Religion - Is There a True Religion?

In a world with billions of people, thousands of religions, and a ton of different cultures, is there really one true religion that could apply to all of them? We live in a world with massive differences among people. For there to only be one true religion, there would have to be similar traits that are written into the very genetic makeup of every person on earth.

Natural Law:

There is a law that applies to everyone on earth, no matter the age, location, background or race of the person. This is called natural law. There are more natural laws than can be published in a volume, but I'll demonstrate some more common ones. Everyone wants to be loved and no one wants to be hated. Everyone has to eat, drink, breath, age. I believe everyone has the desire to know who they are and what they are doing on earth, hence the debate about the meaning of life.

If you look at all the laws of different cultures through time you'll notice that they are all based on this natural law, whether from a distorted perspective or a clear one. I'll start with the commandment of Jesus. Love God with all your strength, heart, mind and soul and love your neighbor as yourself. How many laws are based on that? You can't kill people, steal, kidnap, etc. It's all based on natural law, that's why each society is able to come up with the same laws.

Good and bad isn't a democratic vote, its natural law. Natural law is based on truth. Natural law cannot contradict itself, so there must only be one truth.

One Truth:

There is only one truth, therefore there can only be one religion. There are many religions with some truth and many people engage in them because there is some fulfillment. There can only be one truth because there is only one God. God is the one who designed the universe and made it to be a certain way. This really is what science is about, to understand the truth revealed in the design of the universe. Religion is to accept God and His plan, without having to understand the infinite design, lucky us. Scientists will never say, "Yess! We finally figured it all out!" There's one truth, taken from the concept of natural law, so there can only be one religion, but before that can be unpacked, the issue of differences must be addressed.

Differences Among People:

There are differences among people, if I said otherwise, then I would throw this article in the garbage for you. No matter how much one person wants to be a doctor, and is supposed to be, I will never become one or want to become one. Having a degree in psychology hasn't helped me to understand why some people want to be doctors and others want to be dog whisperers.

I personally feel that God made people different enough so that the world would work. Someone needs to be a mechanic, a farmer, a dentist. Not everyone could be the same thing obviously. It wouldn't work either if people all wanted to do the same thing, but just got thrown into different jobs. This happens, but a lot of people hate their job, that's no good.

So the real question is if people are different, then how could they all possibly follow the same religion? We aren't that different when it comes to happiness. We all have a hole in our heart that longs to be filled. This hole is infinite and can only be filled with the infinite, which is God. People try to fill the hole with the world and they become incredibly unfulfilled in life. Britney Spears had the world and then had a mental breakdown. Society is trying everything to become happy without God. It has led to mass obesity, abortion, sexual immorality, sexual perversion etc. etc. etc.

So yes, we are all very different, but the method to achieve happiness and fulfillment is the same for everyone. It is also possible for someone to be in the true religion and be less fulfilled than someone who isn't. This is because the person with access to the full truth is only taking 10% of the truth. The person that has 50% of the truth is taking the full 50%. It's no surprise that the people who have the 50% search and search for the other 50%. They eventually end up in the true religion.

One religion, but exceptions to salvation:

There is one true religion, because there is one truth. There is one truth, because there is one God. We know there is one God because everyone has a longing built into their heart to search for the one God. 99% of people believe in God, in one way or another. They have some truth and some concept, but not the whole picture.

Can you go to heaven if you aren't in the true religion?Yes you can, but this is the exception, and not the rule. There are millions of exceptions, no doubt, but no one can choose to be an exception to the rule. God is just and if someone doesn't know how to follow Him the way they are supposed to, then they won't be sent to hell. Hell is a place where people go who reject God and don't follow His laws intentionally. If you know the rules though and claim ignorance, woah to you.

People can and do choose their own religion. God leads people to where they are supposed to be. Being in a certain religion may be a step into the fullness of truth. We've all been in a relationship that we felt was the right one, but was only a step in preparing us for our true spouse. It would be impossible for me to decipher God's plan for the world and in everyone's life.

To say that all religions are the same and correct would be gravely false. The people that leave the true religion, with what they know, will be the most responsible. They reject the truth. Everyone should keep searching for the truth, but only grace and love can move hearts.