Part 2 – The reader must make their own determination as to what is true or not true. I am not disparaging any religious system or ideology, nor seeking to draw any conclusions.
Hinduism started around 2000 BC. In it, everyone is part of the universal god who has many manifestations. Jesus is one of many sons of God and He is not God, nor a savior, and His death does not achieve forgiveness of our sins. Reincarnation is essential to eventually “get it right” and one day “enter god.”
Buddhism is more recent than Hinduism, starting around 580 BC, and does not recognize any special god, nor role for Jesus. He was simply an enlightened teacher. Salvation is achieved by the eightfold path and reaching Nirvana. Salvation is freedom from earthy desire and pain.
Islam started about 600 AD and is very similar to Judaism but worships a different god who is “one” and not anyone’s father, nor part of a trinity. The religion holds that Jesus is one of many prophets. Salvation is achieved by doing more good works than bad works (the scales), or else by martyrdom.
Mormon religion started about 1800. Religion believes that God is a created being who was once a man, and that he had relations with another spirit being and was the father of Jesus and His brother Lucifer. Jesus’ death will not save us. Salvation is in large part by works and adherence to many religious practices. There are many “holy books” that are to be adhered to in addition to the Bible. Salvation is by good works and Jesus is one of several Gods, as all will one day be.
The Jehovah’s witnesses started around 1870 and use a different Bible than mainstream Christians. It is called the New World Bible and has many differences, most prominently is that Jesus is not God and there is no trinity. Salvation is by works and is earned.
New Age theology is based upon eastern mysticism and is a mixture of writings from many religions. Gaining momentum in the 1970s, everything and all persons are gods in this theology. Jesus is not our savior and you achieve salvation after several rounds of reincarnation if needed, and bad karma must outweigh good karma.
Many Jewish people do not accept Jesus as their Messiah and many Christians do not accept the “Jewish parts” of the Bible.
There are many other denominations and religions we could discuss. Shifting gears to other ideas and influences…
Evolution enters the picture in the 1800s. Actually, this is an old idea which pre-dates Charles Darwin by a long period. Evolution is very much in opposition to the Bible and pretty much seeks to destroy the creation narrative. If creation is not true, then what else in the Bible is not true, right? Evolution is also in large part responsible for people like Hitler, etc believing (the terrible lie) that certain races were/are superior to others. This is related to Hitler’s horrifying treatment of the Jewish people and the subsequent supposed justification of slavery on the parts of many others. Evolution also leads into socialism and communism. Typically, communism and socialism seek to diminish religion and the family because they are competitors to the government’s full control and authority.
Recently there has been much awareness of extra-terrestrials, UFOs, and out of body experiences via alien abductions and visitations. It can be noted that many who have routinely “been abducted” testify that after calling out the name of Jesus – the abductions stopped! This implies demonic origin. Additionally, intergalactic space flight is likely impossible based upon estimates of time and space between our planet and the far reaches of the universe. The laws of physics, which presumably apply to the entire universe, seem to limit us to the speed of light. Going beyond that speed essentially causes physical distortion and would destroy a spacecraft. I do allow however for the possibility of technology enabling “warp drive” – though not deemed possible at this point. This would be a game changer. It is likely however that most sightings are advanced, classified earth craft developed by various countries.
Then of course there is always the religion of prosperity. Money is the odds-on favorite replacement for God as it yields the illusion of safety and security. As people become more interested in the things of the world and possessions, the desire for God diminishes. Indeed, the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. Prosperity as opposed to persecution is the greater enemy to the pursuit of God.
Enter also the law of the land and governmental decrees. In the U.S., the Supreme Court in the 1960s outlawed prayer in schools, Bible reading, and the teaching or display of the 10 commandments. This was justified by a gross misinterpretation of the constitutional clauses which were intended to forbid the establishment of any one national religion and to prevent the denial of free expression of religion. This of course resulted in ensuring that young people would grow up without hearing about God or morality in schools, thus leaving it to the parents to teach them if so desired. The nature of crime in and out of school since those decisions were taken is a testament to the deleterious effect they had on society. Further decisions approving abortion on demand and celebrating immoral practices added to the breakdown of the societal moral fabric.
Then there is the profound overemphasis on God’s gift of sex. Rather than the expression of love within a marriage, sex is now the main aspect of many lives. The expression of sexual lust appears to know few boundaries. Pornography has polluted the concept of womanhood in the minds of many young men, and “hook ups” are encouraged/endorsed in schools and on TV – “just maybe take precautions”. The incredible value of a woman as a human being with many talents including inclinations to love, support and raise the family is ignored in favor of being the object of errant sexual drives. Whether they are the President of the United States, or a homemaker (likely just as hard and probably more important), their contributions are unique and irreplaceable. Young men are not taught to respect young women.
The destruction of history and principles embraced by this nation’s founders is on the rise. We can see everywhere that God is being removed from the public square and all evidences of sacrifice and morality as bedrocks of our society are being eliminated. “Everyone should do what seems right in their own eyes”, seems to be the mantra of the age in which we live. Media and tech companies seek to muzzle conservative and religious expression.
There are dozens of initiatives that seek the destruction of and adherence to the Judeo-Christian theology, the family, the nation, and basic morality. The obvious question is “who is behind this and why?” I suppose there are many actors actually. No human would be capable or smart enough to do it all. Who is responsible and why?
MAYBE FOR A FUTURE ENTRY … let me know if you are interested.
