Perspectives on Different Religions and Paths to Enlightenment
Various religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Mormonism are explored in terms of their beliefs and paths to spiritual enlightenment. Each religion offers a unique perspective on connecting with a higher power, whether it's through good deeds, karma, following specific teachings, or a combination of faith and works. The concept of inclusivity and diversity in the Western worldview is also considered, raising questions about the similarities and differences among different religious beliefs.
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Presentation Transcript
Arent all religions the same? Isn t it possible that each is a just expressing different sides and names of God?
Western Worldview Inclusivity and diversity is valued over exclusivity
John 14:1-6 Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will
John 14:1-6 take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going. Thomas said to him, Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way? Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth
John 14:1-6 and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Buddhism, you can be a good enough person, do enough good things, and focus until you reach enlightenment
Hinduism, there is a pantheon of gods and goddesses. But at its base is karma. Do enough good you come back (reincarnation) as a better person, more bad than good you move down the chain. You get high enough up, and then do well then you move to the afterlife.
Islam- Do enough good works and live a life pleasing to Allah. Jesus was good, he was a prophet, he was not that different than Mohammed. Mohammed gave a new revelation of God s teaching just like Jesus. So if you live like Muhammed and if you stack on the 5 pillars you should be good.
Mormon or Church of Latter Day Saints, again it is based on your works. Yes they believe Jesus gets you into heaven, but only the lowest of heavens. Because you have to go through certain temple rites and live a good life in order to get higher up. They believe in up to 9 levels of heaven. With the highest level being that you get to create your own heaven and earth.
New Age- I can make it to the afterlife based on my experiences and how I feel. If I am one with the universe if I am in tune with nature, If everything feels right, then I think you get the idea.
Every religion has to deal with the question of Jesus
You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to. C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
John 10:7 So Jesus again said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
John 10:9 So Jesus again said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
John 10:17-18 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it
John 10:17-18 down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.
John 10:19-21 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. Many of them said, He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him? Others said, These are not the words
John 10:19-21 of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?
John 10:27-33 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has
John 10:27-33 given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Fathers hand. I and the Father are one. The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus
John 10:27-33 answered them, I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me? The Jews answered him, It is not for a good work that we are
John 10:27-33 going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.
You have to deal with the question of Jesus
Luke 18:18-19 And a ruler asked him, Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said to him, Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
Luke 18:26-27 Those who heard it said, Then who can be saved? But he said, What is impossible with man is possible with God.
We cant be good enough, because good is only God. And we aren t God.
Jesus Follower to #97000
