One True Religion Of The World example essay topic

What Is Religion What is religion? According to an Oxford dictionary, religion is the belief in the existence of a supernatural ruling power, the creator and controller of the universe, who has given to man a spiritual nature which continues to exist after the death of the body. Religion appears to be a simple idea on the surface, but in reality it is a very complex system of ideas that many base their lives upon. There are many religions in the world. Christianity seems to be the one religion believed widely in the modern world. However, this is not the case ina group of five people in a World Religion class.

These five people share common knowledge on several aspects of religion, yet they have some major conflicts. The focus of this paper is to explore the ideas and beliefs of the group, analyze the importance of religions dialogue, and to discuss the challenge of religious pluralism in the contemporary world. The first group member states her firm Christian views. Melissa recognizes all the religions of the world, but she holds Christianity to be the only true religion.

To her, Christianity is the only way one person can attain salvation. All other religions are false and those who do not followChristanity are misguided and will not attain salvation. It is only through Jesus Christ's death on the cross that one can repent, be forgiven, and attain salvation. Melissa feels that others who are non-Christians believe that the irreligion is true.

Afterall everyone is brought up to believe in the faith or religion they are taught. If this was not the case, no one would have any beliefs. Although their religions are not true religions Melissa respects their views of being true. Quite similar to Melissa's opinion, Jason feels that there is only one true religion in the world, which is Christianity.

However, he recognizes that there are many other religions in the world in which their followers believe are true. He does not believe that one should criticize others for their beliefs, and that they should respect each person's beliefs even if they are different from his. For Jason, Christianity is the true religion. It is the only religion that he believes Has the right answers for life, and the correct way to salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. So his position is that there is only one true religion in the world, but that there are other religions in the world that people follow and their followers hold their religion to be true.

Jason feels that other religions of the world are important and are held true by their followers. If this were not so, then why would anyone follow a religion that they did not believe was true. Michele believes Christianity is the one true religion. However, she recognizes that other religions exist, and they are held true by the irrespective adherents.

She does not believe that non-Christian religions are right, but she respects other people's rights to choose whatever faith they want to follow. Michele has been raised a Roman Catholic and is checking out other Christian religions to see what they offer. She still believes that Christianity is the one true religion, but she is curious to learn more about the other Christian denominations. Lori believes that since there are so many diverse religions today that it is impossible to say that only one religion is correct. Lori feels that if she said there was only one true religion she would be forcing her religion onto others. For her, religion is an opinion.

If you were to ask almost anyone which religion was the one true religion of the world, they would say the irreligion. She also feels that there are so many unanswered questions in every religion therefore, she can not justify saying there is only one that is right. She does believe that there is only one true God. Overall, she believes in one true God, while recognizing the fact that there are other religions besides the one of which she is a part. Finally, Tony expresses his views which are quite different from the rest of the group members. A few years ago Tony was a Christian and believed that the god he worshiped was the one and only true god.

He not only had a strong faith in his religious beliefs, but also felt that all the other religions in the world were false, and that the followers of these teachings misguided. He was going to heaven because he was right and they (those of other faiths) were wrong and unfortunately going to hell. In the past few years Tony questioned his Christian faith and the holy writings upon which they were based. Now he is an agnostic. Although Tony does not believe or have evidence that there is any true religion or religions, he now gives equal credibility to all religions to which previously he had not. He has concluded that those persons of the various religions show just as much fervor in their faith as do their religious counterparts of opposing faiths.

It is apparent that there are many persons and just as may religious perspectives. This does not necessarily lead to the conclusion that there is a true religion and a false religion (s), but that religion is an entirely subjective experience whose truth is decided by its value to its adherents. Further discussion on other aspects of religion took place as well. For example, the topic of the Christian Bible posed conflict among two of the group members. Jason boldly stated his opinion of the Bible.

He believes every word in the Bible to be true. He thinks that everything in life should be based on how the Bible tells you to live. He feels that the Bible is the true word of God. He also feels that the Bible has told the past and for tells the future a swell. According to the Bible, Israel is God's chosen nation and that any country that goes against this nation, they will be punished by God. He relates this to the recent incident of Israel's Prime Minister being assassinated.

He believes that if this was a direct act of a certain nation, then there will be other events to follow. However, Tony has different beliefs which contradict Jason's completely. Tony has no belief in Christianity, therefore, he has no belief in the Bible. He feels there is no way the Bible can be the word of God because there is no proof and there is no foundation. Tony also questions the presence of a heaven and hell. For Tony, Christianity is nothing but brainwashing.

He thinks one's beliefs are determined by the way one is raised. If one is brought up a certain way, then he will only believe a certain way. The group came to a meeting point from this statement. We all agreed that one's religion is his other own personal belief built from the foundation of one's upbringing.

The group also discussed how we as a society are supposed to handle the problems that religious pluralism causes. There is no greater enemy to humankind than fear. It is undoubtedly the germ of hatred, contempt, disdain, resentment, disapproval and therefore all forms of. When we are unable to understand or encounter the unfamiliar, we fear.

The only way to understand amd become familiar with the source of our fears is through exposure. This is imperative to mutual understanding in any matter. This is especially true in religion, where those of the various faiths are adamant in the belief of the superiority of their religious faith. An invaluable means of coming to terms with those of differing faiths is the process of dialogue. The importance dialogue cannot be understated. In our discussion group of five members (consisting of four Christiansand one agnostic), the majority is of the opinion that their religion is the only one true religion in the world.

This majority simply beleive's that those of other faiths are mis fortunately misguided. Nonetheless, there is unanimous agreement that there is considerable importance in the religions of the world. This dialogue will bring understanding and hopefully promote tolerance and acceptance of those beliefs not similar to one " sown. The idea is not to bring about conformity, but to exploit the benefits of religious diversity. Our group agrees on how the challenge of religious pluralism is to be met in contemporary world. The most important tool to help deal with religious pluralism is dialogue.

People of different religions need to communicate and listen to each other. Because of all the diversity in the world, we feel people need to be open-minded and non-judgemental of other people's views, especially if their views do not necessarily agree with someone else's views. We think trying to understand different religions takes compassion and understanding. Often, people fear the 'unknown. ' So, another way to meet the challenge of religious pluralism is through education. People can learn about different religions and respect the diversity that exists.

Further, to help understand a different religion, our group thinks that going to check out different religion services will give people personal experience of that different faith. People do not have to feel they have to accept the other religion, but going to visit another service will broaden their horizons. We believe that if society can respect the religious diversity in the world, the challenge of religious pluralism can be met. W.C. Smith says it best,' Unless men can learn to understand and to be loyal to each other across religious frontiers, unless we can build a world in which people profoundly of different faiths can live together and work together, then the prospects for our planets future are not bright' ('The Christian in a Religiously Plural World'11)..