Religion Oddities - thewaterengine.com

Which Religion Is Right?

FaceBook note: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=235419656512130

The short answer is none, only the self evident truth.

This document is a new work in progress.

The Devil - usually depicted as a character with a pitch fork, gets in there and confuses the people, and worse, poses as an angel of light, as 2 Corintians 11:13-15 depicts! :(

Truth, tradition, or beLIEf?
That is the question, and with research, we can scientifically / rationally determine the answer :)
This document will help you in your journey and is intended to help you, but not solely to be relied upon - I'm just a man.

We're being duped in many ways in the world and even New World Order controlled opposition is running rampant - don't forget that Satan is currently the god of this world! (2 Corinthians 4:4, www.jesus-is-savior.com/Basics/god_of_this_world.htm)

Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Introduction:
So you want to know which is the way to Heaven? Which religion to follow? How to determine what to believe!?

Each religion and belief system raise interesting and wise points with interesting teachers, but vigilance and discernment are needed to see if you're following the living God, a demonic spirit (with Satan at the head), or man - who is inherently flawed as we all are in our ways.

This document is a compilation of my research findings, and is intended to help someone in their relationship with God.

I'm not ruling out the possibility of other religions, though the Bible says that Jesus is the way, and statistics of first hand experience testimonies (near death experience, alien abduction, demonic terror) point in that direction too.

Don't take my word as gospel truth - it is to help you research further elsewhere for yourself :)

I'm of a Christian upbringing, and have had my faith tested in 2005 after a near death experience from what I believe to be a flu vaccine around the time that caused it. This document covers religions other than Christianity. For challenges to Christians, I have a separate document on this called "Bible Basics & Apologetics", where your questions are answered, and further research links are provided. I suggest Christians also read and sincerely consider Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 7:21, Jeremiah 23, Jeremiah 10, Ephesians 5:11, and Ephesians 6:12.

The spiritual realm is very real too (if you've been doing your research, you will see this is true).
Most religions have spiritual aspects of them. Now here's the thing: Are you sure you're getting the right spirit? Malicious entities do lurk around too!

We'll be exposing the one world religion that is emerging. Do you know who is running it!?

Did you know?
Did you know that the vast majority of religions, if not all, seem to be inspired by men, and little to no statistical data is presented regarding dealing with evil / tormenting spirits, and near death experiences!

As for near death experiences, from what I've researched, people of religions other than the true path, have been shown the true path whilst they were on the other side, and realized that who they were following was just a mere man! God is a God of second chance.

Any average Joe can be a leader, with followers. Take for example such a scene going on today, like the Harold Camping group that believed the world would end on September 6 1994, oh wait, May 21 2011, oh that's a fizzer, October 21 2011.

We must check the source for consistency and see what first hand experiencers have to say.

Forgiveness - a God of second chance:
So God is predominantly invisible and obscure, except for subtle signs all around (which many people are oblivious to), but we should make a reasonable go of it to get right with him.

www.jollynotes.com/inspirational-verses/second-chances-verses

Psalm 130:3 (The Message)
“If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance? As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that’s why you’re worshiped.”

God Is Truly A God Of Grace and Second Chances! But Please Remember:
Romans 6 :1-8
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.. (KJV)

Would you forgive someone if they unknowingly done something wrong against you? Would you help encourage them to do right by you? Surely you would! It's the same with God - we are under his forgiveness if we forgive those who do wrong against us. (Matthew 6:9-13 KJV)

Further research links / proofs of God being a second chance to followers of man made religions will be documented, each to their own section.

Knowledgeable people:
Buddha, Krishna, Muhammad, amongst many others, certainly seem to have wise teachings, and it goes without saying that credit is due. The trouble is that they seemed to have passed away, like any ordinary person would. I do know that Buddha and Muhammad have burial sites, and anyone can go visit those. There is no such burial site of Jesus, however!

There is nothing wrong in looking at mens' teachings, but always cross reference and check for consistency! Modern wise teachers do exist today, but would you worship them? Highly unlikely.

Let's hear it from 2 Corinthians 4:3-5:
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

For we preach not ourselves? That's correct - otherwise we would spawn off religions and even cults!

Matthew 23:8-12 (Common English Bible)
8 “But you shouldn’t be called Rabbi, because you have one teacher, and all of you are brothers and sisters. 9 Don’t call anybody on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is heavenly. 10 Don’t be called teacher, because Christ is your one teacher. 11 But the one who is greatest among you will be your servant. 12 All who lift themselves up will be brought low. But all who make themselves low will be lifted up.

Religion -> Re legion away from the Creator?
True Christianity is not a religion, but a personal relationship with God and his salvation - Jesus.
See the difference?

The Bible is a popular pick - let's put it to the test! www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHRP0I2SrVs

"Churchianity" (i.e., the authority structure of institutional Christianity), as the supposed earthly representative of Heaven, has been attempting to take possession of the true Christian community ever since the 4th century (and probably earlier). The church commands true Christians to "surrender" to its authoritarian control, as if the church itself were the mediator between God and humanity. It is becoming more self evident that the Vatican / Pope church back in the dark ages (and still trying to function today!) is definitely a false church.
http://yhvh.name/?w=781

Re-Legion is a "linking back" or "yoking" (as in the Hindu word for religion: "Yoga.")
In contrast, Yahshuah (Jesus) calls us to yoke with him but religion always tries to yoke us to a world-system-controlled "Circe" (church) which leads us away from YHWH (God) instead of to Him.
http://yhvh.name/?w=855

An Appeal to All Who Have Been Judged, Burned, or Hurt by 'Christians' & The Church: www.youtube.com/watch?v=h87CUVxb37o

What Is Relegion? www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMZQTRmfa8Q

What's wrong with this picture?

Who is God?
Galatians 5:22-23 (Common English Bible):
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this.

What are the fruits / characteristics of Satan - the evil deceiver?
Galatians 5:19-21,24-26
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

A common question - what is a Christian?
It is not necessarily someone that goes to church gathering on a Saturday or Sunday. It is their personal belief and following / walk with the living God and Jesus, whichever extent that may be - different people feel / are called to do different things with their life - all for the glory of God, to overthrow evil. They would need to do some sort of study, and discuss with other people, in order to grow spiritually, and discern evil from good / evil posing as good.

One world religion / false messiah:
The signs seem to be pointing to Maitreya as the false messiah, and the one world religion to emerge. Here's the cruncher: this one world religion will be backed by governments, a one world government if the New World Order get their way. Read the fruits / characteristics of Satan - you'll see that it is self evident that governments fit the bill perfectly, so can you trust them to provide you a religion to follow!?

What about those that don't believe in God?
Video - www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZLzLVAUJiU

Atheists don't believe in any God - that is sad as there would be no moral standards to abide by to help keep goodness and honesty in the world. Even if they upheld the moral standards, what hope is there after this life is done? There's a whole bunch of evidence in the creation vs evolution debate, which can be found at www.creation.com

Faith, as a grain of mustard seed (the smallest amount of faith) can save you!
A further study on this: www3.sympatico.ca/lords.word/grain.html

Matthew 17:20
"And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."

This guy didn't believe in God at first, and lived a normalish life, and was even told the story of salvation as a kid: www.aglimpseofeternity.org/content/pages/documents/1206980519.pdf

Jesus said to the thief on the cross who repented "Today (Present tense) you will be with mein paradise" (Luke 23:43). This thief was neither baptized nor partook of the Lords supper he believed and was promised to be with Jesus.

He did no works but only believed. This is hard to accept for those who add requirements to be saved or busy themselves to earn their way to heavens abode.
www.letusreason.org/Doct19.htm

Now I wouldn't recommend living life like normal of unbelief and no service, given that you've received insight into the truth - go and research further and see what you can apply of it to your life!
James 2:22-26 depicts that faith without works is dead.

Those who do believe in God, or somehow think they are God (however that works!?)
Let's look at the various religious beliefs, and put some questions to them. We will start out with the most obviously flawed teachings, and move on towards the more subtle teachings and put some questions to them.

I don't like those and the secret societies / societies of secrets get up to, their intent to wipe most of the people out (The Georgia Guidestones) - their weird rituals seem totally creepy also (such as Bohemian Grove). Then you get cults which go knocking people off and burning their places of worship down :s

Mammon: Probably one of the most followed religions of the world, then Christianity, then Islam, and then other religions as the least followed. Mammon is where people chase after money and excess wealth of this world. They’ll do what they can to get it, sell out whoever and even their destiny after this life to get it :/ The trouble is moths and rust will eventually destroy the material wealths - just look at the stuff thrown out on the council rubbish collections!

Matthew 6:19-21
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Matthew 6:24 says that you cannot have two masters - you'll serve one and turn away from the other.

Television and media:
Seriously! Quite a few people consider TV and media outlets to be their life support! Have you ever tried living without TV and media? I have for a while and still am - life is pleasant :) It sounds kinda crazy watching other peoples' lives, other people singing and dancing about random nonsense, but the biggest issue - trying to comply with computer generated images of people and trying to have the same wealth as them! Come on!

There is nothing wrong in having a TV set in your house, it is what you do / watch with it.

2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.

Atheism / those who don't believe in God:
Video - www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZLzLVAUJiU

Let's look at a short video of a scientific debate: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJoOhbf3_Ts
Another short one: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXqtBdULCfo
And a comedian having a crack at those who believe in God: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZJ-_OTvsqo

He is partly right, but it depends on the context - there are bits left out.
I've seen the other side briefly - there is stuff there if you ask :) I've heard other stories that Heaven is like a similar sort of landscape and there are good works going on - can't be a bad place and a free gift to live on after this life is through and ones remains burnt up or buried in a cemetery :)

The Devil's book and supporting materials are in many places you look in the world - you only have to switch on your TV set to see some twisted ways of materialism and self.

Lol dead relatives :p I'm sure they'll be alot more perkier and brighter, younger, interesting and fun to hang out with :)

Then there's the maths that shows up in nature all around us and in us! The golden mean ratio - 1.618:1 - that pesky number and the Fibonacci sequence shows up everywhere! www.goldennumber.net

Could all that happen by mere chance!? Some Atheists go on to say about the Grand Unified Theory when the basic evolution theory just don't cut the mustard. I would believe them about the Grand Unified Theory, but that is just the mere scientific analysis / explanation of something greater going on in the background :)

Freemasonry is a secret mens club. It is not a secret society, it is a society with secrets, with secret oaths, who knows how many weird rituals!? They claim to worship God, but as one climbs through the ranks (33 degrees with the 33rd being the highest), they realize it is not God they worship but Lucifer / Baphomet / Satan. Why do so many men leave after graduating to the 3rd or 4th degree!? Here is a video where some guys crack open a Masonic Bible: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oF4oryeIJY

Freemasons will say that the pyramid & all seeing eye are not Masonic symbols, and that the eye is God watching over them, and they may be right! One problem: Genesis 1:27 says that we are created in God's image - and we have two eyes! What god has one eye! Something screwy going on there!

There's other secret societies such as 322, Skull & Bones, Bohemian Club, Round Table, etc... all with similar goals. You'll find that government leaders as well as heads of major businesses get up to all sorts of weird "fun and games" in these Satanic cults!

Let's see the Masons answer commonly raised points - of course they'll tell the truth, but they'll leave bits out (such as secrecy, and the pyramid / eye. Check www.masonicinfo.com and www.masonicinfo.com/contents.htm

Christianity:
Christianity it is not without fault either - it's been infiltrated hardcore! (Matthew 7:15, Jeremiah 23).
Bible bashers, greedy TV preachers, those who have somehow tweaked the definition of Bible verses to spin off a cult, preachers who don't encourage their congregation in their walk with God but rather teach some dodgy economic / prosperity message. The real deal being to love others around you no matter who they are, challenge them in a way that builds them, and a personal relationship with God. If you haven't quite cut the mustard / don't think you're good enough, you'd be quite surprised that you would still be acceptable if you ask forgiveness of any wrong ways, start making a few changes in how you live, and encourage others to do the same :)

A music video on greedy preachers and false prophets:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=En2VFj-FvJ4

An Appeal to All Who Have Been Judged, Burned, or Hurt by 'Christians' & The Church: www.youtube.com/watch?v=h87CUVxb37o

Common subtle signs:
You'll find that many world religions have much the same things in common! Why is that? Have a read through and see which elements you find are very similar to yours.

Islam:
There seems to be two different types of Islam: A peaceful Islam, and radical Islam (the terrorists you hear of in eastern countries).

Some say Allah is an Arabic translation of the word “God” – though there seems to be division over which God. Islam / Muslims think of Jesus only being a wise prophet but I think they missed the point that Jesus cheated death by getting crucified and coming back to life some time later to hang around for a while then getting taken into Heaven in a new body (www.neverthirsty.org/pp/bible-questions/answer00484-did-jesus-physically-and-spiritually-ascend-to-heaven.html). Muhammad passed away and was buried as we are. Other prophets mentioned in the Bible had a conventional passing on from this life also.

The Qur'an shows every sign of being a spiritistic revelation, similar to those coming out of modern-day New Age teachings. Even Mohammed himself thought at the beginning of writing the Qur'an, that he may have been possessed by a jinn (a demon). His fits, foamings at the mouth and other manifestations certainly fit in with that idea. Why would God send someone into a crazy fit to reveal a message to them?

Let's check out the revelation of the 10 Commandments from God to Moses:
Exodus 34:29-35
29 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.
30 And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
31 And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them.
32 And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai.
33 And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.
34 But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.
35 And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

In short, the Qur'an even teaches of Jesus being higher than Muhammad - that should be an interesting revelation right there for you!

Research links:
www.islamgate.org/2011/01/tolstoy-and-prophet-muhammad/ - some of Muhammad's wise sayings
http://answering-islam.org/Authors/Arlandson/death_mu_jesus.htm
www.wikiislam.net/wiki/Circumstances_Surrounding_Muhammad's_Death www.bibleprobe.com/magabriel.htm - a former Imam's story
www.near-death.com/forum/nde/000/45.html - A Christian has a near death experience and witnesses a Muslim who enters Heaven by asking for Jesus.
www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=236736913047071 - My FaceBook note on Islam
www.thewaterengine.com/islam.htm - My document on Islam on the internet

New Age:
The main concern is about how we can become our own god - I'm not sure how that works :s Let's face it: if you need a hand lifting something heavy at home or at work, wouldn't you ask someone to give you a hand!? Of course you would! Or else you might not be able to do what you want, or it might hurt you trying to lift it yourself! It's the same for when we pass on from this world - those who have been to the other side know well that a friend will be needed to help them out a bit.

Another big problem is spirit guides - yes the spiritual realms are real, but mischievous spirits are rampant so you want to make sure you're not getting a bad apple!

Something interesting is raised in the book of Genesis in the story of Adam & Eve where if they took of a particular "apple", they could also become like God knowing both good and evil. What does the apple represent? Look at my section on fruits of the spirit, as depicted towards the start of this document.

Randall N Baer's story is interesting - www.equip.org/PDF/DN042.pdf

Here's a music video for you to crank up (Destiny Lab - Unseen Zones) - www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOCaYEV3jDc

Hinduism
They have a few things right, but like everyone, always need to check up on things.

The worship of idols / statues / figures:
Can a creation be higher than the creator? No. Does the creation represent the creator? Depends on the semantics / interpretation of words, but in this case, I'm not sure why you'd need to worship something to connect with God when you can go straight to God?

Salvation by good works:
Sure good works do help, and it helps make the world a better place, though God won't let a less than perfect person into Heaven. Let's face it - we have all done wrong by others, and we need to ask for forgiveness and work out how we can avoid making the same mistakes again.

No saviour needed:
That would be kind of like saying that you don't need a hand lifting something at work or home, or a hand in doing some other job for that matter. Any good work is a team effort! Like how I've researched this document - I've had to research various sources. The world in which we all go after we pass away from this world may be a little tricky to navigate - I've been there briefly! So you'd need a hand in being shown the right way :)

Become a god through obtaining purity:
I'm not sure how this works or if it's meant to work. Let's look at how a business functions:
You have the CEO - the person who runs the show and makes the ultimate / final decisions - representing God. Then you have a team of office workers - representing angels and those in Heaven. Then you have the workers on the factory floor slugging away - these represent workers trying to make a good go in the world and some are like floor leaders - helping the regular workers do their job. I can't see how all the floor workers, the foremen or even the office workers could ever make it to the CEO position!

Hindus, among other religions, believe in reincarnation too, which seems to be a real option, but questionable as I will further outline.

Buddhism
Buddha is often thought of as a man who was a spiritual pioneer searching for answers. He was also a man adrift on the fascination of his own status. In the Acchariyabbhutadhamma-sutta (of the Pali canon), Buddha and other bodhissattas are quoted as saying at their birth, “I am the chief in the world, I am the best in the world, I am the first in the world.” Also, in the Pali canon (in the Majjhima) he is quoted as saying, “Alone am I the All- enlightened.”

And yet, in other places, Buddha takes more of an agnostic view of things: “the Buddha often declared that he was merely a 'guide' (Dh 276), not an authority (D 2:100, 154), and that all propositions, including his own should be tested (A 1:188 f)” (New Light From An Old Lamp- 5 lectures by Tan Beng Sin, Piyasilo). He gave people mere speculations!

www.letusreason.org/Budhdir.htm and www.letusreason.org/buddh6.htm
Near death experience: http://bibleprobe.com/backfromthedead.htm
Buddha told of Jesus: http://bibleprobe.com/buddhatoldofjesus.htm

Karma
What goes around comes around. It's a popular saying.
The Bible says do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Matthew 7:12)

Reincarnation teachings:
I read of some people talking about reincarnation in their beliefs, though some say it’s even a component of Christianity (scientology) but has been suppressed – though who knows!? There’s even many stories in India and other places of people claiming to have knowledge of a prior life. How did they gain that knowledge? Did they just know? Or did they somehow have to channel it (remember that mischievous spirits lurk too!)

Here's the thing though: Even if reincarnation was an option, wouldn't you try and get living life right and the information right as best as you can first go anyways without having to come back to this horrid world!? Much research work has been done for you thanks to the internet, so make hay while the sun shines / make use of it! If you've been doing wrong, turn away from it, ask forgiveness, and expose it to others who may fall for the same snare, otherwise you might get less than you bargained for in the end.

In my near death / out of body experience talking to a light, I saw a tunnel / portal I could enter / option to come back in another physical form was given to me, but uncertainty hung as to what I would come back as, where, and when. I never really thought of reincarnation before that, and I personally won't take it as first preference! I just wanted to come back to this body (as I felt I had not done enough productive good with my life at that time of age 20) or go on to Heaven as I had known / know of that place to be good and certain. I have no recollection of a prior life - if I was to know about it to help me improve in this life, surely it would have been revealed to me!?

Further research links – Doctrines Of Demons:
www.realdeliverance.com/doctrines.shtml