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Mariah Enriquez
English111-3bf
Prof. Heather Wilson
November 28, 2016
Religious Tolerance
Religion is the belief in a higher power, that there is a Godhead out there with
supernatural strength and power having all the answers for every problem that might arise.
The word alone religion is so broad; there are so many.
This resource www.humanreligions.info/religions will list 79 different religions with a
brief description of their belief systems. There is agnosticism, whom believe there may or may
not be a GOD and if there is then its simply by nature, there is no proof either way. Amish who
have strict Christian fundamentals that do not conform to this world, and live by the laws of the
Christian Bible, and keep the laws and commandments. Ancestor Worship is another one, they
believe in a relationship with ancestry sprits. Deism has the belief there is a GOD who does not
even interact with people in the World. Hookers for Jesus, yes that is right! This is a group who
are very sexually active and predict the end of the World. Paganism, Judaism, Scientology, and
even Satanism where they call on the dark side to be their deity! Christianity is by far the biggest
religion with well over six billion people claiming they are the chosen religion, Islam is the

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second largest with about one and half billion people. With so many different religions can one
know which is true and not just taught?
Maybe there is a formula to be used, a science in figuring this out; think about it,
astronauts have a blue print, a plan of exactly what they are going to do when they take off into
space, what would be the outcome if we stuck people in space suits and shot them straight up
into the sky with no plan, no blueprint, just winging it. It probably would lead to disaster. How
do people make perfume? With a formula right, and to get the exact same smell you must know
this formula in the exact same format every single time to get the exact same result! In saying all
that, you would have to use some kind of formula to get the results you were looking for in a
religion, what GOD or religion proves to be true, do they have facts or just hearsay? How can we
test certain religions to know if they are true?
Let us use some logic and reasoning in the matters of religion; does a persons religion
contradict itself? Let us take Satanism not only does his worshippers say he is god, but they say
there is no god but him, but the satanic bible even mentions good versus evil, God and Satan
being rivals and almost like the bible, but instead the devil wins. That is a little off considering
the fact his worshippers do not believe in any god but Satan, but Satan believes in god? That
logic does not quite add up; in fact, it right down contradicts itself.
What about evidence, to support religious claims? Does Buddha help with getting rid of
all desires? Does Satan buy peoples souls? People have not found any evidence to support these
claims, statues do not speak much less have power, and Satan can not buy what does not belong
to him. Can people try to sell something they can not touch or see? How does one live without a
soul, do they sell it and then die? This sounds a little ludacris, but people are convinced that it is

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possible. Religion should never contradict itself. Religion should not be so farfetched it reminds
people of an awesome rainy night snuggled up in bed reading a good science fiction novel either.
Does anyone know if one religion is accurate, does it give answers to lifes big questions?
About life and death, sickness and health, can people be healed supernaturally or is sickness and
bad luck some peoples lot in life? Is there a one true religion or do more than one answer these
big life questions, where did GOD come from, if he made us who made him, or maybe he just is.
Does the religion people seek lead to life of righteousness or are the people free to live any way
they please? Is there a purpose for the people seeking a religion, what is their purpose for life?
What about life after death? Where are, people going after their demise? These are key for
seeking out one true religion! How can people apply the big life questions to dwindle down the
list that was mentioned in above paragraphs, seventy-nine different religions and that is only one
source? When asking these questions, and trying to fit them into the criteria of the one true
religion someone could be close to knowing exactly what religion is true.
What questions can someone ask to make the many different religions become smaller
group to choose from? How true is the religion, can we be absolutely positive of just one? Can
one use logic or do they simply go on faith? Is there so many Christians because that is what they
were taught to accept their whole life? Do they believe in God or was it just passed down
because Grandma and Grandpa said they were going to Hell if they do not believe what they
believe, or believe what they were taught themselves? Is Religion just some tradition passed
down generation after generation? Does GOD in fact exist and if so why does he allow so much
evil on the earth? Why would some Holy God want to hang out with a bunch of so called
sinners? Does that make him Holy or does that in fact make him unholy? Maybe he is just

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extremely forgiving! What religion gives someone freedom to choose, freedom to live without
condemnation or just live altogether. What religion can someone choose to have a relationship
with their creator? If GOD exist how can he possibly love such an evil world? Or does GOD
have that much mercy and grace?
When tackling these challenging questions, first people need to establish if the absolute
truth exist in these matters, because if not then people will feel free to believe just like the
skeptics and the agnostics! Could someone use logic to narrow down these questions? Why not,
it can be used, how would we know how to decipher between truth and lies? However, what is
true and what is a lie? How would someone really know between the two. One might say all
religions lead to the same deity, but then that would be a lie because not all roads lead to the
same designation. So that drops off a lot of the isms Jainism, Hinduism, or even Buddhism for
example. Not all religions lead to the creator of the entire universe; some religions can not make
up their mind if they believe or not, some religions think we just are, then some believe in the
dark side. Which still can be quite baffling, why would the dark side risk his creation
worshipping in good? However, if someone was to question Eves decision to eat from the tree of
good and evil and really think on it; She didnt eat from the evil side. The Christian Bible says in
Genesis 3:6 KJV And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was
pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to the make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof,
and did eat and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. Maybe people are confused
on what is good and what is evil. The Bible also says in Isaiah 5:20 KJV: Woe unto them that call
evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness that put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter! That is kind of confusing on what is good and evil, since Eve took
something good and it made everything evil. Baffling! However, The Creator of all the universe

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would not be shocked at this, he would have known exactly was going to happen, and I am sure
HE had his reasons.
Having knocked out a lot of religions, many still remain, still left with the question can
someone know what religion is true. Can people really know what to believe? Earlier touching
on the fact that most beliefs stem from a persons upbringing, what they were taught. Although
marrying someone with different religious backgrounds can make someone change their entire
religion altogether, like Christian to Jewish for example. However, a website
here www.pewforum.org/2015 shows some statistics that say; Between 2007 and 2014, the
Christian share of the population fell from 78.4 percent to 70.6 percent, driven mainly by
declines among mainline Protestants and Catholics. The unaffiliated experienced the most
growth, and the share of Americans who belong to non-Christian faiths also increased. This
resource also includes charts and is made up of Christians, Jews, Buddhist, Hindus, other world
religions and other faiths. This resource also says that Christian faith is declining and adults who
do not claim any certain religion is growing. This resource also states although it is mostly young
adults, it is actually declining among all adults, and all races and different educational
backgrounds. So what is growing? Muslims are growing quickly! This website
at www.pewresearch.org states:
The expected growth of Islam around the world is perhaps the most striking finding in the
recent Pew Research Center report projecting the future of religious groups. Indeed,
Muslims will grow more than twice as fast as the overall world population between 2010
and 2050 and in the second half of this century, will likely surpass Christians as the
Worlds largest religious group.

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This resource also states the number of Muslims is expected to grow by 73 percent. That
is huge leap of faith pun intended, however that does not prove that one religion is true just
because its growing at a rapid rate. It only proves some more than others can be convinced it to
be true. What convinces people to choose a religion outside of their upbringing, fear, facts, an
encounter of some sort. To quote the Bible again, Paul who wrote about a third of the Bible and
what people would call an encounter in Acts 9:3-9 King James Version (KJV)
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about
him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him,
Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord
said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord
said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And
the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they
led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without
sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
What an encounter! This does not prove one religion to be true though, this proves one
person had an encounter. A personal encounter at that considering there was a couple other
people with him and it was only Paul who heard a voice.
Another resource, www.hcs.harvard.edu, says that most religions teach people to be
good, that men and women, have a spirit and that spirit wants to do good. It also states whether

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or not you are affiliated with a higher power or not a person want to be good regardless because
you are made with a spirit on the inside that is always seeking to do good, so when finding a
religion that is true one should seek one that worships a higher power that is good and helps a
person to do good. This resource also explains that the mans spirit is seeking, It is this inner
seeking that gives rise to religion with most religions teach you how to be good and promise
with good behavior you will receive rewards from the creator. This resource also states
Although there is a willingness to follow them, there is a lack of ability to do so. This is because
sin dwells in the flesh of man, preventing man from living according to such standards. The
sinful nature, expressed in selfishness, strife, jealousy, etc., always overtakes man, causing man
to fail. Many get frustrated and either look for another religion, form their own new religion, or
give up on religion altogether. Religious man is incapable of being absolutely good, and his
worship and service can never satisfy God. Wow! That sounds like God is tough to please
especially if man can never stop their sinful nature, or humanness.
Religion is seen differently through different nationalities, like an American protestant
Christian believes in he Father, the Son and they Holy Spirit, and so does a Mexican Catholic,
but the Catholics feel there is an important part for the virgin Mother Mary to play in their
Religion, whereas Christians could do without her. Sort of the same principles in Religion, but
looked at differently, worshipped different and praying is different.
Religion should not change so much where the Creator changes drastically, if there is a
true religion, then there must be one true God and surely he does not change, he would remain
the same throughout generations. What or who is right? There answer to this is personal, The
Bible is the oldest book with the Torah (the first five books) showing people how to live

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properly, to follow commandants and a set of rules on how to get it right. There are plenty of
people whom have personal experiences with the one true God. Actual encounters like Paul in
the paragraphs above.
So, what has been established so far? God would need to remain the same, remain
omnipresent, remain true to the Bible and not mans beliefs. Extremely forgiving considering
mans wicked behavior and supernatural. This is strongly pointing to Christianity, but
Christianity is no longer a strict religion sect any longer, they have compromised their beliefs as
well. It is starting to look like Religion is not what a person should be looking for, Religion is
manmade, man made all these rules and regulations that seem to be impossible to keep. Religion
is the stumbling block to the Christian, Religion is why satanic worshippers are out cast,
Religion is why Muslims are hated, Religion seems the be the problem.
In conclusion, to sum it all up, if we can know which religion is true, as much as people
would like to, it is unrealistic to narrow religion down to one. Although many religions say it is
their way or the highway, there is only one way to God, so many different people from all
different backgrounds when asked whom they serve will tell you they believe in Religion, what
they were taught, what they grew up seeing. Not the one true living GOD, that is a God with no
Religion, no statues, no wood or metal, simply put he is I am, he just is, he is Eternal, he was
here before man and will be here after man, he is omnipresent, he is what he is and people are
what he made them to be. People can not make God what they want, or make him fit in a box
that simply could never fit a God that uses the World as his footstool! If we just leave the
Religion out and focus on God himself, then you have something beautiful and true relationship
without boundaries and can be used in by him for him. Stay humble, showing mercy and Love to

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others as yourself, only then do you tap into GOD and then leave Religion to men. So, in all, if
people need something to worship, it is in their best interest to ask the most high God for a
personal relationship and leave Religion to Pharisees and Sadducees!
Some Scriptures from the Holy Bible: Zechariah 12:1 The Lord, which stretches forth the
heaven, and lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him.
Haggai 2:7 And the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory.
Romans 2:21 You therefore who teach another, do you not teach yourself?
Romans 7:18, 20 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, nothing good dwells; for to
will is present with me, but to work out the good is not. But if what I do not will, this I
do, it is no longer I that work it out but sin that dwells in me.
John 17:3 That they may know You, the only true God, and Him whom You have sent,
Jesus Christ.
Acts 7:2 The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was in Mesopotamia.
Acts 7:30 An Angel appeared to him[Moses].
Mark 7:6, 8 This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart stays far away from
Me; While leaving the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men.
Acts 3:15 And the Author of life you killed.
2 Timothy 1:15 All who are in Asia turned away from me.

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2 Timothy 3:1, 5 But know this, that in the last days difficult times will come. Having an
outward form of godliness, though denying its power; from these also turn away.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created.
John 14:20 In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in
you.
John 14:23 My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make an abode with
him.
1 Corinthians 6:17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit.
Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let
them have dominion... over all the earth.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that every one
who believes into Him would not perish, but would have eternal life.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which is lost.
John 1:1, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God. And the Word became flesh.
John 6:57 As the living Father has sent Me and I live because of the Father.
Colossians 2:9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
1 Timothy 3:16 Great is the mystery of godliness: He who was manifested in the flesh.

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Hebrews 4:15 One who has been tempted in all respects like us, yet without sin.
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also has suffered once for sins, the Righteous on behalf of the
unrighteous, that He might bring you to God.
1 Peter 1:3 Has regenerated us unto a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead.
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become
children of God, to those who believe into His name.
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ
who lives in me.
Colossians 2:6 As therefore you have received the Christ, Jesus the Lord, walk in Him

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Works Cited

A List of All Religions and Belief Systems. humanreligions.info/religions.html. Accessed 14

Nov. 2016

Americans Faith in God May Be Eroding. Pew Research, 14 Nov. 2015, pewresearch.org/facttank/2015/11/04/americans-faith-in-god-may-be-eroding/. Accessed 29 Nov. 2016

Importance of Religion and Religious Beliefs. 3 Nov. 2015, pewforum.org/2015/11/03/chapter1-importance-of-religion-and-religious-beliefs/. Accessed 29 Nov. 2016

Which Religion Is Right? hcs.harvard.edu/~acf/faq08.html. Accessed 29 Nov. 2016