So my fiance and I have one thing that differs between us: Religion. I'm roman catholic, and he's buddhist. We are always arguing about religion. I know everyone has the right to religion and technically we all worship the same god. But we're always arguing about how why there is even a religion and why people are always debating over this type of subject all the time. And i'm always trying to find the answer to why we all have different religions and why not just one because religion is always tearing some type of group apart. Will there ever be a definite answer to any religious questions?
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I've done a lot of study on various world religions, both Western and Eastern. I've done a lot of study on philosophy in general. The conclusion that I reached is that every philosophy that denigrates the human mind is wrong; this includes every Eastern religion, every "God-centered" religion, and philosophies like Existentialism and logical positivism.
So, strictly speaking, I would agree; there is no "right" religion, because they're all wrong. I really like Ayn Rand's arguments on the subject, and I highly recommend checking her out if you never have.
We all have different religions because when someone decided that Jesus was who we should follow and we got Christianity, but someone else said no, it was Muhammad, so we got Islam. Then others say that neither should be followed or that polytheism is actually the way to go. There are tons of religions in the world and no one will ever agree because religion is based on beliefs and you can't just change everyone's beliefs to the same thing.
~Jax
"Everyone has the right to their own opinion, I just prefer mine."
Even if we abolished religion, people would find something to argue about. Religion just often describes people's core beliefs, so an attack on someone's religion hits hard to most people.
~C
Visit my blog.
yes. but it will only come after we die...and by then it will be too late to use it:)
but for now people need to understand that its not our differences that matter...its our similarities.
you can be any religion you want and still live the Buddhist way of life. from what i understand (correct me if im wrong) Buddhism does not entangle itself with a god or gods. it more focuses on a way of life. and there is nothing wrong with living life as a Buddhist. It actually coincides a lot with what Christianity has to say.
this is true of many religions and it is my personal belief that we are all talking about the same guy....its just that our cultural and communication differences of the past have led us to different stories and ways to explain that same guy(...or girl...or being...however you want to look at..them)
as far as you and your fiance....i think you guys simply need to come down to the compromise to respect each others religions and to participate in whatever you need to to be a part of it. there is nothing wrong with combining religions if you are doing it to respect (honor) the wishes of the person you are going to be joined with "til death do you part". There is nothing wrong with exploring your way through life if you hold your beliefs true to yourself. (a lot of this you have already said to yourself, and so are probably nodding right a long with it, but i also wanted to reiterate it for all others who come across this post)
as others have said above: people often fight over religions as hope to hit people for what they believe is right and wrong. Its also been my understanding that a lot of people argue over religions in hopes to convince the other of the "right way" because they feel as part of their religion thatis there responsibility to do so (to "save" people).
There is one right religion, and it is the Roman Catholic Church. Peter the apostle was appointed by Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Second Person in the Holy Trinity, to be His successor, and Peter was our first Pope. Even look in history, I'm not making it up. Jesus told Peter: "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18) And the Catholic Church is the longest-lasting church after Jesus Christ. If you want the truth, be Catholic, because the founder of the Catholic Church is Jesus Christ whether anyone wants to believe it or not. The truth is the truth and there is not more then one truth.
You know, Judaism have been around thousands of years longer than Catholicism. Buddhism has been around hundreds of years longer. And I believe Hinduism started before Catholicism as well, but I may be mistaken. So if you're judging truth by age, Christianity loses, sorry.
And people diverged away from the Catholic church because they believed it corrupt (which it was). Besides, you can't prove it's truth until after you die, thus you don't know it is truth, you can only believe it is truth, which is why Christianity is still a religion.
~C
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Jesus is God, and only God knows the truth, and Peter was appointed to be God's successor until he returned. Jesus was Jewish, but started his own church, which is the true religion because it was created by God. A church that was created by God will not ever corrupt because Jesus said that the gates of hell will not destroy it. The Church will not be perfect because people are running it, but the doctrine (which is guided by the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles at Pentecost) will be because Jesus appointed a successor and the successor of Jesus Christ is the Pope, who is guided by the Holy Spirit when it comes to teachings on faith and morals. Just because those religions have been around longer then Christianity, does not mean that they are true. Jesus Christ is God, and the Catholic Church was not founded by some other person, it was founded by God, who knows all truths.
And, no offense, but just because a book says Jesus is God, does not mean it's true. You can believe it all you want, but that doesn't mean that you know it is true.
Why did He see the need to reform a religion that He already had, when it didn't even fulfill half the prophecies that He gave to man in order to know when this reformation came?
Jesus wasn't the only person in that time preaching about the end of the world, and he certainly wasn't the last. He just had a good publicist.
~C
Visit my blog.
Pretty much every person of every religion believes that their church, mosque, temple, coven, etc., was founded by God.
I was under the impression that Jesus was the son of God, not actually God. And to you the Roman Catholic Church is the right church but to millions of people around the world, it isn't. I'll eat meat on Friday during Lent if I want since that only started because the fishing industry in Italy needed a boost...
~Jax
"Everyone has the right to their own opinion, I just prefer mine."
.:VVN:.
just to clarify, Jesus is NOT GOD!
Jesus has done plenty to prove that he is God, and whether you want to believe it or not, it's true. When you die, you will find out for yourself.
.:VVN:.
I'm pretty sure that Jesus is not God. I've been a Catholic school all my life.. WITH Sisters and nuns as my teachers.. and it is stated: Jesus is NOT GOD.
Well, your Catholic school and nuns are obviously not teaching you what they are supposed to be teaching you. The Catholic Church's main teaching is that Jesus is God, and the whole Christian religion in general teaches that Jesus is God. (I went to Catholic School too all my life)
The whole sign of the cross thing we do: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen." Yeah, that is a sign of the cross is the symbol for the Holy Trinity: Three persons in one God, and one of those persons is Jesus. That is the whole basis for the Catholic religion. And it's written all over the Bible. Read it, it's there.
If you REALLY want proof, go to this website, this organization has a vatican seal and has been approved by the Pope. http://www.ewtn.com/faith/Teachings/teachframes.htm This website will give you the basics of our Catholic Beliefs.
well, I have said all that I need to say. People will disagree, however, you will find out when you die. But, I already know, so I don't have to find out when I die.
you dont KNOW....you only BELIEVE.
yes, I do. God has given the Catholic faith enough proof to know. And most who learn this, eventually convert. Look in history, it's there. And many things that are unexplainable have happened.
Ok, we'll look at history. You know that missionaries often targeted the children with little 'gifts' in order to convert? Furthermore, at one point, they killed those who continued to practice their native religion.* You know that little thing called the Inquisition? Well, a number of people converted to Catholicism to stay alive then, and yet continued to practice their religions. Doesn't set a nice track record, does it? Why would a religion that has so much proof need to convert people by force?
Once again, I ask you to show the proof you supposedly have. The Bible does not count. If Catholicism is right, then there should be plenty of proof outside the Bible.
~C
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*http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/h26la.html
Almost anyone will convert if they are faced with Death!
first of all there is plenty that has happened in history....just because its unexplainable does NOT mean its PROOF of God.
Secondly, even if it is evidence of God...it may not even be the way that Catholicism preaches, so there's no guaranteed proof that Catholicism is the one TRUE religion.
Thirdly, you can't create these circular arguments saying "If Peter says it its true because God says Peter's holy and thats true because Peter says God's holy.....so it must be true" or "I have evidence from my proof and my proof is my evidence"...they dont make since.
But I guess the WHOLE WORLD is wrong....and you are right....because obviously the Catholic faith is the ONLY possible explanation for everything that happens to not fit just right with the normalities of our universe....
once again...you have no PROOF....you have BELIEF...a strong belief apparently....but a belief none the less...
however if you'd actually like to put forth this so called "proof" be my guest....if its solid proof of God...i shouldnt be able to refute it.
ps: Jesus is NOT God...he is the SON of God....he is seated at the right hand of the FATHER...who IS God....and God + Jesus + Holy Spirit= the Holy Trinity......maybe YOU should go back to catechism.
pps: im sure you will find out when you die that God doesn't really appreciate the validity of the teachings of those ordained in His name to be challenged or claimed to be incorrect. All nuns and priests teach the same thing...and that is the word of God...and there is only one word....i dont know which Catholic religion you were raised on.
.:VVN:.
*applause... THANK YOU! Well said.
I would be interested in knowing more about how the arguments between yourself and your husband actually happen. I've known a lot of buddhists, and they seem to be very passive and open-mined about religious matters (it comes with detatchment, I suppose).
As for your question...
"Will there ever be a definite answer to any religious questions?"
The answer is simple. Only if someone finally comes up with some way to OBJECTIVELY prove that the basic premises of their religion are true. The REASON there is so much confusion and controversy about religion is that the entire body of religious thought--and by that I mean ALL religions, without exception--is founded on purely subjective, speculative ideas.
There is no "agreement" in the different religions because the whole business is just made up. If there is ANY truth in ANY of the world's religions, that truth is purely coincidental to the process which leads certain people to believe in a particular religion.
percivale
I'm a Christian and my significant other is an atheist. Just yesterday, I wrote a blog entry on this- and I don't find think it's just some accident that I came across this blog entry. :)I hope you every bit of enocuragement possible.
"I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people."
-Van Gogh
God does want us to just have one religion, but unfortunately people have very different viewpoints and cannot agree on one religion. I'm Roman Catholic and it is the root of my entire being. My faith in Jesus Christ is the most important aspect of my life and I, personally, could not marry a man who is not a Catholic since it is so huge to me.
I completely agree with you. I can't imagine marrying anyone outside of the Roman Catholic Church. It has formed who I am as a person, and I want to be able to have that in common that with my future husband.
Thats sort of sad :( You could be potenitally missing out on your soulmate or something.
You can think you can't imagine but you never know what will happen, love is wierd like that right? :)
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The Pledge of Allegiance does not end with "Hail Satan"
Poking a dead raccoon is not research
Spitwads are not free speech
Hillbillies are people too
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/npsm18
You know, I used to feel that way too. I wasn't very strong in my beliefs, but I could never imagine marrying a non-Christian. Now, I have a completely different attitude. My boyfriend is Jewish, and I have every intention of marrying him. So much has happened to convince me that our relationship is right and I can't let it go just because he's not a Christian. In fact, I'll probably end up converting because Christianity is less appealing to me by the day.
~C
Visit my blog.
Read the news.
"But we're always arguing about how why there is even a religion and why people are always debating over this type of subject all the time"
It's because a lot of people think they are right no matter how ignorant, hateful, ridiculous, stupid, or skeptical, they might sound. :)
There is no "right" answer, sadly people dont want to belive that.
-------------------------------------------------------
The Pledge of Allegiance does not end with "Hail Satan"
Poking a dead raccoon is not research
Spitwads are not free speech
Hillbillies are people too
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/npsm18
If you really want to know if your religion is true, all you have to do is gather up all the faith that you have, get down on your knees, and ask. Ask your god if what you believe, if what you are following, is true. It's just that simple. If you really want to find the true church, then he will let you know.
It's good to argue about religion. It gets you thinking.
Personally I'm a Christian and I believe Jesus is the ONLY way to get to Heaven.
But I'm not going to go around persecuting others for believing otherwise. It's not my place. I plan to marry a Christian man one day because I feel that I can raise a family better if I have a husband whose beliefs align with mine.
And I don't think there will ever be a definite answer. Maybe at the end of days but not now. All we have now is faith.