Apologetics

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The Religion Test
By Chaplain Dan Langerock

Everyone believes in something: God, self, intellect, or whatever. Have you ever considered or written down exactly what you believe in your particular religion---not what someone has told you to believe, but what do you personally believe?

If you believe in God:…..


Does your religion bring you closer to Him or distract you from seeking Him?

What is the foundation of what you believe?

Does it help you to serve others because you know God or are you doing these good deeds for other reasons, perhaps to make points on an invisible scale?

Is there a change in your life because of God’s presence there? The test of any religion is the lifestyle of the person believing it.

Have you grown spiritually because of this relationship? Do you still do the same things you did before the relationship. For instance, if you swore before, do you still do it? If you gambled before, do you still engage in this? There are a number of questions you could ask yourself in this regard.

What is your life like the rest of the week if you worship any particular day? If you were to give yourself a lifestyle checkup, what would you find? Does it matter what your lifestyle is in your religion?

Is He some far-off entity that doesn’t care about you or anyone else, in your belief system? Do you feel unworthy to ask for personal needs to be met in prayer or however you communicate with Him?

Was there a time when you were closer to God than you are now? What happened to change that relationship? If you blamed God for what transpired, why did you think it was His fault?

Have you been offended by someone or has your relationship soured with a friend or relative? Do you blame God for this, and why? How are you doing spiritually since this happened? Have you held a grudge for many years against someone? Is there room in your thinking and religion for forgiveness when someone has offended you?

Have you ever discussed these events with a chaplain or other clergyperson? Why or why not? Do you think it would help you to unload in a positive way in your religion?

Did you ever tell God what you were feeling in these areas? Why or why not? Maybe someone you loved and cared for deeply is no longer with you? Have you told God how you feel about this vacancy in your life? Have you been honest with Him? What do you think about putting your feelings in a letter to God?

What are the eternal consequences in your religion? If there are consequences, why are they there? If they are missing, why are they not included in your beliefs? There is cause and effect in this world, why or why not in your religion?

If you wanted a more vital relationship with God, how and where would you look for that? Explain your reasons for the answer you gave, if you will?

If you were looking for the truth about God, where would you look?

Considering the answers you have given to all these questions, what will be the end result of your life because of your beliefs in whatever religion you adhere to?

What you believe has shaped what you are today. These beliefs will also shape your future, both in this world and the one to come. Are you content with your answers in light of their eternal consequences? That is a question we must all answer for ourselves. The answer will depend on whether we have based our religion and beliefs on the Truth.

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