Don't all religions lead to one same God?

Love,not convert one another

The nineteen South Korean Christian volunteers held hostage by the Taliban in Afghanistan for six weeks were finally freed. It brought great relief not only to the hostages but to the whole international community. It is deeply distressing that two people lost their lives in the ordeal.

According to the Taliban, they were paid $20 million for the release of the hostages, a claim which the South Korean government denies vehemently.

Encouraged by the “reward”, the Taliban have wowed to continue their struggle with more such kidnappings and ransom. Meanwhile the Christian workers say that they went to spread God's love and carry out his wishes and their Afghan ordeal had only strengthened their resolve to send more missionaries. According to some of the hostages they had been tortured for refusing to embrace Islam.

We have a strange situation where the Christian workers went to Afghanistan to “convert” people there but in the process they were kidnapped and tortured to embrace Islam instead. In the process some lost their lives. Where does all these going to lead – where one religious group is trying to convert another to its own faith?

While both groups claim to be out to do God’s work, it is ironical that, in the final outcome, only money could free both of them from their predicament.

In a world plagued with so much hate and violence for fellow humans, we need religion to direct mankind to peace, love and harmony. It is sad that the very religions that were instituted to serve such a noble purpose are being hijacked for reasons contrary to its aims.

Instead of trying to convert others to our own religion, it would be a great service to mankind if we can convert them, by our examples, to become better humans in their own faith, as finally all religions lead to the same God, whom we call by different names.

Dr.Chris Anthony


Comments

drchris,

I wouldn't be so politically right or ignorant to share your titled opinion. As much as people want to highlight on the "conversion" part of the South Koreans, do we forget that they are there for humanitarian purposes also?

I'm speaking from a Christian faith that I believe they did it out of love. Whenever there are disasters around the world, who sets the precedence to relieve those unfortunate victims. I don't deny that there are other groups who contributes but if we look back at statistics, who kicks off such aids and also the amount put into it? I'm not here to glorify these people but rather to just highlight a fact.

Also if we have laws (be it gravitational law, mathematical law) to guard us in this world, why are we so certain that there aren't any laws guarding the heavenly realms? Can we regard ourselves dogmatic when 1+1=2? So will it be dogmatic to claim there is only one way to God?

By klyong2502, 5-Sep-2007