You call me an atheist? I am one more ‘atheist’ than you are. You're atheist to Hindu Gods and Goddesses, Zeus, Thor, etc. I just added one more to the list.
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You asked amazing question my friend! I
would be happy to answer it! First of all, the meaning of the word atheist is
without God. By the definition of this word being based on its etymology
we call you atheist. That’s not an insult! But now when you imply this word to
me, I think there is problem with implication of the word. You are saying that
I am also an atheist because I do not believe in Hindu Gods and Goddesses,
ancient Roman and Greek gods like Thor, Zeus, Orisis, Hercules, etc. Let me now
explain you why the implication of the word atheist to me holds no water.
First
of all, I am God believer. God- Theos in Greek. The Word thus only uses theist
not atheist. Atheist is ‘without God’ and not ‘without particular God such as
Allah, Jesus, Rama, Krishna, etc.’ however, when you call me an atheist, the
context is right rather the use of the word. The context in which you are
calling me simply an atheist is because of my faith in Jesus and rejection in
other Gods. Let my start my journey now answering you with charity friend!
The
question is more precise if you have asked me why only Jesus and no other gods?
There follows another objection: If you claim yourself as God believing person,
then why need of discrimination? Dear friend, I can clearly understand your
question and is very good one. To understand the reason for my acceptance of
Jesus as God and rejection of other gods, we first need to know worldviews. Are
all religions one and the same? Are all gods one and the same? If all were one
and same then there was no problem for me to believe all gods, no rejection, and
no compromise. However my friend, the truth is bitter and just opposite!
In
this world, it is our error to believe that only two groups of people exist:
theist and atheist. Now, slowly come down the stairs and land on the world of
‘theistic worldview’ where you can see mono-theist, poly-theist, pan-theist,
animism, panen-theism and many other forms. Let me add some flavor to it. Even
under the theistic worldview, there are two views: linear and cyclic. Both are
dynamic worldviews.
A
linear worldview has a beginning and an end. The world was created, we were
created, we do survive and die and ultimately we have one final destination to
go either separation from God or eternal living with God. Just distinct from
the linear, the cyclic worldview teaches that this world is under the cause and
effect. There are consequences of our actions which we have to again pay back
until our debt of bad karma is fully paid with our good karma and we get
released from karmic cycle and get to unite with Para Brahman (The Hindu
concept of pantheist in which Para Brahman alone is the reality while the whole
universe is an illusion). Cyclic worldview is also dynamic but has cycles of
births and deaths in contrast to linear. This is what Krishna also teaches to
Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita.
Now,
the monotheism, polytheism, pantheism, animism all have their own beliefs and
cannot be put into one basket. A religion like Islam who believes in One God
Allah cannot be same and one with the Buddhism in which No God exists. Hindu
belief of God became the universe and so God is all and all is God (pantheistic
view) cannot be the same as Christian belief of God as the creator and the
universe his creation. The linear worldviews such as Islam, Judaism and
Christianity cannot be same as the cyclic worldview like Hinduism. Similarly,
belief of animism (anima=soul) that everything has soul is not precisely
compatible with other linear views. Hindu teaching in Bhagavad Gita that
Krishna shall incarnate age to age to protect the righteous and destroy the
evil is incompatible with Bible’s claim of Jesus as only incarnation of God.
Islamic view of Isa, the Son of Mary is not the same as Jesus of Nazareth. Islam
rebukes the concept of crucifixion of Jesus and his divinity but the Bible puts
it as core essence necessary for salvation. Both Islam and Judeo-Christianity
debunk idol worship whereas Hindus have no problem in worshiping God in the
created things as it is pantheistic view. Buddhism rejects existence of God and
authority of Vedas, whereas Hindus believe in pantheist (but Hinduism has
different form of beliefs about God and I have mentioned only a common form
here) and authority of Vedas. Christians’ belief in trinity is in contrary to
Judaism and Islam belief of God as only one person, not the one being in three
persons. Hence, you can analyze yourself my friend! There are vast difference
you see! That’s why there are war in names of religions such as crusade, jihad,
etc. This great misery to human beings cannot be solved unless they know which
one is the true way. Remember, all these contradictions cannot be true at same
time and concept of relativistic view cannot be valid. These all are different
in their essence and fundamental teachings.
Now
you may ask me again, there are lots of countries in this world all
fundamentally different, lots of political formations in a nation, and lots of
nutrition in a single food. I got your point what are you trying to say friend.
First, lots of countries in this world but you cannot be the citizen of all the
countries! Acceptance of one makes the rejection of other. All the religions of
course exist but the issue is not about their existence rather their acceptance
and rejection. Second, lots of political formations in one nation. Yes right!
But think why only one particular political party is chosen to run the nation?
What happens if all are given chance to work freely simultaneously? They are
distinct in their ideology and practical approach and implication friend! What
happens when you think of worshiping in one room with Hindu, Muslim and
Christian altogether? The teachings are different! Go to a Hindu guru and say
that you realized that you are indeed one with Brahman! He will be happy to
listen this. But go to Jewish priest and say the same thing and you will be
ordered to execution! A Muslim cannot tolerate if a Christian rejects Muhammad
and admits Jesus is God! There are differences in ideology and when all are
given chance to imply at once then there is turbulence, entropy, volcanic
eruption, and conflicts. Think yourself! Lastly, what about the nutrition like
vitamins, proteins, calcium, iron, potassium, zinc, carbohydrates, and etc. all
in one food in unity? That’s quite interesting! Think again Hinduism, Islam,
Buddhism and Christianity in one world. Rather there are as much as 4200 minor
religions where they are just major ones! The function of nutrition is
different my friend! They play different roles. But, this is not what reality
with religions! They are not playing different roles to build up a world. Religions
are indeed here to explain answers to four major questions of life: origin, our
identity, the way we should live the life and our ultimate destination. Religions
are hence not acting as having different roles. Each one is exclusive. Rest analysis
I leave it to you friend.
Finally,
one question obviously is common and quest of zeal! Which one is true? One must
be true! The Bible and the Quran cannot be true at same time. The Bhagavad Gita
and the Tripitaka cannot be same. To know which path is true, there is only one
parameter to test. The teaching of ethics is of course admirable in all
religions. In this point many argue that all are same as they all teach love,
peace, kindness, etc. The differences lies now in their analysis on historical,
archaeological, and theological basis. Even a fictional work can have lots of
scientific things in it but when the issue of history and archaeology, then it
comes comes the issue of past that cannot be altered.
Why
I believed in the Bible? I will leave this study and investigation up to you!
The Bible holds volumes of manuscripts other than any religious worldviews, the
Bible holds historical evidences either of Old Testament or New Testament, the
Bible holds many archaeological proofs and the Bible gives appropriate
practical answers to the four core issues: origin, identity, ethics and
destination. Even the Bible critics and secular historians and archaeologists
had accepted the historical relevancy of the Bible. The New Testament accounts
have been verified as accurate historical accounts. The crucifixion of Jesus is
accepted as the accurate history by secular critics as well. There was not a
chance for legends to emerge! The New Testament documents were documented
within a century period during which many people held the testimonials and
witnesses! The Bible holds quotes of wisdom, hidden sciences if we study in
right language of that time, rich in literature, philosophy of life, and so on.
I will leave this all to you. Test and analyze yourself friend!
What
about other scriptures? Hinduism was an evolving religion and till now there
has been many changes in their theology indeed. Bhagavad Gita earlier had 84
verses talking all about Sankhya philosophy but today it has 700 verse! All
Hindu scholars do not agree if Krishna and Rama were historic but in teaching
they are taken as ideal figures and allegory. There has been evolution in
theology of gods and avatars. Vishnu who had no greater position in the Vedas
is now a major god worshiped in Hinduism! Many gods like Varuna, Prajapati,
etc. has been forgotten. Ramayana and Mahabharata that were neither fully a
history nor mythology but great epics to describe the essence of dharma had
undergone many changes in them. Today we can find many versions of these epics.
Not all the events are historically and archeologically supported. The theology
of karma and reincarnation adds up burden to us and has logical and
philosophical challenges. In Islam, God Allah changes his revelation time to
time. Muhammad himself was not sure if the revelation was actually from angel
Gabriel or not. He failed to understand ‘Son of God’ and its usage by
Christians. There are even legendary stories of Isha in the Quran derived from
the Catholic Bible. Even the scholars who has done depth study of the Quran has
found it unreliable in historicity. There is no guarantee of salvation. Even
Muhammad says he doesn’t know what will be happening to him! Regarding Buddha,
he was not a god. The concept of reincarnation in Buddhism also has logical,
philosophical and practical challenges. The Buddhism scripture are also
accompanied with legends. He was indeed historic figure, but not divine. There
is no guarantee that we will have nirvana.
Out
of these all, Jesus’ entrance to this world was not by chance! He entered into
the human world after many and many accurate prophesies regarding where he
shall be born, what his life would be, how he shall be ministering people, how
he shall be betrayed by his own disciple, how he shall be arrested and handed
over his enemies, how he shall suffer, die and again come to life! His entrance
was from a virgin (no sexual relation and its essence is different from other
worldviews like that of Hindu stories). His teachings made people stunned as he
taught with authority, Jewish leaders admitted his words the most remarkable
ever they had heard from anyone. His miracles and authority onto nature,
diseases, demons, etc. His claims to be God as a result of which Jewish leaders
charged him of blasphemy! The evidences he provided for his divinity by his
actions, teachings and practical living a sinless and blameless life! His power
to forgive sins, walking on water, raising dead people, feeding thousands of
people with just 5 breads and 2 fishes, his suffering, his denial, his death on
cross, and his resurrection held the testimony that he was the one whom Jewish
were waiting to be their Messiah! The fulfillment of all prophesies! His
resurrection proved with strength that he is God. The greatest miracle ever! He
gave true hope of life and assurance of salvation and right to become children
of God. He claimed to be the only way to God. He laid his own life to save the
entire humans. He was rejected so that we shall be accepted to God. He died so
that we can get life. He is practical example for us! That’s why I believed
him. In him I found truth, in him I found a loving God, in him I found a caring
God, in him I found light and way back to God. In him was no sin, in him was no
rule of death. When I see Jesus I learn the life. God himself came down to
learn what it means to be a human! How it feels likely to be tempted. How it
feels when rejected, when betrayed, when suffered, when separated from God!
Dear friend, I will give you time, bring me at least one of such God from any
religions you wish under historical basis, testimonials and witnesses. Analyze
yourself friend what’s the different between Jesus and others like Horus,
Hercules, Indra, Vishnu, Allah, Mahaveer, Sai Baba, Buddha, Guru Nanak, Zeus,
Krishna, Rama anyone.
I
don’t reject others, I respect these all but I cannot believe them as God.
Jesus is Hobson’s choice. Study yourself, what has Krishna, Rama, Buddha, etc.
have to say about themselves. If you take away Buddha from Buddhism, yet the
Buddhism remains because Buddha never said to see him but his dharma and his
teachings. If you remove Rama, Krishna, etc. from Hinduism, yet it doesn’t
matter for Hinduism as the karmic cycle and reincarnation still exist and
people have various means to attain moksha no matter if there is assurance or
not. If you removed Muhammad, then also Islam exist for its foundation is four
pillars. They are pointing to a particular way or a teaching, Jesus points to
himself! Remove Jesus from Christianity, the next day all churches shall be
turned to museum and the Bible remains just a book! Everyone came, made us
realize and helped to discover our problems and left with the solutions. Jesus
came, and gave himself to be with us! In life of storms and higher ocean waves,
Jesus stands there and says you to focus on him not the storms. He compares
himself with the 7 essence of life: bread of life, light of the world, true
vine, the door, good shepherd, resurrection and life and way, life and truth.
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