If God was real, wouldn't there only be 1 religion?

If there were only one god, and he was the creator of all, I strongly suspect that would be the case.

If God was real, He would come down here and demonstrate that He was real, by constantly doing things only God could do. Oh, wait! That happened 2,000 years ago, didn't it!

Yes, that would be the case & this (god)s existence would be self evident. i.e plain as the nose on your face. This is not the case;

One would think so.

I get what you're saying, but no.  It's not that way because we have free will, and we suck at using it.  He came once, and even people who knew Him didn't believe, even though He was performing miracles and said He was God.  He didn't force himself on us so that we could choose. Again, we suck at that.  

As for the 50,000 rules, some of that is simply made up.  I could give you a perfect, and well-known example, but I am not answering to bash anyone in particular.  (But I'll give you a hint--how many commandments are there?)

Some people even suck at reading.  Why do you think I can read a verse and know exactly what it says, but have 2 or 3 people argue it with me?  Because they don't know the context, didn't do a word study, or just already think they know what it supposed to say because of what they were previously taught--having no regard for what it actually says/means.  

We live in a fallen world full of sin, evil, and self-righteous idiots who think they know it all--myself included at times.  Not to mention a few mentally ill.  There is GOING to be disagreement.  Just like in politics.  There is a way forward that would benefit most people--think we can all agree on what that is, even with history clearly showing what it is??  Clearly not.

Can't imagine why anyone would suppose that. For millennia, men have made up their own gods as they personally understood deity to be. These evolved in religions. God hates religions, so he sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world to put an end to religions, not to make yet another. 


Not every man has an heart/mind for God. Those men who never liked Jehovah, the only God, made up their own gods in their own images. The ONLY way to know God is for him to reveal himself. God did that first through his Word and then through Jesus Christ. Many don't like that God. So they make up their own. 


Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 
Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

No because there are numerous fallen angels pretending to be god...and they are so far beyond our capabilities that they are god-like by contrast and thus very convincing.

If god was real the natural wold not exist and everyone would supernaturally know who god was and be with god . Of course the possibility of pisssing said god off could exist and he/she would have a natural place to send offenders  
 He/She could have one of those Men In Black flashers and all offenders 
would be arguing about how many gods might be on some beautiful planet where messed up stuff happened . Believers would be saying nonbelievers are mad at god 
when nonbelievers finished saying they have no knowledge of god . Believers would branch out faster than algae newly baptized and populate like mice with the head mice conning the sheep mice .

If you knew the answer, you wouldn't have had to ask this question.

No.  It's NOT OBVIOUS for many reasons.

Well, we're VERY different, for one thing. 
May I suggest that you want it easy, or easier? 
The Bible says the Holy Spirit leads. 

It ALSO says God's WAYS are very different from ours. 
So patience, humility are required. 

I'm currently in a situation where I need that reminder myself. 
Finding myself NOT behaving in righteousness bcuz it's tough to do that right now. 

Right Now, I DON'T see, and my demanding ways are popping up. 
So, I think I know, maybe. 

But you know there are main beliefs, right? 
But within those, wow, it explodes. 
That's quite the trick Satan does there. 
Try to look into all the lies.  Hidden in plain sight. 

What is false religion? it is any religion that teaches us to worship God in away that is against his Word. The Bible calls all false religion "Babylon the Great." (Revelation 17:5) Why? After the flood of Noah's day, many false teachings  started in the city of Babylon . Those false teachings spread all over the earth.  For example, the people  living in Babylon worshipped groups of three goods. Today, too, many religions teach that God is a Trinity, but the Bible clearly teaches that there is only one true God, Jehovah, and that Jesus is his son. (John 17:3) People living in Babylon also believed that part of a person continues living after the body dies and that that part can suffer in hell. That is not true. God has foretold that soon all false religion will  be destroyed. (Revelation 18:8) Do you understand why leaving false religion is so urgent? Jehovah God wants you to do that before it's too late.(Revelation 18:4) very soon, God will destroy all wickedness and his Kingdom will rule over the earth. (2Peter 3:9,13) that will be wonderful time! Everyone will worship Jehovah the way Jehovah wants us to. So it's important for you to take action now and worship God in the right way. JW.ORG

There is one True God and all the rest are false ones. You can't have all false then they would be all true, and if they were all true then the reverse would be the same. However, beyond that, there is a religion befitting every person, one's own set of belief systems could be classified as a religion of one. Yes - that means yours as well. Religion is that which is followed religiously or followed more often than not. Simply put you could have more than one religion you follow. Yet, to go beyond that anything worshipped other than the One True God is idolatry and all things set up as what you profess then would be idols. Which the Word of God then asserts that those same idols are demons in disguise. So you are either the worshipper of the One True God and follow Him or you follow after demonic spirits. 

No, that is a Eurocentric observation, which the West, typically, views the world from.  The idea of "one true religion" is a Western concept, which was used as a ploy for political power and influence, to expand the Western Empire.  Very few wars have ever been fought out of "religious conflict".  'Religious faith' is used as a tool to rally people behind a shared identity, whatever the ethnicity or culture they come from.  

The observation that Christianity shares tenants of paganism comes from the Roman's adopting parts of other faiths, to spread Christianity, and convince conquered peoples to accept a common identity, and demonstrates that religion is not always imposed by "force".  Historically, it is not uncommon for societies and cultures to share various faiths.

Christianity existed in the Middle-East, before, during and after, the Nation of Islam was founded.  The Crusades' began with the Muslim's conquest of Europe, which was a 'territorial' dispute, not a religious one.  There was no such thing as the idea of "separation of church and state", which is why cultural and political conflicts of the past are often, misrepresented as "religious".  

Asia, traditionally, recognizes the 'Spiritual Truths' all religions share in common, and tolerates the practice of multiple faiths, at once.  Despite being extremely paranoid of foreign influence, the isolated society of the Japan's permitted the spread of Jesuit missions (under strict guidelines), and Buddhism, from China, to go along with their traditional Shinto faith.  

Muslims and Hindus in Indian society, got along peacefully for centuries, sharing and practicing each others faith, until British Imperialist arrived and employed the "divide and conquer" tactic, by convincing them that their difference would ultimately end in conflict, which is Europe's experience with faith, not Asia.  Europeans tolerated other faiths, until they didn't, out of the expedience of seizing power and control.  

Most Westerners are uninformed and misinformed about religion, having very shallow knowledge of history, and don't typically consider faith from outside of their own understanding.  17th century European secularists waged "intellectual warfare" by asserting that nature, operating "mechanistically", is not "alive", and that science can be used to "disprove the existence of God".  

Before then, theist and atheist intellectuals disputed faith on the mutual grounds that God cannot be "proven or disproven".  Buddhism, which is generally an atheistic faith, as always been open to being tolerant and accepting of theistic faiths.  "Secularism" passes as 'atheism', which are distinct ideologies, and why some Christians accuse atheist as not being, 'true atheist'. 

Secularist don't know, or pretend not to know, that ancient peoples could express themselves metaphorically, and that spiritual information is subject to, intentional and unintentional distortions.  By explaining our existence in more material terms, secularism results in a 'fundamentalist' mentality, which became an adopted wing of Christianity, in and around the 19th century, after the spread of secularism in the 18th century, and the Protestant Reformation.  

It is secular progressive ideologies that are rooted in "conformity to consensus thinking", and the intolerance of other beliefs; not religion, as history shows, for the most part.  Atheist intellectuals were revered with the same prominence, for their contributions, as anyone else, in theistic societies.  Secularism ruins society's artistic and intellectual institutions, through 'exclusion' imposed by fascism.

God made our existence expressed as 'variety' and 'diversity', which is suitable for our capacity to choose, hence 'freewill'.  This realm is "purgatorial", allowing the potential for, "positive, negative, and neutral", options and outcomes.  Nothing is exactly identical in nature.  The 'Divine Nature of God' implies, 'universal consistency'; otherwise, it would imply a limitation, and invalidate itself as a contradiction.

 

God didn't create Religion.  God created man and woman with Free thought.  

Perhaps there are multiple gods, like one for each Galaxy. 

Take one part religion, plus one part pride, plus one part geopolitics and that's what you get. Jesus Christ, who is God, personally founded the Holy Catholic Church, for the purpose of our salvation, while he still walked the earth. In spite of all the rampant corruption within and without the Church, over the last 2,000 years, the Catholic Church still exists. That should tell you something about the awesome power and providence of God.

1) If God was real, wouldn't there only be 1 religion?

I can't think of any reason why.
Can you?
If gasoline were real, wouldn't there be only one gasoline engine?
If the Sun were real, wouldn't there be only one Sun-worship religion?

The answer is, of course, "No. Why would there be?"


2) If God was real, there would be a consensus on exactly who, what, when and where he was.

Why would you imagine that to be true?
I can't think of any reason
and I bet you can't either.


3) Surely I can't be the only person that thinks like this?

No, there are others who equally unreasonably jump to that unwarranted conclusion.

God is not defined by man's propensity for sin.

Consensus? So, the majority rules?
There are 2.3 billion Christians, 1.76 billion Muslims, and everyone else dragging behind by far.
Christians win!

No.  Think of blind people encountering an elephant.  Each will describe the part he encounters (like a tree - foot, a rope - tail, a barn - side, a rock - tusk, and so on), and while all would be correct, all will be wrong as well.  God is a lot like that - too big, and complicated for any one of us to fully understand.  We do the best we can, and, there are several ways!

If God *were* real?  God IS real.  And because God gave us humans free will, WE have chosen to have multiple religions.

According to Revelation 4:11 Jehovah is worthy to receive the glory, honor, & power  because he created all things because of his will they existed & were created.

Your logic is correct, since there is only one true GOD , the Lord of the worlds, then the real true GOD would send down HIS only religion for all mankind , for their way of lives,to practice , to be successful both in this world and the hereafter world. Then all other false religions being created by the human hands.

"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (I Corinthians 1:10)!

It's obvious there are more than 39.5K+ different so called Christian denominations who are NOT Christians since commanded "there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (I Corinthians 1:10)!

You see why GOD calls them "today's Christians?"

They haven't been baptized into One Spirit (I Corinthians 12:13) who gives them "the same mind and the same judgment."

Today's Christians have created their own "lord" (I Corinthians 8:5) and call his name JESUS who is only "an idol."

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God" (I Corinthians 6:9-10)!

Satan and the demons have deceived many people and led them to develop these "religions". God is real, and he can be found by anyone who seeks Him with all their heart.

I have met Yeshua ("Jesus") a number of times over the past 25 years. He is real, He is alive, He has spoken to me, and I have spoken to Him. Each encounter was unexpected and unique. Search YouTube for "Jesus encounter" and you will see He has appeared to atheists, Jews, Muslims, etc...

John 8:23-24 Yeshua said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he [the messiah, the Son of God] you will die in your sins.”

Matthew 10:37-38 [Yeshua speaking] Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Is Yeshua the most important thing in your life? How much time do you spend with Him every day? Is He your friend?

To "take up your cross" is to deny the desires (not the needs) of the flesh and be obedient to the laws and commandments of God. As you develop a relationship with Yeshua ("Jesus") you will hear from the Holy Spirit (Dreams, Visions, Words of Knowledge, Words of Wisdom, etc...) You must be obedient to what the Holy Spirit communicates to you without hesitation. If you are asked to do something, or told not to do something, the immediate answer is "Yes Lord", worry about the details later - He will lead and guide you in accomplishing anything you are asked to do as you do it.

Spend time in prayer every day (praying out loud). Here are prayers I say every day. Modify them as you see fit for your situation and circumstances:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/li9k4kpvhvfx9yc/Daily%20Prayers.txt?dl=0

Spend 30 minutes or more every day reading your Bible (reading out loud). Start with Matthew and read to the end, then start at the beginning. I use the ESV, but the King James (not the "New" King James) is the most accurate translation as it is the ONLY translation that uses the Textus Receptus manuscripts.

If you are willing to set aside the things that take up most of your time (TV, movies, gaming, Facebook, Internet, etc... you know what you spend most of your time doing), and dedicate three hours every evening to the Lord, within a few months if not sooner you will see a mighty move of God in your life. Develop the following routine and stick to it consistently:

Spend the first hour praying in tongues. Praying in tongues (out loud) is probably the most important thing I have learned to do. Since I started doing this I have had numerous dreams, visions, and even encounters with Yeshua. Here is a document that will help you understand and get started:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5pibf1bwoqmoo74/Pray%20in%20tongues.txt?dl=0

Spend the second hour waiting on the Lord quietly. This will help you learn how:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/57n603ps4tv62ri/Wait%20As%20Eagles.pdf?dl=0

Spend the third hour singing (out loud) praise and worship songs. These songs should mention the blood of Jesus, the cross, and/or attributes of the character and nature of God. Here are a few of my favorites (you can set it to shuffle play so they play in random order):
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2kjGV_3m9rvKRac-6wFHNFWSlCJZnnhr

In addition to that I like to listen to "soaking" music at a low volume while praying, reading, or waiting on the Lord. Here is the music I use:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2kjGV_3m9rs2k20k6BTu7vtToECHgNYL

No one can be saved by "religion" because religion involves man trying to reach God or a better afterlife by doing good works. This is one factor that all religions have in common. Therefore, religion cannot save you; only Jesus saves!

Because we have all sinned against a perfectly holy and righteous God, we all deserve eternal separation from God in hell (Rom. 6:23). However, God loves us so much that He sent His only Son Jesus to die on the cross as our Substitute so we don't have to go to hell. Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the grave three days later (1 Cor. 15:3-4). He gives eternal life freely to anyone who simply believes in Him for it. No one can be saved by doing good works. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Eph. 2:8-9).

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life" (John 6:47).