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All religions have truth

To the editor,

In his letter to the editor today, Seth Pruitt asserts that "Christianity ... is a very definite belief system." This statement may be true for Seth, but doesn't hold up very well under scrutiny. The presence of many factionized churches under the banner of Christianity seems to me evidence of a very indefinite belief system, at least when taken out of the context of a single person's beliefs. Catholics and Protestants are both Christian, but one group follows the Pope and the other doesn't. Some churches baptize members by complete immersion in the baptismal waters; others sprinkle a couple drops on your head. Why the differences?

Nature loves diversity.

These, and many other differences in religious practice, have divided Christians into many groups. As a Mormon (back in the day), I wondered how it was that all of these churches could be true - since that was exactly what they all claimed to be. If there were a single, true religion, its principles would have to be universal. On the other hand, can we consider the possibility that all religions have some elements of truth? Aren't all religions about reconnecting people with a lost or forgotten spirit life?

Why can't we collectively acknowledge that all religions serve a purpose, instead of playing games of "my religion is truer than yours?"

If you look at the success stories in nature, there is always a large amount of diversity to ensure the ability to survive in an ever-changing environment. Our own culture is changing faster now than ever before, and yet there is a tendency among converts (to any religion) to egoistically claim that theirs is the only true religion. What we need to survive in this rapidly changing environment is not one set of beliefs for the entire culture, but diversity of beliefs. This is nature's own formula for success; no adjustments are required. Remember this when you feel an urge to "share" your religion to the unsoliciting masses.

Darin Guthrie

Psychology junior