The following is a response to a student’s thoughts on
religion. The student believes all
religions are equal, that it is not known whether or not life exists after
death. That religion is more determinant
on ones upbringing rather than a search for truth. That nothing can be known to be true,
everything is opinion:
Great job, you are definitely thinking through the
material. Let me address some things you
have mentioned. At one point you said
that no religions are right or wrong. If
that is true, what is the point of religion?
Also, just as an example of two religions getting completely different
answers to the same question; Jesus is a central figure in both the
Bible/Christian religion and the Qur’an/Muslim religion. The Bible says he died on the cross. The Qur’an says he did not. Which is true? Both answers cannot be true, thus both
religions are not equally correct.
To state that many have different names for God all around
the world means that you must believe it is possible for some to know whether
or not God and or which God. Otherwise
it is not logical to even give credit to all the names that people have come up
with.
You bring up science testing life after death. But is that possible? Can science test the metaphysical as it does
the physical? If not, what other tools
can we use to determine whether or not it is probable for there to be a life
after death?
As far as people being brought up in one religion or
another, how many people do you know who have not questioned the religion they
were brought up in? How many of the
people have rejected the religion they were taught? Now, it is true that some religions are less tolerant
of those who leave the way, but people still can choose to leave. This is what gives us free will.
As far as our ability to know truth; if we are incapable of
knowing the truth, what purpose is there in any pursuit in life? If we cannot find truth about our purpose,
how do we know what we are doing has any meaning or value, whether it is right
or wrong? Why pursue anything?
Again, great job!
Keep thinking things through.
