There are over 200 cultures, all around the world, that still have " legends " that tell about something happening in their past, like Noah and his family, surviving a worldwide flood. At least half of these legends cannot be traced to any known missionary activity.
The oldest of the three prominent religions mentioned above is Judaism, tracing its roots all the way back to a man called Abram ( Abraham ), who lived from about 2000 BC to 1825 BC. He was a descendant of Shem, one of those who were on the Ark. According to the historical record, the lives of Shem and Abraham overlapped by about 150 years. It is likely that they had met, and spent time together, or at least had
knowledge of one another.
Up until about 1900 AD, this wasn't religion. This was simply recorded history. You can find this information in almost any history textbook, written before 1900.
Judaism traces its history from Abraham through Isaac, Jacob ( usually known today as Israel ), and Joseph, who helped his Father's family settle in Egypt. After living in slavery in Egypt for about 400 years, a descendant of Jacob, named Moses led his relatives out of Egypt to form a new nation in what is today called Israel or Palestine. This is all recorded in what we call the Old Testament. Moses wrote that there would come a prophet, like unto him, that would eventually be their king. Over the time from the exodus from Egypt until the coming of the one called Jesus, many things were written about the Israelites. They had many ups and downs. One of their prophets, a man named Daniel, wrote that a Messiah ( anointed one ) would come and die for His people.
When Jesus Christ ( Savior Anointed when translated from the original languages ) arrived on the scene, Christianity and Judaism took separate paths. Those Jews, and Gentiles, who believed that Jesus was the Prophet and Messiah of Judaism, and the promised " God with us " came to be called " Christians ". Those who rejected the claims of Christ and His followers,- that Jesus was the Prophet and Messiah of Judaism, and in fact the only begotten Son of God, are still called Jews, to this day.
There were, and are today, those who call themselves Christians, and those who call themselves Jews, who don't follow the commandments or teachings of Abraham, or Moses, or the Old Testament prophets, or Jesus. This has led to the formation of many other religions, that claim to worship the Creator, the one who brought the worldwide flood.
The first, and foremost, of these new religions was Islam, founded by a person disenchanted with the practices of the Roman Catholic Church and the teachings of Judaism. The founder, Mohammed, in his early writings, was not too far from the teachings of Christianity, but then moved further and further away, from the teachings of Christ, and from the teachings of Moses. This movement began about 600 years after the time of Christ's ministry on earth. In a way, one could call Islam a protest religion. Many have observed that this religion, which professes peace and submission, has always advanced its influence, and number of followers, thru the use of force of violence.
Protestantism came about as a result of discontent within the Roman Catholic Church, the most prominent of a number of branches of early Christianity. Martin Luther, and a host of other former Catholic priests, attempted to return the Church to the teachings of early Christianity. When the Church responded with violence and persecution, the reformers left the Roman Catholic Church, or were thrown out. Most protestant theologians will tell you that they really didn't want to protest anything. They simply wanted the Christian Church to return to the basic Christian teachings, which had its roots in Judaism.
The 1800's in Western Civilation brought forth many new religions. Most claimed to be Christian, but brought forth new ideas that were not compatable with the established Christian faith. Most had their roots in Protestantism, but were rejected by most Protestant churches as heretical. Each had its own new doctrine.
The most significant departure from orthodox Jewish, or Christian, or even Islamic beliefs, has come in the form of a religion, which denies historical truth, and rejects the fact that God created the universe, and everything in it, a little less than 6000 years ago. It hides under the cloak of " science " and is called EVOLUTION, or DARWINISM.
With the help of wealthy people in control of the media, the educational establishment, and governments, it has convinced most people that what they believe is supported by science. In reality, it is nothing more than an elaborate fairy tale, and is being used to change the moral standards of the world, and to make all kinds of abominable behavior accepted as " different lifestyles ", or " diversity ". By using " scientific " terms unfamiliar to most lay people, they deceive people into thinking that they are highly intellegent, and must be right. A close examination of this new religion reveals that it is as foolish as ancient paganism.
What Darwinism teaches is essentially this: " I WASN'T THERE TO WITNESS IT, AND NEITHER WAS ANYONE ELSE, BUT THIS IS THE WAY IT MUST HAVE HAPPENED. Otherwise, I would have to accept the truth of recorded history and Christianity, and change my behavior. "
There are supposedly nine ( 9 ) great " proofs " of evolution. On this page, learn why every one of those " proofs " are false!
If you would like to learn the truth about chemical evolution, click here:
So, some religions are the products of man's imagination. Others are consistent with the truth of recorded history. One religion is not as good as another, and should not be treated as such. The United States of America was founded by Christians. There was diversity, among the Christian beliefs, but it would take a lot of searching to find someone who played an important part in the founding of our country who did not at least profess to be a Christian.
What about the American Indian tribes? For the most part the American Indians believed in a creator god, but had been separated from the people in the fertile crescent, and thus had little knowledge of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Somehow, they lost much of their history. In spite of this, there are still a few American Indian tribes who have an ancient legend of eight people in some sort of craft surviving a worldwide flood.
The bottom line in an analysis of religion, is that some peoples maintained a belief and respect for their creator God, and the need to treat other humans with love and generosity. Others allowed their minds to degenerate into savagery and selfishness.
No, all religions are not equal, and should not be treated equal. Those religions who hold true to their Creator, and the need to treat their fellow human beings with love and charity, deserve more respect than those who seek personal exaltation through selfishness, and the exploitation of others.
Our Creator deserves to be worshiped, and the humans which He created, deserve to be treated with charity. That is the core belief of the Christian religion.
Three prominent religions, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity teach that modern civilation began here, with the landing of a gigantic floating barn, called Noah's Ark, somewhere near the top of Mt. Ararat. The fact that the literal rendering is " mountains of Ararat " or mountains of Urartu " is irrelevant. For thousands of years, this was accepted, not as religion, but history. For more information about Noah's Ark, recent pictures of pieces of the Ark, and its present day location, click here:
Real Photos of Pieces of Noah's Ark!
If that is not what you have been taught, that should tell you something. In many circles, accepted history has been replaced by myths that claim to be science. The writer of this page was a lifelong chemist, one who retired from chemical research a little more than three years ago. When forensic science is in conflict with established history, we need to look closer at the people who are calling themselves professors and teachers of forensic science. What is behind their attempts to distort history, and introduce a " new morality " into our society? In addition, what is behind the sudden emergence of all the entertainment programs that are glamorizing forensic science, CSI Miami, Crossing Jordan, Cold Case files etc.?
Have a blessed day. May God bless you, and your family!
