All Religions the Same?
You’ve probably heard it before, especially in the last 60 years or so: “All religions are the same. Basically, they all teach people to be good human beings.”
This has become the battle cry for the secular humanist movement in our time, and while this might sound, “tolerant,” “inclusive,” or “unifying,” it’s only partly true,... and only to a small degree, as we shall see.
As Catholics, and indeed as Protestant Christians, we need to understand how this applies, and how to respond with both clarity and charity.
1. Yes, There Are Similarities OK, first off, it is true — many religions encourage moral living, compassion, and justice. That’s because of something called the inherent Moral Law of Man, i.e., the natural tendency of men to be just towards one another, which has been part of human culture since its origins. This exists because God has written His law on the human heart (Romans 2:15). What this means is there are basic moral truths that all men share, the world over...like loving your family, friends, neighbors, helping the poor, the sick, the weak, and the less fortunate, and avoiding evil to do good for the betterment of all. While evil exists, we also find its opposite in these moral qualitites across cultures and beliefs. But, similarity in values, doesn’t mean equality in truth.
2. The Big Difference With Christianity
Where we find the split between simple moral law and Christianity is in one person: Jesus Christ
The Catholic faith, and the Protestant offshoots that sprang from it, teach not just about good morals, but about a particular man, Jesus
Christ. This isn't some abstract, esoteric, or philosophical
doctrine.
Now, other religions – even secularists - may see Christ as a prophet, a wise man, or a moral teacher.
But only Christianity—and especially Catholicism—professes that He is:
1. The Son of God, begotten of God
2. True God AND True Man of Flesh
3. A man that died for the sins of all men
4. A man who rose after death from the dead
As Jesus Himself said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
3. Salvation Is Through two elements: Grace, and Effort Many religions focus on humans reaching up to God through rules, rituals, or self-centered effort. Catholicism, by contrast, teaches that God first reached down to us — through Christ's Incarnation, His ministry, The Cross, and The Resurrection. Salvation, then, is a free gift of grace from God given to us. It is received through faith, holy observance of the sacraments, and good deeds, or, “works,” which we do for others through the love of Christ. In other words, it is both faith, and actions driven by faith, which save us.
4. The Catholic Church Is the Fullness of Truth Okay, now, buckle up - because here is where some of you will find it hard to handle. While there are elements of truth in other faiths, the Catholic Church teaches that the fullness of truth and means of salvation exist in the one and only Church which Jesus, Himsef, set into motion (Catechism 816). And what is that one and only Church? The Catholic Church, which can trace its oririgns all the way back to Christs Apostle's and Pentecost. As you might expect, this gives many people a lot of grief – especially Protestants. They left The Church 500 years ago, to splinter off and form all the uncountable Protestant sects we see today (between 9,000 and 17,000!). So, they have the inherent animosity of the rebellious upstart toward The Church they abandoned. They often go to ridiculous lengths to say Catholics are devil worshippers, for example. Sometimes they call us snobs, or, “holier than thou,” because we can trace this line of Apostolic succession. But they judge Catholics this way out of human pride, anger and misinformation. Because, Catholics don't look down on others; The Church never teaches anything of the sort. On the contrary, we understand that we have the awesome responsibility of sharing the truth with which we've been entrusted. The Church has been tasked with the original, “Great Commission”: to spread the Gospel and teach Gods salvation plan for man through the fullness of truth Which Christ instilled in her. And we take that responsibility seriously.
5. Respond with Respect, but Confidence So, when someone says “all religions are the same,” you should acknowledge whatever shared moral values may exist. But you must also point out:
“They may share some truths, but only one faith
contains the fullness of truth, as follows....
(a) Was founded by Christ personally;
(b) Has existed continuously since the time of Christ;
(c) Is Catholic, or “universal,” in accordance with Christ's command to go to all the world and teach all nations;
(d) Demands that all her members admit the same doctrine;
(e) Exercises divine authority over her members, since
Christ said that if a man would not hear the Church he would be as
the heathen.
And that means the Catholic Church, alone can
rightfully claim...
(a) To have been founded by Christ personally. All other Churches disappear as you go back through history. Christ said, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church."
Yes, there are many pretenders who give themselves the honor of being Christ's Church.
But among all non-Catholic Churches, we find one built on the
concoctions of a man, say, John Wesley; another on the imaginings of
a Martin Luther; another on a Mrs. Eddy, still another, on the mental
gymnastics of John Calvin, asdinfinitum.
But the Catholic Church, alone, can possibly claim to have been built on Peter, the chief of the Apostles, and Bishop of Rome.
(b) To have existed in all the centuries since Christ.
(c) That every one of her members admits exactly the same
essential doctrines, wherever you find them.
(d) To be Catholic, or 'universal.'
(e) To speak with a voice of true authority in the name of God.
Thus, only one Church was literally brought to humanity from God and Christ — the one and only faith Jesus, Himself, established....The Catholic Church.”
That often hurts the feelings of those who wish it were otherwise; especially since once they learn it, it's pretty obvious that they should be part of what Christ established. But no one ever said living in this truth would be easy.
Have you ever had this conversation with someone?
How did you respond?
How will you now respond in the future?
Comments
Post a Comment