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December 2005 - World religions and Christian cults First things first; I do not hate Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Scientologists, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Branch-Davidians, Atheists, or any other group of persons. For one to think otherwise about me is downright wrong. I don't feel disagreement should automatically be construed as hate. That is not fair, by any standard. I seek to not only repair bridges burned, but also to build new ones with adherents of these faiths. I think there many things we can come together as friends and agree upon despite many core differences. Secondly, this piece is not about "proving everyone wrong" or that people of other faiths are idiots. It has nothing to do with having a superiority complex and in fact has everything to do with desiring more humility. This piece is information one for my fellow brother or sister in Christ, and two for anyone else that wants to learn, what I believe to be, objective, yet saving knowledge. Thirdly, this piece is not about exposing some "supposed immorality" those of other faiths live in. On the contrary, the Mormons, Muslim, and atheistic friends I have are some of the nicest, honest, and caring persons I've ever had the honor of knowing. I count my friendship with them as blessings, as God has put them in my life to teach me so many things and enjoy their companionship. Fourthly, I am merely doing what God has commanded us to do as Christians, to "test all things and hold on the good". I don't think we were meant to believe in something just because our parents did or because it made us feel warm and fuzzy inside. I think we're meant to believe in something because it is true, regardless of how we or others close to us "feel". In fact, the Christian Gospel does not make me feel good about myself at all. I don't want to be told I'm a hell-bound sinner in need 100% of Christ's blood. But I know I need to hear that, and I know I need to believe that. That is where the sorrow turns to joy; when death is superseded by resurrection. Fifthly, I find it dishonest and incoherent to maintain a relativistic world view. If God says he created the world, it would be inconsistent, as a Christian, to believe otherwise. In the same way, if Jesus said in the New Testament Gospels that he is the only way to eternal salvation and fellowship with the Father, I'd be inconsistent, as a follower of Christ, to believe otherwise. Just because I take an absolute stance relative to my faith's truth claims, does not automatically construe me to be a mean-spirited, narrow minded individual. On the contrary, I believe it exhibits consistency and conviction. If you cannot tolerate my personal and religious convictions, so be it. Please do not preach intolerance though; you're only making yourself look worse. Sixthly, I do not have any formal degree in any area discussed here. All knowledge and opinions written by myself are the result of a personal, yet honest, pursuit of them. Whether you regard them as valid or invalid because of this fact is up to you. I urge anyone who doubts anything here to check and research on your own, for both my and your sake. Finally, I fully acknowledge I have no empirical "proof" of God's existence and I cannot 100% "prove" to you the Christian Gospel is the true gospel. I can point to countless logical and reasonable evidences that it is so, but true belief involves a component of faith in the transcendental, based in that said reason. I fully acknowledge that Christianity is dis-provable, yet that is what drives me even deeper into it; because for 2,000 years now, its Gospel has remained rock solid, just as Christ told Peter it would… Please contact me at kwojciec@vt.edu if you have any questions, comments, complaints, suggestions, additions, wish to point out factual errors, or have copyright issues. I do not claim every single thing here to be my own brainchild. If you feel I've overstepped any copyrights, please contact me and I will promptly remove the offending material. Please remember though, I am not attempting to make money off this. Thanks, grace, and peace! -Keith Wojciech |
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