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Is it wisdom saying "My religion is the only way for all?"

Which claims can you answer with YES/TRUE (in good conscience)

  • 1) "The Universal Ultimate Truth" exists

  • 2) "The Universal Ultimate Truth" can be found on Earth

  • 3) "ALL Religions can show the way"

  • 4) "Not ALL Religions can show the way"

  • 5) "ONLY my belief is the right way"

  • 6) "ONLY Atheism is the right way"

  • 7) "ONLY Humanism is the right way"

  • 8) "Jesus is the only way for ME"

  • 9) "Jesus is the only way for ALL"

  • *) "The Religion of Love" feels not bad to ME


Results are only viewable after voting.

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
Today I saw a thread posing the question:
"Obviously there must be an ultimate truth, but do all religions show a way to this?"

This got me wondering.

A): "Obviously there must be an ultimate truth"
"MUST" implies IMO that you are groping (otherwise you would say "IS")... so kind of "not knowing" ... "MIGHT" might be better to use, especially in the context of "Obviously"
"Ultimate" means 'highest everywhere of all times" or something like that ... Universe is big!!! ... to be found on earth? ... by me, an infinitesimal small earthling? ... does that make sense?

B): "Do all religions show a way to this"
To answer this you need at least the following qualifications:
A) IF "YES": a)I know the way + b) I studied all + c)I Realize that all showed the way (is this human possible?)
B) IF "NO": a)I Know the way+ b)I found at least 1 religion which does not "show a way" + b)I Studied this 1 religion 100% (***)

(***): Who does search a religion he doubts, for the full 100% (reading all is maybe easy ... practice all is more tough and time consuming)

My questions would be: Could anyone claim as a fact:
1) "ALL religions show the way"
2) "Not ALL religions show the way"
3) "Only my (non)belief is the way"
4) "Jesus is the only way"
5) "Jesus is the only way for all"

Note: You can select many items in the poll and also change it anytime (unless RF changes this). Select an item only if you can state "this is true, and I know this for a fact". If you don't know or think it is false (for a fact) then skip that item. So the Poll is about "what we know to be True", not "what we know to be false", or "what we do not know".

Note: I find "hearsay" or "Google" or "reading" not enough to state "this is true, and I know this for a fact".
If you read somewhere "Durian tastes delicious" ... could you state, for a fact, "Durian tastes delicious"? I could not, and would not. I tasted it, and found it to be "My king of fruits", and I did this test for 2 weeks, daily 3 times a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner; almost all I ate was Durian). So now I can state for a fact that "stvdv loved to eat Durian (those days)" (it was one of my most enjoyable tests I ever did). Was in Sri Lanka, they don't grow in Holland:(.
upload_2019-7-6_15-47-31.png


I realized that I said "YES" to 1) probably not long ago. Seeing this question on RF today made me realize "what do I really know about such questions for sure, to state it as a fact?" ... I know not so much for sure at all ... Bummer? Not really, at least this one is a truth for me; I should be happy to find "1 truth for me" today, wouldn't I:D ... Feels actually good to realize "I don't know much, as a fact, at all":)

The poll I made, because I am curious how others see this. And I have realized so many "wrong ideas I had" since I am on RF, that I am curious how I think after 1 year about these points. My ego still would like to know "The Truth" (rather sooner than later):D
 
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Wasp

Active Member
Naturally if someone follows a different religion from mine, I can't consider it wisdom for them to say "my religion is the only way for all". If I did I'd be following that religion, right?
 

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
I find this video to be a good, broad overview of various beliefs:

The Rival Conceptions of God
Thank you for sharing. Wonderful created video. Showing various beliefs with beautiful illustrations. Very creative ... "child of God" might be true
 
I recommend the whole series of videos from that YouTube channel. Here's another:

‘Right & Wrong’ – A Clue to the Meaning of the Universe

Thank you for sharing. Wonderful created video. Showing various beliefs with beautiful illustrations. Very creative ... "child of God" might be true
 

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
I don't think it's fair that I can't see the results when none of the options apply to me.
Was not my intention. I thought my last item should give everyone a peek-option. I mean "Religion of Love" does not exist ... all can "(re)define as needed"
 

Laika

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
(Hesitantly) Voted number 6, "Only Atheism is the right way". If there is only one reality, there is therefore only one truth. No matter how many interpretations or perspectives we may have, they all come from the same source. If that reality is one in which everything has a materialist/naturalistic cause (and therefore no supernatural causes), it follows that only atheism is the right way. That's debatable and I'm not 100% in agreement with it, but I think you can see where I'm coming from.

p.s. I'm more than happy to concede that religions contain things which are true (to one extent or another), but due to flaws in their methodology of relying on unreliable sources for knowledge (revelation, introspection, authority, etc), they are less likely to gain knowledge of the material world as a basis for spiritual growth and wisdom.
 

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
(Hesitantly) Voted number 6, "Only Atheism is the right way"
(Hesitantly) ... At least you have "eternity" to change your vote (I did not put a date limit on "Change Votes"):)
 

Laika

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
(Hesitantly) ... At least you have "eternity" to change your vote (I did not put a date limit on "Change Votes"):)

Well, there is always more to learn, so who knows. maybe I will change my mind someday. no-one can know everything even if what they know maybe only part of the truth.
 

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
Well, there is always more to learn, so who knows. maybe I will change my mind someday. no-one can know everything even if what they know maybe only part of the truth.
We agree on that one:). Knowing the Ultimate Truth IMHO implies knowing everything "under" it also.
That's why I can't believe "I will ever know the Ultimate Truth (totality, so everything)"
 

shunyadragon

shunyadragon
Premium Member
It is not difficult to select the 'absolute truth exists,' which could either be interpreted that an absolute 'Source' exists many call God(s), or no God(s) exist and the ultimate reality is simply the Laws of Nature, and nature of our physical existence. I believe in an apophatic God as the ultimate absolute truth, but realize that the Laws of Nature may be the 'Source.'

The problem is the exclusive claims of any one ancient religion as remotely realistic given what we know of the history of humanity and the lack of provenance of the scriptures. Also their tribal cultural orientation precludes their universal claim.
 
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rocala

Well-Known Member
If there is only one reality, there is therefore only one truth. No matter how many interpretations or perspectives we may have, they all come from the same source.
Now that sounds like the old Laika. Welcome back old friend.
 

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
I recommend the whole series of videos from that YouTube channel. Here's another:

‘Right & Wrong’ – A Clue to the Meaning of the Universe
Thanks again. I have seen two, and I have liked two. They are really good.
I like it when someone manages to explain spiritual concepts in an easy to understand way for all. Even children can understand.

If grown ups use difficult words they kind of missed the point it seems, if the below verse is correct.

Even the Bible says “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
 

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
None of the options reflect my opinion
I am a little surprised. I thought "the Religion of Love" should be for all. I mean, this one does not exist, so you can create it the way you like.
Unless of course you are allergic to 1 of the 3 words (religion, of, love). But even then, you could redefine their meanings. I do that (when a serial killer claims he is religious, then I redefine religious straight away).

Now I see you have: Religion = "God killer" ... does it include "Love killer" also? Or is it more "Religion killer". Or 2, or even all 3

Just curious why you have a problem with Love (Religion and God I can understand, as it has been the source of violence for thousands of years)

When I was typing "Religion of Love", I had a thought, maybe better leave "Religion"
"Love as a way of life" might have maybe given you an option?
 

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
Naturally if someone follows a different religion from mine, I can't consider it wisdom for them to say "my religion is the only way for all". If I did I'd be following that religion, right?
I like it how you phrased this line. I'm Dutch, so sometimes I read things the wrong way. Here I got 2 ways to see what you wrote:
a) Naturally if someone follows a different religion from mine, I can't consider it wisdom for them to say "my religion is the only way for all".
b) Naturally if someone follows a different religion from mine, I can't consider it wisdom for them to say "my religion is the only way for all".

I fully agree with b). Because I do not believe in "My religion is the only way for all"
I fully agree with a). Because of b) I can not approve of a)

But your next line: If I did I'd be following that religion, right?
I do not agree with this line ... because I don't consider it wise to say such a thing "My religion is the only way for all"

But I really love it how you phrased it, and it was really creative. Thanks.
 

wellwisher

Well-Known Member
Just curious why you have a problem with Love (Religion and God I can understand, as it has been the source of violence for thousands of years)

That has a lot to do with secular influences on religion, such as politics.

It also had to do with closet atheists within religion. If the average atheist had his way, he would get rid of religion. In olden times, where atheism was not allowed, this did not mean that atheist did not exist. To avoid persecution for being an atheist, they might pretend to be religious, and may even do it very well, to where they gain positions of power and trust. From this platform they could sabotage or make changes to open the closet.
 
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