Is There Good In All Religions?

[goodlife]

There are sincere people in all religions. It is good that God sees those people and cares about them.

But sadly, religion has been used for evil ends. (2 Corinthians 4:3, 4)
News reports show some religions are even involved in terrorism, genocide, war.

How this must sadden sincere believers in God!

[mibn2cweus]

//I beg to differ. Lead a good life and you'll eventually find yourself queueing at the Pearly Gates.//

If by 'good life' you mean 'goodlife' I find that prospect more an excuse to be bad than a reason to be good.

[wildwood]

Think about what you're saying, goodlife. According to you it is your god who creates everything, including people. Is he therefore not a failure by also creating the folks who do 'bad'?

Please don't sing the 'he does this to test your faith' song. It is a weak excuse.

[sandyRoe]

In my darker moments I sometimes think this:
As flies to wanton schoolboys are we to the gods
They kill us for their sport

[waterboatman]

People were around long before any religion was invented. They managed just fine.

[Hypognosis]

@SandyRoe

It really pays to read a thread, thouroughly, before you post:-

You, 16:44
//
sandyRoe
I beg to differ. Lead a good life and you'll eventually find yourself queueing at the Pearly Gates.
//


goodlife at 16:15
//So beyond denial, many atheists, agnostics, and unreligious people are morally good. They are not noted for doing bad things. But is their being good in this sense good enough to please the Creator, whose very existence they reject, doubt, or choose to ignore? Obviously not. //

i.e. non-belief in god is enough, by itself, to wipe out a *lifetime* of an atheist/agnostic's good work.

Genocidal psychopaths, Murderers, child rapists, if they believe in god and repent their evil lives, get waved in.

Logically, therefore, *all* Christians are let in, not for good behaviour but for the single act of belief!

At least that's the Catholics have marketed it. :-/

[goodlife]

Jesus said: “The truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) Falsehood cannot make one free. But because of the desire for social approval, the desire to please the crowd, people accept many doctrines without testing them for truthfulness. Because it is easier to go along with the crowd than to explain to the crowd why one cannot go along with it, many persons will believe whatever the crowd believes; but popularity has never proved a reliable means for judging the quality of a belief. As one writer has put it: “The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd; indeed, in view of the silliness of the majority of mankind, a widespread belief is more likely to be foolish than sensible.”

[beso]

goodlife // many persons will believe whatever the crowd believes; but popularity has never proved a reliable means for judging the quality of a belief. //

Yep. Religion would have never got were it is without the willingness of the crowd to follow the popular line. Of course the church also made a point of murdering anyone who criticised them.

[goodlife]

No, Jehovah’s Witnesses” are criticised harshly for their indifferenc to social life: they do not join unions or vote in elections and they refuse to go war, but to let Some peoples who frown on any such criticizing of religion quote Jesus’ words: “Judge not, that you may not be judged.” (Matt. 7:1) And Christ went on to tell his listeners to overlook ‘the straw in their brother’s eye’ until they had taken the rafter from their own eye. (Matt. 7:3-5) But ask yourself: Why did Jesus publicly criticize religious men who claimed to serve the same God he preached? Was his motive bad? No. Though he was mild-tempered and kind, his love for righteousness and his desire to aid honest-hearted people, moved him to criticize those who were teaching or acting contrary to God.—Matt. 7:1-5

On the other hand, true believers show impressive energy in spreading the good word of their faith, for missionary zeal is a duty of each true witness

[beso]

goodlife, you are have frequently demonstrated your arrogance and judgemental nature on this site.

[naomi24]

goodlife, //And Christ went on to tell his listeners to overlook ‘the straw in their brother’s eye’ until they had taken the rafter from their own eye.//

Have you ever considered taking that advice?

[goodlife]

You know when it comes to spiritual matters. Agnostics and atheists in particular demonstrate an unwillingness to believe. A philosoph once pointed out, such skeptics take the position that it is more important to reject error than it is to accept the truth. With what result?

They deny themselves the opportunity to learn

[jomifl]

Just remembered my vows....

[naomi24]

goodlife, in the absence of an answer to my question at 14:50, and since you're still judging others, I assume you have never considered taking that advice.

[goodlife]

Naomi@ That is one way of advising someone to talk less and listen more. However, it is the wrong way, the Bible contains a wealth of advice helpful in daily living.

It contains counsel on marriage, rearing children, love, hate, anger, self-control, quarreling, eating, drinking, borrowing, lending, sexual matters, delinquency, taxes, keeping one’s word, fraud, bribery and honor, and gives insight into many other matters. But the question arises: Can someone have a copy of God’s Word and regularly read it, yet not benefit from it?

[Gavmacp]

Devil Worshipping? Not much good in that!

[naomi24]

Goodlife, //Can someone have a copy of God’s Word and regularly read it, yet not benefit from it? //

READ the bible!

[PeelerPal]

Everybody has a religion just some think they don't and those people are called hypocrites. Everybody has a god but not all will admit to who or what their god is. Atheists are religious, evolutionists are religious, avid football fans are religious...The issue is knowing that you are religious and are you reasonable enough to listen and accept others religions knowing that if you feel they are wrong, it is not for you to decide but for you to leave it for your god to judge.