One God above all others?

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   jlparkposted 11 years ago

   One God above all others?
   
   I've noticed that people want to ask questions on controversial topics, and that answers and comments devolve into verbal aggression on both sides. (Me included I found - my sincerest apologies!)
   Often this is over religion. Here is lies my question:
   
   Why is it that people insist that their God is the only? And that all other Gods are inferior or non existent. That all people must follow te rules of their God, and only theirs.
   
   Aside from the Bible or Koran stating so - why is this done?
   Is it not more righteous to acknowledge others but not worship them than to deny existence?

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   Deepes Mindposted 11 years ago

   Great question. I personally think there are a few reasons for this. First and foremost, a lot of it has to do with indoctrination. People are taught from an early age that there is only one god (except Hindus and a few others that are polytheistic) and that no other gods exist. This leads to the buildup of the ego to the point where we become combative over which god is the true god.  Another issue is the feeling of relationship to a specific deity. Whatever feelings people get is attributed to a relationship with one deity and as such since people don't get that feeling from other deities that they must not exist or are inferior. Then of course, there is ignorance (usually stemming from ego). People do not study any religion other than the one they have grown up believing in. There is the element of fear. Just like they're judging someone else's religion, someone is judging their own. There is a fear in some that they might not be following the right deity and as such cling desperately to their beliefs rather than confidently

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      jlparkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Interesting way of looking at it - thanks!

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      Ric1sterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Google, Joseph Campbell and give it a minute, and I believe you'll enjoy his ideas on comparative religions and myths.

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   peeplesposted 11 years ago

   Quite simply I believe it happens because many don't want to admit they may be wrong.

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      Deepes Mindposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Good answer Peeples

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      jlparkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Concise and to the point...I like!

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   Chris Achilleosposted 11 years ago

   I think most people tend to support that their religious beliefs are actually the most accurate ones because that's what they have been taught to do. Sometimes I guess religion is not taught properly. I remember when I was in school I had asked my teacher "what happens to the people who believe in other religions? Do they go to heaven?", her reply was "well i don't think so but God will decide for them". I just couldn't accept that the religion I was brought up with was the most superior. My question was "Aren't we all God's children? Does religion really matter to God?". I thought about it for years and eventually I came to realize that a big percentage of religious teachers do not teach religion properly.
   For me, there is only one God for all and I am not against other religions. Each religion teaches people several things which are right. But one thing that they all have in common is that God is love. I don't think people should fight over religion. Instead we should all support and teach each other. 
   What do you think?

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      jlparkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Good answer, I like the way you've thought about it.

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      Abby Campbellposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Even Jesus declared the two greatest commandments is to love God with all our minds, hearts, and souls, as well as to love our neighbors as ourselves. If we did that, we would definitely have much more peace. :-)

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   taburkettposted 11 years ago

   for those individuals who live peacefully regardless of any differences in religious affiliation one God is understood to be theirs.  temperance then is easily achieved because the individuals seek only to worship their Lord and Savior.  While various branches have evolved from the original religious 12 disciples, all of Christianity grew from the Jewish community.  Acknowledgement of the bearer of great redemption forgiving all sins is documented in many ancient writings.  However, when transitional evaluation of current demonic acts purported as religious action is simply lawless criminal activity.  In a world where the followers of a truthful and peaceful God is admired and worshipped everyone is free to choose their path to the everlasting life.  When the lawless enter the picture, then peace and righteousness is destroyed.

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      jlparkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      INteresting - gives me something to think on.

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   IDONOposted 11 years ago

   If someone is wrong, it means someone is right. We will never know while alive on this Earth. That's why it's an argument that cannot be won or lost.
        Being a protestant Christian, I've been taught that my God is absolute. One of our commandments tells us to not worship any false idols, which can be gold, riches, man himself or another God or Gods. This means that anything outside of our absolute God, would have to be false. So rather than to risk falling from grace with our God by having any waiver in our faith, we deny all other Gods. I don't think we are damning other religions or beliefs. I think we defend our own to insure our experiencing the final destination that our religion has taught us will be. Sometimes we will get aggressive or even combatant about it.
        When people have total commitment to whatever they believe in, and will defend that commitment, unconditionally, they have my utmost respect; even if it doesn't agree with mine. What is in our hearts, when we meet the God or Gods of our own personal belief, is all that matters.
         I guess that means it's possible that we can all be right, right?

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      jlparkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your answer IDONO - I like that you've given why you and yours would do so, but considered the thoughts of other people, and their commitment to the same.

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   Barine Sambarisposted 11 years ago

   When we talk of God and religion, we talk of what we were born to believe. If i were born in an Islam family, i would come to say Allah is the greatest unless i get a different experience which changes my view on that. I do notice that what people believe in, they hold on to it because it is an essential part of their existence. I am a Christian and even though i think or rather know that only God in heaven is the supreme, i still hear of testimonies from people of other religion and i wonder 'how is it possible? only God can do that!'
   The thing is, what people believe in is what works for them, and so they are going to argue and disagree on which God is supreme. And so we are going to keep arguing because, well, mine works for me and yours works for you.
   Am also very sure that all religion teaches virtues and how important it is in our lives, but some people just like taking things too far, and they interprets things the way it suits them. If all religious fanatics practiced exactly what their religion instructs, the world would be a better place today.

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      jlparkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree - the world would be a better place

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      Ric1sterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      IMAGINE, no religion...it's easy, if you try...
                                                   John Lennon

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   Abby Campbellposted 11 years ago

   I believe that people insist that their God is the only way is because of personal conviction. Whether it be through indoctrination or just a realization, one's convictions hold them to believe a certain way. If one believes that his god is the only god, he wants everyone to know that to help them to their own realizations. Though it may seem controversial to some, those who believe this way and try to convert others are doing it out of love. They want others to have what they have... the same feelings toward their god as well as morals, etc.
   
   I have never read the Koran, but I have read the Bible several times throughout my life. The funny thing is that most Christians deny the existence of other gods, but the Bible talks about the existence of these gods throughout. So, if a Christian uses the Bible as his standard and believes it is holy inspired, then he must know that other gods exist. Therefore, I believe it is "more righteous to acknowledge others but not worship them."

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      jlparkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for your answer - I agree with the last statement!

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      Ric1sterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      They must've had the kool-aide...and want to share.

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      ComfortBposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I don't think that most Christians claim or believe there are no other gods. The bible talks about the Greek gods, the Babylonians gods; Dagon, Baal, etc. To some cultures, those gods are worshiped. But they are not the one and only true God.

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   Insightful Tigerposted 11 years ago

   Hmmmm... my answer is found in your question expansion. It is written in the Bible and I don't deny their existence, because it says that they exist in the Bible. I wrote a hub called "what's in a title?" in which I give the bible verses that state this very thing; that there are "lesser gods". In short, I acknowledge that they exist, but I don't worship them.

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      jlparkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I will have to go look at this hub. Often people refuse to even acknowledge their existence, let alone that others may worship them.  Thank you for your answer.

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    Ric1sterposted 11 years ago

    NO.
    All, religions are manufactured to rule and control people. Religion and spirituality are two, very different, topics. Religion is, once again, yielding it's swords and complacency's...stirring turmoil throughout the earth.
    We need only, to follow, The Golden Rule, and keep our religions ( or lack of...) to ourselves.

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       jlparkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Hmmm, I agree with The Golden Rule in this instance. Thanks for this answer

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    krillcoposted 11 years ago

    If one feels they must argue for their God and against another, they are not very deeply faithful, methinks. Live and let live. Some of us are able to see that there are many lanterns that light the way; each has value and deserves respect. Others spiritual views only serve to confirm mine and brings me joy that they have a spirituality that helps them to make their life better.

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       jlparkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I like the way you've looked at it. Thank you for your answer

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    stanwshuraposted 11 years ago

    This is just one example of evidence of humanity's greatest flaws:  ego and competitiveness.  Ever notice how countries raise their flags high when a threat (real or perceived) comes upon THEIR homeland, their "'hood"?  Same thing.  We are absolutely at our worst when we are united against an "other".

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       jlparkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Interesting thought! Thank you for this.

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       Ric1sterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       We Americans, are at our best, with each other during a collective crisis...."United" States...get it?

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    Savio Dawsonposted 11 years ago

    That's simply because man is God made and religion is man made... Every religion asks us to love one another.. .Bible says love thy neighbour and not 'love thy Christian neighbour' yet people will interpret it the way they want.
    
    Fighting for religion is not equal to fighting for God. If God is on our side we won't need to fight!!

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       jlparkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks for your answer.  But the point is - who says yours is the only? Or the "one"? Other than the Holy Book of your religion? Why not acknowledge the others respectfully and worship whomever works for you?

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    Borsiaposted 11 years ago

    Because it would mean that their god is irrelevant and that all their efforts in supporting, promoting and believing in that god are moot, their ego can't handle such a blow.
    There is, of course, no evidence what s ever that any god is any stronger or existent than any other, or none at all.
    So each clings to the hope that someday, somehow their god will somehow prevail.

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    Darrell Robertsposted 11 years ago

    When dealing with a core belief, people sometimes get over emotional.  The idea of God is one core belief that gives people assurance that they are protected and living their life in a "just" way.  God gives purpose to many people’s lives so if a person thinks that another person is trying to shake a core belief they will get defensive and this may lead to aggression. 
    When a person is insecure in them selves and they rely on God or scripture for guidance then they most likely would need to believe that the God that they serve is the greatest of them all.

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    DDEposted 11 years ago

    People have different opinions of their gods and beliefs every individual sees their religion as superior to the other just normal minds thinking differently.

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    CinemaBrain85posted 11 years ago

    I think that there is a bigger question inside of this and should be asked first if you really wish to find the answer; Is there really a God(s)?
    But I think I can help answer this seeing that I have done "a bunch" of research on the topic.
    It actually lies in the psychology of power, would a religion say their God is not AS good as Gods of the past. EXAMPLE: "Jesus is the most powerful all knowing God, Except Zeus , he was stronger and more powerful, but still...."
    Your guy is always the strongest, fastest, meanest, most forgiving, biggest, more knowledgeable WHATEVER, your God has to be the best or else, what's the point? 
    Many societies in the Bronze age and before celebrated Polytheism. This was the worship or acknowledgement of many Gods. For example: I could worship apollo, but you might worship Neptune because you have better luck with him. Or maybe the town or province we are a part of worshipped Zeus.
    The point is it was not until Judeo-Christian ideology pushed this one true God notion,Monotheism,  in what i believe was a move for power. The Trump card of the previous Polytheistic religions. Yahweh, he does everything the old gods did and more.
    If you actually think about it, the more Gods in the pot actully spoil the broth. When you have 50 people claiming their "Guy" is the best, how does one determine who is the best. I got a God you got a God, who cares. Now, you may be asking your self, Thats like polytheism, and that does work! But you may be forgetting that this was in a time when there was still no true understanding of Nature or the world around them. This was pre-copernicon, pre-darwin, and although intellectually people of this time may have been fully capable of seeing through this veil of Gods and Goddess, there really weren't any other explanations being put forward.
    To sum it up, EVERY religious group worth their salt are going to claim that their God is the one true all knowing, all seeing, all righteous , whatever because, really if you have got Michael Jordan on your team, don't you know who's gonna win?

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