#73: Skeptics Claim All Religions are True—How Should We Respond?
Doug Anson's Apologetics Notes
Skeptics Claim All Religions are True—How Should We Respond?
I’ve often heard claims that sound something like this: “All religions are basically the same; they just represent different ways of approaching the same God.” Have you heard this before?
Behind these claims lies a criticism often leveled at Christianity—the exclusivity objection. That is, we Christians are arrogant for believing that our religion is the only way to salvation, the only true faith.
How would you respond?
In this short video (~3-minutes), a skeptic makes this claim and provides three reasons why he believes it’s true. Tim Barnett (an apologist in Stand to Reason, www.str.org) then responds to each explanation.
I believe Barnett’s responses require little clarification—they’re spot-on and amazingly concise! However, most skeptics are not so ready to offer reasons for their anti-Christian claims. Instead, they make an assertion believing that it is so obviously true that the arrogant Christian could not reasonably claim otherwise.
What do we in AoM recommend believers do in such situations? We believe it is seldom appropriate to immediately counter with defensive responses. Instead, the Christian should turn such challenges around and ask questions.
Since the skeptic (in the video) provides reasons for his claim, it is appropriate for Barnett to immediately provide a response. However, most people make the all-religions-are-the-same claim with no justification so it is incumbent on us to respond with such questions as, “Why do you believe this?”, “How did you come to this conclusion?”, and “Are you familiar with what various religions teach and believe?” You will usually discover that skeptics simply parrot claims they’ve heard elsewhere. They have not thought deeply (or at all) about their assertion and are unable to defend it. When you ask questions, they will struggle responding, at least in a thoughtful way. We often cite Greg Koukl’s recommendation (Stand to Reason President and author of the book, Tactics): require the person making the claim to justify it. It is not your responsibility to immediately defend your beliefs; after all, you didn’t make the claim, the skeptic did!
After you’ve asked your questions, it may then be appropriate to respond. In my experience, I’ve observed skeptics change their view after providing a short, simple counter-example. The reason they change so quickly is because they really don’t understand religious belief systems and how fundamentally different they are.
The following is an example of a response I gave that immediately changed a skeptic’s opinion.
That’s interesting that you believe all religions are the same. I’m not sure I agree.
Let’s look at two religions: Buddhism and Christianity [you can pick any two]. The ultimate goal—salvation—of Buddhism is to lose one’s being and identity through absorption into the great impersonal “Cosmic Soul” or “Consciousness;” this is oftentimes referred to as nirvana. How do Buddhists accomplish this? Well, first, they know they may never be able to achieve this end and, instead, find themselves in an infinite cycle of life-death-reincarnation, etc. But if one is able to meditate long-enough and well-enough, she will achieve “enlightenment”, depart this illusory (non-material) world, and be absorbed into the great Cosmic Consciousness. She’ll forever disappear as an individual. I had a long discussion with one of my high school Buddhist friends and she confirmed this is her desire and goal.
Now the ultimate goal—salvation—of a Christian is to join her Lord and Savior, Jesus, in eternity. Her identity remains intact—not just her soul but also her transformed body [Rom 8:22-24; 1 Cor 15:51-52; Phil 3:20-21]. In this state she enjoys eternal life in the loving presence of her Creator. How does she attain this state? Must she meditate, like my Buddhist friend, or perform other actions in order to gain the favor of her Maker? No. All that is required is to recognize one’s failings (sinful nature), sincerely repent, and place total dependence on Jesus Christ. She must put her faith in the grace and mercy of the One who gave her life. That’s all. No works are required.
So, it seems to me that not only are the desired end states of Buddhism and Christianity very different but the pathways to these end states are entirely different, too. In fact, their gods are completely different as well: the Buddhist “god” is an impersonal force or consciousness; the Christian God is the personal Creator of the universe who desires a loving relationship with his children. In the former, one’s identity is lost; in the latter, one’s eternal life is preserved.
So, I guess I don’t really understand how one can say that all religions are the same. Does this make sense?
We Christians have good reasons why we believe what we do. If we can articulate these reasons in a context and manner in which the skeptic understands, we can show why such claims are simply untrue . . . and prepare the non-believer for the gospel (as I tried to do in my response).
In Christ, Doug
Academic & Military Outreach Director, AoM
“Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect . . .” 1 Peter 3:15