is all religion good?
Many religious groups include sincere people who want to please God. He sees those people and cares about them. Sadly, though, some people have used religion for evil purposes. In the past, religious leaders have even tortured their opponents.
” 3 If, in fact, the good news we declare is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, 4 among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through.”
– 2 Corinthians 4:3,4
Today, according to news reports, some religious leaders have even encouraged terrorism or supported war, and many have been convicted of child abuse.
” 3 While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately, saying: “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” 4 In answer Jesus said to them: “Look out that nobody misleads you,“
-Matthew 24:3-5
The Bible teaches that there are two types of religion—true religion and false religion. False religion doesn’t teach the truth about God. Nevertheless, Jehovah God wants people to know the truth about him.—
” 3 This is fine and acceptable in the sight of our Savior, God, 4 whose will is that all sorts of people should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus,“
-Timothy 1:3-5
What is the good news about religion?
God doesn’t want people to be deceived by religions that claim to love him but misrepresent him. In fact, adherents of those religions love being friends with the world that is controlled by Satan the Devil –
” 4 Adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is making himself an enemy of God.”
– James 4:4
” 19 We know that we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.”
– James 5:19
God’s Word describes religions that give their allegiance to human governments rather than to God as being like a prostitute. The Bible calls this harlot by the name “Babylon the Great,” after the ancient city where false religion began after the Flood of Noah’s day. Soon, God will bring a sudden end to religion that deceives and oppresses mankind.—
” 1 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me: “Come, I will show you the judgment on the great prostitute who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality, and earth’s inhabitants were made drunk with the wine of her sexual immorality 5 On her forehead was written a name, a mystery: “Babylon the Great, the mother of the prostitutes and of the disgusting things of the earth.17 For God put it into their hearts to carry out his thought, yes, to carry out their one thought by giving their kingdom to the wild beast until the words of God will have been accomplished.”
-Revelation 17: 1,2,5…17
How will God bring joy to every land?
The coming judgment on false religion is good news. It will bring worldwide relief from oppression. Never again will false religions mislead and divide mankind. Everyone living will be united in worship of the only true God.—
” 9 They will not cause any harm Or any ruin in all my holy mountain, Because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah As the waters cover the sea.“
– Isaiah 11:9
“ 20 Be glad over her, O heaven, also you holy ones and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced his judgment on her in your behalf!” 21 And a strong angel lifted up a stone like a great millstone and hurled it into the sea, saying: “Thus with a swift pitch will Babylon the great city be hurled down, and she will never be found again.“
– Revelation 18:20,21
” 3 With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. 4 And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
– Revelation 21:3,4
What should sincere people do?
Jehovah hasn’t forgotten the sincere people who are scattered among false religions worldwide. He is now gathering such people into unity by teaching them the truth.—
” 2 And many nations will go and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah And to the house of the God of Jacob. He will instruct us about his ways, And we will walk in his paths.” For law will go out of Zion, And the word of Jehovah out of Jerusalem. 5 For all the peoples will walk, each in the name of its god, But we will walk in the name of Jehovah our God forever and ever.“
– Micah 4:2,5
Jehovah welcomes into his family those who want to serve him. Even if our friends and relatives are upset when we start to serve Jehovah, we gain much. We gain friendship with God, a new and loving “family,” and the prospect of having everlasting life.—
” 29 Jesus said: “Truly I say to you, no one has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news 30 who will not get 100 times more now in this period of time—houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the coming system of things, everlasting life.“
– Mark 10:29,30
” 17 Therefore, get out from among them, and separate yourselves,’ says Jehovah, ‘and quit touching the unclean thing’”; “‘and I will take you in.’” 18 “‘And I will become a father to you, and you will become sons and daughters to me,’ says Jehovah, the Almighty.”
– 2 Corinthians 6:17,18
