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The One True Church — 3 Comments

  1. Pingback: Sunday in Outer Blogness: Boy Scouts Edition! » Main Street Plaza

  2. Hi Steve, I really enjoyed this. I see from your experiences how you’ve arrived at the conclusion that all paths must lead to the same place, but I have to comment to share some thoughts.

    We know that almost every belief system claims to be have “the answers” or a fuller view to life’s greatest questions. Most belief systems have some sort of sacred writing they refer to. Most belief systems promote personal gain- happiness, wealth, spiritual immortality, etc. Like you, I have seen many people of many different faiths live happy and beautiful lives. So either all religions lead to one way if they benefit a person (which it seems every religion does) OR we need to examine each one closely and see which one goes against the grain? Which one really isn’t like the other? What if present happiness isn’t the goal at all??

    The bible is older than the Quran and anything Mormon/Jehovah Witness related. It is a fact Jesus existed (Look at Dr. Bart Ehram’s work- he’s not a theist)- the question isn’t whether Jesus existed but that He was God as He claimed. It is a fact confirmed by non-followers and pagan sources that He was crucified, that He was important to the “Christians”, that His disciples existed, AND that His disciples died horrible deaths. Why would any man die for someone who claims to be God if He was not God? The disciples were around Jesus DAILY (unlike the Muslim Extremists who die for Allah- whom they have not seen). Every disciple except one died in a gruesome way- upside down crucifixion, beheading, torture. These disciples also had follows, who also died in horrible ways, and so did their disciples. Why would anyone have died for a Christ who didn’t exist and a Christ that wasn’t the God He claimed He was?

    So we know Jesus existed and had die hard followers. So did/does Muhammad and Joseph Smith.
    Jesus said (paraphrased): “If you believe I am God, you are saved (that is, you are in heaven with Jesus). Good works will follow as a natural result.”
    Joseph Smith and additional Living Prophets said If you do this this and this (temple marriage, priesthood, baptism, etc) THEN you will be exalted.”
    Muhammad said If you do this this and this THEN you will be with Allah.
    Which one of these is faith based, not works based?
    A works based faith system creates this sort of vibe that a person can do it on their own, so why do they need a god in the first place?
    Good works will never get a person to heaven- this is a very contradicting thing to say I know. It is the belief that Jesus is God over all your life that will “save” a person, because no man is good, no man is righteous- only God which is Jesus which is the Holy Spirit.

    Other religions say “You haven’t done enough” Jesus says “You are enough, by My sacrifice.”
    Other religions say “What can I do to please [insert god of choice] to get what I want?” Jesus says “Christian, you will be hated, you will suffer. Your treasure is in heaven, not here.” If Christianity wasn’t any different than any other route to happiness, why would it so boldly advertise such suffering? Here’s a fact (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/27/dying-for-christianity-millions-at-risk-amid-rise-in-persecution-across-the-globe): Christianity is the most persecuted religion. Why do you think that is? If there really is a Hell and a satan, wouldn’t it make sense this satan attack the one true faith the most?

    • Thanks for your comment Jenny! I appreciate your point of view. It sounds like Christianity is what speaks to you, so I’m glad you’ve found it and that it works for you. But if you’re looking for The One True Christian Church, which brand of Christianity? There are many denominations, and many of them contradict each other. Also, I’m not sure saying the most persecuted religion means it must be true. In World War II, six million Jews were killed by the Nazis purely because of their religion. I don’t think any other religion comes close to having that many people killed. Does that mean Judaism is the One True Church? I’m guessing you would say “no” because you believe in Christianity. Personally, I believe God wants us to find what resonates with us, and what leads us to live happy, productive lives, where we treat others with love and respect. In the end, I believe God won’t punish us for doing what we think is right as long as we’re not hurting others in the process.

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