It's a misunderstanding to think that some people have
beliefs, but others don't believe anything.
Everybody believes something.
Everybody has a view of reality - a belief system.
So whether a person believes in a traditional religion, or a new
religion, or just believes we got here by chance 'so let's eat, drink
and be merry' because that is all there is, it is still a belief
system. There may be very many worthy religions and creeds in
existence.
However, the real issue is not believing in
something, but finding the truth. Sincerity is not an end in itself.
People can be sincerely wrong. Truth is the real issue.
It defies logic to say that every religion is right
because they contradict each other at so many major points. This is
not just true of Christianity with other religions, but any religion
put side by side.
Christianity is unique. Jesus makes unique and
exclusive claims which are not compatible with any other
religion, or
with any alternative world view.
One simple way of seeing this contrast starkly is to
notice that other religions set up a set of rules adherents must do to
be right with God, whereas Christianity is all about what God has
done. Other religions say DO.
Christianity says Jesus has DONE it all. He died to
make us right with God. So the real issue is not whether you believe
something, but whether you believe in what is true. God reveals the
truth in the person of his Son, Jesus.
He is the only one who can make us right with God by
forgiving us. We receive this forgiveness and become God's friends by
turning to Jesus, asking for his forgiveness for ignoring him, and
trusting in his death on our behalf. Jesus said, "I am the way and the
truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
By David Mansfield
© 2002 Christianity.net.au
used with permission