How do you see other religions | Division by Zero

How do you see other religions

How do you see other religions

Written by Division by Zero

Thursday, 18 March 2010 21:20

Two years ago, during my study, one course was interreligious dialogue. The professor asked how we viewed other religions, other than our own. There are four ways:

Other religions are misleading.
Other religions are false.
Other religions are partly true, but miss the essence.
Other religions are just as true as your own.

Most of the students chose the third option. Which is a good way for a theologian. I was, to my surprise, the only one to choose the last one. The postmodern view.

This last option seems impossible. How can different religions be all true, but all have an essentially different truth? And why do you believe in your religion if you think about other religions in this way. Well, it is possible. I'm a Christian and to me the Christian believe is absolutely true.

The answer to the first question is a long one, which I'll try to answer shortly (probably too short!). It is based on the postmodern idea that truth is a construct and different truths, even conflicting ones, can be true at the same time.

The answer to the second question is based on Matthew 7:1-2 (New International Version):

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

"Do not judge," Jesus says. There are more passages which tell us the same thing. I think Christianity is true. Option 4 is the only option that doesn't judge.

I can hear you think: "In John 14 Jesus says that He is the only way to the Father." How can you not judge other religions to be false?

"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

I recognize that this postmodern view poses problems I don't have an answer to. But in this case I know that if someone believes in Christ, she or he will go to heaven after death. Other religions don't recognize Jesus as the Son of God. Even some Christian denominations don't do this. As I've said, I can't judge these views as false. Only God has the right to judge these other people, He can see in our hearts.

Do you have any thoughts on this subject? Do you disagree? Go to the forum.

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