Replies

"If you don't think it's that simple and think you have more than two choices in religion, please name them"

I don't "know" much for absolute certain, but as much as we limited humans can "know" anything here goes:

There are two basic ways you can determine how many religions there are: ask people and ask yourself.

If you ask people then you will find that there are probably somewhere around 10 basic religions in the world each broken up into many sects or faiths. Off the top of my head people would tell me they belong to one or more of the following religions: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Animism, Zoroastrianism, Paganism, Shinto, Materialism/Atheism, etc.

If you ask yourself then how many religions there are depends on how you choose to value the differences in religious experience, structure, and expression and how to classify these differences: basically we're talking set theory.

So if you believe that the only real difference is whether or not someone believes in a God, then there are only two religions for you. If, however, you are like most people, then you will differentiate between those people who believe in a single God and those who believe in multiple Gods. You will also differentiate between those people who believe that physical reality (our Earth and ourselves included) is part of God or is separate from God. You will also differentiate based on the nature of that God: is he a "simple" God made up of a single person, or is he three persons in one God, one of which became Man.

You may think these distinction are of little or no importance, but others have died or been killed or started wars or broken up families over these differences.

For instance the Jews and the Muslims both believe in a single "simple" God and yet they are often dire enemies.

With regard to the current "discussion" (or rather all of us except Terriergirl talking past each other...) even two faiths within the same religion can have heated arguments over fine points of theology. My understanding is that Catholics can faithfully hold either the Calvinist or Arminian view on predestination. I believe that some Protestants must believe one or the other depending on their congregation (but I could be wrong.) Personally I believe that with regard to free will there is not a dimes worth of difference between the Calvinist and Arminian views when it comes to free will. There seem to be major differences with regard to other issues such as the Economy of Salvation, but that is not the current topic.

So I guess unless I can "solve" this problem (which may only be my problem since most people not currently staying up late in a dorm hallway arguing philosophy seem to be quite certain of their free will) then I am something of a Pelagian ... i.e. heretic ... i.e. damned to Hell.

So be it.

I just wish that the holier-than-thou types would try and have a discussion with me on the philosophical points. I know I don't always make myself perfectly clear, and I know that they all value the Bible dearly and would much rather discuss this from a Biblical point of view, but can't any of the Calvinists or Arminians just for once in their lives look at this from a philosophical point of view.

I spent years having the King James Bible shoved down my throat and I used to be able to quote scripture and verse on a number of issues. But I believe that there is a God and that he created the Universe in such a way that it is a reflection of his might and wisdom and glory. So whatever we can determine about God from the Bible we can also make a stab at from pure human reason regardless the limitations.

"So if you believe that the only real difference is whether or not someone believes in a God, then there are only two religions for you."

Religion is a matter of "ultimate concern." Obviously religion is more than this, but it cannot be less. Every person has something that concerns him/her ultimately, and, whatever it is, that object of ultimate concern is that person's God. (There's no such thing as an atheist).

wwfb: "If, however, you are like most people, then you will differentiate between those people who believe in a single God and those who believe in multiple Gods. You will also differentiate between those people who believe that physical reality (our Earth and ourselves included) is part of God or is separate from God. You will also differentiate based on the nature of that God: is he a "simple" God made up of a single person, or is he three persons in one God, one of which became Man."

So far, you haven't shown me more than two religions.

One religion is man-centered (man is sovereign).

The other religion is God-centered (God is sovereign).