Thought on Judaism

[SeekingTheTruth]

If Christians and Muslims believe that Judaism was the first monotheistic religion, and both religions have roots in Judaism and derive much of their beliefs from Judaism and the Torah, then what makes you believe Christianity or Islam is the True religion?

[harvey1]

If Christians and Muslims believe that Judaism was the first monotheistic religion, and both religions have roots in Judaism and derive much of their beliefs from Judaism and the Torah, then what makes you believe Christianity or Islam is the True religion?

Hello STT. This is the philosophy subforum, so to give you my reply to your question here I'd have to generalize to more of a philosophy of religion question: namely, does religion correlate with a philosophical concept of God, and do any of the three Abrahamic faiths have any justification to be considered a strong correlate to defining God as well as God's will?

I think that what is occurring is an "evolution of ideas," and as ideas that are focused on God evolve, so also do these ideas settle in on closer and closer approximation of God in all the different aspects and phases that the Divine Nature can possibly be encountered by humans. In that respect, I do think religion as an evolving structure is gradually moving (with evolutinary setbacks here and there) toward this clearer picture of God.

My argument would be that branching is a normal part of evolutionary development, and that this in the long run introduces more diversity in the religious landscape--thereby giving religion life a chance to share a larger "gene pool" of sorts. As we see in biological evolution, this process of diversification of life has been key in giving life the opportunity to overcome enormous hurdles (e.g., evolve into the oceans, evolve onto land, evolve intelligence, etc.). Therefore, religious evolution is generally a good thing.

However, any religion can be "evil" and any religion can be "good." I think the key is for each religion to continue to move toward the best qualities of what that religious heritage offers, and by doing so, there's something for each religion and each person to learn deep and profound lessons from that religious tradition.

So, in the short of it, ask not what is true about religion (or a specific religion), ask what a religion can offer to bring more truth.

[SeekingTheTruth]

I see you have G-ds name as your emblem. So you basically believe in
G-d but you dont believe that any religion is true?

[harvey1]

I see you have G-ds name as your emblem. So you basically believe in G-d but you dont believe that any religion is true?

I don't believe any one particular religion has a corner on the market. I believe that over extensive periods of time humanity will gradually move toward religious unification (one way or another). I see that as a law of physics which we don't have much option as long as we stay connected and survive as a species.

[SeekingTheTruth]

You know when people will believe in one G-d and one religion. When the Messiah comes and they see the truth.

[McCulloch]

You know when people will believe in one G-d and one religion. When the Messiah comes and they see the truth.

It seems as if so many religions are waiting for a Messiah. Christianity is waiting for its Messiah to return. You are waiting for your Messiah.
Even south sea islanders are waiting for their Messiah. Read, In John They Trust from the Smithsonian. Now these people have not been waiting in vain quite so long as the others. Who is to say that their religion is less valid than yours?