Why is the religion that you practice superior to all other religions?

[MarieColvin]

Hi all,

If you practice a religion, you must, one way or another, find it superior to all other religions. But regardless of what religion you practice, everyone who practices any religion feels "in my heart and in my soul that [my religion] is the true path." Everyone somehow just "knows" that their religion is the right one. So what would you tell someone like me, who is looking for a religion? What does your religion offer that the others don't?

Thanks a lot.
Marie


mod edit - this looks to be a bot account, so user was banned, but I'll leave thread open

 

[Expatriate]

I don't have a religion as it is commonly defined. However I like many of the purported teachings of Jesus and the Buddha. I'm sure there are other figures that I have not researched that also had much wisdom to offer.

I think all religions have useful things that you can learn from them, but most also contain a lot of closed-mindedness and fear-mongering. Basically I'd recommend trying to keep your mind as open as possible.

If you can find the strength to do what you believe is right and help others without being driven by the fear of eternal punishment or some vengeful deity, I for one would respect you greatly.

 

[Sola_Fide]

The standard for any philosophical or religious system is: how faithful is it to God's Word in the Bible?

The Bible alone is the Word of God. It is the axiom, or starting point, of knowledge. It is the standard and rule of faith. All of our traditions must be brought under the authority of God's Word. The Scripture alone is sufficient to equip a Christian man or woman for everything in this life.

So I don't even like the title of this thread...It's as if someone can say they are better than someone else for some arbitrary reason. No, all of my thinking and practice must be brought under the authority of God's law and word. When God speaks, it is the final authority. My own deviations from God's Word must be corrected or else I am in error. So, no..."my" religion is not better, its only God's Word which is superior.

 

[Dsylexic]

er, i was born into the hindu religion and it says all paths to god are equally valid.including atheism. pretty libertarian i'd say.superior or not ,who cares.but it doesnt talk down to non believers.infact the idea of non believers itself is invalid to the philosphical hindu(and i dont speak for the lumpen hindu)

 

[maskander]

er, i was born into the hindu religion and it says all paths to god are equally valid.including atheism. pretty libertarian i'd say.superior or not ,who cares.but it doesnt talk down to non believers.infact the idea of non believers itself is invalid to the philosphical hindu(and i dont speak for the lumpen hindu)

that's neat thanks for informing

 

[sevin]

The standard for any philosophical or religious system is: how faithful is it to God's Word in the Bible?

The Bible alone is the Word of God. It is the axiom, or starting point, of knowledge. It is the standard and rule of faith. All of our traditions must be brought under the authority of God's Word. The Scripture alone is sufficient to equip a Christian man or woman for everything in this life.

So I don't even like the title of this thread...It's as if someone can say they are better than someone else for some arbitrary reason. No, all of my thinking and practice must be brought under the authority of God's law and word. When God speaks, it is the final authority. My own deviations from God's Word must be corrected or else I am in error. So, no..."my" religion is not better, its only God's Word which is superior.

So basically you're saying: "My religion is the one true religion because the Bible says so."

 

[Brown Sapper]

Because my Religion invented the Kama Sutra.

 

[otherone]

Hi all,

If you practice a religion, you must, one way or another, find it superior to all other religions.?

I don't know that this is true. Many people choose a religion that they feel comfortable with...a preference as opposed to finding it 'superior'. Claims of superiority can quickly become a slugfest. In addition, many are raised in their faith, and have no basis of comparison.

 

[Captain Caveman]

A definition of religion is "a body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices" or "a practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith."
One conclusion of this is that by trying to adhere to "the rules", we somehow appease a god for our shortcomings and bad actions (sins).

However, the faith of Christ Jesus promises us that if we fully submit to Him, He will make His abode in us and change us into one of His. This is accomplished by the things He already did, we only respond to His call and follow Him. (see John 14, Ephesians 2, etc...)

The faith of Christ Jesus is the only belief system that promises God will change your "inner man" if you truly submit to Him, all others teach adherence by mastering your own self-nature.

/food for thought

 

[moostraks]

So basically you're saying: "My religion is the one true religion because the Bible says so."

potter verse in 3...2...1

I was thinking this thread is going to be an interesting downhill slide. I think otherone is right many people are raised in a certain religion and are just comfortable there with no reference to other beliefs from which to make the sort of judgement OP is looking for. Many religions will claim they are superior but it is usually self serving when they do this imo. I hope you find what you are looking for OP.

 

[TER]

Because only Christ saves us. Only He restores our complete being, body, soul, and spirit, and only through Christ are we granted the path to a resurrection unto eternal life. That's why Christiainity is superior to all religions.

 

[pcosmar]

I don't practice religion.
I don't have a religion. I have Faith.

 

[Sola_Fide]

So basically you're saying: "My religion is the one true religion because the Bible says so."

No. I said that my religion and traditions must be conformed to the Word of God like everyone else's. I am in error if my thinking or practice is not Biblical.

So, far from saying that "I am right", I specifically said "I am frequently wrong and only the Bible is right".

 

[eduardo89]

This is what really matters

I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

 

[AFPVet]

Well, I am a Gnostic Christian; however, since I have studied religion academically, I will tell people to choose the one that best fits them. I encourage everyone to at least learn about other faiths—or general spirituality—and be free to learn about that belief without pressure. I do not force my religion onto others... I use the word verstehen or understanding regarding other beliefs and cultures.

 

[tfurrh]

Well, I am a Gnostic Christian

What is that?

 

[cartemj06]

All religions are a claim to truth. They all claim to have a monopoly on either a truth or the truth. So, when religion shopping, we shouldn't just go with the one that feels good, sounds good or our friends like et cetera. We should examine the claims of the religion and for all intents and purposes investigate the truth claims of each of the religions and see which ones we find truthful and which ones we find dis-honest. The next step is to narrow down the "truthy" religions and see what they say and compare them to the others to see if they conflict. If one says that god is A and the other says that god is B, can God be both and and b?
God cannot exist and not exist at the same time, so a religion that teaches that god is, conflicts with one that teaches that there is no god. This is how you come to a "superior" religion one that is true. it is also personal, followers or supposed followers do not make truth.

When I examined some religions there were things that I liked in each that I found, they all have some redeeming quality. At the same time it was learning about Jesus and other religions that led me to believe that the truth claims of that religion held more credibility to me than the others. This comes with one BIG DISCLAIMER: I don't agree with the majority of christian "religion" or teachings in the churches or some of the believer's musings that I have encountered. I don't want to denigrate anyones religious practices or beliefs, and I don't want to spark any internet religion debates but I fully support rational and respectful conversation on the topic, like the OP's original question.

PS, Does anyone else get the feeling that two christians arguing about the bible completely resembles two comic book "nerds" arguing about the nuances of their comics, characters and super powers?

 

[AFPVet]

What is that?

It's a form of Christianity which believes there is more to the Bible and accepts gnostic texts which fill in the blanks and helps to clarify/correct issues within the canonized Bible. There are several books which include all of the lost texts which were found in 1945; however, the one I really like was written by Alan Jacobs called Sacred Wisdom, The Gnostic Gospels.

 

[tfurrh]

lost texts which were found in 1945[/I]

how old were the lost texts? approx date? BC? that'd be cool

 

[AFPVet]

how old were the lost texts? approx date?

Well, they really don't know for sure. Some were older than others....

Here is some information about them:

http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/Pagels-Gnostic-Gospels.html