I think that there is A god but....

**mongoose** · October 25, 2005, 03:41 PM

which god is it? How do you know that, say, thejewish(Just using an example there) take on god is better then the other versions?

Currently, i'm starting to think that an outside power created the universe and then more or less let it run it's course.

What are your thoughts?

Note: I am NOT trying to shoot some ones religion down, just trying to have an open minded, well thought out debate

**First Crusader** · October 25, 2005, 03:48 PM

Try the faith that has the biggest effect on your life. If it does nothing to your behavior and soul, then there is little point in having it at all.

For example, if I were a Muslim, I wouldn't be a very good one. The Bible is hard to understand, but the Koran is just a load of gibberish to me. It probably makes sense to Arabs, but I just don't get it.

**the_mango55** · October 25, 2005, 03:51 PM

Numbers of course, the Jewish/Christian/Muslim version of God is worshipped by more than half of the world. Also, I have heard some Hindus and Sikhs say that they consider their God to be the same as the Christian God, just worshipped in a different way.

**First Crusader** · October 25, 2005, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by the_mango55

I have heard some Hindus and Sikhs say that they consider their God to be the same as the Christian God, just worshipped in a different way.

You heard correctly. There are a lot of "Christian Buddhists" out there.

**Boudicca** · October 25, 2005, 03:55 PM

mongoose, you just have to go out into the world and find it out. I firmly believe that god is the christian god. But he would not draw that decision for you. You are free. Use your freedom.

**First Crusader** · October 25, 2005, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by Boudicca

mongoose, you just have to go out into the world and find it out. I firmly believe that god is the christian god. But he would not draw that decision for you. You are free. Use your freedom.

Well said.

God gave us the gift of free will. Use it.

**therussian** · October 25, 2005, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by mongoose

which god is it? How do you know that, say, thejewish(Just using an example there) take on god is better then the other versions?

Currently, i'm starting to think that an outside power created the universe and then more or less let it run it's course.

What are your thoughts?

Note: I am NOT trying to shoot some ones religion down, just trying to have an open minded, well thought out debate

Yahweh, Allah and God are all the same..........I don't want to say person....aha. They are all the same God. The only difference is the interpretation of God by different religions. Christians believe God is X and wants us to do X. Jews think God is Y and want them to do Y. Muslims think God is Z and wants them to do Z. It really all depends on which type of interpretation you agree with the most.

Understand? But thats of course monotheism. Polytheism is something else

**First Crusader** · October 25, 2005, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by therussian91

Yahweh, Allah and God are all the same..........I don't want to say person....aha. They are all the same God. The only difference is the interpretation of God by different religions. Christians believe God is X and wants us to do X. Jews think God is Y and want them to do Y. Muslims think God is Z and wants them to do Z.

Understand? But thats of course monotheism. Polytheism is something else

There are A LOT of fundamental differences between these religions, even though Christianity and Islam are branches off the Jewish tree.

**therussian** · October 25, 2005, 04:08 PM

Thats what I meant. I was saying that Jewish, Christian and Muslim God is one and the same, but each religion interprates him and his teachings differently

**Boudicca** · October 25, 2005, 04:09 PM

I could not agree more with first crusader. It is in fact "not all the same", and even where there is similarity in words, there is not necessary similarity in conent.

An example from the are of constituional law (best I found so soon....): A German and a US American could come together and agree on the fact, that the right to live is one of the most fundamental rights. So we would write into our common constituion "All humans have the right tol live". But in fact, for the German, that would exclude death penalty (at least following the major doctrine in law today which includes the opinion of the courts and the majority in literature), and in the US, it would include death penalty.

So we'd write down the same thing. But it would have a different content.

**mongoose** · October 25, 2005, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by Boudicca

mongoose, you just have to go out into the world and find it out. I firmly believe that god is the christian god. But he would not draw that decision for you. You are free. Use your freedom.

right, but AFAIK, most of the religions say that those who do not follow will burn in "hell". If only one can be correct(Only one CAN be correct, they all say that the others are wrong) Then, chances are, i'm probably going to end up in "Hell". How can i avoid this fate?

or perhaps I'm simply misunderstanding the religions...

Thanks for all the help ful posts

**Ulyaoth** · October 25, 2005, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by mongoose

right, but AFAIK, most of the religions say that those who do not follow will burn in "hell". If only one can be correct(Only one CAN be correct, they all say that the others are wrong) Then, chances are, i'm probably going to end up in "Hell". How can i avoid this fate?

or perhaps I'm simply misunderstanding the religions...

Thanks for all the help ful posts

Christians don't believe that you go to hell if you don't believe in their sect(maybe some of those wacko protestants, but not real christians) They believe after you die you are given the chance to be forgiven for any sin you did.

**First Crusader** · October 25, 2005, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by Ulyaoth

Christians don't believe that you go to hell if you don't believe in their sect(maybe some of those wacko protestants, but not real christians) They believe after you die you are given the chance to be forgiven for any sin you did.

I'm sorry. That's not how it works. The idea that unbelievers go to Hell has been with Christianity since the beginning.

Mongoose, life is tough and uncertain. Just make the best of it and pick one.

**Erik** · October 25, 2005, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by First Crusader

You heard correctly. There are a lot of "Christian Buddhists" out there.

Buddhists can have many different religions, they can even be atheists.
It's more a way of life than a religion on it's own.
I think God is also a Buddhist... but I watched too much South Park.

But he was talking about Hindu's and Sikhs.

Hindu's beleive in a single God who's different aspects are represented by many different figures (since no one figure can ever represent what God is).
Sikhs beleive in a single God too.

I think all monotheistic Gods fall under one of two cathogories:
- A God that created the universe, in all modern religions this is a "good" God.
- A God that IS the universe (so we are part of this one God).

I think within each cathogory the Gods of different religions can be viewed as the same God.

**First Crusader** · October 25, 2005, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by Erik

Buddhists can have many different religions, they can even be atheists.
It's more a way of life than a religion on it's own.
I think God is also a Buddhist... but I watched too much South Park.

No more south park for you!

But he was talking about Hindu's and Sikhs.

I am aware of that. But the phenomoneau is the same. I just mentioned Buddhists because I recently read an article about Christian Buddhists.

Hindu's beleive in a single God who's different aspects are represented by many different figures (since no one figure can ever represent what God is).
Sikhs beleive in a single God too.

I think all monotheistic Gods fall under one of two cathogories:
- A God that created the universe, in all modern religions this is a "good" God.
- A God that IS the universe (so we are part of this one God).

I think within each cathogory the Gods of different religions can be viewed as the same God.

Not really. Just look at the differences between Jesus and Allah!

**therussian** · October 25, 2005, 05:59 PM

Jesus is the son of God, though really he is God incarnate. Allah is actually God, and again, you have to read my posts. It all matters on how followers interpret God.

**First Crusader** · October 25, 2005, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by therussian91

Jesus is the son of God, though really he is God incarnate. Allah is actually God, and again, you have to read my posts. It all matters on how followers interpret God.

I wasn't quoting you! I was talking about ERIK'S post!