The Theory of Relativity

In an age of social deconstruction, religions are increasingly being lumped together into a single category and considered expressions of some primal human urge rather than a feasible assessment of ultimate reality. As such, religions become equally invalid, interchangeable, and typically reduced to little more than a code of ethics. For those of us who have escaped the seductive call of the post-modern world, I feel it important to bring back to the table some depth to the argument. In an age of religious relativism, where ought Christians stand?

First and foremost, adherents to any religious system should argue that all religions are far more than a guide to ethics. Yes, there is a component to virtually every religion which describes right-vs-wrong. However, there is so much more. Metaphysics, politics, economics, aesthetics, epistemology, psychology, and every other facet of human society is described. While the conflict between religious groups should be more in line with what each of them proclaim to be their appropriate modes of action (ie not by killing each other), to reduce religions to their ethics is precisely what makes them so easy to think of as interchangeable. Religions do not exist to serve a function, but to describe the organization of ultimate reality.

Second, similarities between religions should not be de-facto evidence for religion to stem from some common human need for something to instill social order. The fact that virtually all religions share certain stories, utilize similar ethics, and devise similar doctrines may just as easily be taken as evidence that there is such a thing as a single true religion. Some then try to argue that all religions are grasping at something true, but none have reached it, which is also a wholly unnecessary argument. While possible, it is no more likely to be logically true than to say one particular religion has it right and all others are approximating what it is trying to relay.

Third, very few religions consider themselves to be interchangeable. Buddhism and Islam make some references to other religions which put them in a fairly positive light, but even they are inclusivist at the absolute best (If a person considers himself/herself a Christian, but acts as a good Buddhist or Muslim, they may find enlightenment/salvation). While similar in many respects, even the most similar of traditions contain a plurality of important differences and nuances which make them incompatible with other traditions.

Brothers and Sisters, we live in a fallen world. Other religions provide a continuous barrage to shake loose our footing, and the secular world seeks to make the entire endeavor seem ludicrous. However, we cannot fall for an ideology of us versus them. Spiritual relativism is a powerful force, and one which continually increases its grip on modern society. That does not make it true. Christianity was designed to operate under persecution, and yet when it overcomes us to cry out with our last breath "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" (Acts 7:60)

What we must do as believers is simple. We must understand what we believe as far as it may be understood. We must understand what those who challenge us believe. Finally, and most importantly, we must understand that we are not infallible. We will be wrong. We will encounter arguments that seem impossible to challenge. We must not let the fact that we are not God stand in the way of our belief in Him and what He has done. Agree to disagree. Admit that you don't know when you don't know. Satan will win some battles, but evil shall never win the war.