truth is what you percieve.
Its all subjective, there is no absolute.
Also if I said 2+2 is 67 it would be a truthfull as anything else since i assign the meaning of each item.

A very post-modern view you have there.

Let's say that you win a million dollars from the lottery, you go to the officials to pick up your money and they hand you a 10 dollar bill. You might be inclined to protest and pull up all the fine print that says they must pay you your million dollars, but the official says, I know what the contract says, but those words don't mean anything until I assign meaning to each of them.

alas, a post-modern view only works when one is trying to rationalize his/her behavior.

My religion is correct and true to me. And part of my belief is that what you believe in is true to you. And part of my faith is not forcing my beliefs down anyone elses throat. The same as I dont expect someone to inflict their faith on me.

Truth is what you percieve.
Its all subjective, there is no absolute.
Also if I said 2+2 is 67 it would be a truthfull as anything else since i assign the meaning of each item.

.
In that case nothing has any real meaning. I could call you an asshole and mean it as a compliment. I hate postmodernist thinking. It's a pointless waste of time. Intellectual masturbation.

How do you know if your religion is the "true" one? It seems there's really no evidence to indicate which one's true.

It doesn't matter, to me anyway, let me explain...

Being a Religious person that believes in God, I know that God can do anything. I also know my realtionship with him and know I am saved.

What I don't know, and therefore have no ability to judge rightly or wrongly, is whether God has made himself known to other people and cultures in the way that they claim that he has. That is not for me to judge.

But when some of those people attempt to use the word of "their God" to try and attempt to do something that is contrary to the teachings of MY God, then I may take issue with their Religion. When that "something" directly affects me as a person, I can take STRONG issue with it.

Otherwise, I believe that everyone should be free to believe as they wish to believe and that they should be examples to others of the truth of their Religion and not try to force it upon anyone.

That's what I believe anyway.

Regards,
Gaar

I think I used a mirror reflecting God analogy once. If the mirror were shattered, everyone would gets bits and aspects of God.

The analogy of the mirror has to do with the Manifistations of God (Jesus, Moses, Muhammed Baha'u'llah and others) being the mirrors reflecting perfectly the light (truth) of God's message. The mirror itself does not become shatterd, but the message is changed by humans for selfish reasons.

Three Gods, IIRc.

What does IIRc mean?

Of Religion by Devotion to the One Supreme God

Arjuna. Who is that BRAHMA? What that Soul of Souls,
The ADHYATMAN? What, Thou Best of All!
Thy work, the KARMA? Tell me what it is
Thou namest ADHIBHUTA? What again
Means ADHIDAIVA? Yea, and how it comes
Thou canst be ADHIYAJNA in thy flesh?
Slayer of Madhu! Further, make me know
How good men find thee in the hour of death?
Krishna. I BRAHMA am! the One Eternal GOD,

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr))