People who believe their religion is the only true religion

[Anonymous]

I know some very intelligent people who are Christian and believe that Christianity is the only religion that is “right”. — all other religions are wrong and followers of those religions are going to hell. How can anyone honestly believe this? It seems incredibly ethnocentric to me given so many ancient religions, billions of people who follow other religions, and the fact that there is no proof that any religion is superior. I respect those who have faith and believe that all have the right to their own beliefs, but why so judgy? What makes your book more credible than other texts?

[Anonymous]

What do you think they are thinking, OP?

[Anonymous]

Np. People from these types of religions are the reason for so much war, bloodshed and turmoil in the world. They just couldn’t (and still don’t) leave others who believe differently alone. Claiming superiority is a means to conquests and controlling the population.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know some very intelligent people who are Christian and believe that Christianity is the only religion that is “right”. — all other religions are wrong and followers of those religions are going to hell. How can anyone honestly believe this? It seems incredibly ethnocentric to me given so many ancient religions, billions of people who follow other religions, and the fact that there is no proof that any religion is superior. I respect those who have faith and believe that all have the right to their own beliefs, but why so judgy? What makes your book more credible than other texts?

1. because they are taught it as children
2. because it makes them feel superior
3. because it gives them a cause -- getting you to believe too, so you can also be saved
4. So they can live forever. It makes this life more palatable.

[Anonymous]

Why bother believing in a religion if you do not think it is the right one?
If another religion or faith is right, then why are you wanting your time with that one instead of the other

[Anonymous]

Christians are hardly the only groups who believe this.

Look at fighting between Buddhist, Hindus, and Muslims in Asia.

[Anonymous]

I know there are other religions who believe this. I want to hear from all religions- anyone who believes that they are right and the rest of mankind is wrong- what convinces you that this is so?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know there are other religions who believe this. I want to hear from all religions- anyone who believes that they are right and the rest of mankind is wrong- what convinces you that this is so?

In the case of Christianity, because the Bible is the most infallible in a historic and archeological sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know there are other religions who believe this. I want to hear from all religions- anyone who believes that they are right and the rest of mankind is wrong- what convinces you that this is so?

In the case of Christianity, because the Bible is the most infallible in a historic and archeological sense.

Infallible? How do you figure that.

[Anonymous]

All religions think they are the one true religion. Christians just get singled out here. It’s plain as day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why bother believing in a religion if you do not think it is the right one?
If another religion or faith is right, then why are you wanting your time with that one instead of the other

My middle school religion teacher said something that has stuck with me all this time.
We're all just people wandering through the forest, hoping to find our way out without getting eaten by bear or something. We have a map - our religion's teachings. We are confident that this map is correct, and if we follow this map we'll end up out of the woods and into heaven.
But just because we firmly believe our map is right, and we will continue to follow our map, that doesn't mean that other people's maps are wrong. Some people (ie, other denominations of Christians, in our case), seem to be walking on nearly identical paths and trails through the woods. Other people (even some with a map labeled the same as mine!) seem to be walking in circles or backwards.
I can, and should, share my map with anyone who wants it - and even invite people to follow me and my map, especially if they seem lost in the woods.
But it's really not my place at all to be snatching maps from other people or to be denigrating other maps.
I'm deep in the woods. I can't see the exit. Maybe their maps get to the exact same place, just on a different path. Maybe there path is more direct and easier. Maybe it's more circuitous and harder.
All I know if that I believe my map will get me out of the woods, so follow my own map, invite anyone who wants to join me on my trails, and leave everyone else to follow their own map without my making things harder for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why bother believing in a religion if you do not think it is the right one?
If another religion or faith is right, then why are you wanting your time with that one instead of the other

My middle school religion teacher said something that has stuck with me all this time.
We're all just people wandering through the forest, hoping to find our way out without getting eaten by bear or something. We have a map - our religion's teachings. We are confident that this map is correct, and if we follow this map we'll end up out of the woods and into heaven.
But just because we firmly believe our map is right, and we will continue to follow our map, that doesn't mean that other people's maps are wrong. Some people (ie, other denominations of Christians, in our case), seem to be walking on nearly identical paths and trails through the woods. Other people (even some with a map labeled the same as mine!) seem to be walking in circles or backwards.
I can, and should, share my map with anyone who wants it - and even invite people to follow me and my map, especially if they seem lost in the woods.
But it's really not my place at all to be snatching maps from other people or to be denigrating other maps.
I'm deep in the woods. I can't see the exit. Maybe their maps get to the exact same place, just on a different path. Maybe there path is more direct and easier. Maybe it's more circuitous and harder.
All I know if that I believe my map will get me out of the woods, so follow my own map, invite anyone who wants to join me on my trails, and leave everyone else to follow their own map without my making things harder for them.

I love this description!

On a spiritual level, Catholicism has worked well for me. It hasn’t met one of my children’s needs, but I hope she finds A map that does.

[Anonymous]

There are many ways out of the woods. Some of us just walk forward with kindness -- no map required.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Christians are hardly the only groups who believe this.

Look at fighting between Buddhist, Hindus, and Muslims in Asia.

Do Buddhists really believe their religion is the only true one and that everyone else will go to hell? I don't think so.

Don't paint these religions with such a broad brush.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why bother believing in a religion if you do not think it is the right one?
If another religion or faith is right, then why are you wanting your time with that one instead of the other

My middle school religion teacher said something that has stuck with me all this time.
We're all just people wandering through the forest, hoping to find our way out without getting eaten by bear or something. We have a map - our religion's teachings. We are confident that this map is correct, and if we follow this map we'll end up out of the woods and into heaven.
But just because we firmly believe our map is right, and we will continue to follow our map, that doesn't mean that other people's maps are wrong. Some people (ie, other denominations of Christians, in our case), seem to be walking on nearly identical paths and trails through the woods. Other people (even some with a map labeled the same as mine!) seem to be walking in circles or backwards.
I can, and should, share my map with anyone who wants it - and even invite people to follow me and my map, especially if they seem lost in the woods.
But it's really not my place at all to be snatching maps from other people or to be denigrating other maps.
I'm deep in the woods. I can't see the exit. Maybe their maps get to the exact same place, just on a different path. Maybe there path is more direct and easier. Maybe it's more circuitous and harder.
All I know if that I believe my map will get me out of the woods, so follow my own map, invite anyone who wants to join me on my trails, and leave everyone else to follow their own map without my making things harder for them.

I like this way of thinking about it, but still think religion is BS.