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Truth in Religion: Two aspects

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Summary:

This section deals with two very different aspects of truth in religion:

1. Theological beliefs: These involve such topics as the nature of gods, or other deities, the afterlife, salvation, seasonal days of celebration, sin, etc. These are taught as truths by the tens of thousands of different religious denominations and traditions worldwide. However, there are major differences in "truth" both within and among religions.
    
2. Social, moral, scientific, cultural, and political beliefs: Faith groups and parachurch organizations also teach and report about about morality and ethics; human sexuality; various scientific topics like the origin of the species, the age of the Earth, cosmology; etc. They often advocate for and against legislation and government regulations. Often, they promote beliefs as truth that conflict with the "truths" of other religious groups and scientists.
   
   We have also noted in recent years that some of these groups are bending the truth -- particularly when battling proposed legislation. We hope to document individual examples of this and provide a more complete and balanced treatment for our visitors.

Topics covered in this section:

Introduction

1. Theological beliefs:

	Beliefs taught as truth within: Christianity Judaism Islam Other religions
	Cardinal beliefs by conservative Protestants and mostly shared by other Christians
	The Ethic of Reciprocity (a.k.a. Golden Rule): A behavioral truth taught by all religions.
	The roles of doubt in religious faith.
	Truth: is it absolute or relative?
	How people view truth in other religions: exclusivism, inclusivism, pluralism.
	Definitions of "Christian."
	Which denomination(s), if any, is the true Christian church?
	Which religion is the true one?
	Religious freedom: the path to peace, in spite of different concepts of religious truth.

2. Social, moral, scientific cultural, and political beliefs:

	Conflicts over "truth" in science and religion
	Truth concerning the age of the Earth Failed dialogue attempt to correct a provable creationist error
	Truth in healing: using prayer instead of medical treatment
	This is a big topic. With all of the bills being proposed in Congress that involve sexual orientation -- like ENDA, DOMA repeal, hate crimes legislation, etc. -- we expect to add many more links here.

Footnote:

1. Unfortunately, the term "religious pluralism" can be confusing because it is sometimes used to mean "religious diversity.")

Copyright © 2009 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Initial posting: 2009-SEP-16
Latest update: 2009-SEP-17
Author: B.A. Robinson

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