One True Religion?
By Todd Matthews
In 1990 a friend of mine traveled to the United States from Russia. It was his first exposure to the free-enterprise system. I remember him explaining his first visit to Baskin Robbins for ice cream. He was overwhelmed with the notion of making a single selection. Vadim recognized that our nation thrives on the ideal that the more choices we have the better!
The same value is common in how we view religion. The popular thought is that it is too limiting to suggest that there is just one true religious belief system. It would be like suggesting that everyone was allowed to buy only vanilla ice cream, or that the only car you could buy is a Ford. We demand freedom of choice and expression.
But is religion just a matter of personal preference? Is the choice of any religious belief a good choice? Is there any way to identify one TRUE religion? I would like to suggest that there is! Religion doesn't fall into the category of preference, but in truth (I"ll explain why later). From this it is possible to discover which choice is true, based upon the evidence. Let's discuss 3 factors in our consideration of truth. Afterwards we'll compare different belief systems.
1. There is a difference between matters of taste and matters of truth
Philosopher Mortimer Adler in Truth in Religion brings out the distinction between taste and truth. One might say: "My favorite ice cream is peppermint bon bon," or that "The Minnesota Vikings are the best team to watch on TV," or that "Summer is the best season."
These are all examples of matters of taste. They are choices where individuality and personal preference are encouraged and desired. It is fantastic to have such a variety of choices.
However, this is distinguished from matters of truth. Some examples are: "St. Paul is the Capitol of Minnesota." "There are 24 hours in a day." "George Washington was the first president of the United States."
These are not issues of taste or preference, but are definite statements of truth. Whether you like them or not, they remain true. If I said, "there are only 23 hours in a day," it would be a false statement. In this instance we don't have any problem with the fact that there is just one option. When we consider the different world religions it must be noted that they each make distinctive truth claims. We are not asked to choose one over the other because of personal preference but because it is TRUE. For example, Jesus' claim to being the Creator God is either true or it is false. If it is true, that won't change just because we might not like it.
2. There is a difference between tolerance and truth
To suggest that there could be one true religion is not an intolerant thing to say. If we evaluate the different options, it will become apparent that each belief system is making some very specific and contradictory claims when compared with other belief systems. Truth by definition is narrow. 2 + 2 = 4 is very narrow, but completely true. To say that there is ONE true religion is not intolerant as long as there is good evidence to support the claims of that religion.
3. Sincerity does not determine truth
"Does it really matter what I believe, as long as I sincerely believe it?" When it comes to religion, many assume that all religions are valid. The crucial factor is the sincerity of one's faith, it is said. For we don't want to limit the freedom to choose. We don't want to be too narrow. But the problem is that it is possible to be sincerely wrong. For example, let's say that a friend of yours is going to jump off of a 10 story building. He sincerely believes that the concrete below is a large pillow. It would be ridiculous for you to say, "Go ahead, your sincerity will protect you." No, you would say that he is wrong and you would do all that you could to prevent him from harming himself. Is it unkind or intolerant of you to point out his error? Hardly! The truth will protect him, where sincerity may kill him.
So far we have seen that truth exists apart from my preference. Let's go on to discuss how to determine which, if any, religious belief system is true.
The law of non-contradiction
Before we look at the different religions it is important to note that they make very distinctive claims. This prompts us to consider the law of non-contradiction. This law states that two contradictory statements cannot both be true at the same time. For example, to say that 2+2=4 and 2+2 does not equal 4 is a contradiction. They cannot both be right. As we look at the religions we will see that when compared with each other they make contradictory claims. Applying the law of non-contradiction we are left with the conclusion that they cannot all be true. The following are some of these conflicting beliefs.
*Hinduism and Buddhism believe in many gods.
*Judaism, Christianity and Islam believe in one God.
*Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam believe that Jesus Christ is not God.
*Christianity believes that Jesus Christ is God.
*Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam do not believe that Jesus died for our sins, rose from the dead, and was exalted to the right hand of the Father from which He will one day come again.
*Christianity does believe that Jesus Christ died for sins, rose from the dead, and was exalted to the right hand of the Father from which He will one day return to claim His church and judge the living and the dead.
Additionally, all five of the religions would agree that there is a spiritual problem with humanity, but each has a very different solution to the problem. Only Christianity states that the solution is in Jesus' death and resurrection, and that a salvation is gift to man from God. The other four require man to perform some good work to solve the problem.
So it is clear that each religion asserts truth claims. But the significant question now becomes, "Which if any are true?" In light of their conflicting truth claims, either only one is right or all are wrong. But it is apparent that two or more cannot be true at the same time any more than 2+2 can equal both 4 and 5 at the same time.
My personal investigation of the historical evidence for the various religions has led me to have a greater faith in Jesus Christ. Christianity makes incredible statement which are either true or false. For example, Christianity believes that Jesus is not just a man for Jesus claimed to be fully God as well. Jesus also claimed to be able to forgive sins committed against God. To make such a claim is one thing, but to truly be able to do so is quite another. That is why the striking distinction of Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus, for if Jesus was able to rise from the dead it would seem to verify the truth of everything else He said and did.
This event is open to investigation. As a matter of fact, the resurrection of Jesus is one of the most well established events of ancient history. All other religious leaders are in their graves. But Jesus' grave is empty. If He really did rise from the dead, then that is very weighty evidence that his claims are true. I encourage you to examine some of the strong evidence for Christ's resurrection. To aid you in your investigation, this web site has a collection of Articles Giving Historical Evidence for the Resurrection and Deity of Christ, which I encourage you to examine.
Conclusion
Is it possible for there to be One True Religion in a pluralistic society? In light of our discussion there are good reasons to believe that the answer is yes. Regardless, it is not inconsistent with the notions of tolerance and truth for there to be one true religion. For as one compares the conflicting truth claims of the different religions it is clear that they cannot all be true. Though truth is not determined by personal preference, an individual still has the responsibility as to which belief system he will choose. The critical question is "Will it be the right decision?" No one wants to give his life to something that is not true.
Sources
Adler, Mortimer J., Truth in Religion: The Plurality of Religions and the Unity of Truth, (New York: MacMillian, 1990), 2-5.
Boa, Kenneth and Larry Moody, I'm Glad You Asked (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1982), 126-144).
Johnson, Keith E. (Article) Comparative Religions: Do All Paths Lead to the Same Destination?
McGrath, Alister E., Intellectuals Don't Need God and Other Modern Myths (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992), 1-8-119.
Netland, Harold A., Dissonant Voices: Religious Pluralism and the Question of Truth (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991), 1-35.
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