World Religions - A Survey

[Jenni]

Again, I'm just curious what everyone else thinks, not that I have all the answers on this topic, either.

[Shoes]

damn. i don't know what i believe, based on those 3 options.

depends which day of the week you ask

[Jenni]

I know what you mean, Shoes. I'm in the same boat. My UCC church is so vastly different from my Fundy churches that it hurts my brain sometimes. But it's good because it's forcing me to actually think about what I really believe.

[Papa Bear]

I'd lean toward #2, but there are churches that call themselves christian whose teaching has drifted away from orthodox christianity, and others who have an orthodox statement of faith to whom Jesus will say, "I never knew you. Depart from me, ye who work iniquity." Some of these are evangelical, fundamentalist, or related groups.

[co_heir]

There needs to be a "none of the above" choice.

[Shoes]

Jenni Wrote:.... because it's forcing me to actually think ....

^this is not good. and the beating will begin promptly

these forums have oftenforced me to think outside the box. like WAAAY outside. maybe even outside the store that the box is in. while it's great to be challenged, it's very scary when some of 'the pillars' begin to sway or topple

[elfdream]

My beliefs are a bit more complicated. I believe all baptized believers (baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) are Christians but at the same time I believe there is 'truth' in other belief systems. Not 'THE truth' as I believe necessarily but pieces of truth.

[FmrMarine]

I think it would be hilarious if it's actually the Scientologists who have it right. That would be way entertaining.

[pastor's wife]

I can't vote on this poll either since my answer isn't listed! (Jenni, you are so tempting me to use my power to edit polls and add in a "none of the above" for people like me! But I shall not be tyrannical and shall refrain! lol)

I lean toward number 1, but I don't like to label all other religions as "cults" because that word has connotations of slavish followers and despotic, egomanical leaders. I might have been inclined to check choice number 2, but I can't say "ALL" forms of Christianity are valid for the same reason Papa Bear gave above.

I also like elfdream's comment that there are pieces of truth in other religions but not "THE truth." That sounds similar to what C. S. Lewis said too.

[Lady Julian]

(05-02-2012 02:54 PM)pastors wife Wrote:  *with snipping
I can't vote on this poll either since my answer isn't listed!

I also like elfdream's comment that there are pieces of truth in other religions but not "THE truth." That sounds similar to what C. S. Lewis said too.

This is me too. In fact, it was at Bob Jones where I learned to appreciate the truths found in other faiths. My literature teacher was fond of reminding us that "All truth is God's truth" - in other words, that Truth is divine and worth studying no matter where it is found.

For example:
My students are finishing Augustine this week, and Augustine draws on classical philosophy, especially Plato, to craft his own theology. My classical Marxist professor in graduate school was actually one of the most challenging and applicable teachers that I had; I learned a lot from him that I still think of today as I write and teach. On the other hand, sometimes Christian writers teach me nothing at all (I wasted my teenage years reading Christian fiction - yech!) because there is actually less truth in the books they write and the movies they produce (Courageous, anyone?) than in those produced by unbelievers.