Are all world religions true?
William Mulgrew
Issue date: 3/9/07 Section: Ed-Op
We've reached this conclusion without relying on religious texts, but using reason, science and philosophy. The final step, which worldview is best conducive of world peace, requires religious persuasion.
Out of these three major religions, Christianity is different from the rest because doing good works is not a condition for salvation - that is, what is necessary to enter heaven.
Through my conscience, I know what is right, but so often I fail to do what is right. I'm very much aware of when I fail to treat others with respect and kindness. But if good actions are the standard for salvation, how many good actions do I need? Would my life be weighed on a scale after death to see if the good outweighed the bad?
Salvation by works says, "I obey, therefore I'm accepted." But moral law isn't enough to rescue me. It's like seeing a sign that says, "Warning! Shark-infested water" when you're already in the water. It's good to know that you're in shark-infested water rather than not to know, but it's not enough to save you from the shark-infested water.
This brings us to the core of Christianity and why it is the most conducive for world peace. Christians believe that Jesus Christ, the God in the flesh, died on the cross for his enemies. I'm accepted for what He did for me, not because of my moral superiority, therefore I obey. Christians call this "grace" because it is something we did not deserve and could not earn, but was freely given for us.
This humbles me because I know there are plenty of non-Christians who are my moral betters. I am no better, if not worse, than they, morally speaking, yet Christ paid the price for my wrongs. This cannot lead me to trample on non-Christians, but to serve them in any way I can. I do good not because I am good or to secure my own salvation, but because Christ's sacrifice compels me to do good. My life has been bought with a price and His claim on me is absolute.
God qualified Christ's sacrifice as worthy by raising Him from the dead (an immanent action, thereby ruling out deism).
Yes, there are hundreds of examples of individuals claiming to be Christians who failed to live up to Christ's ideal, but the same could be said of every religion. We all fail to do good, and every religion has blood shed in its name (including atheism). But Christ's standard is unchangeable - I must love my enemies because Christ loved me while I was His enemy. His claim on my life does not exempt me from suffering, but gives me true happiness and inner peace even when I suffer. He gives me a happiness and inner peace not conditioned on works or found in material things. He gives me the desire to do good for others.
William Mulgrew is a junior majoring in history-politics and English and is the ed-op editor. He can be reached at William@thetriangle.org.
Out of these three major religions, Christianity is different from the rest because doing good works is not a condition for salvation - that is, what is necessary to enter heaven.
Through my conscience, I know what is right, but so often I fail to do what is right. I'm very much aware of when I fail to treat others with respect and kindness. But if good actions are the standard for salvation, how many good actions do I need? Would my life be weighed on a scale after death to see if the good outweighed the bad?
Salvation by works says, "I obey, therefore I'm accepted." But moral law isn't enough to rescue me. It's like seeing a sign that says, "Warning! Shark-infested water" when you're already in the water. It's good to know that you're in shark-infested water rather than not to know, but it's not enough to save you from the shark-infested water.
This brings us to the core of Christianity and why it is the most conducive for world peace. Christians believe that Jesus Christ, the God in the flesh, died on the cross for his enemies. I'm accepted for what He did for me, not because of my moral superiority, therefore I obey. Christians call this "grace" because it is something we did not deserve and could not earn, but was freely given for us.
This humbles me because I know there are plenty of non-Christians who are my moral betters. I am no better, if not worse, than they, morally speaking, yet Christ paid the price for my wrongs. This cannot lead me to trample on non-Christians, but to serve them in any way I can. I do good not because I am good or to secure my own salvation, but because Christ's sacrifice compels me to do good. My life has been bought with a price and His claim on me is absolute.
God qualified Christ's sacrifice as worthy by raising Him from the dead (an immanent action, thereby ruling out deism).
Yes, there are hundreds of examples of individuals claiming to be Christians who failed to live up to Christ's ideal, but the same could be said of every religion. We all fail to do good, and every religion has blood shed in its name (including atheism). But Christ's standard is unchangeable - I must love my enemies because Christ loved me while I was His enemy. His claim on my life does not exempt me from suffering, but gives me true happiness and inner peace even when I suffer. He gives me a happiness and inner peace not conditioned on works or found in material things. He gives me the desire to do good for others.
William Mulgrew is a junior majoring in history-politics and English and is the ed-op editor. He can be reached at William@thetriangle.org.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Rev Keith R. Wright United Deist Church President
posted 3/24/07 @ 12:18 AM EST
I can assure you that Deism is not dead. On the contrary, it is growing as a religion that intelligent, critically thinking people can honestly believe in. (Continued…)
Michael White
posted 3/31/07 @ 3:33 PM EST
Rev. Wright, I don't think Mr. Mulgrew here was trying to undermine Deism. He was merely stating, and rightly so, that compared to Judaism, Christianity & Islam - deism barely shows up as a speck on the radar. (Continued…)
Eric
posted 10/09/07 @ 5:50 PM EST
I understand your point on those individuals who show arrogance and chastise those who do follow a traditional religion. I do however feel that you have a misunderstanding as to what it means to say that all religions are true. (Continued…)
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