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1. Mormonism (a.k.a. The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, or LDS)
Headquarters are in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Founded in 1830 by the self-proclaimed prophet Joseph Smith.
It teaches the original church was destroyed soon after the death of the apostles.
In 1820, when Joseph Smith was 14, he claimed God and Jesus physically appeared to him and told him the traditional churches were "all wrong" and "were an abomination" in God's sight. He claimed to have been visited by the angel Moroni, who led him to gold plates, which he translated into the Book of Mormon.
Smith has works called the Standard Works, which consisted of the Bible (KJV), the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. Of these, only the Bible is said to be not totally dependable.
Of the 65-70 prophecies Joseph Smith made, only 5-6 came to pass.
Teachings:
2. Jehovah's Witnesses (a.k.a. the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society)
Headquarters are in Brooklyn, NY.
They meet in "kingdom halls."
Begun in 1879 under the leadership of Charles T. Russell, who was raised Protestant, but didn't like the concept of hell and eternal judgment, and didn't understand the trinity.
Are ruled by a group of men known as the "governing body," which claims to be part of God's "prophet class," led by angels and Jehovah's spirit to interpret the Bible. Their translation of the Bible is the New World Translation. They teach that only their organization can interpret the Bible -- individuals cannot.
The church has prophesied Armageddon in 1914, 1915, 1918, 1925, 1940, and 1975. They said Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would return between 1925 and 1929, and so they built a house for them.
They claim their church is God's only true visible organization/government on earth, and that all other governments are satanic. They do not salute the flag, say the Pledge of Allegiance, or serve in the military.
They deny the trinity, the bodily resurrection of Jesus, salvation by grace through faith in Jesus, hell (eternal punishment). They also claim the Holy Spirit is not a person. They claim Jesus, the man, is dead, and he resurrected as a spirit being.
They teach Jehovah is the only name God recognizes, Jesus was created & is not God, and the Holy Spirit is not God but the power or love of God.
They also teach only 144,000 will go to heaven (which was used up in 1935), and the rest will live on a new paradise on earth (anyone alive now).
Salvation is by works, including mandatory door-to-door witnessing. They have mapped out the U.S. so that every home is visited 1-2 times a year.
The Watchtower has a history of mind control, requiring unquestioned loyalty. Ex-members are to be shunned, including family. They are to avoid anyone outside their organization.
Verses: (10)Rev 1:8/Rev 22:13/Rev 1:17-18 (in sequence; the last verse says the Alpha & Omega has died), (2)Deut 18:20-22, (8)Col 2:9-10, (7)Luke 24:37-43, (7)Matt 24:30, (7)Rev 1:7, (11)Acts 5:3-4, (11)Acts 13:2, (14)2 Thess. 1:6-10, (8)John 3:3
3. The New Age Movement
This is mostly a spiritual movement. It is a combination Eastern religions, the occult, and Western materialism. It is embodied in various religions like Christian Science, Hare Krishna, transcendental meditation, yoga, and therapeutic touch.
It stems from the belief that God and creation are the same (pantheism).
There are no real distinctions between right and wrong, and between man and the rest of creation.
Since man is god, he creates his own truth. Man doesn't need a savior.
Man can improve through reincarnation.
Man can create his own reality or success by willing it to happen.
Sin is not man's problem -- it is only ignorance.
What differs between the areas of this movement are mostly the methods to raise a person to his "higher self." These include meditation, crystals, reincarnation, psychics, astrology, self-help seminars, etc.
Verses: (1)1 Cor 1:18-22, (2)2 Tim 4:3-4, (1,5)Romans 1:21-23
4. Hinduism
Through reincarnation a person continues to improve. They hold to Monism, the belief that "all is One," that we are one with nature, with the universe, and with all living beings. Hindus are concerned with saving the environment because it is effectively saving themselves.
The Brahman-Atman, or true Reality, is to liberate ourselves with our physical reality and become one with all. Suffering comes because people haven't yet liberated themselves. The physical world is just an illusion, called "maya." At Brahman-Atman, a person achieves "Enlightenment," or Final Liberation.
In Hinduism, Yoga (meaning "yoke or union with God") is the main vehicle for transcending. It is 8-steps, and they liken a person going through this to "a drop of water merging into an ocean." The individual eradicates all aspect of his personality. During Yoga, people often fix on a mantra, which is a word representing a Hindu God.
Instead of raising nature to the value of people, Hinduism results in devaluing people.
Hindu cultures do not build hospitals or schools, because there is no basis for human value. A Hindu swami is know as a "parasite," because he does nothing for people, and lives off others while denouncing the material world.
In Hinduism there is no basis for morality, so there is no right and wrong.
A person's Karma is their position in this life which they inherited by their actions in a previous life.
Science never developed in India, because there is no philosophical basis for it, since the world is an illusion. It wasn't until the Western civilization's influence came to India that it began to develop. They still primarily learn science from schools founded by Christians.
In India, you don't kill rats or cows, because it may be a relative via transmigration, which says you can come back as either a human or an animal. Reincarnation says you come back as a human.
Verses: (7)Heb 10:10, (8)John 11:25-26, (13)2 Cor 5:8, (13)Phil 1:21, (13)Heb 9:27
5. Buddhism
Buddha means "the Enlightened One."
Siddhartha Gautama, who lived around 500 B.C., grew up as a Hindu in a sheltered wealthy life near India. After marriage and a son, he ventured out and saw the suffering of the world. He left his family and set out to find a release from suffering and pain. After 6 years, he achieved "Enlightenment," and became Buddha, meaning "the Enlightened One." He began then to teach others about Buddhism.
Even though he was a Hindu from birth, he was an atheist who never intended to start a religion.
The "Four Noble Truths" that form the foundation of Buddhism are:
1. Life is suffering.
2. Suffering is caused by desire.
3. The cessation of desire eliminates suffering.
4. The stopping of desire comes by following "The Middle Way" between the extremes of sensuousness and asceticism.
"The Middle Way" is achieved through the "Eightfold Path," consisting of the following "Right" things: the Right View, the Right Resolve, the Right Speech, the Right Action, the Right Livelihood, the Right Effort, the Right Concentration, and the Right Ecstasy.
Attaining the Right Ecstasy is when universal knowledge is obtained and reincarnation is no longer needed. You've achieved the state of Nirvana, where you lose all personality and awareness and merge into "nothingness." At this point you will be at peace.
The goal of human existence was to free oneself from the law of "Karma" (cause and effect of good and bad deeds), and achieve the state of "Nirvana."
Originally Buddhists believed Nirvana was only available to monks, but most Buddhists today believe it is open to all.
Buddha condemned idolatry, yet it became an integral part of the religion with all its shrines and statues to which people pray.
When Buddhists are in trouble, sick, in need, their Buddhist brothers often don't come to their aid. Buddha taught that each man is an island unto himself, and "If someone is suffering, that is his karma," and you are not to interfere with another person's karma. (Alternately, in Christianity, each person is of ultimate value, so much that Jesus died for each one of them.)
With Buddha, you are taught how to survive on your own when in trouble. With Christ, He carries you.
Verses: (5)Rom 1:23, (5)Jer 10:3-15, (5)Acts 17:22-25, 29, (6)Isaiah 64:6, (6)Rom 3:23, 5:8
6. Islam (what Muslims believe and teach)
Muhammed took the political laws and culture of seventh-century Arabian tribes, and made them the laws of Allah, their God. In these laws, the sheik (or chief) of the tribes had absolute authority. This is why Islamic countries are ruled by dictators, and not one of the 21 Arab nations today is a democracy. It violates the laws of Islam.
There is no personal freedom or civil rights. That is why most of these countries do not recognize freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, etc.
Allah is their God. This came from the fact that Muhammed's tribe was particularly devoted to Allah, the moon god, as one of their gods. He was represented by a black stone. When Muhammed took control of Mecca, he destroyed the idols of the over 300 other gods, keeping the idol of Allah. But, Muslims say their Allah is the same God as Jehovah. Because Allah was the moon god, you see the crescent moon as the symbol of Islam. The crescent moon is on the flag of every Islamic nation.
Islam teaches that there is no god but Allah, and that man is God's slave. That is where Islam comes from -- it means submission. Islam also teaches you will be judged, based on your deeds, and those found worthy receive a sensuous life in heaven. Those that don't are condemned to hell.
Muhammed first preached in Mecca, but was criticized and attacked, and fled to Medina, in 622 A.D. When he fled is the beginning of the Islamic calendar. He called himself a prophet and apostle (pulling those words from Jewish and Christian faiths), to attract Jews and Christians. He told them to pray to Jerusalem, but they ignored him, so he told others to pray to Mecca, and to his tribal God, Allah. His next revelations were for him and his followers to loot and rob caravans, which they did, often killing those in the caravans. They are known as the religion of the sword, because they used it to force expansion of their religion.
The Muslims have 4 different statements of what happened (in the Koran), but they now choose the one that says Muhammed was visited by the angel Gabriel to receive his enlightenment. He received revelations, and wrote them to be their holy book the Koran. (However, they were probably written years after Muhammed, since he was uneducated and probably didn't know how to write.)
Most Muslims believe Judas died on the cross, that it wasn't Jesus, that he didn't rise from the dead.
Each Arabic tribe has its sacred magic stones. Each tribe has one of their dieties resident in Kaaba.
The six beliefs of Islam:
1. The one true God is Allah.
2. Angels are servants of God to reveal His will.
3. Allah spoke through the prophets, including Muhammed, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.
4. The Koran (or Quran) is the holiest book, but they also believe in (but which they say are corrupted) the Law of Moses, the Psalms, and the Gospels.
5. Each person's good and bad deeds will be judged on the day of judgment.
6. Allah ordains the fate of all. Muslims are fatalistic, saying "If Allah wills it."
The five pillars of the Muslim faith:
1. "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammed is his messenger" is constantly to be recited.
2. Muslims must pray five times a day facing Mecca (in Saudi Arabia).
3. Muslims are to give 2.5% of their salary to the poor.
4. Fasting. Muslims must fast during the light of each day during the ninth month on their calendar.
5. Each Muslim must, at least once, go on a pilgrimage to Arabia to worship at the Kaaba in Mecca.
Some add a sixth pillar, the Holy War (Jihad). Earlier Muslims spread Islam by force, but most today do it through evangelism.
Women are considered property, and most suffer a barbaric circumcision to make them docile and obedient. There is a strict dress code for women (the same as was in the seventh century). They are not allowed to drive. In 1991, some women (including Ph.D.s and medical doctors) challenged the law, and drove cars. They were scorned and mocked throughout the country, and threatened with death.
There is no religious freedom in Islamic countries. This is also partially why terrorism against non-Muslims is justified. Muslims routinely deny Christians basic human rights. For example, after the U.S. saved Saudi Arabia in the Gulf War, 2 Christians were beheaded for holding Bible studies and distributing Christian material.
Verses: (1)John 1:1,14, (7)John 19:20, (10)Heb 1:3, (8)John 3:16, (6)1 John 4:7-10, (8)Titus 3:4-7, John 14:6
7. Roman Catholicism
Catholics, correctly, believe in the trinity, the deity of Jesus, the virgin birth, the sinlessness of Jesus, and the atonement on the cross.
Here are some of the many traditions not based on the Bible. The Catholic Church teaches these as if they were scriptural. It wasn't until the Council of Trent, in 1545, that the church declared tradition to be equal to God's Word. (Note that tradition is okay as long as it agrees with God's Word.)
>> The church was built on Peter (whom they call the first Pope).
>> Purgatory is a place after death where a person can be purged of sin.
>> Prayers can be offered to Mary and dead saints to mediate for us.
>> We can kneel and pray before images of God and Jesus.
>> Confession to a priest can provide forgiveness of sins.
>> The Mass and sacraments are necessary for salvation.
>> Salvation comes only through the Roman Catholic Church.
>> The bread and wine of Communion literally become the blood and body of Christ.
>> Penance and the selling of indulgences (payments or work to shorten someone's time in purgatory).
>> Pay to have Masses said to help a dead relative in purgatory make it to heaven.
>> Worship of Mary. She was born without sin. She remained a virgin all her life. She was raised, in body and soul, into heaven, where she is exalted as Queen of Heaven. Nothing according to the will of God comes to us except through Mary. No one can approach Christ except through Mary. She can still pray for us. Some churches have statues of Mary on the cross.
>> Holy water.
>> Canonization of dead saints.
>> Priests must remain celibate.
>> Praying the Rosary.
>> Saying Hail Marys.
Catholics, in practice, show that the Bible is not the sufficient authority. In addition to tradition, they live by decrees from the Popes and church councils.
There is no higher authority on earth than the Pope. It is necessary for salvation to be in subjection to the Pope. The Pope has full and complete power and authority over the whole Church. The Pope is infallible. Pope Pius the Ninth, in 1870, said "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life... They who are not with me are out of the Church."
Verses: (15)Mark 7:1-9, 13, (15)Matt 23:27-28, (15)Acts 10:42-44, (7)Matt 12:46-50, (7)Matt 1:24-25, (7)Matt 13:54-56, (8)John 14:6, (8)Acts 4:12, (15)Heb 7:22-27, (2)Romans 10:1-3
1. Defense of Your Faith
Mat 13:15: Remember that people can have their hearts hardened, so no matter what they hear, they ignore it or don't understand it.
Rom 1:16: We should not only be ready, but not be ashamed to defend the faith and tell of the gospel.
Rom 1:21-22, 1 Cor 1:18-22: The world cannot understand the message through their wisdom. The foolishness of the message saves.
Phil 1:7: We should defend and confirm the gospel.
2 Tim 2:15: Be a worker for God who can accurately handle the Scriptures.
2 Tim 4:2: Be ready to instruct in the Word.
1 Peter 3:15-16 Always be ready to defend the faith. Do it with gentleness & reverence, so that you may keep a good conscience about your conversation.
Jude 1:3: We should contend earnestly for the faith.
2. False Doctrine
Deu 18:20-22 A prophet can be tested in that if the prophecy doesn't come true, he is a false prophet.
Rom 10:1-3: The Israelites had a zeal for God but it was misled.
Gal 1:9: Accursed is anyone who does not preach the correct gospel.
2 Tim 4:3-4: Some preach a doctrine that is modified to sound more attractive (to tickle the ears).
I John 4:1-3 Test the spirits by asking them to confess that Jesus is from God.
Rev 22:19 God removes eternal life from anyone who takes away from this book.
3. Word
Mat 24:35: God's word never expires or becomes void.
2 Tim 3:16: God directed men what to write in the Bible.
2 Pet 1:21: The Holy Spirit helped men write the Bible.
4. Facts about God
Num 23:19, Hosea 11:9 God is not a man.
Num 23:19 God doesn't lie.
Num 23:19 God doesn't need to repent.
Num 23:19 God always does what he says.
Psalm 90:2. Isa 41:4, 44:6: God is from everlasting to everlasting; He is the first and the last.
Psalm 139:1-4 God is omniscient (all-knowing).
Psalm 139:5-18, Jer 23:24 God is omnipresent (everywhere).
Psalm 139:5-18 He always sees us, and knows our thoughts.
Psalm 147:4-5 He is omnipotent (all powerful) and omniscient (all-knowing).
Isaiah 40:12-31 God is omnipotent, and nothing can compare to Him.
Zec 12:1: God creates not only the earth, but also the spirit in the man.
Mal 3:6: God does not change.
John 1:18, 1 John 4:12: No one has seen God.
John 4:22-24: God is a spirit.
1 John 4:7-10: God is love.
5. Worship only God
Deut 4:16-19 Do not consider the art of man or the stars as objects of worship.
Deu 18:10-14 Do not practice witchcraft, sorcery, spiritist, divination (astrology).
Isaiah 43:10-11, 44:6-8, 45:5-6 God is the only god. There are no other gods.
Isa 47:13-14 Do not practice astrology.
Jeremiah 10:3-15 Works of mens hands are dead, and worthless in spiritual matters.
Mat 4:10: God is the only god to serve.
Acts 17:22-25, 29: God cannot be represented by the art of man.
Rom 1:23: God is not of the form of animals, as some religions believe.
James 2:19: The demons know that there is one God
6. Facts about Man
Isaiah 64:6: Our righteousness is as filthy rags before God. We cannot be viewed as good (without Jesus).
Rom 3:23, 5:8: Everyone has sinned.
1 John 4:7-10: God is love. Therefore we are to love each other.
7. Facts about Jesus
Matt 12:46-50, 1:24-25, 13:54-56: Jesus had brothers and sisters from Joseph and Mary.
Mat 24:30, Rev 1:7: Jesus will return, and all people on the earth will see Him coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Luke 24:37-43: Jesus returned from the resurrection as a physical human, not a spirit.
John 19:20: Jesus was crucified on a cross, and died.
Hebrews 10:10: There was a need for only one sacrifice, Jesus, and it is for all people.
8. Salvation is in Jesus
John 1:12: Become a child of God by belief in Christ.
John 3:3: A person cannot obtain eternal life unless they are born again.
John 3:16: Belief in Jesus gives eternal life.
John 10:7-9 Jesus is the only door for salvation.
John 10:28-29 Jesus gives eternal life.
John 11:25-26 If you believe in Jesus you will never (spiritually) die.
John 14:6: The only way to God is through Jesus.
Acts 4:12: In no other name than Jesus Christ is salvation.
Rom 6:23: Sin results in death (eternal), but eternal life is in Jesus.
Romans 10:9-10 Belief and confession results in righteousness / salvation.
2 Cor 5:21: Jesus bore our sins, so we can go before God as righteous.
Gal 2:16: Justification is by faith not by works according to the law.
Eph 2:8-9 We are saved by grace, not by works.
Col 1:22: Christ died so we can be presented before God as free of sin.
Col 2:9: All the fullness of God dwells in Jesus.
Col 2:10: Jesus is ruler of all people.
Titus 3:4-7: We're saved not by works, but by the grace of God.
1 John 5:10-12 If you have the Son, you have eternal life. Without the Son is without eternal life.
9. Jesus is the Christ
Mat 16:15-17 Jesus is the Christ.
10. Jesus is God
Exo 3:14; John 8:58 God said "I AM," meaning He has existed from all time. Jesus also said, "I AM," meaning He existed with God from all time.
Isa 9:6: The child, Jesus, is also Mighty God, Eternal Father.
John 1:1,14 Jesus was the Word, and the Word was God.
John 10:30: God and Jesus are one.
John 14:7-11 Knowing Jesus is knowing God.
John 20:28: Jesus is God.
1 Tim 3:16: God was revealed in the flesh as Jesus.
Heb 1:3, Col 1:16-17 Jesus holds all things together. God holds all things together.
Heb 1:8: God addresses Jesus as "O God."
Rev 1:8, 22:13, 1:17-18: God is the Alpha & Omega. But, the first and the last died, so that could only be Jesus. So Jesus is God.
11. Holy Spirit is God
John 14:15-23 The Holy Spirit, Jesus, and God all dwell with us. They are all one.
Acts 5:3-4 Holy Spirit and God are the same. They lied to the Holy Spirit, they lied to God.
Romans 8:28-30, Acts 13:2 God calls; the Holy Spirit calls. The Holy Spirit is God.
12. Treasures
Mat 6:19-21 Do not seek or build treasures on earth, but treasures in heaven. What is the focus of your heart?
Heb 11:32-40 Success or treasures on earth does not show the quality of a person's relationship with God. Many Godly people lived their lives without those.
13. Death
2 Cor 5:8: When we die we will leave our bodies and be present with Jesus. It will be better.
Phil 1:21: To die is gain (it will be better for us).
Heb 9:27: We die only one time. After we die, we are judged.
14. Hell
Isa 47:13-14 Astrologers' payment will be with fire.
Mat 11:23: Hades is down, apart from heaven.
Rom 6:23: Sin results in death (eternal).
2 Thess 1:6-10 There is an eternal destruction. Those there receive retribution. People get there if they do not know God and do not obey the gospel.
Rev 20:10-15 Those not written in the book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire where they will be tormented day and night forever.
15. Tradition/Religion
Matt 23:27-28: Some religious leaders are careful to look righteous, but are full of sin inside.
Mark 7:1-9,13: Don't let tradition override the word of God.
Acts 10:42-44, Heb 7:22-27: Remission of sins comes through belief in Jesus, and not by any other person.
16. No Excuse
Romans 1:19-20 No man has an excuse before God, because God has revealed Himself in nature.