Is it possible to objectively know which religion if any is true? Which religion do you believe and why?

[RyanEC]

I was never really brought up in any religion because my father didn’t care about religion and my mother was a Methodist but fell away from it because of work.

I like to study anthropological subjects such as religion but it seems they share a few characteristics, none of them have any objective tangible proof for their claims they rely of faith, they all claim to some degree to be the true path to God and all other paths are false, there is usually some punishment in the afterlife for not picking the religion, the fast majority of those in the religion were either born into a family of people who practice the religion or a society where that religion is dominant.

I believe there must be some intelligent creator behind the creation of the universe, the earth, and life due to the complex designs in nature.

But when a name, and a story, and rules are added there tends to be issues.

I have studied religion more since a year ago when some Christian evangelical tried to approach me with a pamphlet.

I wondered what proof does he have in his branch of Christianity, he probably never studied catholic theology, orthodox theology or Mormonism.

Let alone any other religion.

Does anyone objectively study as many religions and religious denominations in order to determine which is true? By what metric could someone decide which religion is true?

Is it possible for a person to truly be unbiased in this task since we are all influenced in some way or another by the culture we come from?

A person born in the the south in America would be way more influenced by Protestantism even if they were never raised in it so it is hard for them to be unbiased in this endeavor.

likewise a person born in Italy would be influenced by Catholicism, a person in Iran by Islam, a person in India by Hinduism, a person in Nepal by Buddhism.

Would God punish us for choosing the wrong path or understand our intellectual honesty.

[BCRanger10]

Bottom line up front? Yes. You and I have discussed enough that you probably know that my argument is that the answer is Roman Catholicism.

First though, I'll refer you back to my answer on a question you asked last year along these lines...What are your views on God and Religion?

As for questions like this? I've seen them before. My answer is usually as follows.

Two sets of questions and criteria need to be presented.

FIRST SET

ORIGIN - Who established the religion, when, how, and most importantly, why?

OBJECT - What do adherents hope to obtain? What do they fear losing (this is a valid and an important question)? Why must they obtain it and how? What is the relationship between the origin and the object? How is the object different from that of other religions and beliefs?

SECOND SET

HISTORY - Has it flourished and if so, how? What has it suffered and overcome, and again, how? Also important: WHY? What influence does it have on world history? What role does the object play? What was the cultural setting and what were the languages and customs from that time?

LEADERSHIP - What is the role of the leadership in respect to the object? Where do they get their authority and how is it to be exercised? Is there a consistent line of leadership?

CLARITY - What does it teach about the object, how are the doctrines preserved, and how are they clarified and taught? What texts and traditions support and surround the doctrines? Does doctrine develop and if so, how? And also, why?

UNITY AND OUTREACH - Is the religion restricted to one people, tribe, or culture or is it meant to transcend political, racial, ethnic, cultural, and geographic boundaries? And again, how does it relate to the object?

These questions are why I don't buy the "if you were born in x-country, you'd probably be y-religion" argument. Sure, it's a statistical likelihood that someone born in India would be a Hindu, but it's not a given. I've met at least three Catholic priests who were born and raised in Catholic families in India, likewise with priests from Africa. Because of the priest shortage in the US, for instance, Catholic dioceses have had to borrow priests from Africa and India. It's so bad that African and Indian bishops are starting to decline requests because the need is so great in their own nations (or so I've heard).

[RyanEC]

Honestly I never stopped researching into these questions.

You may not agree but I still find universalism to make more sense then what your church puts forth.

I respect your personal beliefs but I must say I can’t see myself joining your religion.

For 1000 in Europe the Catholic Church murdered anyone who questioned it’s theology and opposed it. The Catholic Church allied with power hungry tyrants like Constantine, Clovis and Charlemagne to oppress people and force them to convert.

Now the Catholic Church is dying in Europe. Catholics shrinking in Ireland, Spain, and likely a minority in France already for the first time since Clovis.

In every nation I looked into the same issues with child molesting priests.

Other churches can survive in the third world but your church is connected to Rome and an increasingly atheist European continent so it’s future is in question.

Why would all these people leave if your church was the one true one.

[strateguy632]

to bc, content catholic, can you show why you think catholic is true in contrast to other christianity, greek orthodox anglican protestant etc.

[normalice]

Objectively, what is true is that while the possibilities of a god is technically infinite, the odds that any religion has correctly guessed its nature is effectively zero.

The thing you must ask is "is it possible for this religion to exist even if their god does not?" In all cases the answer is "yes." Then you must ask "would people want to believe this religion even if it is not true?" Again, in all cases, the answer is "yes." And so, there is no requirement that any religion be true, and thus it is highly likely that none of them are.

[strateguy632]

funny how you quote statistics, like predicted rain, but you don't know if unlikely. also you call it a guess but what if the spiritual world SENT MESSAGES. then we would not be guessing in the dark.

[normalice]

If the spiritual world sent messages then there would be some evidence of a miracle. As it stands, the fact that you can even say "what if" means you acknowledge all currently known alleged spiritual messages can be explained without any divine power getting it to us. If you can't tell the difference between a god sending it or someone just making it up, then someone made it up. If you can tell the difference, then I'd want to understand how.

[scentoflavender]

I'm a catholic. I suppose it's because my family is catholic. My fathers side is irish. My ex-husband who I was with for 20 years is a Baptist. As for knowing what is right and what isn't, I have no idea, nor claim too. It's faith. But the great news is that upon death, we'll all know what it was and what it is. And I think an intelligent and all knowing creator will have the wisdom and love in its heart to forgive us for things that, while so important to us here on earth, matter very little in the tides of eternity

[RyanEC]

That is interesting as a Catholic you were married to a Baptists since as I understand Baptists and Catholics oftentimes dislike each other due to theological differences.

Thanks for you input.

[scentoflavender]

We made it a point to just find peace in our love of God and not to sweat the small stuff

[strateguy632]

to scent , content death, but then is too late, what if you CAN study before you die but didn't bother, that would be like not studying for the school test , so not forgiven overlooked , if had chance. some of jesus parabels hint this idea and others like mathew chapter 7, 20-30.

[jennifer_bloom]

I believe the only religion that matters is morality, humility, honesty and compassion and that religions when practiced properly, are moral guidelines and not theological guidelines. I have been Christian since age 14 and unlike other Christians, I believe God let’s you go to heaven based on your actions and not based on the denomination or religion you chose. I also believe people who do bad things but are very humble and hard working, can also go to heaven if they forgive others who do bad things.

[Hinaaaaa]

The thing is all religions come under a category... called RELIGIONS... All Claim their God is real... even people fight over it... I'm not gonna say my religion is truth... but if you really want to know then start studying every religion based on their similarities... see how many similarities are there between religions... then you'll find keywords... by following those keywords... you'll understand a lot... start from any Religion... but if you start once... don't stop you'll definitely find truth... just don't listen to social media & all crap... trust your intuition & gut... they never lie...🙃

Hope you'll find the truth...

Iam Muslim cause I was born in a Muslim country... but being born Muslim doesn't means I know everything... you have to study it... the more I study my religion the more it makes sense...& The science is proving it too Soo it makes my faith even more stronger...

[RyanEC]

I have actually studied Islam in an academic sense.

I do you that most Muslims tend to have a more inclusive or pluralistic view when comes to who can go to heaven compared to Christianity.

I do really like the view of universal salvation.

https://youtu.be/iyGwlCVHHo0?si=n2qQoZu7fHm5Dqim

[strateguy632]

your advice "similarities are there between religions." doesn't match you "more I study my religion" just one?

[Hinaaaaa]

@strateguy632 I study mine cause if someone questions about or questions my religion I'll not be like ohhh.. I don't know... I don't know that...
That advice I just gave cause all religions have one thing in common... all believe there is a god... in any shape or form... there are many others too...

[strateguy632]

but what if you did your advice and studied non muslim religions, such as veda or mahabharata or new testament? the "more you studied yours" is not compared.

[DubiousIntentions]

Read Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin. He compares the different religions with Christianity, like Catholics, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, 7th Day Adventists, etc. There is another book that may be helpful.

[RyanEC]

Interesting.

[Flatmanlewis]

I believe so. From a purely objective point of view the Romans, whom were absolute persecutors of Christ & his followers lay testimonials of things seen. Such information coming from the entity that tried to erase Christ from existence is profound to me. Also, several historical truth are to be found in the Bible long before they modern science ‘discovered’ these truths. Lastly, from an objective position and not position of faith, nothing in the Bible has ever been disproven in all of human history. That’s profound and part of what led me to this as a core value.

[strateguy632]

really what about the years in book kings? years between solomon and exodus 2, years between mesa with josaphat until nebucadnezer with zedekia?

[EmyyWolf]

There’s no religion. Religion is man-made. Those symbols actually came from antennas to ancient buildings 🏰 like castles and cathedrals 🕌 that harvested free energy from storms.
Check this out:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/889632098667939?fs=e&s=TIeQ9V&mibextid=0NULKw

This was our free energy and the leaders subjugated all of us and stole that from us all.

[EmyyWolf]

@RyanEC

[Anonymous]

In 1688 Emanuel Swedenborg was born. At or in his 50s he used psychic powers 2 talk 2 soul guides. Here is what he talkd about that peopl who've had current near death experiences hav talkd about.

1. God, many near death talked about him.
2. Jesus, many near death talked about him.
3. You're drawn 2 heavn or hell. God doesn't send. Three or 4 near death said the same.
4. Christians n non-Christians go 2 heavn. Skipping some info., a guy did research
on near deaths n said God doesn't care what religion u r.
5. Ghosts, one or two peopl near death said ghosts exist.

Emanuel said the Old Testiment has made up stories based on fact. The true ones r the makin of a church n the rule of a king. For the New he said God sent Jesus because peopl were bad n knew what would happn 2 him.

[slatyb]

No, it's not. We know things based on observed phenomena. Religions are not based on observation, they are based on faith -- belief without evidence.

I was raised Christian. When I was about 10 I learned that there were other religions. They can't all her true. That's when I realized that none were true.

[strateguy632]

by that logic, a math quiz "can't all have answer 9. That's when I realized that none were 9".

[slatyb]

The only similarity between math and myth is that they share three letters out of four.

[strateguy632]

true but i showed the flaw in your formula. if the answers of a quiz are not the same for example 9, then your logic "They can't all be true=9. That's when I realized that none were: true=9" so the formula fails because can be 9=true.

[slatyb]

@strateguy632 What? That's just meaningless word salad. There's no evidence supporting any religious belief, and no, your holy book isn't evidence anymore than the Harry Potter novels are evidence that Hogwarts exists.

[sheenagwapa]

i will build God's church which is Lord Jesus church. remember my face. Lord Jesus is real. Mama Mary is real. please pray the Rosary you guys. Jesus is Lord who became human to save us from damnation by dyinh on the cross. He is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. imagine a person multiply by 3 like the power of Picollo on Dragon Balls. He is so powerful yet so humble. He is LOVE

[RyanEC]

Proof?

[NamerOfStars]

Is it possible? Sure- die and ask God (or the gods, as the case may be). Is it while you're alive? Probably not- even if a being with incredible powers shows up, demonstrates those powers, and answers all your questions, you're not going to be sure there isn't an even BIGGER, more powerful being out there, directing them.

[strateguy632]

attach your own 2 ideas: "die and ask God+while you're alive," by reading NOW before die, if god sent messages.

[NamerOfStars]

@strateguy632 By reading WHAT, exactly? And how would you know- definitively KNOW- that it is, indeed, a message from God?

[strateguy632]

i claim that yes possible to objectively know which religion if any is true because of prophecy see what matches is a test. Which religion do you believe? the core of Christianity matches prophecy and is agreed regardless of denomination in contrast, islam and others don'tmatch the prophecy.

[slatyb]

What matches what?

[strateguy632]

@slatyb good question. start with reading book romans chapters 7 until end of 11. to start to see how the ideas confirm each other.

[slatyb]

I will not. It doesn't matter if they confirm each other. That's not evidence that any are true.

[SPIRIT208]

there are literally multiple written archelogical records found in rome an Jerusalem abou Jesus' trial and death, along with the resurrection. also literally hundreds and thousand of personal accounts that Jesus was real and was resurrected.

Archeology supports Christinanity through and through, though people don't like to admit it. Look and the truth will be found

[strateguy632]

for example the historian josephus mentioned jesus as a real part of history.

[jshm2]

Yes. But you're not on the level to understand. It's like someone asking you to prove they will have a job after completing their degree. No one can.

You could be dead in two years, fail your exams, fall ill, fail the interview, sector may crash.. etc etc.

It's not possible to be objective about things not objective. You should understand that. As for religion, it chooses it's own. If you're not in it, you have nothing to offer it.

[strateguy632]

i only know one religion that puts down askers so they won't ask but we must ask. ANYBODY can understand, any book and any religious book except the ones in symbolism style.

[Berethor]

None is true, all made up, if any was true then why there is so many religions in the world?

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ODetOE6cbbc

[Andres77]

However you do it, you have one chance. All religions are man made. Every single one.

if you believe in “one God” then seek Him out and He will respond. Don’t listen to what man says about God. Go to what God says about Himself.

[chefbigoo]

They are all true at some level, weather symbolic or allegorical. They are all the same story just different names more or less. I'll tell you right now what the one true religion is... it's the one I subscribe too... it's, it's, THE TRUTH!!! ITS THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS!!

[strateguy632]

what about when versions conflict? then they are not saying the SAME?

[Lara_Croft]

Jesus is Lord. Only he says he is the way the truth and the life in John 14 vs 6. He is also thr only founder alive and telling the Gospel through his followers

[RyanEC]

Proof?

[Lara_Croft]

The Bible? A historically accurate book

[Staximus]

No, they are all made up by men and have nothing to do with truth. Anybody who thinks they know what happens after you die is delusional and full of shit because they aren't dead yet.

[genericname85]

i'm an apistevist meaning i reject using faith as a legitimate method to reach conclusions. i've reached a point where i ruled out religion from the things that i need in my life.

[genericname85]

i don't even know if objectivity can ever be reached. but believe is probably the furthest possible from it.

[AviatorTom]

Each religion was created by a human being. Most people believe that their religion is the true one, but how would one ever know that? Why can't they all be true, each in its own way?

[strateguy632]

as asker wrote "objectively"

[HaveNoName]

It seems whatever someone explains, you are still coming from. "Christian" mindset, and only the multiple denominations of Christianity will fall within the scope of what you want to know.

[RyanEC]

I consider myself a Deist.

[HaveNoName]

Do you believe in heaven and hell?

[RyanEC]

I believe in an afterlife.
I don’t believe in any sort of eternal punishment so basically I believe in heaven but not hell.

[HaveNoName]

Wonderful !!!

[RyanEC]

So you agree?

[HaveNoName]

Unfortunately, no.

[RyanEC]

How so?
What is your view?

[Anonymous]

Belief systems are different in different religions but moral values are mostly the same. In the end it's one's actions that matter. That's my view. Religion in general is a good thing if not taken to the extreme.

[strateguy632]

but what if my daughter brings shame on my family... i can't finish the quote.

[Opinion Owner]

@strateguy632
I didn't get what you're trying to say here. Care to explain?