Three Religious Assumptions

Page Summary

The following is a comparative examination of the three basic assumptions of life, (Christian one-life-ism, ** reincarnation, and atheism) and how differently they influence and control the lives of those who believe in them.

Page Content

1) The Three Basic Human Assumptions:

Separating Fact from Fiction

Examples of Leaps of Faith

Billions Are Basing Their Lives on Illusions

Belief -- The Basis of Behavior

Why is this Essay in The Book of Universal-Truths & Wisdom

Very Different Meanings

A List of the Twenty Major Distinctions

How to Know Which Belief a Person Believes In

Which of the Three Assumptions is the Correct One

But What if I’m Wrong

2) Abortion -- Examined in Light of the Three Religious Assumptions.

3) Capital Punishment -- Examined in Light of the Three Religious Assumptions.

** Although the Jewish and Moslem faiths share common
     elements with Christianity, the phrase "Christian
     One-Life-ism" refers primarily to the multiple variations
     of Christianity.

Separating Fact from Fiction?

Unless the reason for life on Earth is totally unknowable, there are only these three possible answers to the Why-life-on-Earth? question -- Christian one-life-ism, reincarnation, and atheism. Philosophers have debated for centuries about which of these three philosophical theories / assumptions is correct. Because these three theories are still scientifically un-provable, the beliefs about them have their foundations resting upon conjecture, speculation, assumption, guesswork, and upon the human need to make up answers unanswerable questions.

In order to ardently follow any one of these three assumptions and deny the other two, the believer must take what, in religious circles, is called the leap of faith. In every philosophical belief system, including atheism, *** there are fundamental, un-provable assumptions that, in the lack of evidence, must be accepted on faith.

*** On common statement we hear is that atheism is not a
       religion.   Well, that depends upon how you define
       religion.   The basic dictionary definition of religion is:
       "a system of religious belief."   So are we talking about
       belief in God   or   Beliefs about God?   If you say belief
       in God, then atheism is not a religion.   If you say beliefs
       about God, then atheism definitely is a religion.

       This is one more example of the universal paradox which
       says, "They can't both be true, but they are."   Again,
       you get to choose what to believe.

Examples of Leaps of Faith:

A leap of faith means that you believe something with no proof at all. Each of the three assumptions, (Christian one-life-ism, reincarnation, and atheism) has its own unique set of beliefs. Because these beliefs are unprovable, the believers of each religion must accept its basic beliefs by a leap of faith. Here are the basic beliefs of each assumption:

Christian One-life-ism:

The basic fundamental assumption of Christianity is that the Christian Bible is correct, is complete, is accurate, and is the only sacred text that God ever wrote. Believers assume that all the sacred texts of the other religions, such as the Koran, the Bahagavad Gita, the Vedas, the Book of Mormon, etc, are merely mythology or fairy tales and are not the word of God. Christian believers assume that they were created as their bodies at the beginning of this earth life° — that they live only once on Earth. and then go to heaven or hell forever.

Reincarnation:

Followers of the reincarnation religions think of themselves as non-physical, multi-dimensional beings whose existence began long before being born into their present physical body. Reincarnationists believe° that because they are spirit beings, they survive death of their physical bodies. They also believe that they repeatedly return to Earth to live another life in another human body.

Atheism:

The atheists assume that they are only their body — a body that somehow, acquired consciousness. Atheists believe they ceases to exist when their body dies.

Billions Are Basing Their Lives on Illusions:

Because each of these assumptions contains a major component that is in direct conflict with the other two, only one of them can possibly be an accurate representation of Earth-plane reality, and at least two of them must contain major false beliefs. This means that significant pieces of two of the Earth’s major religious philosophies must be fantasy creations — products of the believer’s collective imaginations.

Because each of the assumptions has millions or billions of devotees, their mutual exclusivity leaves more than three billion people basing their lives on a fantasy illusions and living outside of objective reality. A significant number of religious leaders support, promote, or endorse murder and mayhem against those who hold different assumptions. All of this says that, on a global scale, and as a species, we’re in pretty bad shape.

Belief -- The Basis of Behavior:

None of these assumptions is provable by present day scientific evidence and yet, each of the three basic assumptions gives very different answers to the question, “Why am I here on Earth? Each of these three assumptions dictates its own response to the question: “How do I live my life on planet earth?” Every human being bases his or her life and his/her day-to-day actions on one or another of these three, root assumptions. Many people simply do so unconsciously.

Also, many people profess one belief, but practice another. This is quite typical of politicians who profess a personal religious belief and then practice atheism and the worship of “The Great God Money” in their political or personal dealings.

Very Different Meanings:

You have but to look out in the world to see that human behaviors vary drastically, depending upon which of the above assumptions the person believes in. The significance and consequences of that behavior also varies widely depending upon which of the above assumptions is the correct assumption. For example, when you examine abortion° and when you examine capital punishment° in light of these three assumptions, some startling and very significant differences become obvious.

Before we look at these two examples, we need to start with an understanding of how each assumption views reality. As you read these distinctions in the chart below, please keep the following three factors in mind:

1) The three assumptions are generalizations and do not apply to all individuals; neither do they apply to any specific individual.

2) Although the Jewish and Moslem faiths share common elements with Christianity, the phrase "Christian One-Life-ism" refers primarily to the multiple variations of Christianity.

3) Atheism is defined as “A person who believes there is no God.” The atheism category has two distinct factions. One faction can be referred to as humanitarian atheists. These people are often very caring, generous, loving, and wonderful people with strong humanitarian interests. The other pole of atheism can be referred to as the ego-atheists. Ego-atheists often show themselves to be egocentric worshipers of money, power, ego, and/or fame.

The table below distinguishing the variations between the fundamental assumptions.

1) Where did (or where do) human beings come from?
Christian One-Life-ism	Every human being was created by "God" at the moment of his/her conception (or at the time of first breath). Before that time, the being did not exist.
Reincarnation	Humans are eternal beings who always were and always will be.
Scientific Evidence	Human bodies evolved along with the rest of the Earth’s life forms.
Atheism	Before birth we did not exist. A human being is merely Earth matter that has somehow magically acquired consciousness.

2) What are we? Are we a body with a soul, a soul with a body or just a physical body?
Christian One-Life-ism	We are human bodies that have a soul.
Reincarnation	We are not our physical bodies. We are eternal beings temporarily experiencing life in a human body.
Scientific Evidence	All physical matter is merely energy in a condensed form. No one knows what "you" and "I" really are. Whatever that is, it's not a physical body.
Atheism	We are our bodies. We are only our bodies. We are Earth matter that has somehow acquired consciousness.

3) What is the distinction between the body and the soul?
Christian One-Life-ism	The distinction is confusing. The Christian Bible makes several clear distinctions between body and spirit. However, the conservative fundamentalists claim that God creates humans as their physical bodies. They also claim that at death, humans magically become something other than their bodies and go to heaven or hell forever.
Reincarnation	Humans are eternal, non-physical beings who simply inhabit physical bodies.
Scientific Evidence	Although there is no clear answer to this question, the available evidence indicates indicates humans are something more than (or something other than) physical bodies.
Atheism	There is no soul. We are our bodies. We are only our bodies.

4) What is the Origin of the Universe?
Christian One-Life-ism	About seven thousand years ago, God Created everything in six days.
Reincarnation
Scientific Evidence	The universe started with “The Big Bang” several billion years ago and is continually changing via the scientific principle called evolution.
Atheism	The universe started with “The Big Bang” several billion years ago and is continually changing via the scientific principles called evolution.

5) What is our relationship to our physical bodies?
Christian One-Life-ism	There is a very strong tie to the physical body. Christians believe they are their physical bodies. Some factions even believe their physical bodies will be resurrected by God on "Judgment day."
Reincarnation	The body is merely a biological apparatus that we temporarily wear. It is about as important as a suit of clothes that can be taken off and left behind. When the body dies, its components return to the Earth to be recycled and transformed into other things.
Scientific Evidence	The evidence indicate humans are something more than (or something other than) physical bodies.
Atheism	Because atheists believe we have no spiritual part, the physical body is of the utmost importance.

6) What is God?
Christian One-Life-ism	"God" is a unpredictable, angry, vengeful, vindictive, supper-human-being living in a place called heaven which is somewhere above the clouds.
Reincarnation	We are each a part of "God." "God" is the sum total of all that is and is the source of all that is.”
Scientific Evidence
Atheism	There is no "God." We have no soul. There is no eternal aspect of us.

7) What is our Relationship to God?
Christian One-Life-ism	God is separate from nature and separate from man. Man is also separate from nature. Nature is something to be conquered. God is to be feared, worshiped, and begged to for favors.
Reincarnation	Everything, including man and nature, is an intimate part of God. Nature is something to be respected and to be in harmony with. We are Each Divine Beings, Co-Creators with God. By knowing, understanding and properly applying the Universal Laws,° we can experience our Divinity here on Earth.
Scientific Evidence
Atheism	Because there is no God, there is no relationship.

8) How do We Connect to God?
Christian One-Life-ism	Believers can contact "God" only through the church leaders and by following church doctrine.
Reincarnation	Believers have a direct connection to "The Source of All That Is". No religious intermediary is necessary.
Scientific Evidence
Atheism	Because there is no God, there is no such connection.

9) When, where and how long we live?
Christian One-Life-ism	We live only once on the earth. (An insignificant amount of time relative to eternity in heaven or hell.)
Reincarnation	We are eternal beings who inhabit a series of human bodies in continuing cycles of lives on earth.
Scientific Evidence
Atheism	This one life, here on Earth, is all there is.

10) What happens after the body dies?
Christian One-Life-ism	Humans are transformed from a physical body into something non-physical and then go to heaven or hell forever.
Reincarnation	Our consciousness re-focuses on our non-physical state of existence. In that state of being, we decide when and under what circumstances to come back to Earth again to live another life in another human body.
Scientific Evidence
Atheism	After death there is nothing. We cease to exist.

11) What are the consequences of our actions?
Christian One-Life-ism	Our eternal fate is based upon what we do here on earth in this one lifetime regardless of how long or short our Earth life is.
Reincarnation	Belief 1) We have total responsibility for our behavior and experiences. We attract back to us (in this life or in another life) all of our actions multi-fold. Belief 2) Once we leave the body, we are free of all ties and responsibilities to our past Earth life. We may choose to continue with an issue, but there is no "Higher Authority" forcing us to do so.
Scientific Evidence	In our present Earth-life, there is a distinct cause and effect relationship. Our thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, and expectations are the first cause of everything we experience. Our words and actions are the second step in that creative process.
Atheism	There are no consequences of one's actions beyond what one experiences in this life in this physical body.

12) What is the human relationship to planet Earth?
Christian One-Life-ism	Because Earth is considered to be simply a way station between conception and heaven, the long-term effects of the believer’s actions upon our earthly environment can be (and very often are) completely ignored ***
Reincarnation	The long-term effects of our actions upon our earthly environment are of vital importance to ourselves, to our fellow humans, to future generations, and to every other living creature on this earth.
Scientific Evidence	Humans are in integral part of the Earth's eco-system. As Chief Seattle said, "Man did not create the web of life. He is merely a strand in it."
Atheism	The long-term effects of our actions upon our earthly environment can be and usually are completely ignored by ego atheists. "The Great God Money" rules the lives of ego-atheists. The needs of future generations are completely ignored.
*** Genesis 1:28 of the Christian Bible says in part: “…Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion over…” This verse seems to denote that the Earth is simply something expendable that is simply provided for humans to use any way they choose. Regardless of what that verse means, humans have turned Sacred Mother Earth into a cosmic Titanic.

13) What is the Purpose of Earth life?
Christian One-Life-ism	Earth life is a ticket to heaven --- a ticket to “pie-in-the-sky -by-and-by.” Earth is a testing ground to see who’s good enough to get into heaven. Some believe they must suffer on Earth and avoid sexual pleasure so they can go to heaven.
Reincarnation	To remember what and who we are. To live as God-Beings while in physical bodies. To experience God. To bring freedom, joy, and personal growth to ourselves and to each other.
Scientific Evidence
Atheism	There is no purpose other than what the individual believer may declare for him/herself.

14) Are believers tolerant and allowing?
Christian One-Life-ism	The Christian Bible teaches tolerance and some practice it, but a very significant portion of the believers are quite intolerant and disrespectful of the rights, desires, and views of those who do not share their beliefs.
Reincarnation	Believers in this assumption seem to be much more inclined to practice the Universal Law of Allowing.***
Scientific Evidence
Atheism	Humanitarian atheists usually consider the wants, needs, and desires of others. Ego atheists usually disregard the wants, needs and desires of others.
*** The Universal Law of Allowing means dropping all judgments and all emotional attachments to what others are, have, or do. This is quite different from being tolerant. Being tolerant is not liking what someone else is or does and holding emotion-laden, negative thoughts about them, but letting them be or do it any way. Practicing The Universal Law of Allowing requires granting to others the same rights you ask for yourself -- the right to be, have, and do whatever you choose. One way to practice the Law of Allowing is by transforming whatever you’re making someone else wrong for into something you are simply not willing to accept in your own life. Then to allow the other person to be, have, or do as they will, without trying to fix anything, or change them, or make them wrong for being who they are, for having what they have, or for doing what they are doing. For the full text on the Law of Allowing..

15) What is the human relationship to violence?
Christian One-Life-ism	Most people are peaceful, but some will promote, endorse, or engage in violence in the name of God. (i.e. Most anti-abortionists leaders believe it's OK to harass, threaten and intimidate non believers. Many anti-choice enthusiasts also believe it's OK to promote, endorse, or commit crimes of violence, burn buildings and kill abortion service providers.)
Reincarnation	Because we attract back to us exactly what we put out, engaging in violence against others is self destructive.
Scientific Evidence	Most people are peaceful, but the extreme believers in Christianity, Islam and atheism regularly revert to violence if they do not get their way peacefully, particularly if they have the physical power to conquer their perceived enemy and the capacity to get away with it.
Atheism	Humanitarian atheists tend to be non-violent. For an ego-atheist, might makes right. The end justifies the means.

16) What is the human relationship to other people?
Christian One-Life-ism	The Christian philosophy teaches that others are to be respected. (“Do onto others as you would have them do onto you.”) At times, the practice does not match the philosophy, but the observer must note the distinction between a true follower of the Christian one-life-ism and an ego-atheist in disguise.
Reincarnation	This philosophy teaches that others are to be respected. Many believers in reincarnation also practice the Universal Law of Allowing. At times, the practice does not match the philosophy, but the observer must note the distinction between a true follower of the eastern religions and an ego-atheist in disguise.
Scientific Evidence	Varies widely.
Atheism	Humanistic atheists are commonly very caring and very loving. To the ego-atheist, everyone else is expendable and will, whenever necessary, be used or sacrificed for personal gain and then discarded with the same thoughtlessness applied to discarding cigarette butts and with the same callousness with which they are presently murdering for money the last three-percent of our virgin redwood forests.

17) What is the human relationship to sin?
Christian One-Life-ism	Humans are judged and punished by God for their sins unless the "sinner" sincerely says, "God, please forgive me." Asking God for forgiveness completely eliminates any negative consequences of the sin.
Reincarnation	There are no externally inflicted punishments for human actions. Humans simply reap the consequences of their own action. Another way to say this is: “Humans are punished by their sins and not because of them.”
Scientific Evidence	In the sense that sin is "missing the Mark," there is a cause and effect relationship between action and the resultant consequences.
Atheism	There is no such thing as sin.

18) Sex and God
Christian One-Life-ism	Sex outside of very strict parameters is considered to be a serious sin to be avoided at all cost.
Reincarnation	The Reincarnation religions are strongly sexually oriented. Sex is an aspect of divinity and can be engaged in as a way of experiencing God.
Scientific Evidence	There is no evidence other than the obvious -- sex is a very pleasant way of sharing love and intimacy -- sex is a method of reproduction. One's attitude toward sex and how sex relates to God is a matter of personal belief. Ones sexual preferences and behavior is a matter of personal choice.
Atheism	Because God does not exist, there is no relationship

19 What is the human relationship to free will?
Christian One-Life-ism	The Christian God gives mankind free will and then sentences those who disobey Him to eternal damnation. The idea of dispensing such an extreme consequence seems to be in radical contradiction to the very concept of free will.
Reincarnation	Followers of this tradition believe they are free to do as they will. However, since they also believe they reap the consequences of their actions beyond this life, they tend to consider and/or limit the expression of their free will to conform to their beliefs.
Scientific Evidence	The evidence indicates that our thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, and expectations are the first cause. of everything we experience -- that our words and actions are the second step in that creative process. If this is true, then we are free to use our creative capacity any way we choose.
Atheism	Within the confines of what they think they can get away in the society within which they live, ego-theists believe they have complete free will. They believe this because they also believe their actions have no consequences beyond what they experience in this life in this physical body.

20) Who is responsible? Who is in charge?
Christian One-Life-ism	According to this theory, the "true believers" turn their power and lives over to "God." The church leaders interpret the rules so "God's" laws are whatever the church leaders say they are. If the believers question or disbelieve, they get excluded from heaven. The religiously oriented dominator-manipulators are given a blank check. They have used this theory for centuries as a tool for massing economic and political power.
Reincarnation	The believers must learn about themselves (i.e. "God"), take care of their environment, and be totally responsible for their actions. This theory promotes personal responsibility and individual free thought. At least in the U. S., the believers in reincarnation are relatively poor subjects for the religious dominator-manipulators.
Scientific Evidence	Al.
Atheism	For the ego-atheists, might makes right. Wealth and power rule. For a look at the beliefs held by the worshipers of the Great God Money, see the list below: The Ego-Atheist Sacred Doctrine.***
. *** The Ego-Atheist, Sacred Doctrine of The Church of Cheezus Dollars. The typical villain in a crime thriller, such as a James-Bond-type book or film, exhibits certain character traits. Like dogs bark and cats meow, villains also express their own predictable behavior patterns. Below is a not-so-subtle, poke-fun-at-um description of those behaviors. Unfortunately, we also, at times, see some of these character traits in real life ego-atheists. A) Self-interest as Prima Donna. B) The only criteria for judging actions is "THE-BOTTOM-LINE.” -- What is the physical result? -- Did I get what I want? C) Acts of war'ship to the deity, The-Great-God-Money" are rewarded, not in some pie-in-the-sky-by-and-by kind of way, but in the “prove-it-to-me,” “show-it-to-me” tradition of: "Lie another lie and kiss my thigh all the way to the bank." D) All the invisible hocus-pocus that the old, "religious fools" call “spirit" has been neatly thrown away. E) There is absolutely no consequence or responsibility for any actions -- unless the doer gets caught in the act. F) The long-term effects of one’s actions upon the Earthly environment and upon future generations are completely irrelevant. G) As war’shippers of The Great God Money, they even have their own Golden Rule: “He who holds the gold, rules.”

How to Know Which Belief a Person Believes In:

Simply watch their behavior. "By their fruits shall ye know them." "What they do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what they say."

Who but an ego-atheist would condemn future generations to a world polluted with nuclear contaminants with a half life of 50,000 years? Who but an ego-atheist would destroy forever the last three-percent of our virgin redwood forests? None but the criminally insane would fly an airplane into a building murdering 3,000 people simply because they believed in a different religion?

Which of the Three Assumptions is the Correct One?

Nobody can say with absolute certainty which belief system express reality and which express illusions. Those who ardently believe any one of the three assumptions and deny the possible reality of other two are living in a fantasy world ruled by fairytales and by unprovable beliefs about reality..

As for which assumption to follow, you’ll have to answer that question for yourself. The best suggestion we have heard so far is that you maintain, honor and practice your present religious philosophy, and, at the same time, hold each of the three assumptions as an untested hypothesis. Test each of the three possibilities against the circumstantial evidence of life and let the evidence speak for itself.

Notice to which assumption the evidence most frequently points. Look with an open mind and with the intention of finding your own answer. You will soon come to conclusions that are appropriate for you. And regardless of where you see the evidence pointing, your still free to believe whatever you choose to believe.

But What if I’m Wrong?

When deciding which of the three assumptions to use as a guide for your everyday behavior, it’s always advisable to consider the consequences of your actions and how you will correct a mistake later if your choice turns out to be off the mark. You’d be wise to live your life in a manner where, as much as possible, your errors are correctable. For example, if you live an exemplary life and atheism turns out to be the correct assumption, your error is all but meaningless. You’ve lost little or nothing. However, if you’re a perpetual bad-ass and Christian one-life-ism turns out to be the truth, you’ll spend eternity burning in hell. That’s a heavy-duty, non-correctable error.

Let's turn our attention now

to two examples of how

Christian one-life-ism, reincarnation,

and atheism each give

a very different meaning

to human life:

Capital Punishment°

Examined in Light of

the Three Religious Assumptions

Abortion°

Examined in Light of

the Three Religious Assumptions

This essay was written by Rev. Robert E. Cote' -- Executive Editor of The Book of Universal-Truths & Wisdom and the visionary who inspired its creation.

If this essay contains errors or omissions, please let us know so that we can make corrections.

And express your opinion, and/or

to add your words of wisdom to

The Book of Timeless Truths & Wisdom