Let us first define religion.

Religion is defined as a cultural system of behaviors and practices, world views, ethics, and social organization that somehow relates humanity to those formulated convictions or order of existence. (dictionary's definition, not mine)

So, if a person says they are not religious at all ...well, I'd beg to differ.  If they believe different than me ...they would have had to formulate a commitment or conviction to some belief to say they believe I'm wrong, or perhaps they believe I could be right, but who cares. Or they could say that no one knows, yet they would have had to formulate that idea also. And if they believe in anarchy, stating they reject all authority and are in favor of absolute freedom for every individual ...that is an impossibility, as each person's free desires are bound to conflict with someone else's desires.

Being an atheist is still within the definition of religious ...it's just your beliefs are void of God being any part of how you view life.  Socialism is a religion ...as are most politically dominated ideologies, with their views on how society should be governed.  And in the United States, progressivism is becoming a prominent view.

We know atheists don't believe in the afterlife ...though I would contend that most of the thousands of religions throughout the world believe in an afterlife.

If you don't believe in God ...or if you don't believe in an afterlife, then what basis is there for any standard of living here on earth?? I guess, living one day at a time has much merit ...as does trying to live each day peacefully and to its fullest.

If we are merely promoting world peace, community peace, or just peace with our family and neighborhood ...for the sake of us all just getting along, then that alone really is not getting much traction as an idea within the scope of the world.  Even within our own society, we succumb to things we don't believe in, all for the sake of not wanting to offend.  And in doing so, we actually help to empower those who don't have as much power as they think they do. Yet, even a substandard organization is more powerful than one of inactivity.

Sadly, it seems that communist dictatorships and terrorist organizations grow quite readily within environments and societies comprised of people who fear to offend. We often fail to take a stance because we are afraid of being viewed as intolerant.  In claiming to be tolerant and open-minded, we close our minds to that which we should be open to ...and we align ourselves with permissive ideologies, allowing intolerance to grow in others who pretend to wave their flag of freedom and personal rights.

"Just believe!!" is a saying that has very powerful hope and faith behind it.  If we just believe, it could give a very important and often vital hope for life's circumstances.  Or it can rather be a passing statement that provides too much simplicity, as in "Good day!" or with the impression that "Everything will be just fine!" ...or hunky-dory.  

Yes, to imagine life free from troubles or problems is quite nice ...or if not without struggles, at least, life can be considered quite satisfactory.  Yes, it's good to feel content ...but, life is often not quite satisfactory.

If we believe life to be hunky-dory ...isn't it primarily how we perceive ourselves? If we perceive ourselves as hunky, or strong and dominant ...able to take on whatever comes our way, then that sort of confidence can often go far. 

But, we can also view ourselves like Dory ...swimming through life with confusion and uncertainty.  Half of us could have an over inflated image or ego ...and the other half could possibly use some assistance and direction. Certainly, everything can not be hunky-dory!!

"Just believe!" often works well for many of the child fantasy movies.  As a child, our beliefs have a certain pure innocence. From the onset, we can believe anything our parents tell us ...and as we venture to friends in the neighborhood or cousins our age, we can build on those thoughts to include new ideas, broadening our very imaginative world.  We learn who we can trust around us ...and very integral to our personal growth is the necessity to believe in ourselves.

We can believe in discovery, and we can believe in love.  

We see the importance of being true to ourselves, and we often redefine what that is for us ...as our ideas evolve.  We continue to seek out happiness, and we know that whatever makes us happy ...may not be what works for someone else. We respect other people's feelings ...and as we continue to grow, we learn more about happiness. We realize how problematic and often hurtful life can be if we are not sensitive to the feelings of others or fail to respect who they are.  And we grow to understand many personal good things too ...part of which is learning about ourselves, and what makes us happy.

So, in a sense, we formulate our world ...and though we can be sad for the environment others feel trapped within, we continue to strive to make our life the best we can for ourselves. We become more solid in our convictions ...and we know what we like, as well as having a sense of what we want.  We believe that if our life centers upon these things ...we can maximize the happiness in our lives.

These are our beliefs ...and they should never be taken from us. We believe in our own happiness ...and it is unique to us.  What makes us happy is uniquely what makes us happy ...and we pretty much know what that is for us, better than anyone else. Simply put ...it is what it is.

So, yes, there is a group of beliefs that we have that are based upon our unique needs, wants, and desires. And in getting to know others, it is often through understanding these qualities of a person.

Our beliefs are much inclusive of what is true for us. 

It may be true that our favorite pie is apple.  And in knowing that, a friend may bake an apple pie for us. 

It may be true that we like dogs, and we may own one.  We may like to go to nature trails where other people walk their dogs. Our dogs can play together, and we can talk together ...perhaps beginning to talk about our dogs, then talking about other things.

These may be our beliefs, what is important and true about how we feel and some specifics about what makes for a happy life. Yes, these are the things that are uniquely true for us.

There are also beliefs that are based on other things that are not unique to just us ...that are not just true for us.  It's not just our feel-good stuff.  It is what is truly true.

Seven multiplied by seven is fourty-nine ...and 49 is spelled forty-nine, even if I want to spell it fourty-nine. Likewise, two plus two is not just what I'd like it to be.  And a mule comes from a donkey and a horse ...mules can't reproduce, no matter how stubbornly I want to believe otherwise.

So, in this unique category of beliefs ...there are basically two groups.  There are things we believe that are true, and there are things we believe that are false.  Let me rephrase that ...to say that it's not just the things we believe are true, it's the things that are true that we believe.  And there are also false things that we believe to be true.  It is important what we believe ...but, truth is not dependent upon what we believe. Truth is true, in and of itself.

In some cases, truth may not matter much.  Let's take the example of a diamond.  We have many fakes out there ...probably the most commonly known one is the Zirconia jewelry.  Perhaps you'd prefer to call it an imitation or a substitute, instead of a fake. After all, many people say that the Moissanite jewelry has more luster, and some people like it better than a diamond. 

In our society, we readily accept many imitations such as imitation sugars, butter, syrup, eggs, cheeses, and meats ...to name a few. We feel some are more healthy, yet some are not ...and we often, in a rush, start our day with these or take quick breaks throughout our busy days to fill ourselves with substitutes.

Others are not merely substitutes, but fakes. Most of us have heard of the horrific Haitian dirt cookies. Yet, other countries have also had their occasions ...of trying to pass industrial salt as table salt, putting dirt in black pepper, or even flavoring cardboard.  And though many of these may not pass your country's inspection ...how easy is it to pull one over on your dog, as long as it's packaged well and appears to be a bargain? After all, who really does a taste test?

Yes, some substitutions or imitations may matter little to you. But, how about when it comes to God. Just like there is a true diamond, and many others that are not ...you may think the fake gods have a lot of luster.  Or you may like the substitute beliefs formulated around false doctrines and religions better than what others may tell you is the truth.

Bear with me ...as we have to go a bit further before we go back to the original question of what is the one true religion. Many people like the idea of multiple truths ...and that should be differentiated between what we call many truths within one belief, from the belief that there is not one belief or absolute truth. The latter belief promotes many false beliefs, while accepting that opposing beliefs can all be true.

Most all beliefs in God, also include an afterlife.  So, what would be you prefer to be in that afterlife??

#1) Would you prefer to be a trophy in a museum?

• You'd have no joy, but you'd have no pain either. This is because you'd have no thoughts or emotions, not even a sense that you exist.  Less than a plant actually, as plants do grow towards the light, yet they can be damaged also by external conditions.
• Some of you may feel that way ...or at least, halfway that way. You definitely have thoughts and emotions, but the extent of your feelings may lessen the importance of your existence in your mind. But, if you feel this way, don't stop here ...if you've read this far, there's much more for you.

#2) Or would you want to have feelings, but for God to select and control those feelings ...to make you happy?

• If we are made to be happy, is that really our feelings? If we have a selected directive, and our focus is chosen for us ...isn't that like a robot.
• Few of us may feel that way as we sort of like to own our emotions, but we don't try to own the environment around us ...and we find some comfort in contentment. Yet, many of us do something quite different ...and we substitute the feelings of happiness, with anything that relieves us from feeling how we don't want to feel.  Or we can just try to ignore and pretend those things don't exist. In some cases we may be more like a robot than we'd like to admit, yet we'd also have to ask who it is that is programming us ...as it's not God. We can be angry, and that being our primary focus ...the only way we feel we can rid ourselves from that anger is by getting rid of what makes us unhappy. We maintain our life with this belief and feed those emotions. Constant destruction becomes the only way ...because we will have to keep feeding the anger, as it will never satisfy or go away. Several of those occasions exist because we are often in denial ...whether it is denying that there are indeed problems, or in denying that our solutions are perhaps awry.
• Perhaps if we want our life to be controlled so things are all good, then perhaps this would be the plant stage. If we were just provided with some sunlight, sufficient water, and soil with the proper nutrients ...our life would be grand. Someone could also be assigned to talk to us ...after all, studies have shown that talking to a plant is healthy.
• Well, don't stop reading here ...because there is another way, and it works.

#3) Or would you not want to be controlled, nor made to be happy ...but, rather each of you could choose the influence you want?  

• We can have all our feelings, our thoughts, and emotions ...but, we can be influenced to change how we feel about something, and then perhaps also change how we act. 
• This influence is not through manipulation, deceit, nor coercion ...but, through our own choice, realizing it is a desired and rewarding choice.  Yet, the reward aspect of this comes full circle. A reward is something tangible ...whether we can see it with our eyes, or see it with our heart, it has value and is something we can understand. And if the reward is obtained in the afterlife, we can view it as something earned, or something much unlike a reward ...actually a gift.
• Whether we look at it as a reward or a gift makes a substantial difference. And it makes an even bigger difference ...whether it is imagined, or whether it is real.

Yes, that is the real issue ....exactly that!! That which is real!! And it is not a matter of what is real for you or me. It is what the truth is.

Truth is not a philosophical matter ...for you and me to decide. If I said I was going to make you an omelette, asking you what you wanted on it ...you could say: green peppers, mushrooms, and ham. 

You can have a delicious time with your imagination, and even describe the omelette to a friend or two, so they want one too ...but, then if I tell you we don't have eggs, it would be one sorry omelette. Yet, your explanation to your friend may leave you "with egg on your face", in which case you may be able to make a couple omelettes.

Heaven, the reference many people use for the afterlife destination, is not something you can order up like an omelette ...as it is what it is.  If we feel there will be a vast universe of different heavens for whatever our own unique imaginations can conjure up ...we will be vastly disappointed.

Perhaps it will ease your disappointment somewhat if you can imagine a bit longer. But, instead of imagining what heaven will be like ...how about imagining what you'd desire to be like?? 

In Heaven, would you like to be a robot, plant, or person??? To help you think about it ...just ask yourself what you'd like to be here on earth??  Aside from fantasizing about Hal, in the movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey, most images of people being like robots create images of communist dictatorships and their forced labor ...or slavery. Most of us have angry or bitter feelings about that sort of cruel subjugation. Considering that, perhaps we can move on to the plant ...but, I'm not talking about the plant you may be working at. Near fatal accidents or diseases can leave people in a near vegetative state.  And I don't know anyone who would want to end up that way.  So, I think most of us merely desire to be persons.

Okay, I'll get back to the original question. What is the one true religion??

There are thousands of religions in the world. The greatest division among each of those religions is not merely that they all have different styles of worship. It is important to note how each reconciles the problems between us and God ...and that has much to do with how we discern what we believe is true.

I personally believe that God wants to give us a good environment ...but, God also wants each of us to be a person. And that seems to be what we really prefer also. God doesn't want to give us good environment by having robots toil to make it that way. And if God wanted us to be merely like plants, God would not have put us in a garden to tend to it ...we would have been one of the plants growing up among all the other plants.

I am a believer in the God of the Bible ...and I see how God reconciled our messing up the environment.  No, I don't mean how we've carelessly created air pollution ...rather, I mean how we've polluted the mind's of our youth.  And I don't mean how we've contaminated the water, but how we've watered down the value of His Word to us.  It has a very unpopular title we call ...sin.  Sin is separating from what God would have us do. And we've really messed that up.  But, God was willing to reconcile it all by sending Jesus. And He is still willing ...by our accepting of that greatest of gifts.

It's been over two thousand years since Jesus walked the earth as man ...as man, while still God.  There's been some good since then ...and there's been some really bad. Nobody knows when Jesus will return again, but when He does, He will rule here on earth for a thousand years.

It amazes me that after having Jesus reign for one thousand years ...the people will be ready to be led by the enemy, to rally against Jesus.  The people will not be asked to be robots during the thousand years Jesus rules on earth ...they will have the unique privilege of experiencing the return of a good environment.  Would it not be splendid on both accounts to have Jesus to rule here on earth, and also to later be with Him in Heaven??

But, for those countless people who rally against Him on earth, wouldn't they also want to rally against Him in Heaven??

You may say, that will never happen in Heaven ...as we know Heaven will be a great place.  

But, you forget, it did happen!!

Remember, the first abode of Heaven ...that is where Satan (Lucifer) was thrown down from.

Those who claim that everyone is just a product of their environment, would not be able to uphold that argument. An angel is a person too ...not a human, but a person. And those who argue that everyone just needs an equal chance in life, obviously don't realize what the angels had in Heaven.  I'm not one of those diehard socialists ...but I don't want anyone to die hard either. Yet, though I strongly believe in equal opportunities, I don't believe that given the same monetary chance in life that everyone would do okay. It is more vital that their environment includes God, and has that advantage ...than being gifted with a financial advantage.

One third of the angels are a fairly strong argument to me on that subject. And another indication is in the twentieth Chapter of the Book of Revelations, verses 6-8.  After Jesus reigns for one thousand years, Satan goes out to deceive the nations ...and is successful at it!!  Not successful at winning, only in deceiving ...which is a form of winning for him.

And whether you realize it or not, there are those who are presently rallying against God. Whether it is through rejecting His Word in the Bible, or rejecting us believers who admit we are sinful people ...it is all building a foundation for rejecting God. Everyone should realize that all of us need Jesus to reconcile or make amends for us. If we believe in Him, we are commissioned  to share the truth of that which He has sent us ---the essence of who God is. The truth is contained and revealed to us in the Bible, inclusive of what Jesus and His disciples shared, yet, many people sadly do not see it as truth.

It is through wisdom and a heart transformation, not the substance of rewards we may be used to ...which gives us the advantage. 

And the primary directive is thanksgiving and gratitude, yet it is an internal directive ...upon realizing what Jesus has done for us.  It is called freedom of choice ...we remain who we are, yet we choose whether we want Jesus to transform our hearts or not.

If we were to say there is one true religion in the world, it would be more a religion than true. Are we interested in what we feel is important ...or in what is important to God?? Truth is what God is interested in.  It is a Truth that wants to be recognized as true, not because it needs to be recognized as true ...but, so He can recognize us, as having a desire to recognize Him.

God could appear to each of us. Or He could walk the earth with us, as He has, and will again for a thousand years. But, I believe that what He has shared with us in the form of a history, His story, over the course of over four thousand years ...is sufficient to allow us to know who He is. And now, two thousand more years hence, His Word remains with us.

God wants us to know Him, and it seemed a simple task for me to believe He has given us the very essence of who He is, in His Word, and through His Son ...Jesus.

If you want to believe what is true ...try not to miss it, or dismiss it.

also:(http://stephenmeiner--book-to-blog.blogspot.com/)