Just a thought for some opinions

Dakeyras

Okay so heres the thing, i was contemplating the other night (as you do) the existence of a god and considering the multitude of different religions in existance in the world and came up with a few thoughts that i thought id throw out to see what some of you thought, ive had previous discussions on parts of this but, well see what you all think.

One of the things that has always sort of niggled at me about religion is the many different religions and again the different denominations of religions. For the different denominations you could say that all are worshipping the same god though with different beliefs regarding that god.

But the thing is if someone worships the catholic god, buddha or allah they are worshipping a different god (correct me if im wrong) so if each believes that each is the one and only true god, what happens if one set of people are right? they all go to paradise but for everyone else its 'do not pass go, do not collect £200, go straight to eternal damnation' And with mentioning the above im not covering even a tiny portion of different religions, much of course are minor but people are still worshipping their chosen gods, are these people wrong?

Whilst thinking about all this i sort of came to the conclusion that everyone is right in who they choose to worship though everyone is also wrong at the same time. I dont think that any religion can capture (what i shall call) the supreme or comprehend totally because we are limited simply by our own perceptions. To take an example;

(perchance for a moment believe that an ant has the same thought processes as ourselves) When an ant is walking along the ground and someone stands on him does the ant think this is some god punishing him? or is it just an everyday risk for him. Do ants consider all men their gods? maybe, but they would have no way of comprehending what we do or why we do it and no way of ever understanding our actions and motivations. The same could be said for man trying to comprehend what a supreme beings motivations and actions are.

Now so what i mean is that i think we are all wrong but right at the same time because in choosing whatever image you choose to worship you are still worshipping ultimately the one being, the supreme. Ill use an analogy i used before "If you imagine a diamond with its many facets, if you look at it from one direction you could see but one facet, though the diamond contains many, many more. In the same way i believe that the supreme is like a large diamond with the three largest facets presented to man being the christian god, Allah & Buddha with an infinity of others for gods still worshipped and others long passed."

Put another way, christianity has many different denominations which simply differ on aspects of theology or practice, what if all religions and gods are simply different denominations of the one religion that encompasses all?

Now i think ill leave it all there for the moment, as i say im just trying to get some opinions or thoughts on the whole thing and thought this might be the best place to post. But im not trying to knock christianity nor any religion so i hope its not taken that way.

sanvean

Originally posted by Dakeyras
But the thing is if someone worships the catholic god, buddha or allah they are worshipping a different god (correct me if im wrong)

Islam considers itself as worshipping the same God as the Judeo-Christian one, but of course know Him in a different way.

Your idea is interesting, and it's a problem that many theologians have attempted to answer. the debate continues to this day. Essentially, it depends on your view of whatever religion you hold. You can either take the strict view, ie, salvation through Christ alone, or you can water it down somewhat, allowing for redemption or knowledge through other sources. Also (a very patronising one, this) would be that while you practice your heretical religion, if you live a good life, you are 'saved'. Kind of like been given the benefit of the doubt.

I think whatever religion - however strictly adhered to - would allow for the complete inability to fully comprehend God, but - especially the monotheistic ones - would say that God has revealed Himself and attempted to give knowledge and direct us to worship Him.

The_Goose

it think everyone worships the same god but in different ways and calls him by a different name!!!

i think the false religions would be those that require you to hurt others to advance in spirituality!!! or promise physically pleasing things as reward for doing so(women, money,power).


as long as you are a good person and trust in god you ll be ok no matter what religion you follow!!

Sarky

All religions are true.

For a given value of "true".

sanvean

Originally posted by Manticore
i think the false religions would be those that require you to hurt others to advance in spirituality!!! or promise physically pleasing things as reward for doing so(women, money,power).

so, that would include islam, christianity, buddhism, etc etc, under the label of false religions. sheesh. atheism is probably the only way to go so.

Victor

Originally posted by Dakeyras
But the thing is if someone worships the catholic god, buddha or allah they are worshipping a different god (correct me if im wrong) so if each believes that each is the one and only true god, what happens if one set of people are right? they all go to paradise but for everyone else its 'do not pass go, do not collect £200, go straight to eternal damnation' And with mentioning the above im not covering even a tiny portion of different religions, much of course are minor but people are still worshipping their chosen gods, are these people wrong?

I think the Catholic position is if you have led a good life, God won't hold it against you. I would concur with this, in particular where Jesus said "love thy neighbour", "do unto others" and "suffer little children".

mr_angry

Considering your religion is often decided on where you're born (the promenence of Catholicism in Ireland isn't down to people's choosing. Well, not the modern generation anyway). I think it would be a bit harsh of God to condemn you simply because you were born in the wrong spot.

I think the phrase "You pays yer money, you takes yer chances" sums it up pretty well. I don't know for certain that my concept of God, and my concept of a good way of life is are correct. But you just gotta hope, and work with what you've been given.