Finally the TRUE answer to why we have so many religions!

[Doubting Thomas]

If only these people realized that if they'd been born in the Middle East, they'd most likely be practicing Muslims, or if they'd been born in India probably Hindu.

[Undeceived]

Either one religion is right or they are all wrong. Logically, there is only one truth and people would create all kinds of other ‘pseudo-truths’ to win fame and money. Even atheists believe their atheism is the only truth. To say we should dismiss all religions because there are so many to choose from is like saying philosophy is worthless because there are so many different views, or science has many theories for one phenomenon so they must all be wrong, or atheism is unreasonable because some atheists still believe in the supernatural while others don’t. I might point out that all religions but Christianity are law-oriented (action for salvation), which lies within natural human tendencies to want to earn our way somewhere. They also don't work hard to gain converts (unless it's a requirement), and their founders all have clear motives (Muhammad- power through war, multiple wives; Hinduism- caste system with priests at top). Christianity, on the other hand, has salvation by grace, works unselfishly to spread the gospel, and nearly all the founders received martyrdoms for their efforts. The Bible is also anti-authority and continually urges churches to be led by a collection of elders, rather than a pope, and to have personal, equal relationships with God and His Word. Finally, a religion such as Christianity is true in many people's minds because by logic and all observable evidence the universe cannot make itself and therefore has a creator and only one creator.

[The Grand Nudger]

Either one religion is right or they are all wrong.

Or many religions are correct in part but not whole, or many religions are incorrect for the most part but get one thing right, or..or...or..try to avoid manufactured dilemmas eh?

Logically, there is only one truth and people would create all kinds of other ‘pseudo-truths’ to win fame and money.

Ever check the average salary of the average preacher here in the States? Ever turn on christian TV? Yep.

Even atheists believe their atheism is the only truth. To say we should dismiss all religions because there are so many to choose from is like saying philosophy is worthless because there are so many different views, or science has many theories for one phenomenon so they must all be wrong, or atheism is unreasonable because some atheists still believe in the supernatural while others don’t.

Corrections, atheists don't believe in god. It isn't differing views that would render philosophy worthless any more than the differing views of religion render them worthless, it's the specific of those views. Science has many theories for any given specific, but by definition all but one are worthless. The only scientific theory among a range of theories that has "worth" is the one that is best supported by evidence. Atheists are people, and therefore capable of being unreasonable, you're criticizing people, not atheism.

I might point out that all religions but Christianity are law-oriented (action for salvation),

You have an awful lot of laws for a religion that isn't law oriented....

which lies within natural human tendencies to want to earn our way somewhere. They also don't work hard to gain converts (unless it's a requirement), and their founders all have clear motives (Muhammad- power through war, multiple wives; Hinduism- caste system with priests at top).

Yeah, some people like to work, others would rather not. Yes, they do work hard to gain converts, as hard as your own little doomsday club. Yep, clear motives, same as your religions founders.

Christianity, on the other hand, has salvation by grace, works unselfishly to spread the gospel, and nearly all the founders received martyrdoms for their efforts.

But, but but, they died for what they believed! Yeah, no one else I can think of ever claimed martyrdom...Allah hu akbar.

The Bible is also anti-authority

and continually urges churches to be led by a collection of elders, rather than a pope,

Unless you're the Pope or catholic, you know, the people who gave you your faith?

and to have personal, equal relationships with God and His Word.

It's such a shame that no one has ever managed to have such a relationship isn't it?

Finally, a religion such as Christianity is true in many people's minds because by logic and all observable evidence the universe cannot make itself and therefore has a creator and only one creator.

Allah hu akbar, Hail Eris, Wotan mit uns...etc etc etc. That people believe in garbage means exactly what? Logic..observable evidence? Awesome, a two-fer. Thanks for the lulz.

[Minimalist]

Either one religion is right or they are all wrong.

Ten bucks on them being all wrong.

[Undeceived]

Ever check the average salary of the average preacher here in the States?

Yes, minus a few outliers it is about the same as a college professor and takes a boatload of work. They are also technically self-employed, meaning their employer does not pay for medical insurance or SS or anything else. Ask any pastor if they're in it for the money and watch their reaction.

Science has many theories for any given specific, but by definition all but one are worthless.

The same goes for religion. If you don't think they contradict read their books. If Jesus claims "I am the way" and Muhammad says "the only way is through the pillars of Islam" and Hinduism says "try to get nirvana so you don't have to be reincarnated again," who's right? This is not about the "be nice and give to the poor" truths. It's about salvation. And if you pick and choose which parts of the holy books are true, you're making the rest out to be lies. That means they aren't divinely inspired. And if they aren't divinely inspired why are you wasting your time?

You have an awful lot of laws for a religion that isn't law oriented....

If you think you know Christianity better, by all means enlighten me.

Yep, clear motives, same as your religions founders.

Tell me what you think are the motives of Christianity's founders then, and provide evidence.

[The Grand Nudger]

Yes, minus a few outliers it is about the same as a college professor and takes a boatload of work. They are also technically self-employed, meaning their employer does not pay for medical insurance or SS or anything else. Ask any pastor if they're in it for the money and watch their reaction.

Ask a senator if he's in it for the money and watch their reaction.

The same goes for religion. If you don't think they contradict read their books. If Jesus claims "I am the way" and Muhammad says "the only way is through the pillars of Islam" and Hinduism says "try to get nirvana so you don't have to be reincarnated again," who's right? This is not about the "be nice and give to the poor" truths. It's about salvation. And if you pick and choose which parts of the holy books are true, you're making the rest out to be lies. That means they aren't divinely inspired. And if they aren't divinely inspired why are you wasting your time?

Sure they do, and? Many were formulated without any knowledge of the others. Who's right....lol, none of them, unless you have some evidence? I don't know, why are you wasting your time? The difference between religion and science, in this regard, is that the determination of which theory best fits is based upon observation, experimentation, and reproducibility. Your truth claim is based on "because this fairy tale says so". Important distinction.

"Enlighten you"? By telling you about christianity? Pretty sure that would be pointless, as the two things are on opposite ends of the spectrum..lol. As far as motivations, why, you made a claim about the motivations of others and provided no evidence, just your own apologetic opinion. I'm a nice guy though. Control, in each and every case, control. I present your own fairy tales as evidence.
(I know I know, it's a bit simplistic and doesn't count in all the people that founded your faith, whose motivations probably covered the entire spectrum. But hey, you decided that this sort of explanation was suitable for other faiths, so it's suitable for your own as well.)

[genkaus]

The same goes for religion. If you don't think they contradict read their books. If Jesus claims "I am the way" and Muhammad says "the only way is through the pillars of Islam" and Hinduism says "try to get nirvana so you don't have to be reincarnated again," who's right? This is not about the "be nice and give to the poor" truths. It's about salvation. And if you pick and choose which parts of the holy books are true, you're making the rest out to be lies. That means they aren't divinely inspired. And if they aren't divinely inspired why are you wasting your time?

You tell me. You Christians are the ones most accomplished in picking and choosing which parts of the bible are true. By your own argument, you shouldn't consider bible to be divinely inspired.

[Ziploc Surprise]

Rhythm wrote: Ever check the average salary of the average preacher here in the States? Ever turn on christian TV? Yep.

Holy Shit! I never thought to do this, but I just did. The normal salary is between $70,000 - $92,000! And some of these fuckers have minimal education (though the job requirement that is stated is a master's degree)! I'm in the wrong fucking business. http://www1.salary.com/Pastor-Salary.html

[Minimalist]

Ask any pastor if they're in it for the money and watch their reaction.

What is the function that a clergyman performs in the world? Answer: he gets his living by assuring idiots that he can save them from an imaginary hell.
-- H L Mencken,

[The Grand Nudger]

@Zip

Yep, and that's not counting their living quarters and all things associated with the church (often the same place) which slip right by taxation. Just where do all those tithes go? lol. The congregation often buys the preacher his car, his house, pays his bills and living expenses, and then....then...his salary. UD would like to paint his favorite con men as hard working everymans...well, if only I were so lucky to be such a hardworking everyman as a preacher...