Christians: Do you find it curious that you consider only your religious experiences valid?

Up front: I was raised a Christian, but I am agnostic to the core.

I've asked people of *many* beliefs this, and similar, questions. Amazingly, precious few people of any background or faith seem to have the self-awareness to ask themselves why the one they *happened to grow up in* is the best or, as you say, the only valid one.

All I can do is shake my head.

note to timmeresque... While I completely agree that truth is an absolute, and must be universal, I'd add one option you left out... The Allah follower and the Christ follower (and so on) could *all* be wrong. Indeed, that's the crux of my argument to people of all faiths... they each think the other is wrong and they're right... doesn't that raise any flags?? Doesn't it make anyone wonder??

Gabrielle (and please excuse me, all, if I seem to be hogging this question)... You also sound like a reasonable person, but I'd like to add another viewpoint to yours, as well... We aren't *all* searching for a relationship with God or a supreme being. I am open-minded to it, but I certainly don't consider it the "only game in town." Would you still say it's all good if my path doesn't necessarily include a god (or God)?

1) Well, all I can tell you is this. Every time I have ever had a negative experience with a religious person, that religious person has always been a Christian. I've never been insulted by a Muslim. I've never been laughed at by a Hindu. I've never been threatened by a Buddhist. I've never met a pushy, annoying New Age Spiritualist. For that matter, I've never received a nasty e-mail from a Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or New Age Spiritualist. It's always Christians. Obviously they're not all like that, and I would never claim that, but there's a certain point where you start to notice a trend. 2) I've never seriously doubted my "disbelief." In fact, I've actually tried very hard to convert back to Christianity in recent years, but I just can't. With all due respect, I find the claims of Christianity to be so unbelievable that I cannot accept them no matter how hard I try. 3) I'm an atheist for the same reason that you don't presumably don't believe in astrology. You probably didn't consciously reject astrology; you've just never come across a decent reason to believe in it. And atheists do the same thing with the Christian god. 4) Not at all. Yes, there are some atheists who claim that, and they cite some statistics, but I personally am not comfortable making that claim. I will be the first to admit that there are many religious people who are much, much more intelligent than I am.

You think the writers of the new test's lives were made better? No WAY! Look at Paul. He was a respected Pharasee. He was made fun of, stoned almost to death, imprisoned many times then beheaded! You call this better?

All but one died a martyers death, John and he was sent off to live on an Island for years. Peter was crucified upside down!

We don't become christians be have a better life here on earth! No way! We become Christians to have life in heaven after we leave our bodies. It isn't about religious experiences either even though many have them.

Christianity and the Jewish faith have ancient roots. Many have looked into the God of the bible and have made the decision that this is truth.

You are looking at this wrong.

†

Of course all religious experiences are valid. They are all searching for God. All are equally important and sacred. Judgment makes many people think that their religion is the "only" way. Judgment is saying that God likes some people better than others because they stand in one building while the others stand in another. It makes no sense. We are all searching for a relationship with God. Its the only game in town. You can get their through an infinite number of paths. ITS ALL GOOD!

I am not christian, but I would have to say that all experiences that change a life positively, religious or otherwise, are good things, but I have yet to see one that truly proves a religion.. even my own.

If we rely only on experience then nothing is right and nothing is wrong. We enter into the world of relativism. The only thing that sets right from wrong in that world is who can make the most convincing argument and who has the most people on their side. I know that it is common ground in our time to put experience on a peddle stool and say that it equals truth, but this can't be so. Truth must be truth and it must be universal. If I say that Christ is God and you say no Allah is God then one of us is right and the other is wrong.

The only thing that can prove to be truth is Truth itself.

I asked a question similar to this once. I asked what is it that all religions have in common. The answer was not the beleif in a suprememe being, it was teh beleif that only their religion is right.

you're absolutely right as everybody has a different religion and has a different religious experience that is just as valid as the next guy's

...."Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and may enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14).

anyone or thing that pushes you to believe is the only way is so wrong. i have been wiccan for 30+yrs. it has enriched my life in countless ways. just as is true of many christians. while faith applies to all of us religion and the understanding of the devine rest within each of us to find on our own terms. jesus would be wecome in my circle anytime. and feel that i would be welcome to set down and learn from his wisdoms as well. truth comes in many forms. and stands the test of time. truth is for all ages.