[Faith-talk] this week's reflection - what is the right way? - understanding others

[Jorge Paez]

There is no clear answer on what the "right" way is.

Of course for us Christians it is knowing Jesus, but the other religions have different perspectives.
Take this theologians line:
"Muhammad was sent to the Muslims, as Jesus was sent to the Christians, as Moses was sent to the jews."

What does this tell you?

Well, if you realize the fact that the jews never accepted Jesus as Christus (greek for Christ), but just as one more teacher, so to speak, and that their main holiday to celebrate the glory of God is passover, in which God leads the Jewish nation out of Israel, and the fact that we celebrate our revelation from God, Easter, on the very week, it shows you that the right way isn't set in stone.

Because our 2 religions have 2 completely different revelations, one from Moses and one from Jesus, both who were messengers of God (and for Christians, Jesus is part of the holy trinity, which is God)
In effect, both revelations were made by God on to us in different eras and in different forms.

Now add to that one more layer.

In the gospel, Jesus says something very interesting after the first revelation of his passion to the 12 disciples. When Peter asks, "Master, why do the scribes say that Elisha must come first?"

Jesus replied "I assure you Elisha will come…" then says "…but surely Elisha has already come, and man has done on to him what they will."

That part caught my attention. If you know your old testament, you know that Elisha, as known by the Christians, has already come. His book is written years before the new testament even begins.

But… where and when and who is the Elisha that Jesus says will come?

I believe the answer is, and I hope that you take this with a theological point and not with bias, but I think it was a reference to the Muslim prophet Mohammed.

Is this not "unChristian?" you ask.

My answer is this,
 God is the ultimate creator, and the ultimate power, all religions agree on this do they not?

Some may ask why Mohammed never appeared in the bible, or any of the later religious figures.

Simple answer.
For each his own messenger was sent.

Signs in times of trouble.

First came Moses, in the old testament. His people were inslaved in Egypt at the time. If you remember the old testament well, due to the writings of the time, the Hebrews are called "God's people" in the text. Without diving into too much detail,
Moses saved the people of Israel, and led them not only out of Egypt, but set standards for them in a life in Israel, in accordance with the will of God.

Then came Jesus.

Jesus appeared in a time where Israel was controlled by the Romans, and the religious leaders at the time were many times corrupt and power hungry.

Notice that his teachings brought on huge crowds, but soon after, and at the birth of Christianity, the jews that had followed Jesus split into 2 groups. Those who called themselves Christians, and those who stuck to the original Torah.

Notice now the appearance of Mohammed.

He, too, like Jesus, was born to a family of humble station. They were merchants. Soon he became well known for his honest business. When he turned 40, he had his first vision, threw the angel Jabril, known in English as Gabriel.

He too, preached in a time when there was a lack of morals and values. Unlike Jesus, who preached to the Jews, who had been given previous commandments, the people of Mecca at the time were polytheists.

And now consider my last example.

The Buddha.

This prince, born in one of the royal families of India, renounced all wealth, and lived in poverty before finding the middle path threw meditation.

He too, stressed the same exact code of behavior as Jesus, as did Moses, as did Mohammed (peace be upon them all) but in different language.


I believe the right way is not a single religion, or a sect, it is a way of life.

If you do kindness, be generous, and humble, despite whatever greatness you might reach,
then you are, though perhaps unknown to you, obeying the same code that almost all religious figures have taught threw out the years.

And now if I say that the right way is one, why different religions?

Simply a matter of understanding and language.
My statement as far as that goes will be this:
pick the faith not that your parents had, but that YOU have.

That means,
it doesn't matter what faith your parents had,
but as long as it is something in which you are strong in faith,
that is your true religion.




Thanks for reading, and remember no one else is better then oneself. Converting others to your religion is simply changing the language of a message that is already there--but I believe you should convert, as long as you don't defame the name of God, or any of his messengers, no matter what their name may be.

Jorge