A question for all religious believers -- why is your religion more true than any other?

Evangelicalhumanist · Jan 28, 2024

It does seem to me that all of the religious people I know accept that their creed, their religion's essential beliefs, are correct, while all others -- because they obviously don't agree with the central tenets of their sect, must be somehow lacking.

As a non-believer in any religion, I am curious how it is, what evidence, what logic, leads you to suppose that your particular religion/denomination/sect got it right, while the others did not.

This thread is meant to be a great opportunity for believers of all kinds to engage -- to write apologetics in defense of their beliefs. I'm hoping to see significant essays!

MikeF · Jan 28, 2024

Evangelicalhumanist said:
It does seem to me that all of the religious people I know accept that their creed, their religion's essential beliefs, are correct, while all others -- because they obviously don't agree with the central tenets of their sect, must be somehow lacking.

As a non-believer in any religion, I am curious how it is, what evidence, what logic, leads you to suppose that your particular religion/denomination/sect got it right, while the others did not.

This thread is meant to be a great opportunity for believers of all kinds to engage -- to write apologetics in defense of their beliefs. I'm hoping to see significant essays!

If I were a theist of some stripe, I would see this as trying to pick a fight since it's posted in a debate forum. I guess we'll see who's up for one.

Vinayaka · Jan 28, 2024

I absolutely don't believe that. Siva emanated this diversity, something for everyone, including all the variations of non-belief.

Trailblazer · Jan 28, 2024

Evangelicalhumanist said:
As a non-believer in any religion, I am curious how it is, what evidence, what logic, leads you to suppose that your particular religion/denomination/sect got it right, while the others did not.

I do not suppose that my religion got it right while other religions did not.
My logic leads me to believe that all religions 'initially' got it right, IF they were a religion revealed by the one true God.

Evangelicalhumanist said:
This thread is meant to be a great opportunity for believers of all kinds to engage -- to write apologetics in defense of their beliefs. I'm hoping to see significant essays!

Sorry to disappoint you but I think everyone on this forum has already seen my essays so there is no need to repeat myself.

Jayhawker Soule · Jan 28, 2024

Evangelicalhumanist said:
This thread is meant to be a great opportunity for believers of all kinds to engage ...

Or, conversely, an example of a mildly voyeuristic trolling for contention.

Rational Agnostic · Jan 28, 2024

Jayhawker Soule said:
Or, conversely, an example of a mildly voyeuristic trolling for contention.

It seems like you accuse everyone (both non-religious AND religious) of being insincere. I think you have good insights on many things but it gets annoying after awhile when you do this. We're not insincere we're just trying to learn and understand others' views. I for one think @Evangelicalhumanist 's thread is a brilliant idea and am looking forward to reading the responses.

Quintessence · Jan 28, 2024

*confused blink*

Why is my religion what now? What on earth are you talking about?

JustGeorge · Jan 28, 2024

I can't think of many Dharmics or Earth based traditions that do this.

The Hammer · Jan 28, 2024

My variety of belief got it right for me.

That's all that matters. If someone else's version works for them, then good for them.

Quintessence · Jan 28, 2024

JustGeorge said:
I can't think of many Dharmics or Earth based traditions that do this.

A lot of Abrahamic traditions don't either. Pluralism - the notion that multiple cultures, religions, et cetera, contain truths - is pretty much the norm at least in the United States these days. Exclusivism - one true truthism - really isn't "in" anymore so I'm confused by the framing of the OP.

The Hammer · Jan 28, 2024

Quintessence said:
A lot of Abrahamic traditions don't either. Pluralism - the notion that multiple cultures, religions, et cetera, contain truths - is pretty much the norm at least in the United States these days. Exclusivism - one true truthism - really isn't "in" anymore so I'm confused by the framing of the OP.

I'm not sure I've actually noticed this demographic switch in ideology. Exclusivism still seems to be the norm to me here. But I'm also pretty mum bout my views outside of RF typically.

JustGeorge · Jan 28, 2024

Quintessence said:
A lot of Abrahamic traditions don't either. Pluralism - the notion that multiple cultures, religions, et cetera, contain truths - is pretty much the norm at least in the United States these days. Exclusivism - one true truthism - really isn't "in" anymore so I'm confused by the framing of the OP.

I've noticed an increase in pluralism where I am, but I don't feel its the 'norm' for most Abrahamics around here.

sun rise · Jan 29, 2024

JustGeorge said:
I've noticed an increase in pluralism where I am, but I don't feel its the 'norm' for most Abrahamics around here.

It's normal for people to feel that their choice is the best choice. And it is, for them. Some can see further than that. Those who are attracted to the spiritual whether as part of a religion or not, have the opportunity to overcome that tendency. For example:

“To me, religions are like languages: no language is true or false; all languages are of human origin; each language reflects and shapes the civilization that speaks it; there are things you can say in one language that you cannot say as well in another; and the more languages you learn, the more nuanced your understanding of life. Judaism is my mother tongue yet in matters of the spirit I strive to be multilingual. In the end, however, the deepest language of the soul is silence.” - Rabbi Rami Shapiro

"Does Khuda live in the mosque? Then who lives everywhere? Is Ram in idols and holy ground? Have you looked and found him there? Hari in the East, Allah in the West-so you like to dream. Search in the heart, in the heart alone: there live Ram and Karim. Which is false, Quran or Veda? False is the darkened view". - Kabir

"llow us to recognize Thee in all Thy holy names and forms:
as Rama, as Krishna, as Shiva, as Buddha.
Let us know Thee as Abraham, as Solomon, as Zarathushtra, as Moses, as Jesus, as Muhammad¹,
and in many other names and forms, known and unknown to the world." - Hazrat Inayat Khan

Tamino · Jan 29, 2024

Quintessence said:
*confused blink*

Why is my religion what now? What on earth are you talking about?

Yup. That.

@Evangelicalhumanist - seems like you know several people who don't claim their religion is truer than others.
In my case, I have 4 different and contradictory creation myths in my own religion. I am not bothered by different stories.
I'm not even sure if there is one, big truth behind everything. And I don't even care so much, one way or the other.

Religion, for me, is not so much about faith and truth, it's about practice and belonging. My stories and rituals are meaningful to me, I have a relationship with my gods.
What stories other people tell or how they practice or what relationships they have with the divine... well ... it's fascinating, sometimes inspiring - but as long as they don't do harm, it doesn't affect me.

mangalavara · Jan 29, 2024

Evangelicalhumanist said:
As a non-believer in any religion, I am curious how it is, what evidence, what logic, leads you to suppose that your particular religion/denomination/sect got it right, while the others did not.

Not all religions have this Christian and Islamic idea of ‘We are right, everyone else is wrong.’

What I adhere to is the best for me because it helps me make sense of life, the world, and everything. Moreover, the spirituality enriches my inner life and manifests in positive changes. What other people believe in doesn’t matter to me. In fact, I am happy knowing that there is diversity and variety in religion and spirituality. All are on their own unique spiritual journeys.

Heyo · Jan 29, 2024

Evangelicalhumanist said:
It does seem to me that all of the religious people I know accept that their creed, their religion's essential beliefs, are correct, while all others -- because they obviously don't agree with the central tenets of their sect, must be somehow lacking.

As a non-believer in any religion, I am curious how it is, what evidence, what logic, leads you to suppose that your particular religion/denomination/sect got it right, while the others did not.

This thread is meant to be a great opportunity for believers of all kinds to engage -- to write apologetics in defense of their beliefs. I'm hoping to see significant essays!

I guess you have the wrong audience for that kind of question. Anyone who would defend their religion as the only Truth™ is gone or banned.
Such behaviour is even banned by the rules, so some might think their religion is the only true™ one, but don't dare state so openly.
Those people exist, just open up YouTube and look for the apologists. The Hamists would say that you can't be a Christian if you don't believe in the literal interpretation of Genesis. They're just not here.

RestlessSoul · Jan 29, 2024

Evangelicalhumanist said:
It does seem to me that all of the religious people I know accept that their creed, their religion's essential beliefs, are correct, while all others -- because they obviously don't agree with the central tenets of their sect, must be somehow lacking.

As a non-believer in any religion, I am curious how it is, what evidence, what logic, leads you to suppose that your particular religion/denomination/sect got it right, while the others did not.

This thread is meant to be a great opportunity for believers of all kinds to engage -- to write apologetics in defense of their beliefs. I'm hoping to see significant essays!

It seems to me this is a sweeping generalisation. Perhaps by “religious people” you mean American evangelicals? Please don’t assume they are representative of religious people in general, nor even of Christians in particular.

1213 · Jan 29, 2024

Evangelicalhumanist said:
why is your religion more true than any other?

It depends on what a religion says.

But, I would generally say, I keep Bible God as my God, because He has shown great wisdom, knowledge and love in the Bible. I think He is the only hope for love and truth to win.

No other "god" has shown anything like that to me, therefore they are for me irrelevant.

Treasure Hunter · Jan 29, 2024

In my view, truth seeking can’t really begin until you realize and accept that the desire for meaning is the highest moral truth. After this, as you pursue higher meanings, you will inevitably find yourself in the religious domain.

In other words, my advice is for people here to focus on the desire for meaning rather than thinking you are capable of assessing religious systems.

Secret Chief · Jan 29, 2024

Evangelicalhumanist said:
It does seem to me that all of the religious people I know accept that their creed, their religion's essential beliefs, are correct, while all others -- because they obviously don't agree with the central tenets of their sect, must be somehow lacking.

Horses for courses. I wouldn't describe myself as a Hindu or a Pagan but they seem pretty cool and groovy to me. My only gripe is where there is significant misappropriation and misrepresentation; but that principle could apply in regard to non-religious matters.

Evangelicalhumanist said:
what evidence, what logic

oh gawd...

Evangelicalhumanist said:
to write apologetics in defense of their beliefs. I'm hoping to see significant essays!

I'll see you around then.

A question for all religious believers -- why is your religion more true than any other?

"Truth" isn't a thing...

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