Could religion itself be created by Satan?

[bgerman72]

I am new to this forum and I do not intend to offend anyone. I just want to pose this question. I grew up going to church regularly as a child, particularly Southern Baptist. Now as an adult I do not attend church on a regular basis. With the events the last couple of years concerning the Muslim religion I began thinking this great question,. What if Satan created all of the worlds different religions to put us against each other. You have to admit we are weak creatures. And as much as I try to not judge others, I do. We all do to some degree. I believe in God, in Jesus, and I believe in the Devil. The more I think about it this makes some sense. Who are we to decide which religion is the CORRECT or RIGHTEOUS one. Think about the past. The Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, the Witch Burnings and the list could go on forever. Atrocities by todays standards. We judge others because of our/there alliances and we as humans HATE or JUDGE others as a result. I don't know what religion to believe anymore except there is a God, there is his son, and SATAN wants us to be in chaos. I will try to do what is right and ask for forgiveness when I am wrong. That is all I have to say. Your comments/quesitons are appreciated.

 

[InnerPhyre]

Go to church

 

[Serenity432001]

Very good question and interesting thread. I struggle with the same type things myself and not just the muslims but even where it hits home--I grew up church of Christ and feel Satan uses all religions anyway. Lots of things go on IMO in lots of the religions that IMO are certainly not from God so who are they from? My own son went thru a questioning period about even believing in God because of some "so called" Christians and the one thing I said to him that seemed to help was please don't let the very people you are upset with keep you from having a relationship with God. There is a God and He loves you very much and He sent His Son to save you from your sins and to provide a way for you to live with Him for ever and ever and Yes there is a lot of hypocrisy and judgementalism in the religious world but that doesn't mean God is bad or doesn't exist or doesn't love you.

I look forward to others thoughts

 

[fwiwwl]

I don't know what religion to believe anymore except there is a God, there is his son, and SATAN wants us to be in chaos. I will try to do what is right and ask for forgiveness when I am wrong. That is all I have to say. Your comments/quesitons are appreciated.

I believe you are right in you concerns. Satan knows our weaknesses and is an expert on side tracking us! Imo, our number one weakness is our pride in who we are and what we know. Like, I am a Latter Day Such and Such and my doctrine is flawless because my church told me so. I could ramble on but would only disrupt the harmony in this forum.

 

[bgerman72]

Go to church

Which church? I read the Bible and interpret the meaning by myself. Am I wrong for not going to church? That is another quandry I have. The bible has/was written by men. Albeit, initially it was written by disciples. But it has been rewritten by the church when the church was government for all intensive purposes. It was rewritten during times when the church crucified people for not believing by their rules. I think the bible is a great tool. It however needs to be interpreted by yourself. I know that ministers are only wanting the word of god to be heard but I can do that by myself. Jesus never asked you to go to church. He asked you to believe and have faith. I am no expert by any means and again I hope I have not offended any one. If so I apologize.

 

[InnerPhyre]

What makes you think that your personal interpretation is going to be better than the personal interpretations of those who in your opinion, corrupted the message? Are you the wisest of all people on earth? There is no one you can learn from? This is pride, my friend, and that is sinful.

 

[Warrior Poet]

You have to look at something else here... If the devil created religion it would become obvious that God then created faith. The two while go hand in hand, are very different. Anything the devil "creates" or supports will always be balanced. The SCALE ALWAYS TIPS BACK. And when it doesn't or wont, we are heavily warned.

As far as a personal walk... I have found that all the excuses I used and use not to go to Church, are faulty on their very ideal. Also to discern scripture yourself is not always the wisest thing to do... then again neither is having someone tell you what it says when it obviously doesn't. But you are missing out on one the few things that bring Christians, form all walks of life, get to experience: The communion of fellow believers. To share their realites of life, and the joys of God. I cant fathom why I have kept myself from such a gift, therefore I can not fathom why you would either.

Warrior Poet

 

[Davis]

Christianity isn't a religon. Its a lifestyle.

 

[bgerman72]

Christianity isn't a religon. Its a lifestyle.

I am not referring to Christianity, I am referring to all religions.

 

[Davis]

Anything that is not from God is from the evil one. I truley do believe that other religons are made from Satan to confuse and to pull the others away from Christ. Look at Islam. That was twisted from Christianity how many years later after Christ?

 

[PaladinValer]

Islam isn't twisted Christianity.

And no, Christianity is a religion. Anyone who knows anything of its history knows that to be a fact, not an opinion. The entire "Christianity is a relationship" business is only as old as the 1960's.

 

[Warrior Poet]

Islam isn't twisted Christianity.

And no, Christianity is a religion. Anyone who knows anything of its history knows that to be a fact, not an opinion. The entire "Christianity is a relationship" business is only as old as the 1960's.

Those of The Way COULD not agree.

They were the start of the fact orientated history you speak of, as I understand it. It was a DEPARTURE from the religion and history they KNEW as fact. There is no reason to discuss why they differed in opinion from the Jewish Church, the term "blatantly obvious" springs to mind.

But honestly what would they know compared to us, they did not experience the history of the religion in which we "know". Anyone who has studied historical figures/religions can easily conclude this fact.

The history, post, such a movement is a vital factor in it being LATER defined as a religion. These people did not die for their religion, they were be martyred for their faith. The principle was......?

That makes me wonder... who is better off... us or them?

Warrior Poet

 

[JimfromOhio]

People who created "religion" are still buried after they died. Christianity is real because Christ rose from the dead and no longer buried. Most false religions are made by people which of course, Satan was behind that. Deuteronomy 4:28 There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. Exodus 20:23 "Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold." Exodus 32:31 So Moses went back to the LORD and said, "Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. Leviticus 19:4 " 'Do not turn to idols or make gods of cast metal for yourselves. I am the LORD your God.

There are religions who are trying to blend Christianity with other religions as part of "unity". God says "NO" to that. Deuteronomy 5:7 "You shall have no other gods before me." Deuteronomy 6:14 "Do not follow other gods." Deuteronomy 8:19 "If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed."

 

[ScottBot]

All true religion comes from God. Satan has the ability to corrupt the false ones though.

 

[JimfromOhio]

All true religion comes from God. Satan has the ability to corrupt the false ones though.

Does that mean any religion thought Abraham is true? In Islamic, Abraham through his son, Ishmael. Ishmael was Abram's firstborn (and Islamic doctrine holds that he was the rightful heir). Through Abraham's another son, Isaac, was born to Abraham by his wife Sarah, and the only child they had together. Abraham's attempt to offer up Isaac is a foreshadowing of God's offering of his Son, Jesus (Gen. 22:1-14; Heb. 11:17-19). Just as Isaac carried wood for the sacrifice up the mountain and willingly submitted to being offered, so Jesus carried his Cross up the hill and allowed himself to be crucified.

Why did God chose Isaac over Ishmael? Genesis 25:11
After Abraham's death, God blessed his son Isaac, who then lived near Beer Lahai Roi. Acts 7:32 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.'

Hebrews 11:8-12
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

 

[ScottBot]

Does that mean any religion thought Abraham is true? In Islamic, Abraham through his son, Ishmael. Ishmael was Abram's firstborn (and Islamic doctrine holds that he was the rightful heir). Through Abraham's another son, Isaac, was born to Abraham by his wife Sarah, and the only child they had together. Abraham's attempt to offer up Isaac is a foreshadowing of God's offering of his Son, Jesus (Gen. 22:1-14; Heb. 11:17-19). Just as Isaac carried wood for the sacrifice up the mountain and willingly submitted to being offered, so Jesus carried his Cross up the hill and allowed himself to be crucified.

Why did God chose Isaac over Ishmael? Genesis 25:11
After Abraham's death, God blessed his son Isaac, who then lived near Beer Lahai Roi. Acts 7:32 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.'

Hebrews 11:8-12
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

Since I hail from the Christian tradition that traces its roots through Judaism, I hold to your line of reasoning and submit that Islam is a religion that has historically valid roots, but has been tainted by Satan.

 

[eyesofmystery]

Satan didn't create religions, but he inspires people to use religion for the wrong reasons, which ends up giving the truly religious people a bad name. Most religions are peaceful, but Satan inspires people to misinterpret holy texts and teachings, and use them to spread hatred in the world. This ends up giving these religions a bad name and people who might have otherwise converted end up thinking "that religion is hateful, I don't want to be a part of it". It's up to us as true representatives of Christianity to show by example that Christianity is a religion of love and acceptance.

 

[PaladinValer]

Those of The Way COULD not agree.

1. The Way is what Christianity was originally called.
2. Do not presume to speak for Christians all around the world. As you have this stated currently, it assumes, by logical deduction, I am not a Christian. That is in violation of the rules, but I'll let you edit instead of report due to other serious grammatic problems that exists in this post. In other words, I'm taking it as a grammatical mistake, not an intended offense.

They were the start of the fact orientated history you speak of, as I understand it.

1. Who is "they?" You have not defined "they" yet.
2. What the heck is "fact-orientated" history. As an actual historian myself, that's something totally new that they didn't teach me in my rather prestigeous college.

It was a DEPARTURE from the religion and history they KNEW as fact.

1. Again, who is "they"?
2. This makes no sense regardless of the fact you haven't defined "they" yet.

There is no reason to discuss why they differed in opinion from the Jewish Church, the term "blatantly obvious" springs to mind.

1. Who is "they"?
2. There is no such thing as a Jewish "church." There is the religion of Judaism, but it isn't a church.
3. What "opinions"? This is a seperate problem though the fact that "they" hasn't been identified yet makes this problem worse.

But honestly what would they know compared to us, they did not experience the history of the religion in which we "know". Anyone who has studied historical figures/religions can easily conclude this fact.

1. 4th time: Who is "they"?
2. What is "this"? You've given no real information on anything in this reply.

The history, post, such a movement is a vital factor in it being LATER defined as a religion. These people did not die for their religion, they were be martyred for their faith. The principle was......?

1. What is "it"?
2. Who is "they"?

Please fix the problems in your post so that I and others can offer a meaningful reply.

 

[HisKid1973]

I hold to your line of reasoning and submit that Islam is a religion that has historically valid roots, but has been tainted by Satan.

I would actually expand on this with the root was actually tainted from the start as Ismael was a child produced from the "flesh" rather than from the "Spirit" and the emnity or tainting as you say started there..pax..kim

 

[Davis]

1. The Way is what Christianity was originally called.
2. Do not presume to speak for Christians all around the world. As you have this stated currently, it assumes, by logical deduction, I am not a Christian. That is in violation of the rules, but I'll let you edit instead of report due to other serious grammatic problems that exists in this post. In other words, I'm taking it as a grammatical mistake, not an intended offense.



1. Who is "they?" You have not defined "they" yet.
2. What the heck is "fact-orientated" history. As an actual historian myself, that's something totally new that they didn't teach me in my rather prestigeous college.



1. Again, who is "they"?
2. This makes no sense regardless of the fact you haven't defined "they" yet.



1. Who is "they"?
2. There is no such thing as a Jewish "church." There is the religion of Judaism, but it isn't a church.
3. What "opinions"? This is a seperate problem though the fact that "they" hasn't been identified yet makes this problem worse.



1. 4th time: Who is "they"?
2. What is "this"? You've given no real information on anything in this reply.



1. What is "it"?
2. Who is "they"?

Please fix the problems in your post so that I and others can offer a meaningful reply.

Christianity is a relationship. Following Christ isn't a relationship with Him? Being in constant prayer with Him isn't a relationship? Religon is man made.
Thats what makes Christianity so different. Christ is alive!!!!!