Chapel Message

Aren’t Other Religions Equally True?

Most Religions Have Value

Good Elements In Common Honesty and integrity Generosity Self-sacrifice Sexual ethics Love for your neighbour The importance of family Civic responsibility Charity …. So when I say I don’t agree with Islam or Hinduism or Buddhism I am not say that there is nothing of any worth in their teachings. There are noble elements in most religions. And there are some very nice people who belong to those religions.

Are All Religions Equally True?

Millions God(s) Concept of God Afterlife Salvation Assurance CHRISTIANITY ISLAM HINDUISM BUDDHISM Millions God(s) Concept of God Afterlife Salvation Assurance Evangelism Resurrected Saviour

Millions God(s) Concept of God Afterlife Salvation Assurance CHRISTIANITY ISLAM HINDUISM BUDDHISM Millions 2,000 1,300 793 325 God(s) Concept of God Afterlife Salvation Assurance Evangelism Resurrected Saviour

Several: (Brahman, Vishnu, Shiva) (Buddha is semi-divine) CHRISTIANITY ISLAM HINDUISM BUDDHISM Millions 2,000 1,300 793 325 God(s) 1 (Trinity) 1 Several: (Brahman, Vishnu, Shiva) Semi-Deities (Buddha is semi-divine) Concept of God Afterlife Salvation Assurance Evangelism Resurrected Saviour … Hinduism – Brahman is the main God, and the others are lesser Gods. … Buddhism – “We do not believe that this world is created and ruled by a God” but they believe in a multiplicity of divine –like beings, and they believe that humans can one day ascend to become divine-like, just like Buddha did.

Several: (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) Disconnected from our world CHRISTIANITY ISLAM HINDUISM BUDDHISM Millions 2,000 1,300 793 325 God(s) 1 (Trinity) 1 Several: (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) Semi-Deities Concept of God Loving, Personal Vengeful, Harsh Impersonal powers Disconnected from our world Afterlife Salvation Assurance Evangelism Resurrected Saviour

Millions God(s) Concept of God Afterlife Salvation Assurance CHRISTIANITY ISLAM HINDUISM BUDDHISM Millions 2,000 1,300 793 325 God(s) 1 (Trinity) 1 Several: (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) Semi-Deities Concept of God Loving, Personal Vengeful, Harsh Impersonal powers Disconnected from our world Afterlife Heaven Jannah Reincarnation (Karma) Nirvana Salvation Assurance Evangelism Resurrected Saviour

Millions God(s) Concept of God Afterlife Salvation Assurance CHRISTIANITY ISLAM HINDUISM BUDDHISM Millions 2,000 1,300 793 325 God(s) 1 (Trinity) 1 Several: (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) Semi-Deities Concept of God Loving, Personal Vengeful, Harsh Impersonal powers Disconnected from our world Afterlife Heaven Jannah Reincarnation (Karma) Nirvana Salvation Grace, Faith Obedience & Observance Dharma (right human conduct) Enlightenment Assurance Evangelism Resurrected Saviour

Millions God(s) Concept of God Afterlife Salvation Assurance CHRISTIANITY ISLAM HINDUISM BUDDHISM Millions 2,000 1,300 793 325 God(s) 1 (Trinity) 1 Several: (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) Semi-Deities Concept of God Loving, Personal Vengeful, Harsh Impersonal powers Disconnected from our world Afterlife Heaven Jannah Reincarnation (Karma) Nirvana Salvation Grace, Faith Obedience & Observance Dharma (right human conduct) Enlightenment Assurance Yes No Evangelism Resurrected Saviour

Millions God(s) Concept of God Afterlife Salvation Assurance CHRISTIANITY ISLAM HINDUISM BUDDHISM Millions 2,000 1,300 793 325 God(s) 1 (Trinity) 1 Several: (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) Semi-Deities Concept of God Loving, Personal Vengeful, Harsh Impersonal powers Disconnected from our world Afterlife Heaven Jannah Reincarnation (Karma) Nirvana Salvation Grace, Faith Obedience & Observance Dharma (right human conduct) Enlightenment Assurance Yes No Evangelism Resurrected Saviour

Millions God(s) Concept of God Afterlife Salvation Assurance CHRISTIANITY ISLAM HINDUISM BUDDHISM Millions 2,000 1,300 793 325 God(s) 1 (Trinity) 1 Several: (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) Semi-Deities Concept of God Loving, Personal Vengeful, Harsh Impersonal powers Disconnected from our world Afterlife Heaven Jannah Reincarnation (Karma) Nirvana Salvation Grace, Faith Obedience & Observance Dharma (right human conduct) Enlightenment Assurance Yes No Evangelism Resurrected Saviour

The can’t all be true, because they all contradict each other!

Millions God(s) Concept of God Afterlife Salvation Assurance CHRISTIANITY ISLAM HINDUISM BUDDHISM Millions 2,000 1,300 793 325 God(s) 1 (Trinity) 1 Several: (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) Semi-Deities Concept of God Loving, Personal Vengeful, Harsh Impersonal powers Disconnected from our world Afterlife Heaven Jannah Reincarnation (Karma) Nirvana Salvation Grace, Faith Obedience & Observance Dharma (right human conduct) Enlightenment Assurance Yes No Evangelism Resurrected Saviour

ISLAM Millions God(s) Concept of God Afterlife Salvation Assurance CHRISTIANITY ISLAM HINDUISM BUDDHISM Millions 2,000 1,300 793 325 God(s) 1 (Trinity) 1 Several: (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) Semi-Deities Concept of God Loving, Personal Vengeful, Harsh Impersonal powers Disconnected from our world Afterlife Heaven Jannah Reincarnation (Karma) Nirvana Salvation Grace, Faith Obedience & Observance Dharma (right human conduct) Enlightenment Assurance Yes No Evangelism Resurrected Saviour

HINDUISM Millions God(s) Concept of God Afterlife Salvation Assurance CHRISTIANITY ISLAM HINDUISM BUDDHISM Millions 2,000 1,300 793 325 God(s) 1 (Trinity) 1 Several: (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) Semi-Deities Concept of God Loving, Personal Vengeful, Harsh Impersonal powers Disconnected from our world Afterlife Heaven Jannah Reincarnation (Karma) Nirvana Salvation Grace, Faith Obedience & Observance Dharma (right human conduct) Enlightenment Assurance Yes No Evangelism Resurrected Saviour

BUDDHISM Millions God(s) Concept of God Afterlife Salvation Assurance CHRISTIANITY ISLAM HINDUISM BUDDHISM Millions 2,000 1,300 793 325 God(s) 1 (Trinity) 1 Several: (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) Semi-Deities Concept of God Loving, Personal Vengeful, Harsh Impersonal powers Disconnected from our world Afterlife Heaven Jannah Reincarnation (Karma) Nirvana Salvation Grace, Faith Obedience & Observance Dharma (right human conduct) Enlightenment Assurance Yes No Evangelism Resurrected Saviour

3 Volunteers

The can’t all be true, because they all contradict each other!

Millions God(s) Concept of God Afterlife Salvation Assurance CHRISTIANITY ISLAM HINDUISM BUDDHISM Millions 2,000 1,300 793 325 God(s) 1 (Trinity) 1 Several: (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) Semi-Deities Concept of God Loving, Personal Vengeful, Harsh Impersonal powers Disconnected from our world Afterlife Heaven Jannah Reincarnation (Karma) Nirvana Salvation Grace, Faith Obedience & Observance Dharma (right human conduct) Enlightenment Assurance Yes No Evangelism Resurrected Saviour

2 Logical Possibilities: They are all wrong One is right and the others are wrong

Why do I believe that Christianity is true?

1. It’s the only religion that deals with mankind’s BIG PROBLEM

2. Jesus claimed exclusivity … Exclusive claim …

4. Jesus claimed Divinity

No other religious founder made such a claim Muhammad Buddha Confuscius

5. The Miracles of Jesus

6. The Resurrection of Jesus … No other religious leader rose from the dead

No Other Religious Founder Rose From The Dead

No Other Religious Founder Rose From The Dead Hundreds of eye witnesses

No Other Religious Founder Rose From The Dead Hundreds of eye witnesses Confirmed by multiple non-Biblical historical sources (Tacitus, Josephus)

No Other Religious Founder Rose From The Dead Hundreds of eye witnesses Confirmed by multiple non-Biblical historical sources (Tacitus, Josephus) Confirmed by modern scholars Frank Morrison

No Other Religious Founder Rose From The Dead Hundreds of eye witnesses Confirmed by multiple non-Biblical historical sources (Tacitus, Josephus) Confirmed by modern scholars Frank Morrison Sir William Ramsay

No Other Religious Founder Rose From The Dead Hundreds of eye witnesses Confirmed by multiple non-Biblical historical sources (Tacitus, Josephus) Confirmed by modern scholars Frank Morrison Sir William Ramsay Lee Strobel

7. The Moral Integrity of Jesus Muhammad Jesus

Jesus claims to be the only way to God:

Christians are often accused of being intolerant

A huge emphasis to emerge from this new postmodern society is the plea for TOLERANCE. But I find that the word is often being used incorrectly.

SOCIETY SAYS: I must accept that mutually contradictory beliefs are equally valid

SOCIETY SAYS: I must accept that mutually contradictory beliefs are equally valid I must not insist that my belief is the only correct belief

SOCIETY SAYS: I must accept that mutually contradictory beliefs are equally valid I must not insist that my belief is the only correct belief I must not try to change another person’s beliefs

There are many things in life where there is only one correct answer.

There are many things in life where there is only one correct answer. Objective Truth

Accepting that mutually contradictory beliefs are equally valid isn’t tolerance – it’s STUPIDITY! …

What is the true meaning of Tolerance?

THE PROPER DEFINITION: Treating others with dignity and respect, even when they hold different viewpoint

THE PROPER DEFINITION: Treating others with dignity and respect, even when they hold different viewpoint Tolerance DOES NOT mean that I give up my right to believe something different!

Dr. Wing Kai Kwan

So, if a Muslim family moved in next door to me …..

I follow a Saviour who uniquely died on the cross for my sins, and indisputably rose again from the dead, and who said …

“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no-one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6)

We live in a world with multiple religions We live in a world with multiple religions. And tolerance means that we should love and respect every person, whatever they believe. But I must also search for the TRUTH, because they can’t all be right. In challenge you to investigate the world’s religions – their beliefs and practices – and most importantly, their founders.

Jesus Confuscius Muhammad You will find that Jesus stands head and shoulders above the rest. I choose to follow Jesus. I believe that he alone can save us. I believe that he is the only way to God. That is not intolerance – it’s discernment. Jesus Confuscius Muhammad