How Can you Believe this?

"I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me." John 14:6

A few nights ago I was speaking with a young lady about religion. After drawing her out for nearly an hour, I began to ask her more specific questions. The conversation soon focused on the issue of truth and absolutes, right and wrong.

"You mean to say that you think that you are right and that all other religions are wrong?"

"What would you say if I answered that question in the affirmative?"

"I don't know how you could think that you are right and that others are wrong."

"So it is wrong to think "I am right" and "that person is wrong?"

"I just don't know how you could say that."

"Sure you do, because you are making the same statement. Tell me, do you think that you are right ... or that I am wrong? Of course you do, that is why you are in disbelief over what I say. If I may, I think the problem you have is not about 'right and wrong' but about how a person applies what they think is right and wrong. Would you rather have a person be right or be loving?"

"Loving, because that is the 'right' thing"

"Yes, I am called to love everyone, even my enemies and those who disagree with me. But you see, I extend to them the right to make truth claims ... that is, I believe that I am right and they are wrong, and if they disagree with me they can do so and not fear that I will manipulate or force them to believe what I believe. BUT, they, as well as I, must argue for why they believe what they believe ....... so to answer your question, yes, I think that I am right and that I have reasons for thinking this way."

"What are they?"

"To put it simply, you believe your best friend when he or she tells you something, right? Likewise, I believe what Jesus said when he said, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the father except through me.' In the simplest form, that is it. I believe what Jesus said and who he is."