Image source: pinterest.com
“Aslan,” said Lucy, “you’re bigger.”
“That is because you are older, little one,” answered he.
“Not because you are?”
“I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”
Are All Religions Equally Valid?
Many people say they are, and that it is unfair, therefore, and infringes upon other people’s rights, to say otherwise. But when did everythingism replace tolerance?
Most nations have tolerance laws, ones that include everyone’s right to believe what they wish. But they do not protect everyone’s right to be labelled correct. In no other field of study does this kind of everythingism prevail. We don’t insist that all methods of brain surgery, or even weather prediction, are equally valid.
Don’t Assume — Ask
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” ~Matthew 7:7
“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.” ~G.K. Chesterton
“You will never glory in God till first of all God has killed your glorying in yourself.” ~Charles H. Spurgeon
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” ~C.S. Lewis
We are blessed to have the freedom to choose what we believe and all beliefs are protected, so long as they do not limit the rights of others to believe what they choose. Tolerance for different opinions and beliefs is key to a free society.
It is indeed, Caroll.
Everythingism. Excellent coinage, my friend! Those quotes are dynamite. I was going to point to the Chesterton quote as ‘the best’ – then I read the Spurgeon… then the Lewis. Dude. Muy bueno.
Gracias, Ed.
Most religions make valid claims about God–that he exists, is all powerful, etc. But the link to Jesus Christ as the WAY to know God makes their claims invalid. Jesus is the key.
Pure religion and undefiled is this, to visit widows and orphans in their affliction and to keep one’s self unspotted by the world.
I always tell people who think all religions are the same this: all religions except Christianity give you a list of things to do to reach God. Christianity says you can’t reach God regardless of what you do but God reached down through Christ to reach you.
I’m LDS (Mormon), and we famously hold the claim that we are the one, true church. The thing is, I accept and support everyone else to feel the same about theirs, and by extension to believe that mine is not. Let the Eastern Orthodox, the Catholic, the Muslim, the Hindu, the Jew, etc. all make the same claim that it is their church that is the true one.
Obviously, one day this will all be sorted out, and I agree with C. S. Lewis in The Last Battle that there will people from ALL these religions who come to paradise in the end, accepted because they did give their heart to the one, true God, even if they didn’t know the right name to call Him by.
I don’t think that’s everythingism. Like I said, I do still believe in a one, true church that eventually all will have to accept the reality of, but I believe that every person in every time and every place has the opportunity to prepare their hearts to accept truth when it comes to them, or to reject it.
Whoops, didn’t realize I wasn’t signed in. I’m your anonymous Mormon!
I may not be a Mormon, but I appreciate your perspective and approach, Abe. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I concur with you that God distinguishes between those who are his genuine followers and those who are not.
Very interesting post …We do have the freedom of religion. However, I’ll only take Christianity for me because it’s all I know and it’s the only one that makes sense for me. I’ve SEEN it work so I have PROOF. The fact that when I leave this earth, I’ll have a greater hope in moving to a better world beyond me is hard for some people to grasp. I believe though because I’ve seen it work.
Such a profound post, Mitch!
That opening quote from C.S. Lewis is beautiful: it’s so true that as we grow and learn, our perspective on the world and faith expands too.
Thank you for sharing
My privilege, Luisa.
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A couple more from C.S. Lewis:
“If you are a Christian you do not have to believe that all the other religions are simply wrong all through, if you are an atheist you do have to believe that the main point in all the religions of the whole world is simply one huge mistake.”
“There are a dozen views about everything until you know the answer. Then there is never more than one.”
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Far to often human’s use religion as an excuse. Religion is an organized system of control, your mystics and interruption of text are the preist class. Personally I find religion no different than a government. The mechanics are different, but the output of control is the same.
Religion however is not the same as spirituality.
People do often use religion as an excuse to do horrible things, Jake. But people also use non-religious doctrines to do the same. It’s wrong-hearted people who cause harm. On the other hand, most of the world’s charities and hospitals were founded by religious groups. But for the record, I always refer to myself as a Jesus follower, not as religious.
This spoke to me: Most nations have tolerance laws, ones that include everyone’s right to believe what they wish. But they do not protect everyone’s right to be labelled correct. In no other field of study does this kind of everythingism prevail. We don’t insist that all methods of brain surgery, or even weather prediction, are equally valid.
Wonderful logic! I love it!
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I agree. Not every path leads you to the Real God. What other god suffered and died, then resurrected because He loves and wants to be with you throughout all eternity. What other god wants you to know Him like a Father? Not one.
It is tragic that much of society has fallen for this deception.
Amen.
A question: If someone follows what you consider an “invalid” religion and truly believes in it, what changes for you?
There are certainly religions that have teachings I admire more than others, Fifienne. If someone follows a religion I consider to be dangerous or based on harmful teachings, I can’t say that “changes” me, but I will pray for them to be set free. There are belief systems, both religious and secular, that deceive and even enslave their followers psychologically, and sometimes even physically.
One of the most often misunderstood rights protected by our Constitution is “Freedom of religion.” Our founders believed that no government should dictate a person’s faith or how they practice that faith. James Madison is quoted as saying, “The Religion then of every man must be left to the conviction and conscience of every man; and it is the right of every man to exercise it as these may dictate.”
Very true, Jennifer.
I agree wholeheartedly, Mitch. And why has true toleration go be the wayside? I love the idea that the lion ( Christianity) grows bigger in us as we grow. I have found that to be absolutely true in my case!
Such profound wisdom and truth. Thank you for keeping us focused on truth, my friend. God bless you! PS–I love the image and quotes!!
My privilege, dear friend❣
Spot on, Mitch, and wonderful quotes.
Over here we like to say, all gods are one. Therefore it doesn’t matter whom you believe in. It’s not unusual to see images of Jesus among other gods.
That, as I’m sure you know, Iba, is very different from the biblical understanding of God.
It is. Unfortunately it’s convenient and there’s no headache, everyone supposedly gets along. It brings a false sense of safety. It is disappointing that Christians/Catholics would rather believe in this idea just so they don’t ruffle feathers.
Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” He is Who we’re looking for!
I love the quotes. Narnia is my “happy place.” When our children were growing up and we spent summers in Michigan, there was very little TV. We would read the Chronicles of Narnia out loud every night at bedtime and got through all seven of them every summer. I was looking forward to doing the same with my grandchildren, but that dream never became a reality, for obvious reasons. :/
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Such great thinkers these men. It seems thinking is a lost art, or shall I say no longer a taught art?
GOD! That’s All……
I’m glad you have the courage to stand up for the faith. John 14:6
So important, Mitch; thanks for posting this!
My pleasure, Keith.