Researching Religions..

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How many of you have researched religions in general to decide which one makes more sense to you..? ...or to see how they relate and differ..?

Personally, I dont think people should stick to the first thing they learned about and believed in. Unless it really felt right to the individual, then i wouldnt object.

Ive been learning about some kinds of religions, mostly major ones, since i believed. ..And im still neutral.

For those of you that did some research.. what's your conclusion..? If you dont mind sharing..

-_-

-- temple (Jahsmine@netzero.com), March 04, 2005

Answers

For me, it was my searching and my journey that led me to the truth in Jesus Christ.

God let me bark up all the wrong trees first. Once I became born- again by the washing of the Word and knew the truth--my search was over--and the real journey began : )

-- (faith01@myway.com), March 04, 2005.


I read, and studied,a nd co ntinue to study, and y beleifs are the result of stdy.

Though I do not think we ought go with what we feel right with, btu what is true, an what we can demonstrate as truth.

-- ZAROVE (ZAROFF3@JUNO.COM), March 04, 2005.


Right, but how do you know if it is the truth..? How are you certain that the bible you are reading has more truth in it than what other religions offer..? Every religion promises the truth but how are we to know which..?

-- temple (jahsmine@netzero.com), March 04, 2005.

It has to come down to a rebirth experience, temple. You become so convicted by the truth of God's Word--that there is no question. It's an undeniable change...

For example, I was just sitting in someone else's church because they wouldn't quit inviting me to come. I had to finally go, just to shut them up!

I was on a journey of my own--and at the time I was into some new-age stuff. I was also very intrigued by near death experiences and mediums who supposedly talked to the dead.

I think God allowed me to do my research--and then when I was ripe for the picking, he simply revealed Himself to me through His Word. I was opened in the Bible and following along with the pastor of that church, when all of a sudden--it just hit me. I knew that God was piercing my heart at that very moment. I knew without a doubt that He was speaking directly to me.

I had never found any satisfaction in all the other things I was into. I still didn't know what was the purpose of my life..etc.

But when this moment occurred in the Scriptures, I remember looking to my husband and declaring that I was going to read the Bible. He laughed very hard at that one.

But I became like a sponge--absorbing as much as I could and still wanting more and I changed overnight. I went from being a girl who believed in evolution and a womans right to choose, from being a drinker and a partier who didn't hesitate to swear if it felt good etc...to being a person convinced that evolution is a lie, abortion is wrong, one glass of wine will do, and I never swear : )

Friends and family do not get it!

-- (faith01@myway.com), March 04, 2005.


Mnay rleigiosn teach truths as well.

I seek the truth, not the text.

The Biel has proven itsself to me. it is my safe standard. I shall on mondya elaborate, but for now let us say it is proven Historiclaly and racticlalyh.

Other rleigiosu texts also contain wisdom, btu errors of men as wlel, which are discerned when one contrasts htem to reality.

-- ZAROVE (ZAROF3@JUNO.COM), March 04, 2005.



Many religions might have bits of truth, but they are led astray by false doctrine and the traditions of men. Jesus said that the road to truth is a narrow path., and that few find it. So to believe that people can find truth in many different religions is to believe one of Satan's biggest deceptions.

-- (faith01@myway.com), March 04, 2005.

The Word of God is not simply a text--it is Living--and able to convict the hardest of hearts in an instant. I know because it happened to me.

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. [John 17:17]

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [Ephesians 6:17]

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. [Hebrews 4:12]

-- (faith01@myway.com), March 04, 2005.


And how do you know if the belief of faith alone = salvation wasnt led astray by wolves in sheeps clothing..?

-- temple (jahsmine@netzero.com), March 04, 2005.

Faith wrote, "Friends and family do not get it!"

Neither do you Faith... You "chastise" your "Friends and family" and yet you have been presented the truth on many subjects and yet you refuse to listen or change your beliefs to what has been written in God's word...

You say that God's word is "living and powerful" and this is a true statement for someone who is willing to obey all of God's commandments in the New Testament...

You refuse any type of correction and have so stated many times... God says in Prov 12:1, "Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid." Also in Prov 3:11-12, "11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; 12 For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights."

-- Kevin Walker ("navyscporetired@comcast.net"), March 04, 2005.


Excuse me Kevin,

But what my friends and family do not get--is the change in me, which is quite real. My rebirth is very significant and real--therefore, I have no doubt that God is behind it--and I have the Holy Spirit in me. There can be no other explanation for the hope I have.

Pardon me if I disagree with your theology. Your correction of me is laughable, since you are the one who needs correcting and you are the one who has not believed what God has revealed. I have shown "you" many times why "you" are wrong.

No offense Kevin, but your correction is not *correction from the Lord.* I could easily throw the very same verese back at you: "Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid." Maybe you are the one who refuses to be corrected.,hm?

-- (faith01@myway.com), March 04, 2005.



Heres my thoughts on different beliefs. It doesnt really matter.

When one builds a house, it takes construction workers who builds the foundation, then the men who put up wood, then electicans, drywall, carpet.. all from different sources.. then roofers.. painters.. landscapers.. They all know what it takes to do their job.. and in the end, goal = complete. All the little differences dont matter. The goal is the same. We should be one in christ. Not "im right, youre wrong..."

My "metaphor" might not be that good, but.. i like to think of it like that.

-- temple (jahsmine@netzero.com), March 04, 2005.


what im basically saying is i wouldnt go so far as to say "Im right, i know this is the truth, youre just fooling yourself.. you wont listen." question is.. how do YOU know what you believe in is the truth..?

Our faith can be SO strong that we just "know" that its the truth. Its a good thing, though. People need faith to keep themselves strong and close to God. But to go around telling people "What i believe is the TRUTH and what you believe is a LIE." is a bad method to show them why you think its the truth.. in my opinion anyway. Not that one needs to pull another to his side.

-- temple (jahsmine@netzero.com), March 04, 2005.


But it makes a huge difference when those who add to the foundation-- use bad materials that don't hold up--right?

What did Paul teach about this very thing?

1 Corinthians 3:10-13

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.

-- (faith01@myway.com), March 04, 2005.


Thats true. We can all know if a believer truly believes or not with his words and actions.. "For a tree is known by its fruits."

My point about the metaphor though, was we shouldnt judge believers for interpreting things differently.. All are one in Christ. Theres a verse somewhere in the NT saying something along the lines of "Gentiles should remain Gentiles, and israel should remain isreal." Anyone know where it is..? Anyway.. If i have that verse right, then it shouldnt matter what exactly we believe in or how exactly we interpret it.. as long as we believe and DO. right..?

-- temple (jahsmine@netzero.com), March 04, 2005.


Actually temple,

It matters very much what we each believe because there are not many roads to heaven, but only one.

Jesus is the only way--he is the truth and the light of the world. His is the only name under heaven by which we can be saved.

It matters tremendously what we believe about Jesus.

-- (faith01@myway.com), March 06, 2005.



"It matters very much what we each believe because there are not many roads to heaven, but only one.

Jesus is the only way--he is the truth and the light of the world. His is the only name under heaven by which we can be saved. "

[incorrect...]-sdqa

-- sdqa (sdqa@sdqa.Com), March 07, 2005.


The scriptures are always correct, sdqa. When you find yourself in disagreement with them, understand that it is you who are "incorrect".

David

-- non-Catholic Christian (no@spam.com), March 07, 2005.


We know a branch is attached to the Vine because of the fruit it bears. Without fruit, a branch that seems to be attached will be cut- off and thrown into the fire.

Paul preached faith was needed for salvation and that works did not earn us salvation so that no one could boast except in the cross of Christ. He was, of course, addressing a people who were accustommed to "works" because of the training of the Law and had that attitude and kinds of work in mind when he made his statement. James came along later and clarified that works are a necessary fruit of faith and that without works, faith itself is dead and insufficient for salvation. So James was addressing the kind of works that are produced by the Holy Spirit once He indwells a believer. These works are so necessary and related to our faith that he goes so far as to say that we are justified both by our faith and works. These two are really inseparable and can be viewed interchangeably - according to James and I agree.

David

-- non-Catholic Christian (no@spam.com), March 07, 2005.


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