Hypothetical

[Mephster]

Suppose it is possible to narrow the true religions (valid, likely....) to three. (In my case, I have narrowed them down to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). Now, suppose that you have no gut feelings and you are not allowed to be swayed by environment (social status, location, family etc.)

In theory, you want to pick the most true religion. You want the one True religion. You want "God's Religion." But suppose, based on all the research, the three always come up equal. This question might be likened to giving three separate students the same test in mathematics. All three students get 80% on the test - though the questions that they get correct/incorrect vary. (This is actually very close to how I understand religion.)

How does one make a choice? Which religion should be picked?

 

[the_malevolent_milk_man]

Simple, you don't. Given equality amongst all religions you can either A.) Flip a coin or B.) Become an atheist.

 

[Achichem]

Since these worship to the same God, I would attempt to see if one gets validity from their predecessor.

Start with Judaism, clearly this is the base of both other religions and probably the best way to get understanding of God. Once you have found out up to your comfort leavel about the God in which you worship and his principles then begin to look at the other two.

Then move to Christianity because it clams to grow on Judaism
Study Jesus and the NT and ask:
Does the Torah support Jesus teachings? If you answer no then your journey stops.If you answer yes then its on to the next step.

Now finally you must see if Islam is right, because they clam Jesus had validity one must look into the Koran, I would say start with the references to Jesus (son of Mary, peace be upon him ), Ask the question is it possible that Jesus is how he is depicted in the Koran? If you answer no then you have found and end to your journey ?Christianity? and then have the daunting task of finding a denomination. Else, study some more doctrine; see the new law laid out under Mohamed. Ask, does this seem inspired from the same God as in the OT and life of Jesus(koranic). Then do your last task study the life of Mohamed see if you think that is the lifestyle of a prophet. If you agree then, then your journey ends and you should be Muslim.

 

[Mephster]

Simple, you don't. Given equality amongst all religions you can either A.) Flip a coin or B.) Become an atheist.

Friend Milkman,

Answer B to a theist is like saying "Become a Theist" to an atheist. Its just not an option sometimes.

I agree, A seems the best bet. I was actually thinking one might make three slips of paper - each with a designating symbol of each respective religion - then randomly ask people to choose one (wherein they cannot see the religion symbolized. This way, its less "random" and, in theory, allows for any divine providence to operate.

 

[TWells]

. But suppose, based on all the research, the three always come up equal

In my opinion this is where your hypothesis is seriously flawed. So I would say take a few steps back.

 

[ZiSunka]

Suppose it is possible to narrow the true religions (valid, likely....) to three. (In my case, I have narrowed them down to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). Now, suppose that you have no gut feelings and you are not allowed to be swayed by environment (social status, location, family etc.)

In theory, you want to pick the most true religion. You want the one True religion. You want "God's Religion." But suppose, based on all the research, the three always come up equal. This question might be likened to giving three separate students the same test in mathematics. All three students get 80% on the test - though the questions that they get correct/incorrect vary. (This is actually very close to how I understand religion.)

How does one make a choice? Which religion should be picked?

Picking a student based on the outcome of a test is different than picking a "religion." You can't list the pros and cons and make a choice based on how well each lines up to what you want out of religion.

Study each faith and look at which one most accurately portrays God, his character, his relationship to people, his past and present actions and his plans for the future, then decide which one you want to follow.

 

[Oncedeceived]

Suppose it is possible to narrow the true religions (valid, likely....) to three. (In my case, I have narrowed them down to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). Now, suppose that you have no gut feelings and you are not allowed to be swayed by environment (social status, location, family etc.)

In theory, you want to pick the most true religion. You want the one True religion. You want "God's Religion." But suppose, based on all the research, the three always come up equal. This question might be likened to giving three separate students the same test in mathematics. All three students get 80% on the test - though the questions that they get correct/incorrect vary. (This is actually very close to how I understand religion.)

How does one make a choice? Which religion should be picked?

Was there a reason you chose these three? I ask this because it is probably more profound than you even imagine. Judaism is the root to Christianity. The God of Judaism and the God of Christianity are the same God. I wish not to offend anyone, but the god of Islam is not the same god as the God of Judaism nor of Christianity. Judaism would be Christianity if only they would have accepted Christ, but they didn't and so we see Judaism as not completed or finished. So in reality if you were to chose Judaism as the "true" religion you would have an unfinished part of the truth, but still truth. So, it would be prudent to study the Torah and the Old Testement and see how you can find Jesus within the prophecies of those. They are there.

Islam on the other hand goes against Christianity and in that you can and must determine which has the most "evidence" to support the religion. The Koran claims that the Bible was changed, that it isn't in pure form and that the Koran is. This is an easy claim to refute. We see with the Dead Sea Scrolls that the Bible is almost word for word as it is in the Old Testement. The Koran claims that Jesus was a prophet but that He was not the Son of God. This is in total opposition to the Bible and Christianity. The Bible was carefully maintained throughout History. The Koran came about a relatively short time ago by a man who claimed he was a prophet. A man who decided on which diety to worship from the many that were worshipped at that time. You can find a great amount of historic documentation in agreement with the Bible but not so with the Koran. When two are against each other then only one can be truth. They are not equal.

Last, I would suggest that you pray. God will guide you to the answer if you truely seek it.

 

[Arikay]

I agree with Twells.

Well, you could always write each religion on a piece of paper, flip them over, shuffle them around, and then ask god to guide you to the correct religion, and then flip one over.

 

[tcampen]

I say create your own, new religion, melding all three into one that best meets your spiritual needs. Everyone picks and chooses what they want to believe (look at all the various forms, sects and denominations of Christianity, for example), so there is certainly no harm in doing this.

There is no rule that says you must pick only one.