But has Christianity really gone out of fashion? Can we really treat Christianity like a style item - in this season and out the next?
There's a recent wave of belief that all world religions are basically worshipping one and the same God. The differences that exist in the world's greatest faiths are primarily due to the varying needs of the diverse peoples of the world. No one religion is greater than the other. People are all simply using various methods (according to their background) to worship the same God. However, this system of belief begs this question – is it really possible that all the differing belief systems (Christianity, Hinduism, Baha'ism, Islam, Buddhism etc) gear towards one and the same God?
Christianity says that the only way to the one and true God is through a belief in God's only son, Jesus.
Muslims believe in one God revealed in the teachings of the prophet Muhammad as written in the Qur'an.
Hindus believe in the existence of multiple Gods.
The Baha'i faith is a monotheistic (one God) religion that believes in the teachings of Moses, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, Bahaullah and others.
With such differing views of the way to a relationship with God, can we really unify these differences and conclude that they all lead to the same God? Surely they can't all be right?
A few days ago, I heard a song written by a popular Australian singer/songwriter Guy Sebastian called "Get Along". I read an article that says he believes that religion has stirred hatred and fear and that no one has the right to say what they believe is more important or significant.
He sings - "All they know is to divide, and it's easy if they're faceless, to hate the other side." As I listened to the lyrics of the song, I gathered that he was questioning why people from different religious backgrounds just can't get along.
Some important questions
Is there a chance that some people choose to take the "all religions are right" approach because of a fear or "stigma" in associating themselves with only one religion? Could it even be that individuals conveniently select the bits they like from various religions and form a "new religion" to suit their lifestyle or to please the world?
I believe it's not really about which is more important or superior, but it's more about what you truly believe in and are passionate about. If I love God and truly believe in the authority of the Bible and I choose to dedicate my life to living by those principles alone, why should I be called dogmatic? It's a commitment.
In other words, should I really change my Christian belief system because the world says it is wrong? Does being open-minded mean that I should change my moral values that are deeply rooted in the word of God? Would anyone be called dogmatic if they chose to dedicate their lives to the family they love? I'm inclined to think that not.
As a Christian, I believe in one God that sent His only son to die on the cross for my sins. I cannot speak for any other faith but my own. I believe that one of the reasons we don't get along is partly due to our sinful nature – our own selfish desires get in the way of living in peace with one another. We (as Christians) haven't been called to hate, but to love one another (John 13 verses 34-35). We haven't been called to be self-righteous, but to be humble and strive to live according to God's principles, and have respect for everyone.
There is no doubt that we should respect one another regardless of differing backgrounds – religious or non-religious. But I think tolerance doesn't mean that I should deviate from my own beliefs in order to agree, but I believe it also means being able to disagree with respect and love.
If anyone is truly seeking the truth, he should seek with a sincere heart, and they will find it. It's not anything that anyone else can do for you, but you can only do yourself.
So I'm sticking to one faith – my Christian belief. Call it arrogance if you may, but would anyone consider it a passion?
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, love your neighbour as yourself" (Luke 10:27)
Kandima Awendila was born in ambique and lives and works as an IT Service Desk Engineer on the Gold Coast.
Kandi Awendila's archive of articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/kandima-awendila.html