Aren’t all religions basically the same? Where do you even begin to answer that?
I was on the elliptical machine (just another way to burn calories) drinking a Nalgene bottle full of tea, reading the newspaper, and killing time between clients. I was explaining the World Race to the guy next to me, and he asked this question. I was dumbfounded, and had gridlock- so many ways to begin answering that question. At the end of this conversation, I am sure he thought I needed medication. I still get strange looks from him, he’s a great guy, goes to church with his family, but I think what I said may have been a little far fetched. One example: I don’t think what I believe actually matters to absolute truth, that my opinion doesn’t change who God is. Next example: Yes, I believe Jesus is the only way, I do believe He rose from the dead and ascended to heaven…. I mean obviously I at least have a borderline personality….
Which made me think of our ‘apple’ tree. We have a nice looking apple tree. Right beside our house. Every year it is covered in blossoms. I don’t think I have ever actually eaten an apple off that tree though. This tree is like so much of life, covered in beautiful lies. Always promising, never producing. I assume that the tree is not getting cross-pollinated, but I am not an agriculture major, so I will keep my assumptions to myself. I assume a lot, and you know where that gets you.
So I ASSUME that this ‘apple’ tree is like our ‘church’. Always blossoming, always coming up with some new fancy plan, or program, competing with the ‘church’ down the street, but never producing fruit. Maybe if there was another ‘apple’ tree down the street then the trees would pollinate, and actually produce, but that is not what I am talking about, I keep getting off track.
So, I realize, this guy was completely stating the obvious- the christianity he understands is the same as the islam, hindu, buddhist…. (in fact in our minds we can make up our own religion, isn’t that what we are doing anyway?). He doesn’t see any difference, why? What is the difference between an apple tree that doesn’t produce apples and the oak next to it? They are pretty trees, give good shade….
So the similarity in religions is our own fault, when we sit on the throne and ask God to bless our plans, when our budgets are in the black, and we have the best worship team around…
All religions do lead to the same place when the end we are searching for is our own glory, self-actualization.
The difference is supposed to be the fruit. If I try really hard to produce fruit, all I produce is a fruit-shaped turd. We can’t produce fruit on our own.
Check out John 15, Jesus doesn’t tell us to produce fruit, he says to remain in him. Keep focussed on him. Walk with him. Know his voice. Be FRIENDS with Jesus.
What is the fruit we are to be known by? I believe that starts with love, which is listed first among the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
So what is love? The love that we are to be known by must be different than the love we understand as humans, or religious thought in general. Jesus said love is laying down your life for another, I think we have the feeling love is tolerance, or not offending another.
Check out Linnea’s blog (my links) on this, because that is what we were discussing last night.
