How do we know we have the right religion? How can we be sure we are following the truth? In this message we examine Christianity along with the other major religions of the world to see if they have anything in common. What we discover is quite interesting!
Teaching Notes:
In this message we will compare the 4 largest world religions: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
Christianity: 2 billion adherents worldwide.
Islam: 1.3 billion adherents. Believe Mohammed last & greatest prophet of God. Mohammed lived 570-632 A.D. 6 articles of faith. Muslim must believe in
One God; 2. The angels of God; 3. The books of God, especially the Quran; 4. The prophets of God, esp. Muhammad; 5. The day of Judgment; and 6. The supremacy of God’s will (or predestination).
5 Pillars: 1. Daily Confession of Faith (There is no god but God and M:uhammad is the prophet of God). 2. Daily ritual prayer. Pray 5 times a day facing Mecca on prayer rug. 3. Paying the alms tax. 2.5% of value of all possessions. 4. Fasting during the month of Ramadan (food, drink, sex & smoking during daylight hours). 5. Pilgrimage to Mecca.
Hinduism: 900 million. Earliest forms date to 1,500 B.C. Started in India. Beliefs are wide and varied, often contradicting one another. Acceptable to Hindus, since believe all paths lead to God, and all practices are OK if devotee is sincere. Some Hindus are monotheistic, and some are pantheistic who worship many gods. Said to be about 300,000 gods. Reincarnation. Charity to those less fortunate unheard of. If a person does evil will be reincarnated into lower social caste to make amends. Life is endless cycle of reincarnations until person escapes it and merges into Nirvana, nothingness. To escape endless cycle of birth, death, & reincarnation, it is necessary to do charity & meditate to reach higher consciousness. God not separate from His creation. They are one and the same. There is no evil, cuz all is God. Practice of yoga is very important to reach goal of Nirvana. Devotees in strict yoga groups forbidden to eat meat, eggs, alcohol, drugs, sex outside of marriage, and w/in marriage only to produce children. No gambling.
Buddhism: 360 million. Founded by an Indian prince named Siddharta Guatama around 500 B.C. (563 – 483 B.C.) Lived affluent and sheltered life until journey when saw old man, sick man, poor man, and corpse. Shocked and distressed at suffering, left his family to seek enlightenment through asceticism. Didn’t come. Finally sat beneath tree and vowed not to move until attained enlightenment. Days later arose as the Bukddha – the ‘enlightened one.’ Spent 45 years teaching path to liberation from suffering. Goal: to end suffering and cycle of rebirth. Do not believe that world was created or ruled by a god. Some do not worship any gods or God. Others are polytheists. Various beliefs depending what sect. Some sects incorporate several deities, heavenly beings. Path to liberation may include meditation, religious ritual, and devotion. Goal: nirvana (negation of suffering), a state of being realized through eliminating desire.
It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere. What if you believe all need for sky diving is a good umbrella. Red traffic lights mean ‘go’. You’ll be sincerely dead! Find people who believe that sincerity is all that matters and apply that logic to something they are passionate about: rape, abortion, racism. Suddenly it matters very much what you believe.
Your decision about religion is as serious as a starving person deciding whether to risk eating something potentially deadly. To casual observer wild mushrooms are all much the same. But if have nothing else to eat, becomes rather important whether the variety you choose is poisonous. If you eat nothing for weeks, indecision becomes as deadly as the worst decision.
What Do All Major Religions Have In Common?
Jesus Christ: Though all major world religions don’t teach same thing about Jesus – all see Him in a favorable light.
Hinduism – Jesus was an Avatar or incarnation of God – one among many Avatars; a great spiritual teacher, a guru.
Buddhism – a teacher who may possess Buddhahood or Enlightenment. One among many, not unique.
Islam – A major prophet, without sin, but not divine; His miracles are signs that He came from God.
Seems best starting point would be with Him. Most religions view Jesus Christ as a great religious teacher or prophet.
So, if Jesus is a great prophet, let’s see what He has to say. John 14:6. Jn.3:16;36. Jn.8:24; M.7:13-14. Mt.7:24-27; Mt.16:24-26; Jn.12:48. `Worst-Case Scenario: suppose another religion were right and Christianity were wrong. Many religions say Christian life is reasonably moral. So, although I would miss top spot, my life after death would be fairly comfortable. A few claim if I ignored their religion I would cease to exist. Not so bad. Some say would get another chance through reincarnation. But Jesus said, if wrong would spend eternity in hell! If He’s right and I ignore Him, consequences are unthinkable! What if were sick and got 2 different opinions from 2 different doctors. 1 said was not serious, and will pass and get better within 2 weeks. Other said was deadly serious and needed to take an antidote within 2 weeks in order to survive. Would give a lot more serious attention to 2nd doctor. If 1st doctor right, no big deal if ignore him. If 2nd doctor right, huge deal if ignore him!
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