How many Gods?

This is a repeat of previouly argued cases but it warrants repetition.

It would seem that there can be many Gods, just one God, or no Gods.

The ‘many Gods’ argument would include all types of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, along with Hindu, Bhuddist and other faiths.

This would suggest that either there are ‘many Heavens’ or that all the faiths occupy and share ‘one Heaven’.

Either answer contradicts the idea of most faiths that theirs is ‘the one true faith. Could even different Christian faiths share one Heaven – with their different beliefs for example about equality for women or homosexuality? Could a Catholic Priest and a Gay Paster be happy neighbours in Heaven – would East African Church members live alongside gay men in Heaven? Could they even agree whether the shops should open on Sundays?

And of course the idea of Jews, Muslims and Christians co-existing in one heaven seems unlikely.

The alternative of many Gods in many Heavens seems unworkable. Are they located side by side? And would they co-exist peacably – or would there be tensions and religious wars between Heavens?

So, only one God seems more likely.

It seems likely that each faith would argue that they are the only true faith, and only they will go to the one God (theirs) in their Heaven.

Western people seem to have an arrogance and think that their religion(s) would rank first amongst religions.

People need to appreicate that each faith tends to be believe that only they are right. And hence at least all but one are wrong…….

People in my local church ‘believe’ – and seem to think that their faith is the one true faith, more valid than all the others. Hence they are inclined to brainwash their children in that belief, and want to do missionary work to convert others to the only valid faith.

Some fudge the issue, as if it is not only their church that is right, but all Christianity. But Mormons have different beliefs to the Amish, to Catholics, to Jehovah Witnesses, and so on. In truth they have different belief (which is why there are separate religions within Christianity).

And Heaven forbid anyone arguing that maybe, just maybe, the one true faith exists outside Christianity.

This is also the moment to be clear about ‘faith’ and ‘belief’. There is of course no concrete evidence that any God exists. Certainly not ‘only your God’

You happen to believe what you believe, but you should accept it is only your personal belief. It is possible for this to do no harm, although the common conflicts between different faiths makes this questionable.

As such you should accept that it is only your faith, and many many others around the world believe other things, with equal validity.

And you should recognise the limits of your (non-scientific) beliefs. For example there is no evidence that prayer works, nor that miracles truly happen.

The third option is that there is no God. If you take this as a hypothesis, there would be no evidence that you were wrong.

This option may seem negative, but you can still argue that ‘goodness’ exists, and that we should all behave like good neighbours, using the ‘good samaritan’ as an example to live by.

And, of course, this would stop the possibility of there being relgious wars, like at this moment what Trump and Hegseth

seem to be pursuing by way of a ‘crusade’ against Iran.