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Why I Believe.Org
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Cogito Ergo Credo:
I Think; Therefore I Believe! |
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"Come now, let us reason
together..." Isaiah 1:18a |
How Does Christianity Compare To The Other 'Religions'?
The following
is a quick comparison graph describing the differences in key points of the
major Western 'religions.' This is quite revealing, when we sit back
and consider what we are looking for in a belief system that claims to be the
'Truth'. Considering what could be considered the ultimate deception of
mankind - that of demanding allegiance because of a supposed personal 'special'
revelation from a 'higher power'. This kind of manipulation is perhaps the most
universal, and the most dangerous.
It stems from
the 'religious impulse' all people feel - that sense of purpose, hope and fear
and wonder of the creation that all people in every country and in every time
period seek. Allegiance (resulting in power and profit!) can be obtained
if one can tap into this impulse and provide the seeker with answers that only
you can fulfill with your special knowledge! But perhaps the same activity
(providing the 'answers') can come from good intentions as well. I don't
dispute that some of the worlds great (false) religious leaders may have had no
intention of deceiving others for personal gain. But anyhow, the question
still comes down to 'which one is True'? (Don't make the logical mistake
that if there are many false revelations, that ALL are false - that is a
non-sequitor: it does not follow.)
For a system
that is True, and independent of man's influence or coercion, we could expect to
find the following:
Something that
would fit with the 'general revelation' we experience in our everyday lives.
In other words, it must answer our questions we seem to ALL have simply by
living in our world.
Something that
does not appear to be 'man-made'. It must not serve any 'one man's'
benefit. (Clearly, 'religion' could be the ultimate con game that a con
artist could devise for his own benefit, since so many people are religious
'seekers'.)
It must have
collaboration, and independent verification.
It must be
'livable'. In other words, it must be something that people could actually
'live-out', and not be impossible to 'do'.
Lets look
at the most influential 'religions' in the United States and see how they
stack up to the list of criteria and questions that we've established:
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Christianity |
Atheism/
Agnosticism/
Secularism/
Hedonism |
New Age |
Islam |
| Founder |
Jesus Christ |
None |
Many - catering to spiritual whims of society |
Muhammad |
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Character |
Servant, Sacrifice |
N/A |
Usually selling platitudes and 'Utopian Hope'
and 'Wish Fulfillment' |
Warmonger, Polygamist, Pedophile |
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Credibility |
Claims to Divinity, proven by resurrection from
the dead |
N/A |
'Trust me' |
Claims to be 'Final Prophet' |
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| Core Beliefs |
Love, Forgiveness, Faith, Grace |
Everything came from nothing, Order from chaos,
Survival of the strongest, If it feels good do it |
'You are the center of the Universe', 'You can
have/do whatever you want' |
Attempt to follow God's law, and await final
judgment |
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| Revelation |
The Bible |
Human Nature, 'Science' |
'Book of the Month' |
The Koran |
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Source |
-40+ People, all experiences of life (kings,
servants, Doctors, etc)
-Over 1500 years
-Across 3 continents |
Viewing 'observable' phenomena only |
-Subject to feelings, whims
-No
solid basis for fact
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1 man |
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Testability |
Historical Documentation that is testable and
exceptional |
Testing 'observable' phenomena only |
Try it and see if it works, if not I'll write
another book for you to buy! |
No Historical documentation. "Believe it
or die" |
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Spread Of 'Religion' |
Internal Assurance, confirmed by evidence |
Popular culture and public education |
Many books or seminars 'for a price' |
Warfare primarily |
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| Basis of Truth |
Creator of the Universe, Unchanging and Eternal |
Based upon 'Laws of Science' (no explanation of
where the laws of science came from tho!) |
Based upon the author's opinion |
Based upon 'Allah's' demands |
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Significance of Humanity |
Created in God's image. Provides external
significance and equality for all |
Accident of time and chance |
Center of the universe |
Created for 'Allah's' purposes |
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| Morality |
Based upon external norms (God's character)
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Based upon majority opinion (subject to change
and the whims of the 'fittest' of 'strongest'.) |
Based upon the author's opinion |
Based upon 'Allah's' demands |
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| Creation
Account |
Created from a being defined as an uncaused
cause |
Everything came from nothing |
Usually based upon 'science' (see Atheism), or
a 'cosmic force' |
Created from a being defined as an uncaused
cause |
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Nature Of God |
-Infinite (source of time/space)
-Transcendent (separate from the creation)
-Immanent (with us)
-Personal (can create, choose, love)
-Social (3 persons, desires reconciliation with mankind)
-Grace and Mercy |
Denies existence of God (but cannot 'prove' it) |
-Unknowable 'cosmic force', OR
-Is
whatever we want it to be, OR
-Is
within us |
-Infinite (source of time/space)
-Transcendent (separate from the creation)
-Immanent (with us)
-Personal (can create, choose, love)
-Vengeful and Judgmental
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What Happens At Death |
Is the beginning of our eternity with the
Creator, or our separation from the Creator, and determined by our
acceptance of Christ's free gift of sacrifice |
Is the end of personality. At the
collapse of the universe, all things become meaningless |
Reincarnated (no evidence), or the end (see
Atheism) |
Time for judgment based upon our deeds upon
earth |
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| Is
It Livable? |
Unique and fits perfectly. Understands
that men cannot control their passions (sins) |
Must ignore common sense (e.g. everything from
nothing). No purpose or meaning to life (accident) |
Majority of people unable to live up to
'personal potential'. No evidence that supports theories |
Lives in fear, never knowing that we can be
'saved' |
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| Bottom Line |
Historical evidence, provides purpose, hope,
and livable direction for life. Confirmed by Holy Spirit in our lives |
Allows a self centered universe and license for
whatever one wants |
Silly assertions, as varied as the authors who
proclaim them. |
A 'religion' of fear |
There are
many claims here, designed to make you 'think'. Evidences for them are
on this site, and you should use other references as well. But the
most important thing for you to do is to THINK about it, and make an
INFORMED decision. But I believe that you will find that the above
assertions are valid, which prove to us that CHRISTIANITY is TRUE, which
leads us to the most important question of all:
Now That I Know
Christianity is True, What Should I Do Now?
WhyIBelieve.Org Ministries
Copyright Pending 2002
M. Sutherland
Questions or Comments? E-Mail Mike!!
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