Can Christianity be harmonized with other worldviews? (Introduction)

This blog is part of my series titled “Is Christianity true?” The series addresses four common objections to the truthfulness of the Christian worldview, namely concerns about: (1) the trustworthiness of the Bible; (2) the historicity of Jesus’ resurrection; (3) the compatibility of faith in God with modern science; and (4) the incompatibility of Christian truth claims with those of other worldviews.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” —JESUS 

WHENCE THE OPINION ALL RELIGIONS ARE DIFFERENT EXPRESSIONS OF THE SAME GOD?

There are several reasons many believe that all religions are fundamentally the same. First, many who claim to be adherents of any particular religion are largely uninformed about other religions. In fact, they are often uninformed about their own! For example, in response to surveys, many in the West tick the box “Christian” under questions pertaining to religious affiliation. In reality, they have not in any heartfelt way repented for being indifferent to God and His purposes in creating them, they have not asked Jesus to forgive them for living autonomously, they have not trusted Jesus to save them from the consequences of their sin, and they have not sought God’s will regarding the many choices with which they are confronted. Thus, they are Christians in name only. 

Second, many who view all religions as much the same are not adherents of any organized religion. They are the so-called “nones” in surveys that ask about religious affiliation. Members of this large and growing cohort tend to be ignorant of the claims of the various religions since they are indifferent to religion. Put another way, religion is irrelevant to them, particularly as to how they live their lives. Not being true adherents of any specific religion, they tend to throw all religions into the same basket. 

And some, if not many, in the “nones” category express their belief in “none-ism” with almost religious fervor! 

According to a Pew Research Center report published in 2015, the religious “nones” were growing as a percentage of all Americans, and at that time they comprised roughly 23 percent of the U.S. adult population. Moreover, 35 percent of millennials in the U.S. (those born between 1981 and 1996) identified as religiously unaffiliated. People in this group would deny (sometimes vehemently) that non-belief is itself a religious conviction of sorts. However, one definition of religion from the Merriam-Webster dictionary is “a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith.” And some, if not many, in the “nones” category express their belief in “none-ism” with almost religious fervor! 

The third reason many people tend to lump all religions together is the desire to avoid conflict or offense. Indeed, this perspective underpins institutional secularism, which demands that religion be relegated to the private sphere and not displayed in public. In today’s politically correct environment, this desire to not criticize a specific religion is a major force governing discourse in the public square. Unfortunately, the practice of critical thinking and the open debate of differing views is under attack. Holding to a particular persuasion is often considered evidence of intolerance.

Next week: Has the word “tolerance” been hijacked? 

Photo taken from cover of “Dissonant Voices” by Harold A. Netland