Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Interesting thread. It is of course the case that 'Not all Christians are the same' (as one pastor said on a You tube I watched recently), but we do get this idea cropping up that they are all worshipping the same god. Christians, Jews and Muslims. Of course they are. But the idea is that each one thinks the others are worshipping the wrong way.
Christians think muslims are wrong because they don't believe Jesus was divine in himself. Muslims think Christians are wrong because they do.
So the question comes up: why wouldn't a god who has its head on the right way round ensure that everyone worshipped the right doctrine and everyone knew what it was and how to worship correctly instead of it looking...excuse me ..like everyone had made up their own religion?
An atheist here, and this is not meant to be a "drive by".
My question is: Why aren't all religions trying to work together to form a cohesive and agreeable concept of religion and god?
Why so many splintered factions? Most believers agree there is one god, right? Is any group trying to synthesize the known information into an intelligible concept? Is anyone doing the research? Are people from different religions reaching out to each other? Has any progress been made in the last 2,013 years?
According to Scripture even the religious leaders of Jesus' day would not go by the Mosaic law covenant.
Jesus exposed those corrupt religious leaders [ Mark 7 vs 1-7,13; Matthew 15 v 9 and Matthew chapter 23 ]
By Adam disobeying God and listening to Satan then Adam set up Satan as the 'god' of this world of badness.2 Cor. 4 v 4
Gospel writer Luke wrote forewarning that false shepherds would fleece the flock of God at Acts 20 vs 29,30
2nd Thessalonians 2 vs 2-8 exposes the clergy as sitting themselves in the 'temple' [ houses of worship ] as if they are God when in reality they are anti-God.
As the religious leaders of Jesus' day were teaching their own religious ideas as Scripture, so most religious leaders today teach church traditions, or church customs, outside of Scripture as if they are Scripture.
Since Satan is the 'god' of this world of badness, as with Adam, he wants humans to obey him and worship him, and what better way then to have false shepherds mislead the flock of God by false religious teachings being taught as Scripture.
Jesus also taught MANY would come, 'In His Name' but prove false in Matthew chapter 7.
By their fruits [ behavior ] one could separate the genuine 'wheat' Christians from the fake 'weed/tares' Christians.
Jesus said by the love shown among his true followers would be an identifying mark according to John 13 vs 34,35.
As far as progress, first we are forewarned that it is that false 'god' Satan who brings much 'woe' to earth.- Rev. 12 vs 9,12
That megalomaniac Satan is exposed by the international proclaiming of Scripture as Jesus said it would be spread to all the nations before the end comes of all badness on earth.- Matthew 24 v 14; Acts 1 v 8.
So, don't look for or expect harmony among the world's religious groups because they are like ancient Babylon in teaching false religious concepts and ideas which are spread world wide into a greater religious Babylon or Babylon the Great, but rather look that God will use the world's political groups to turn on the world's troublesome religions that have proved false to Him and His Word and have failed to bring peace on earth.
-Revelation chapters 17 and 18
So the question comes up: why wouldn't a god who has its head on the right way round ensure that everyone worshipped the right doctrine and everyone knew what it was and how to worship correctly instead of it looking...excuse me ..like everyone had made up their own religion?
First of all, to which God/god are you referring ?
Please notice at 2nd Corinthians 4 v 4 because there Satan is referred to as a 'god' [ small 'g' ]
Not the God of heaven, but the god of this world of badness. see also Rev. 12 vs 9,12
Satan blinds the minds of unbelievers.
2nd Thessalonians 2 vs 10,11 mentions mental blindness in connection to Not having a love for the truth.
Wanting teachers who would 'tickle their ears' so to speak, by teaching the flock want they want to hear.- 2nd Tim. 4 v 3
Such people as those having the bad characteristics as described at 2nd Timothy 3 vs 1-5,13
Jesus forewarned us that MANY would come 'In His Name' but prove false at Matthew chapter 7
So, it should not surprise us that world conditions are what they are today.- Matthew chapter 21; Luke chapter 21.
The ancient Israelites had the right doctrine and knew what ' it ' [ the Constitution of the Mosaic law ] was and how to worship correctly...... Many of them chose to disobey what they were knowingly taught. So, head knowledge alone is not enough. We are to choose to love God with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength.- Luke 10 v 27
Jesus said his sheep would hear his voice. We are nearing the 'time of separation' of Matthew 25 vs 31,32.
Humble sheep-like people will be separated from the haughty ones, and those upright or sheep counted as righteous can remain alive on earth right into the start of Jesus 1000-year reign over earth when there will be no more false religious teachings taught. in the meantime, just as Jesus said, the 'good news of God's kingdom' is being proclaimed on an international scale [ Matthew 24 v 14 ] before the end comes of all badness on earth.
First of all, to which God/god are you referring ?
When we godless satanspawn ask that question of Christians we get an earful. So why ask me? Besides, the point is that it is all supposed to be the same god - but the disharmony is about who has the right religion.
Quote:
Please notice at 2nd Corinthians 4 v 4 because there Satan is referred to as a 'god' [ small 'g' ]
Not the God of heaven, but the god of this world of badness. see also Rev. 12 vs 9,12
Satan blinds the minds of unbelievers.
2nd Thessalonians 2 vs 10,11 mentions mental blindness in connection to Not having a love for the truth.
Wanting teachers who would 'tickle their ears' so to speak, by teaching the flock want they want to hear.- 2nd Tim. 4 v 3
Such people as those having the bad characteristics as described at 2nd Timothy 3 vs 1-5,13
Jesus forewarned us that MANY would come 'In His Name' but prove false at Matthew chapter 7
So, it should not surprise us that world conditions are what they are today.- Matthew chapter 21; Luke chapter 21.
The ancient Israelites had the right doctrine and knew what ' it ' [ the Constitution of the Mosaic law ] was and how to worship correctly...... Many of them chose to disobey what they were knowingly taught. So, head knowledge alone is not enough. We are to choose to love God with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength.- Luke 10 v 27
Jesus said his sheep would hear his voice. We are nearing the 'time of separation' of Matthew 25 vs 31,32.
Humble sheep-like people will be separated from the haughty ones, and those upright or sheep counted as righteous can remain alive on earth right into the start of Jesus 1000-year reign over earth when there will be no more false religious teachings taught. in the meantime, just as Jesus said, the 'good news of God's kingdom' is being proclaimed on an international scale [ Matthew 24 v 14 ] before the end comes of all badness on earth.
Quoting from the Holy Book of a particular religion doesn't really make a case for a particular religion, let alone all the various denominations.
Look at it from my point of view.... well do your best..in response to the 'Who made everything then?' question we ask this 'Which God?' question. Then we get told it's all one god. Only one God.
So I say, 'Well sort out between yourselves which God, which religion and which denomination AND which doctrine within that denomination, and then perhaps we'll have something to discuss'.
It might be important for you, too, to be quite sure you have the right God, religion, denomination and interpretation.
to many folks tradition and religion is more powerful that Truth! Many have created God in their own image. I sit on the throne and God at my right hand.
The disagreement between religions best exemplifies the free will that is accorded by God to man. From this free will stemmed the different beliefs and interpretations that has become associated with God and His words. Thus, came the so-called religious variants.
The various religious denominations - specifically under Christianity, have actually agreed that there is one God. It is evident in their doctrines. However, the differences lie on their interpretation of who God is and what is His nature. If you could only examine each and every Christian denomination, you would see that each one teaches that there is one God. In deeper examination, the differences would surface not because they believe in a different God, but because they believe that one act is acceptable to God and the other is not. The principles of the founders are actually different, not the God they worship.
In recent times, it is very evident that there is what is called an attempt to establish peaceful and respectful co-existence with other religions. I am not familiar with all of the efforts but among the well-known efforts are those exerted by the Catholic Church through the Pope. In fact, the recent Pope also reaches out not only to other Christians but also to non-Christians as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteelDragon
An atheist here, and this is not meant to be a "drive by".
My question is: Why aren't all religions trying to work together to form a cohesive and agreeable concept of religion and god?
Why so many splintered factions? Most believers agree there is one god, right? Is any group trying to synthesize the known information into an intelligible concept? Is anyone doing the research? Are people from different religions reaching out to each other? Has any progress been made in the last 2,013 years?
The difference is I don't implore that I know the answer. Furthermore, I would not feel comfortable in saying someone's belief is a false belief.
I would hope that the matter would be decided on a peaceful preponderance of the evidence but that would just be naively idealistic.
So if some disagrees with this they are wrong. That's not any different from religious people disagreeing with each other. You have the answers and everyone else is wrong.
The idea that God cannot reach a man with out religion is false.
I have met men that have chosen to desperately and transparently seek after God out side any religious back ground, and God had revealed himself to them in a way they understand.
These do not embrace a particular church, but many of them do embrace Jesus Christ and a genuine relationship.
I find that agnostics and athiest that I have met seem to simply not want to acknowledge accountability to any one ,God in particular.
It seems the the reasoning is if God is not going to compromise to their whim ,they are not compromising to His.
When it comes judgment day the list of excuses will have been rehursed justifying in their own reasoning their rebellion.
Problem is this does not help their case.
Most men know deep in their heart a creator had to exist at some point.
But the human nature of ego and self gradification are resistant, especially if it appears that some kind of sacrifice is involved especially of one's will.
God and man think differently , which should be no supprize sence men and women think differently as well.
A little boy was studdying some ants on the gound , and it was observed that he was talking to the ants saying " this is god are you listening "
But the ants completely ignored him fallowing the sent of the previous ant doing what ants do .
God would speak to you, but there is a barrior of choice you must come to grips with .
Unlike people, God's perspective is very different than man's , knowing your motivation your thoughts and your real potential.
If you treat people the way you resist God, they would avoid you as well.
You want to be acknowledged , believed in ,understood , well the door swings both ways.
The measure you have established in rebellion, can be the measure required to reverse the vacant relationship.
There is an element of grattitude God looks for in man which very few realize ,mostly because they only want to be unstuck from their present cercumstances ,but it seems that all is forgotten soon after .
God still does this rescue from time to time, with in or with out some religious environment, because once in a while actual grattitude is observed, and that person realizes the desperation of his state, finding that he needs God all the more. THIS relationship can only get better, (and though others ( and their religions)may argue ), God will show preference to those that show Him preference. The same as you do for people that treat you special.
Though men have distorted the gospel, Jesus made the relationship possable for man to have fellowship with God via the Holy Spirit Jesus provided. No religion required.
There are no magic words to pray , if your are honest and frequently speak to God from you heart .
When He is satisfied that you are genuine from His perspectve , if you are alert ,changes may begin to occur.
But your own rebellion must first be dealt with ,you need His forgiveness ,and to learn to be forgiving of others when they ask, as well.
Learn those things Jesus taught, but find God's inturpretation in your prayer life, ahead of what men have to say of it.
An atheist here, and this is not meant to be a "drive by".
My question is: Why aren't all religions trying to work together to form a cohesive and agreeable concept of religion and god?
Why so many splintered factions? Most believers agree there is one god, right? Is any group trying to synthesize the known information into an intelligible concept? Is anyone doing the research? Are people from different religions reaching out to each other? Has any progress been made in the last 2,013 years?
The honest answer is because there is only One Truth. Each one claims to have it but only one can be right. There is no way that One Truth can be cohesive or agreeable with all religions and lifestyles.
To meet and come up with a general, agreed upon concept that everyone can like and live with wouldn't be the truth. It would be a man-made, self-serving, lie that serves to tickle the ears of those who accepted it.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
..like everyone had made up their own religion?
When we godless satanspawn ask that question of Christians we get an earful. So why ask me? Besides, the point is that it is all supposed to be the same god - but the disharmony is about who has the right religion.
