Religion: Absolute or Adaptive? (followers, evolution, church, eternal, faith)

[Engyo]

In Buddhism there is a concept of "adapting to the host country" or zuiho bini (Jap.). This means that as long as something doesn't go against Buddhist teachings, then it is not an issue. This is why Buddhism varies widely from place to place.

[roli]

Originally Posted by EnhancedSpirit

At the heart of every religion there is truth. When I started study of religions, I found that there is a common denominator. And once a truth has been established, it becomes absolute.

I presume you mean relative truth, because to the individual and particular religion, many have assumed they are in pursuit of or have obtained absolute truth in their own religion
My question is, as there are many underlying truths wrapped up in each religion,
"what is the ultimate truth we as a human species are seeking for"?,does it not revolve aroundorigin,purpose and destination.
Sub truths of most religions such as,love your fellow man, live in peace,do unto others as you would have done unto you, self actualization,finding the inner man,perform good deeds etc, are all encouraged and practiced to some degree,but seemingly based on self endeavor and realization,promoting self to be that of a god of sorts,able to control origin, purpose and destiny through intellect,reason and physical abilities

When in reality, we can't know for certain what 10min from now will bring for any of us,yet many still pursue the idea that personal thoughts and concepts from yourself or other great minds will achieve a sort of truth bringing enlightenment .
In essence our existence and destination are really out of our hands, more at the hand of something greater then all of our thoughts and abilities could create,be it fate, luck, or divine intervention,

I mean the only way I believe we will find this ultimate truth is:
1) by a personal experience,encounter,revealation,visitation with the diety, creator,or thing responsible for our existence.
2)when we die,I believe we will all know beyond a doubt what absolute truth is,but will it be to late for some and will others realise they chose the wrong path.
If so what will be the outcome of such wrong choices bring,wishful thinking would say we will all be together,we are all going to the same place, etc etc,justification and excuse will say I don't care ,I'll deal with it there ,if he or it does not accept me ,I don't want to be ther anyways, he or it is a dictator etc,etc.
I prefer to find absolute truth while I'm here in this life and if it means humbling myself to ask then so be it,but I have to come out of myself,because it may not be as readily accessible in the next life and we may also find that our choices in this life determined the destination of the next.

[michel]

Originally Posted by EnhancedSpirit

God is love

Not to an Atheist - nor indeed to an Agnostic.

[anami]

Originally Posted by michel

Not to an Atheist - nor indeed to an Agnostic.

You don't have to but you can believe in a diety to embody love.

Again, you don't have to, it could just be love and then fully acceptable to anyone but a nhialist.

[roli]

"God is love" as quoted by enhanced spirit , opens the response from Michel

Originally Posted by michel

Not to an Atheist - nor indeed to an Agnostic.

Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

If God is who he says and grants life to all.The very life that is in an agnostic or atheist is the evidence of God's love ,mercy,grace despite their refutations,disbeliefs and rebellion to God, He still displays mercy,not only on them but us all,we all deserve to die for our disobedience and arrogant self exaltation of our ego's and pride.

God is still the epitome and true essence of love whether someone believes or disbelieves,questions or refutes the statement.
The day will bring it to light.

Religion, it's practices,traditions and duties are very much adaptive to cultural diversity,geographical location and historical periods,
Mere men who are egocentric guru's claiming there revealtory writings ,teachings and mandates are inspired from a higher power and are absolute, lead men astray.

Absolute religion in man's eyes is that which is established upon doctrines and traditions of men, but with God it is unacceptable
Religion never was absolute in and of itself,it has only ever been an excercise to ascertain a false sense of absolutism, it is only a shadow of things to come

Jesus who lived died and rose again and is alive right now , who died for our sins and defeated death so we could live forever is absolute truth, but to many this will only remain a concept and one to refute at that.