How do we know the religion we follow is what it was meant to be?

Terrific question. I wish more people would ask it.

"Rely not on the teacher/person, but on the teaching. Rely not on the words of the teaching, but on the spirit of the words. Rely not on theory, but on experience. Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. Do not believe anything because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything because it is written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and the benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."

That's what the Buddha said about how to discern religious truth from religious falsehood. Notice how similar it sounds to what scientist (and atheist) Richard Dawkins had to say on the subject in the letter he famously wrote to his daughter called "Good and Bad Reasons for Believing".

That's a really great question. I am a christian but I do personally find it hard to believe that there is only one right religion in this world and the rest is wrong. I personally believe that most religions out there offer some some peice of truth, but not the whole truth. All religions are based on believing in God and that part must be true. But they all have different doctrines that typically go against one another. I believe the essence of truth lies within everything and not just one church who claims they know it all. But of course, how can you tell what parts of each religion offer truth, and which parts are not?

Life is quite the journey and no-one is ever going to ultimately know all the answers, but I figure if one person can at least accept the fact that there is a God, then they're on their way. I believe God is merciful, therefore, if we are sincere on our quest to seek him, then he will not lead us astray....He might just show us a small piece of the puzzle in one place, and another piece in another. If God is God, then he obviously knows what he's doing and all we can truly and honestly do is trust him. If we're not on the right path, then in his own way he'll let us know and put us where we need to be.

Nomatter what religion there is, a good prayer can't hurt.

Please don`t correlate God to different religions.

Religions are just trying to help, usher and lead people to God`s pathway towards heaven. Read all their writings for a knowledge, to be able to compare thoughts and ideas helpful and not.

If all religions to you are too wordly for you that they seemed to be derailed from true pathway, then at least you know God personally, you know the right way, at least, by knowing all these things. How about establishing good and direct relationship with God, The Holy Spirit and Jesus (The judge)

If still pretty much unclear to you all about God`s way, how about asking the Holy Spirit`s guidance (He is the Spirit of God who was sent to the world to guide everybody back to God`s paradise)

He is God and will never fool you. He always help. He is not human to make mistakes or with any bad ulterior motives...

How about that ?

For you to know what religion to follow, you are going to have to do some real research. A person who finds true treasure is one who sought it out, asked questions, read books, interviewed others, did everything they possibly could to find out which is right. Before I converted to Christianity, I read the Bible completely through from cover to cover. Before I finished, I knew it was for me. With that said, Christianity is not about "religion." You are right, that was man's design. But Christianity, in particular, is about "relationship" with Jesus Christ as Lord of all. I used to be Catholic, I visited Buddhist temples, I went to the Jehovah Witness hall, I visited a Jewish temple, and I dabbled in "New Age" stuff. None of those fulfilled me like Christianity does. There are so many thing in life that evade the human mind - such as love. We can only rationalize so much until our hearts get involved. Keep searching, asking, and knocking...and the door will be opened unto you.

I think i love you !

lol

we all hold elements of truth and the true religion is the person who holds many truths from all ... the person who sees the great teachings in all ... the ones who takes every path

but every path leads to the same place anyway

very well said xx

First I would like to say SADHU SADHU SADHU to Brad for the answer.The KALAMA SUTTA is a very profound sutta,but I am disappointed that ignorant people just cannot and will not even investigate the reasoning in the KALAMA SUTTA.See the number of thumb down for BRAD'S answer?

WOW. Excellent question, and that what we, Muslims, are trying to pass to others. Islam is different, Islam was not written by people, Quran is not a book (by the way), and I am not the best person to talk about this subject as I am, myself, is not that religious, but you can seek the truth about Islam yourself.

If you follow no religion at all, unless you worship yourself, but then even that's biased because it's your beliefs, and not that of anyone else, so i'm gonna have to say that the only way to be sure is to have no religion.

I believe the Christian religion is meant to be because it has been around since the begining of times. It says in the Bible.

I am a Swedenborgian, and Swedenborgian theology teaches, among many other things, that it doesnt really matter what you follow.

As long as you are sincere, and are trying to be a good person, you will get to heaven.

I personally believe this to be true. I mean, God must know that not everyone will know about Him in his lifetime, and must take that into account.

Why would he abandon any of his people?