But other religions work too!

There were a couple of questions on Sunday night about other religions and this is one of them:

'What about people of other religions who believe that they have been changed in the same way that we, as Christians, feel that we have been changed?'

So I've met a number of Muslims who have had their life changed for the better as a result of following Islam. I've met Jews who have had a deeper sense of morality and care for the world because of their faith. I've met Mormons who have received a sense of purpose and value as a result of their new-found Mormon faith.

I've not met Buddists, Hindus, Christian Scientists, Witches and Zoroastrians with similar stories but I'm sure they exist too.

This is exactly what you would expect. Why? Because there is some overlap between the application of Jesus teaching and the application of other religious and moral teachers.

One application of the Christian teaching of God's grace and love for you is that you don't want to get drunk to hide from reality. Islam teaches that alcohol is evil: 

O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), gambling, Al Ansâb , and Al Azlâm (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaitân's (Satan) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) — Qur'an, Sura 5 (Al-Maidah), ayat 90).

The point here is that avoiding drunkenness is good for you, it makes you healthier, leaves more money in your pockets and enhances your relationships. People who follow religions that teach this will be happier than drunks.

The utterly unique thing about the Christian worldview is the fact that God exists as trinity and the love that the Father has for the Son overflows into this world. God offers us salvation purely because this love overflows to us and not because of anything we do. Our salvation is assured in Christ and there's nothing we can do to make God love us more or less.

Islam, Judaism and Mormonism teach that we need to behave in a certain way for God to accept us. Christianity teaches that Jesus behaved in a certain way so that God can accept us. Christianity is great news - the best - whether you're very religious or in need of practical salvation the Grace of God can set you free.

'Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus' Romans 8

Please get in touch if you have any questions - I might even have a book i can give you!

For more on other religions you can read Amy Orr-Ewing's thoughts here: http://www.rzim.eu/arent-religions-all-the-same

Thoughts on engaging with other specific faith systems are here: http://www.bethinking.org/other-religions/

And I heartily recommend this book for people who have £6 and are interested in thinking about how the Christian worldview stacks up against the others on offer: 'The Universe Next Door'