Nothing but questions

[unsubstantial]

Is there one true religion? Is christianity become the dominant religion in britian? If so why? Has religion done more bad for the world rather than good? I'm not religious at all, should i be? These questions shouldn't have any outright facts, but rather people should give different views and answere. I know there stupid questions, but i have an excuse, i'm a stupid person

[Fear_nam_Beanntan]

Originally posted by unsubstantial
Is there one true religion? Is christianity become the dominant religion in britian? If so why? Has religion done more bad for the world rather than good? I'm not religious at all, should i be? These questions shouldn't have any outright facts, but rather people should give different views and answere. I know there stupid questions, but i have an excuse, i'm a stupid person

Alright, I'll start with some philosophical background.

The most sensible philosophical worldview out of all possible worldviews is that of classical realism. This is the philosophy of Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas. It holds that realty is objective, that is, it exists independent of perception. It is the same for everyone.

Truth is defined as a state of correspondence between belief and objective reality. Hence, if a given proposition corresponds to reality it is true and if it does not it is false, regardless of how useful or meaningful that proposition might be to someone. Thus, what is true and what is false is the same for everyone. There is no such thing as an idea that is "true for me" but "not true for you." Two contradictory statements can never both be true. This principle applies to all propositions, including and especially those of a moral or religious nature.

All religions make claims about the nature of man, morality, and deity. According to the classical realist view of truth, these claims must either be objectively true or objectively false. Now, each religion is made up of a multitude of propositions, and some of them are bound to be true in every case. However, a greater portion of the propositions which make up one religion might be true as compared to another. So for example if Catholicism was the one true religion, then Eastern Orthodoxy would be 90% true, Protestantism 80, Judaism 70, Islam 60, etc.

It might be possible that no one religion is 100% true, however it would make sense that if God were communicative he would reveal Himself to man and would establish one true religion rather than leave humans to fumble about in the dark.

I believe that Catholicism is the only religion which is 100% true, and that yes, you should be religious. If you are sincerely looking for truth, I would advise you to approach the claims of the various religions dialectically, and determine whether they are true or false. I hope you will come to the conclusion that Catholicism is true.

My website defends a few of the moral and religious claims of the Catholic Church, so I suppose it's as good a place to start as any.

Homosexuals should not be allowed to marry:
http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/b/...riageessay.htm

Abortion is morally unjustifiable:
http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/b/...5/abortion.htm

Humans are not reincarnated into new bodies when they die:
http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/b/...ncarnation.htm

I've devoted the greater portion of my time so far to combating Protestantism, so there's not much else which would be relevant to a non-religious person yet. I'll will add more in the coming weeks. Happy hunting.

[unsubstantial]

Isn't that just your oppinion though? I'm sure there are others with different views, saying there religion is the right one, or no religion is right. After all i don't think anyone should be judged on there religion, everyone has the capability to be good or bad, religion doesn't come into it. I don't pretend to know anything about religion, but was it not man that created religion? And if that's true does anyone know if that is what god wanted "if god is true" I don't believe any religion can be true as man created religion. If man created religion, didn't man create the rights and wrong of relighion? If so is it accurate to the word of god, would god completely agree with what the bible or any other holy scipture of such. So do we know what god truly wants from us? Should we even be bound by religion because someone from thousands of years ago shakes his finger and says don't do that. I think i have made up my mind. I think religion is bull**** "well that's my oppinion" We don't need religion to do so much good......or bad.

[Fear_nam_Beanntan]

Originally posted by unsubstantial
Isn't that just your oppinion though?

It is my belief, but I back it up with reason and empirical evidence.

After all i don't think anyone should be judged on there religion, everyone has the capability to be good or bad, religion doesn't come into it.

I disagree here. True religion makes one a better person.

I don't pretend to know anything about religion, but was it not man that created religion?

Well, that's subject to debate. G. K. Chesterton, in The Everlasting Man makes a good case that the history of human religion is one of descent from monotheism to polytheism, with only divine intervention causing monotheism to resurge. This would be indicative that long ago man had some sort of knowledge of God, then something went wrong and he drifted further and further away. Most secularists believe that religious history went in the opposite direction, starting with ancestor worship then developing into polytheism then the theological abstraction of an omnipotent, omnipresent, invisible God appearing only once man becamemore civilized. You owe it to yourself to figure out who is right.

I believe that a great deal of the world's religions were created by men, but that biblical Judaism (not Rabbinic) and Catholicism are creations of God. I can offer lengthy arguments from reason and history in support of this thesis, but I don't have all the time in the world and there are others who are much better qualified than I to do so. Typically, books are of far higher intellectual quality than posts on message boards.

[ANDY-J2]

Originally posted by unsubstantial
Is there one true religion? Is christianity become the dominant religion in britian? If so why? Has religion done more bad for the world rather than good? I'm not religious at all, should i be? These questions shouldn't have any outright facts, but rather people should give different views and answere. I know there stupid questions, but i have an excuse, i'm a stupid person

Britain is a secular society and Christianity doesn't play any great role in most people's lives.There is one path to spiritual enlightenment and inner peace and all of the world's religions can guide one towards that goal if one adheres to their moral precepts rather than their often meaningless dogma.Your religious views are a matter of personal choice so no one else can tell you whether you should hold any beliefs and anyone who suggests you will receive any divine punishments or rewards as a result of your religion,or lack of it is lying.

[Fear_nam_Beanntan]

Originally posted by ANDY-J2
There is one path to spiritual enlightenment and inner peace and all of the world's religions can guide one towards that goal if one adheres to their moral precepts rather than their often meaningless dogma.

This is simply a meaningless platitude.

Originally posted by ANDY-J2
Your religious views are a matter of personal choice so no one else can tell you whether you should hold any beliefs and anyone who suggests you will receive any divine punishments or rewards as a result of your religion,or lack of it is lying.

So you're calling Jesus a liar? I thought you admired Him as a great moral teacher?

[moonchaser]

Originally posted by unsubstantial
Is there one true religion?

Speaking for myself, heck no! No one can say whats true or not for any one else. What I believe is what I believe, I would never ever push anyone, or ask that any validate my beleifs or believe the way I do.


Is christianity become the dominant religion in britian? If so why? Has religion done more bad for the world rather than good? I'm not religious at all, should i be? These questions shouldn't have any outright facts, but rather people should give different views and answere. I know there stupid questions, but i have an excuse, i'm a stupid person

Definately not stupid questions. If we did not ask questions, how would anyone learn anything. As for you being religious. That is a personal decision that only you can make, I do highly recommend reading up on many different religions, one may call to you , and that is great! And if one doesn't, thats great too! What ever works best for you is your truth, and thats all that should really matter