why do believers insist there is only ONE GOD?
By cliffcliff
@cliffcliff (1350)
United States
January 19, 2007 3:14pm CST
this does not make sense to me anymore... there could be many Gods. Even the Greeks of ancient times believed in more than one God. Why cant there be a Christian God? Muslim God?or even a God for one portion of the universe, and another God for another part of the Universe? In fact there could be equally beautiful respect for many Gods at once.
There is no reason for only ONE God..
9 responses
@misskatonic (3723)
• United States
19 Jan 07
Because it says in the scriptures that there's only one God. If someone's a Christian and believes in those teachings, then they believe that there's only one God because it says so in the Bible. Multiple times, actually. One of the commandments is actually to believe in only one God. That's like asking 'why don't people of Shinto faith believe in just one God?'. Because that's what the religion teaches.
3 people like this
@cliffcliff (1350)
• United States
19 Jan 07
well thats the issue.. the bible was writtem by humans, and the same humans can believe in more than one god at different times and places. because a religion "says so" puts an end to further qusetioning. i see no reason for just one god except it puts all the power in one being!! btw i am catholic.
@misskatonic (3723)
• United States
19 Jan 07
But most sects of Christianity believe that the Bible is the unquestionable word of God. Written by humans, dictated by God. So it goes against their religion to believe in more than one god. That's the way *you* see it, but that's not how *they* see it. Everyone's entitled to their own beliefs.
2 people like this
@lauriefnp (5111)
• United States
20 Jan 07
misskatonic, I love reading your posts; they are so thought-provoking. I also believe that there can be many Gods. I only believe in one God, but it makes sense to me that the Muslim God is different from the Hindi God and the Jewish God...I also believe that the Bible was written by humans based on the word of God, but that the word can be interpreted differently. I don't believe in the literal translation of the bible. BUT, I was brought up as a Lutheran, which is Christian, so I guess that I am not following the teachings of the Christian religion. What am I doing here? Am I making up my own rules? This is so confusing. I have often thought about taking a basic theology class just to explore these things. Maybe I should seriously give it some thought.
@arseniajoaquin (1732)
• Philippines
20 Jan 07
In Christianity or if we believe in the Christian religion which follows the Holy Bible, we have only one true God. Other religions have their own, and it's up to them. If you don't know what's your religion, naturally you don't know who is your God and you would say there is no reason for only ONE God.
I am a Christian and so I believe that there is only one God and that is the God spoken of in the Holy Bible.
@cliffcliff (1350)
• United States
20 Jan 07
yeah but i noticed the catholics dont read the Bible as much, as they do as like the Baptists do. Us catholics are usually preached to by way of a sermon. and we learn lots of prayers, roasaries and penance, and confessions. It just seemd like the Bible was extra, compared to the catachism class.... anyway thanks for you nice note.
I am curious, why cant we add to the Bible anymore? If it is the word of God throough men and prophets, then why did it stop, all of a sudden? God didnt stop talking did he? Shouldne we be able to still add to the scriptures, that is if there is anyone around do translate the word of God?
i will do more research
@cliffcliff (1350)
• United States
21 Jan 07
so thats the difference then between the the catholics and protestants... seriously catholics dont read the bible as much, dont know why, I grew up in rural pennsylvania, and we were either catholics,protestants or epiciscopalian (?)... these differences are rather moot. I also lived down south where there were mostly Baptists... very practical viewpoints.
but as you can see then, even within the christian faith there is all this nuance, little ways of filtering belief systems. So people revert back to the teachings of the Bible I suppose as a source.
@berlynn1975 (737)
• United States
21 Jan 07
I think, CliffCliff, you doing research may be a great thing. I am Pentecostal (Protestant) and I go to an Assembly of God church. They teach directly from the Bible and wholeheartedly encourage us to read the Bible for ourselves. We are not merely exposed to what "they" want us to see. The Bible, God's Word, was written for ALL mankind.
1 person likes this
@SplitZip (1488)
• Portugal
19 Jan 07
I think it might have something to do with all the religions that claim their god invented the world and mankind. I picture them all bickering "No! I created the world!" "Nooooo, I created the world", then Jesus comes along, trying to give peace a chance and gets socked in the eye.
Since there is so much religious intolerance to go around, I really don't think the one god thing is really an issue ;)
@cliffcliff (1350)
• United States
19 Jan 07
Hey what happened to Granny??? now there's a god!!
I am taking an international business/trade class hehe... but we are studying differences in cultures etc. I am trying to get a job as a travel agent, so thought this class might help. (maybe i will open my own office one day).
Did you ever eat Irish Stew? its made from lamb, i wanna try it or maybe even make myself.
1 person likes this
@cliffcliff (1350)
• United States
20 Jan 07
well i dont think you have to know anything to open a travel agency, but you have to have connections, and be a salesguyperson. The interent changed travel so much, but if you can specialize in packages, or get good at selling overseas air tickets. i have done none of that but took abot five class on travel/tourism industry (like cruises, air, destination studies, geography, travel sales, rail, blah-blah)... now i have to learn the ropes in real life.
I am thinking about making irish stew... not that blood pudding stuff yuck!
1 person likes this
@SplitZip (1488)
• Portugal
19 Jan 07
I needed a change, so I retired Granny :|
I remember you mentioned the business class. What's needed to open a travel agency? All the agencies here seem to be branches of big companies, I wonder if there are still any "family-owned" agencies left?
I've eaten lamb stew, lamb's kind of chewy and it tastes a bit too... "lamby" :)
1 person likes this
@patootie (3592)
•
22 Jan 07
I think this is one discussion where I am only going to have a few words to say ...
If there is a God (and my verdict isn't in yet) .. then he/she is probably the one 'true' God .. we just call him/her by a different name ... !
So if we all took a small step backwards and stopped to reflect upon this I think we could solve a myraiad of seemingly unresolvable religious problems .. we are actually all on the same side .. if only we could learn how to work with each other ...
@cliffcliff (1350)
• United States
23 Jan 07
yeah we call him by a diff name all around... but it really isnt that important even if you are christian, i think what is important is the teaching of jesus (if you are christian that is).
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
21 Jan 07
I wish I had seen this discussion before I just started mine. *smacks forehead*
Anyway, of course followers of religions whose doctrine says there is only one God believe in one God. Why would you read the Bible, say "Oh I believe that", and then go on to say "But I think there are other Gods too even though the Bible says there's only one." If you are going to follow a monotheistic religion, then it follows that you are going to believe in one God.
On the other hand, there are still polytheist religions out there. They just aren't the majority, and even most people in those religions don't believe that the Gods of other religions exist, or don't care.
As for asking everyone to change their beliefs just because it would make it easier to get along with each other, it's not going to happen.
1 person likes this
@cliffcliff (1350)
• United States
21 Jan 07
honestly, i dont feel that Christianity is number one based on the Bible... it just isnt.
It is based on the teachings and acts of Jesus. he taught many things during his life.
He was an enlightened man.
I have been a Christian all my life, and I have hardly read the Bible (and neither did Jesus mind you, and he was the number one guy on this)... not that I am anything like Jesus, but he based everything on LOVE...
@Shresth (263)
• India
21 Jan 07
I think u r not aware of Hinduism. U"ll shocked 2 know but in Hinduism, there's not 1 GOD but according 2 Hindu mythology, there're 33,000 GOD/GODDESS. Just like Jesus in Christianity, d major Hindu Gods & Goddesses r THE SHIVA,BRAHMA,VISHNU,DURGA,GANESHA,PARVATI. No 1 in ur life would b able 2 tell u all of dem. So, read sum Hindi mytical books & u"ll b cleared of d doubts dat believers insist dere's only 1 GOD. Got it?
@berlynn1975 (737)
• United States
21 Jan 07
I think in that aspect, God would be a jealous god. There's only room for one, true, God.
As Misskatonic says, the 10 commandments even state: #1 "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
And, also, as Misskatonic states, religions like Christianity, teach only one God. So, you cannot be part of a religion and only accept certain parts.
@Perry2007 (2229)
• Philippines
21 Jan 07
There is one God amids the gods, it is written in the Bible, even you can become a god. didn't you know?
When you here about the One true God, They must be referring to the one who created everything, remember... In the beginning there was darkness... and God said " Let there be light"... and there was light... Hey dude! read your bible, ain't nobody told you that?
Be careful in what you believe, The battle is in the mind. "Take heed that no one deceives you." While you are at this, take some time to read the bible yourself, read it even though, you read it like you are reading a pocket book or some novel. Finish it, Then you will know far lot better.
Good luck and God Bless!
@lizzyt2007 (1312)
• Craig, Alaska
22 Jan 07
In "The Lords Pray" Its says, "Our Father in the heavens" we all know this father they mention is God and it only says One Father.
Matt. 6:9,10.
Then theres another good scripture to back up only one God.
Ps.83:18
