A common factor in religions is the ascription to the God or gods of an interest in the behavior of humans and their judgment of what is right or wrong. Although the standards of morality attributed to God or gods vary enormously, laws must be obeyed. It is believed that retribution will follow where laws are broken. The general consensus of most religions is that there is a reward and punishment after death. Ritual practices such as penances, prayer, healing, festivities and sacrifices are also carried out. There are also teachings on morals and after life. Having viewed some of the theological aspects of some religions, Christians believe in the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit known as the Trinity, which makes them unique in their belief.
A Christian is a follower of Christ, a religion founded from the teachings of Jesus Christ. However the Christian faith was practiced from the creation of mankind as mention in the book of Genesis, found in the Holy Bible studied by Christians. The question as to why one should follow the Christian religion may be looked at as blasphemy in the minds of many Christians. As a Christian one cannot be naive to the fact that the world consists of many other religions from which to choose. As a Christian one must be able to teach non-Christians and atheist the reason for being apart of the Christian religion. Though the Christian religion has been divided into many denominations, the word of God remains the same.
'Religion’, Latin ‘Religare’, is a bind, or the bond of humans to God. A research study shows that this is a code of belief of philosophy that often involves the worship of a God or gods. The belief in a supernatural power is not essential, for example, this is absent in Buddhism and Confucianism. However faithful adherence is usually considered to be rewarded, for example, by escape from human existence is found in Buddhism. For future existence, this is found in Christianity and Islam. Soka, Gakkai and Buddhism are religions for worldly benefits. Various religions include Ancient and pantheist, a religion of Babylonia, Assyria, Egypt, Greece and Rome. Animist or polytheistic traditional religions include Central African religions, (voodoo) related beliefs in Latin American, Caribbean, American Indians, Australian, Aborigines and Javanese. Oriental religions include Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Confucianism, Taoism and Shins. Religions of a book include, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Bahaism, Unification Church and Mormonism are combined derivative religions.
The conflict of religions and various denominations takes place every day. One could ask, where did these religions originate? The bible states that in 1st John chapter 2 verses 18-22, “ little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist; shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the father and the Son.” Also, from the very beginning, Isaiah chapter 14 verses 12-14 indicates where Lucifer had been cast down from Heaven after having said in his heart that he will ascend into heaven and will exalt his throne above the stars of God, and will sit upon the mount of the congregation in the north, above the clouds, and will be like the most High. For such a thought, God threw him into hell. There is a major form of deception used by the devil, calculated in the misinterpretation of the Holy Scriptures that have caused many to go astray and have become advocates of the devil.
The confusion as to which is the true religion has been going on for centuries. In 1stKings chapter 18 verses 21, the prophet Elijah confronted the people and asked them, “How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.” The God of Elijah (the Christian God) and the prophets of Baal, which amounted to four hundred and fifty men, were put to the test. The test was that two bullock, one for Elijah and one for the prophets of Baal were laid on wood, with no fire for a sacrifice. The God when called upon, who answers by fire: will be the true and living God. The people then agreed. The prophets of Baal called on him from morning until evening with no answer from Baal. In 1st Kings chapter 18 verses 36-37 states, “And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.” The fire then came and burned the sacrifice. All the people then said, “The Lord, He is the God; the Lord, He is the God.” The prophets of Baal were taken to the brook Kishon and killed.
In the secular world there is a form of life style called ‘alternative lifestyle,’ where persons believe basically in one self, doing what please them. A Christian way of life is guided by the word of God and in the keeping of His commandments. Persons of the world have also fallen prey to idolizing philosophers. One must realize that philosophy is the pursuit of wisdom. In the Christian faith, wisdom is the principal thing in life, which can only be given to one who fears God. Wrong choices are made every day due to the lack of wisdom. There is a saying that, “if you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.” I pray that those of you who are in the valley of decision as to which religion to follow, can attempt to try and comprehend the supreme depths of Christianity and make a firm commitment to follow Christ.
Roderick R. Mckenzie
Roddie30@hotmail.com
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