My reply is not intended to offend; my apologies in advance if it does.
After studying all religions for 30+ years I finally realized that arguing religion is like arguing the color of the rainbow, with each person arguing that their color is the only true and correct color. They are all correct but fail to see the other perspectives or the bigger picture.
It doesn’t matter what religion we are, the anatomy & physiology of our bodies is pretty much the same. It doesn’t matter what religion we are, the anatomy & physiology of our souls or spirits are pretty much the same. Unlike the physical body, which we can observe, dissect, run tests and compile scientific data, the soul is much more intangible. Accordingly people have developed theories, speculations and philosophies on the anatomy & physiology of the human soul. These theories & philosophies have become religions.
The people of these religions all argue that they are correct and all others are wrong. The arguments turn into wars lasting perpetually.
All these religions are similar to the Hindu or Buddhist parable of the 5 blind men who are led to an elephant for the first time. The first grabs the trunk and proclaims an elephant is like a python or large snake. The second blind man gets the tail and argues that an elephant is like a rope. The third blind man gets the ear and argues that an elephant is like a palm tree. The fourth gets the leg and argues that it is like a column in a building while the fifth gets the side and argues that an elephant is like a stone wall! The argue and fight over who is correct. If they could only see the bigger picture, they are all correct.
By looking at all religions you find that they have a lot in common. Look further into the commonalities and you will begin to understand the bigger picture. Seek to understand the mystics in Christianity and all religions. This will help you understand the bigger picture.
I am Christian and accept Jesus as my Savior. But I am also Buddhist and Hindu and see no discrepancies between their teachings. The are all just different perspectives of trying to understand the anatomy & physiology of the human soul. None of them are wrong, but none provide the bigger picture individually.
The problem with most Christians is that they put Jesus on a pedestal and worship him like an idol. They say He is their savior and treat Him like a lifeguard who can pluck them out of the water when they are drowning. While He can do that, which would you sooner have, a lifeguard who waits until you are drowning and plucks you out, or a lifeguard who teaches you how to swim. Jesus was a rabbi, a teacher. He was trying to teach us how to be like him just as He was teaching Peter to walk on water. Remember Jesus’ comment as He sent out His disciples, “The things that I do and more, you too shall do in my name.” He was telling the truth. We need to learn how to swim... Not fear the water and pray for Him to save us when we drown.
The things Peter mentioned in Act 2 while quoting the Prophet Joel are happening now. We are truly in very special times.
I thank you for posting all these in depth religious teachings. I read and study them and pray to understand their wisdom. They are correct, but only part of the bigger picture. Seek and you will find. The truth is in the experience, not in the theory. When we follow the path, the anatomy and physiology of the human spirit or soul becomes physical and tangible, thus allowing us to see and experience the greater truth in all religions.
Be careful on your journey. The Bible is the truth. If your new knowledge causes you to discount the scriptures, do not accept your new found knowledge. However, return to the Bible, reread the scriptures and pray on their meaning to determine if their is a different interpretation of the words that has insightful knowledge in light of your new knowledge. Forever remain a skeptic and learn discernment.
While all religions contain truth to varying degrees, all religions can’t be equally true, since they all teach some contradictory doctrines of varying importance.
For example, Christians believe that God is Truth Itself, while Hindus believe that God’s Oneness transcends the categories of truth and falsity (is that rue?). Similarly, Islam emphasizes God’s Will over Truth.
These differences mark errors at the highest level.of abstraction, and fundamental disagreement over the nature of God.
These errors do not make members of these religions necessarily evil or reprobate, nor does it mean that all of their teachings are wrong,
No offence taken and happy to have you on the ping list.
Believe it or not I don’t consider myself one who argues really. I try and toss out there what I hold to be true
and hope that it sticks—with God’s help.