There are estimated to be around 4,000 religions in the world. Perhaps even more.
How do we discover which is the correct one to follow? Or, indeed, is there no correct one to follow? Nobody really knows.
It is not perhaps wise to follow Hinduism if Buddhism is the correct one. Perm any one of four thousand. You are as likely to hit on the right one as you are to win Euromillions.
Why then do followers of any religion seek to convert others to their particular choice? Are they bound by their rules to proselytise?
If not, why do they do it? Would it not be preferable and certainly more peaceful if each person practised their own religion privately and did not seek to foist it upon others?
Given there are so many religions how can anybody be entirely certain they have chosen the right one? Certainly, with the conflicting views expressed by different religions, it is by no means apparent that the one chosen is the correct one.
On any reasonable examination of the particular tenets of any religion it cannot be asserted that this one is clearly right and the other one is definitely wrong. Where to turn?
I know not the answers to these questions and suspect that nobody else does either but much harm has been done over the centuries by disputes between differing religions.
It is also true, if contradictory, that much good has been done by some religions.
Most adherents of any religion posit that faith alone is adequate to justify belief. Is that correct? Does faith in any particular religion justify the mass slaughter of those with a different view?
I suspect not, as no religion has actually proved itself to be true, hence the reliance on faith.
Doubtless faith has sustained many in difficult times even if it has proved inadequate against bombs and assault rifles in the real world.
Possessing little, if any, faith myself I can admire those who possess it in Spades whilst reserving the right to query the uses to which they might put it.
Any truly objective view of religious zealotry over the centuries might reasonably question the balance between benefit and detriment.
So, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism. Sikhism, Buddhism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism, Jainism, Shintoism, Wicca and the myriad other minor religions are there for you to choose from.
Choose wisely.
Much may depend on your choice.
Or not, as the case may be.
In an infinite universe of uncountable stars, planets and black holes how does any religion impact such vastness? A little, a lot or not at all?
All in all the position is confusing to say the least but, ultimately, it is personal preference which counts and until we reach the undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveller returns it’s anybody’s guess.
After all, nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.
Foootsoldier Says… 