Hard Questions—All religions are the same?

Do all religions ultimately point to the same God? Why or why not?




A1 Problem

B1 The claim is that all god/s are the same. Universalism--basic tenets

C1 Bible verses

D1 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all will be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:22, EMTV)

D2 So then, as through one man's transgression judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For through the disobedience of the one man the many were constituted sinners, so also through the obedience of the One many shall be constituted righteous. (Romans 5:18-19, EMTV)

D3 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that He might show mercy to all. (Romans 11:32, EMTV)

D4 See also 2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:3-6, 1 John 2:2, 1 John 4:14

C2 Basics points

D1 Seven principles

E1 1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person;

E2 2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;

E3 3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;

4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;

5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;

6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;

7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

D2 Six sources

E1 Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;

E2 Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;

E3 Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;

E4 Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;

E5 Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit;

E6 Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

C3 Universalism--errors

D1 Contradict the basics of orthodoxy. See the 5 basics doctrines

D2 Contradict the common creeds. See here.

B2 All ways lead to heaven. This is very common.

A2 Answers

B1 All god/s are the same. Obviously they are not. One can search online to find more basic tenants as here for example.

C1 Allah

D1 Trinity= Islam has NO trinity. Allah has no son.

D2 Salvation= submitting to the will of Allah to enter Paradise.

C2 Yahweh

D1 Trinity= Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit

D2 Salvation= all humans are sinners (except Jesus). Salvation is through Jesus alone. Works do not save but confirm.

C3 Hindu

D1 Trinity=Brahma (creator), Vishnu (protector), and Shiva (destroyer). See here and elsewhere.

D2 Salvation= all humans are in bondage to ignorance and illusion, hope for a better reincarnation.

B2 All ways lead to heaven. Obviously not. See above.

B3 Why Christianity is alone true. I've discussed this before and so will include some links that add to that.

C1 Do All Religions Lead to God?

C2 Many ways to God? Aren't all religions basically the same?

C3 Did Christianity Borrow From Pagan Religions?