What makes one religion better than another?

[Rasta]

But is it possible to have a truly unbiased and open mind?

I'd like to entertain the idea that I do. Which is why I adhere to none. I honestly can't say.

 

[Rasta]

for me as a muslim, islam is superior to all others. and comparsion among others do not matter. because ultimately, islam would earn the person eternity in heaven. this life and all wrong religions along with it would someday vanish and they would not count.

my response is overwhelmed by the fact that there will be eternity in heaven and hell. so those 60 years we spend on eath dont matter really unless a person submit and worship God the correct way (i.e. islam)

I think you have a false understanding of what a fact is. You can say heaven and hell are fact. That doesn't make it true. Fact means undisputable evidence that prooves something true.

Please understand what undisputable means, what evidence means, and what true means. They do have percise definitions.

Facts are not analagous to opinions, or faith.

Thanks.

 

[Rasta]

i did not study world religions. i was born a muslim. i was raised a muslim. i accept that Quran is miraculous. that's all. Quran being from God is clear enough, for me personally, that i do not need to seek other religions.

Some people may say this constitutes as being closed mided. Have you ever wodered what if Allah chose to have you born in America as a Christian?

 

[Caitlin.ann]

Interesting responses, everyone. I'm sorry I haven't been very active in responding. Thanks for your replies.

 

[dlamberth]

In another thread a member stated that Judaism is superior to Islam. Why?

And further more, what makes one religion better than another in your opinion?

I'm only able to speak to why a spiritual path touched my heart and why others didn't. But in that there's no way that I believe any spiritual path is superior to any other.

I understand your question and why you ask it. But I'm not able to provide an answer for anyone but myself.

.

 

[randomman]

I think you have a false understanding of what a fact is. You can say heaven and hell are fact. That doesn't make it true. Fact means undisputable evidence that prooves something true.

Please understand what undisputable means, what evidence means, and what true means. They do have percise definitions.

Facts are not analagous to opinions, or faith.

Thanks.

you cannot impose your scientific standards on us. we dont see life as black and white.

 

[randomman]

Some people may say this constitutes as being closed mided. Have you ever wodered what if Allah chose to have you born in America as a Christian?

thank God I was not. I am very thankful that I am a muslim. I ask God to keep me a muslim forever.

 

[GeratTzedek]

I have given thought as to how to answer the original question, what makes one religion better than another? Here are my thoughts:

1. First and foremost, the focus of good religion needs to be NOT on self or one's own group, but upon our Creator. It is not about "What can *I* get out of it," but rather, "What do I owe the one who made me and all that is?" This is essentially what good religion is.

2. Evidence of good religion. A good religion, because it finds the proper balance in our minds and hearts between Creator and us Creatures, will spread that balance to all of living. Does a religion help the individual become a better person, society to become a better society, and the world to become a better world?

Not that everyone in any given religion takes advantage of the potential for growth. In fact, most people just go with the flow, and never avail themselves of the opportunities religion has to offer. BUT for those who do, religion, GOOD religion, becomes the most effective tool for their ability to change and grow.

To the extent that religion A enables those who wish to rise above our animal natures to something better and more decent better than religion B does, I would say that to this same degree religion A is better than religion B.

 

[Rasta]

you cannot impose your scientific standards on us. we dont see life as black and white.

Yes I can. Don't use words if you don't understand their meaning.

Heaven is not a fact. It is a fact that heaven is not a fact.

 

[Rasta]

thank God I was not. I am very thankful that I am a muslim. I ask God to keep me a muslim forever.

So you have never thought about it. Thanks for answering my question. . . . . . .

 

[Zstar]

I liked the reply earlier "the way in which it treats nonbelievers"

I think the message of it's founder would be key in deciding it's virtues.

 

[dlamberth]

I liked the reply earlier "the way in which it treats nonbelievers"

.....and the poor and those in need.

.

 

[français]

I find the ideal of a religion being better then another, to be problematic.

Look, we are all different and we all have our different inclinations.

If someone wants to follow a religion full of traditions and great customs, perhaps they would love Judaism. If they want to follow a religion with structure, family values, and brotherhood/sisterhood, perhaps they should try Islam. If they want to live a life with just some basic values, and just a simple life, then Christianity could be it. If they want to live a life where they focus on the good and helping others, Buddhism would be the way. The list goes on and on.

So, I can therefore not say what is better then what, because different standards and implications apply.

If I had to pick a religion right now though, and I picked it just because it seemed to be the most logical, it would be Islam.. Islam is simple, stable, and consistent. I like that a lot, and very very few religions have that.

But, if it came to which religion fits my personal desires, I would say Judaism.. Judaism has these great customs that anyone would fall in love with!


Or,
But there are downsides to these religions.. In Islam, it would be the strictness. In Judaism, it would be the homophobia of ultra orthodox.

So, as you see, there are goods and bads in religions. And there are some religions that are better, but at different levels and for different reasons. Like at a cooking contest, they could have "best tasting food" and "best design" and "best creativity" etc. Same with religion.. There are things I think one religion has better then another, but they greatly differ.

I hope this makes sense. I am half asleep so I hope it does not sound too much like jibberish!

 

[Futuwwa]

Kyle... I can't believe you're the same guy who used to post a year ago... you too are fabulous

 

[Ramona]

Oh, he's not just fabulous. He's fabulous!

*group hug with Kyle and Anders*

 

[GeratTzedek]

Although I am not Christian, I thought it might be worthwhile to note what James the brother of Jesus said regarding the question at hand:

James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep one's self unstained by the world.

 

[français]

Kyle... I can't believe you're the same guy who used to post a year ago... you too are fabulous

You are fabulous too!!

When I used to hate Islam, I was lying to myself and I am not sure why.. I guess out of fear. But it got me no where.

And now that I have actually taken the time to do my studies, Islam is totally different then what I percieved.. It is a beautiful religion, and it is so consistent, and I love that so much because no other religion has that. None!

Oh, he's not just fabulous. He's fabulous!

*group hug with Kyle and Anders*

**Hugs**

you are fabulous too!!!!!!!!

 

[GeratTzedek]

you cannot impose your scientific standards on us. we dont see life as black and white.

ROTFL!

 

[randomman]

ROTFL!

i thought it was clear enough .... what if God created us and the world in such a way that science alone is not enough to know him .... hence ... we use the word faith

 

[BruceDLimber]

Greetings!

In the Baha'i view, ALL the great religions, as revealed, are equally valuable and beneficial to humanity! (Indeed, they are all stages in a single evolving faith, the Faith of God.)

So it's quite a mistake to say some are better than others!

And IOV the single advantage the Baha'i Faith has now (one it will eventually lose) is that it has God's NEWEST teachings for us, intended for THIS age, not some other millenia ago! Someday it, too, will be superceded.

Best regards,

Bruce