Why Do Many Christians Believe Their Religion is the Best?

1. Why Do Many Christians Believe Their Religion is the Best?

2. Part 1 – Background, definitions, clarifying concepts, the spectrum of possibilities

3. Q: First, let's define: what is “religion?”

4. A1: Religion is the “Relation of human beings to God or the gods or to whatever they consider sacred or, in some cases, merely supernatural. Archaeological evidence suggests that religious beliefs have existed since the first human communities. They are generally shared by a community, and they express the communal culture and values through myth, doctrine, and ritual. Worship is probably the most basic element of religion, but moral conduct, right belief, and participation in religious institutions also constitute elements of the religious life. Religions attempt to answer basic questions intrinsic to the human condition (Such as 'Why do we suffer? Why is there evil in the world? What happens to us when we die?') through the relationship to the sacred or supernatural or (e.g., in the case of Buddhism) through perception of the true nature of reality.”

5.  A2: “Religion,” in common English usage, may also be used to describe any set of all-encompassing beliefs or practices that are similar to a religion as described above, but not necessarily with respect to anything spiritual or supernatural. An example sentence - “Golf is his religion.” In this sense, Marxism may be a religion, atheism may be a religion; but these groups would likely disagree with that definition.

6. Q: In what ways are “all religions the same”?

7. A: Similarities include - • Spiritual words such as “God,” “life after death,” “purpose of life,” etc. • Belief in a standard set of unprovable things (compared to science) in the “spiritual” world • Ceremonies, rituals, buildings for religious purposes • Religious holidays and events for reinforcing remembrance and belief • Standards of behavior consistent with the religious beliefs

8. Q: In what ways do religions radically differ?

9. A: Differences include - • Which “Holy Book” is correct, most correct or dominant? • Which historical religious leader is to be followed? • Disagreement over the nature of a religious leader – esp. Jesus. • What are the most emphasized characteristics of God, or • What are the most important principles of the spiritual realm? • What is evil, why is there evil, and what can we do about it?

10. Q: What attitudes are common – based upon the above comparison/contrast?

11. A: Responses include - • See all the disagreement? All religions are equally bad – they are just the leftovers of primitive, non-scientific thinking. • Morality – being a “good person” is the main thing – all else is various degrees of superstition or maybe at best a help to positive thinking. • All religions are good systems for supporting morality, society, mental health, personal development • Some religions are clearly “more advanced” than others and are more suitable for all people in this day and age. • One religion encompasses or includes all the other religions. • One religion is unique and superior to all other religions.

12. Q: So, Why Do Many Christians Believe Their Religion is – • The Best Religion • The “Only True Religion” • The Religion that Everyone Should Convert To

13. A: Possible reasons include - • Ignorance • Bigotry, Pride • Lack of appreciation of needs of different kinds of people • Logic or Objective Truth

14. (Illustration: which automobile is the best?)

15. Part 2 – Christianity's viewpointIs based upon accepting the Bible as being from God (a major subject for further study)

16. “According to the Bible” – Its major themes

17. God is your creator; and you must actively deal with this fact. • God made you and designed you to establish a good,dynamicrelationship with Him called “knowing God.” (John 17:3) • Each individual will ultimately choose to move forward or backward in the above.

18. Two fundamental characteristics of God as described in the Bible • God's love • God is unimaginably “above” this world and our concepts of Him (God's holiness)

19. The most important thing for us humans is NOT about “us” at all – it is about accepting/embracing God Himself – esp. His love • This love revealed historically in God giving His Son to make payment for our “sins.” (Sin is our failure to live consistent with our designed nature – to be in “God's image and likeness” so that we can have relationship with Him.) • This love is unimaginably beyond any other religion's description of God's love.

20. How important is love? • “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. • “Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.” ―C.S. Lewis • “The course of true love never did run smooth.”  ―William Shakespeare

22. God wants us to be convinced and certain of His truth • God is a rewarder of those who seek Him – Hebrew 11:6; Acts 17:24-28 • God gives wisdom – James 1:5 • We can KNOW that we have eternal life – 1John 5:11-13 • Takes trust more than intellect - Matthew 18:3 • May take work on your part - Matthew 7:7 • Take a lesson from research and job hunting

23. Suggestions? Questions? haselhorst.ross@gmail.comRoss Haselhorst