Freedom of Thinking Not Necessary Godly Love to Do As We Wish

I was writing about we only have one Jesus but many churches. I wrote out  my views in this blog based on what I know from verses clearly printed there in the bible guiding me along as I wrote.

However, I received an opinion here in pink under inverted comma from Mr Hor Meng Yew who is a Christian friend of mine

"Have to consider 2000+ years of Church History. Nowadays we also have independent Churches which are not affiliated to any mainline denominations. Quite a large topic to investigate. One of the many reasons we have so many Churches is perhaps that God's word speaks directly to individuals and God has endowed everyone with freedom of choice which is necessary for true love to exist" 

Thank you Meng Yew for expressing your opinion without using boastful, unkind and arrogant words which would not reflect our child-like, Christ-like qualities 

You mentioned “God's word speaks directly to individuals and God has endowed everyone with freedom of choice, which is necessary for true love to exist”, is not incorrect in itself, but it only explains how divergence happened, not whether that divergence is what God desires.

Let me explain further.  If we all have freedom of choice, then we will  all be scattered like sheep without a shepherd. God wants us to be together. I shall expand on this shortly.  

I believe this strikes deeply at the heart of both faith and unity. 

Let me offer you, dear brother Meng Yew my own careful thoughts, rooted in Scripture, reason, and love.

1. Yes, God Gave Us Freedom of Choice, but to Love and to Obey, Not to Divide

God indeed gave us free will. That freedom, however, is not license to go whichever way we choose, but a gift meant to lead us into voluntary obedience and love. As the Apostle Paul wrote:

“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything.”
— 1 Corinthians 6:12

Freedom in Christ is not freedom to divide His body into thousands of factions. When Paul saw this happening even in the early church, believers saying "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos"—he wrote:

“Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”
— 1 Corinthians 1:13

So while freedom of choice explains the phenomenon of many churches, it does not justify it. It is a consequence of human imperfection, not divine intention.

2. Jesus Prayed for One Church, Not Many

The clearest expression of God’s will for His people comes from Jesus' own prayer:

“I pray... that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you... so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
— John 17:20–21

The unity of believers was not just an idea, it was Jesus’ final prayer before His arrest. Why? Because unity reveals divine truth to the world. A divided church clouds that message.

3. A Shepherd Desires One Flock

As I said I shall explain on this further: “If we all have freedom of choice, then we will all be scattered like sheep without a shepherd.” And yes, our Lord foresaw that danger:

“I am the good shepherd... and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”
— John 10:14,16

A good shepherd doesn’t lead multiple flocks in different directions. He unites His sheep, not separates them.

4. But Why Then So Many Churches?

The explosion of denominations reflects centuries of human struggle: politics, pride, doctrinal differences, cultural contexts, and even sincere misunderstandings - such as a brother against another brother, or a sister against another sister or her brother. All these are conceited and boastful arrogance of self-righteousness. These attitudes  are definitively not child-like and Christ-like qualities at all.      

While some divisions stemmed from noble reform (e.g., calling out corruption), the result has still been fragmentation.

We are like a once-whole vase shattered and now pieced into many small bowls, each claiming to be the whole. Yet God sees the original vase and longs for it to be mended.

5. Unity Does Not Mean Uniformity

Now, unity does not mean we all worship with the same songs, liturgies, or traditions. Cultural expressions vary. But true unity means:

• Same Spirit

• Same Gospel

• Same love for Christ

• Same mission to the world

As Paul exhorts:

“There is one body and one Spirit... one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.”
— Ephesians 4:4–6

All these verses quoted here are not from my mouth - there are explicitly and directly from the Bible unless you ask me to be blind to them and use my personal thinking and not quote them     

Finally, unity is a command, not a convenience

I believe this instinct is divinely aligned. The scattering of churches, while explainable by freedom and history, is not ideal. It is a condition to be healed, not accepted as normal. We must strive for spiritual unity in truth and love, even if organizational unity remains a long road.

Let us not let the gift of free will become the excuse for division, but the choice to love, to forgive, and to reconcile, as the true proof that Christ is among us.

With brotherly love and reverence always from me to all - brothers, sisters, with or without Christ,  and to strangers too not known to me. 
I am just your fellow pilgrim on the road to a Church united in truth and love

One Jesus but Many Types of Churches

 

I wrote an article here: 

"One God, but Many Religions" 

https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/2025/06/one-god-but-many-religions.html

Let us now look at just one religion alone - Christianity.  Even among Christians there are at least six groups of churches and denominations such as  Church of the East, Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Protestantism, under which there are so many groups and denominations when there is only one Jesus.  Even the Protestant churches  themselves so diversified, with each church having no dealings with each other? Each of them has their own beliefs and thinking, yet they claim they believe in Jesus as their Saviour having no dealing with the other church. Shouldn't all these churches be united in love and belief? 

I believe each wants to take their own path - the path of least resistance, the broad and easy way that leads to destruction as Jesus clearly told. None of the churches wish to practice the gospel in a difficult way. This brings us to a difficult path how Jesus took the hard way by going up the mountain to preach His Sermons on the Mount that occupied three solid chapters - 5,6 and 7 of Mathews. And those crowds, including men, women and children, probably the sick, blind, lames as well also willing to take the hard way climbing up that mountain to follow Jesus just to hear Him preach, and they remained there for many days without food and water. It must be very tough for  them to follow such tough road up the high mountain that symbolizes the tough way up to a high heaven I suppose?  This touches the core of my heart when they all were willing to follow Jesus to take the hard way by climbing up a mountain without any buses or any modern transport available those days. 

So we need to ask why did Jesus took them the difficult way? But all of them were willing to take such difficult path that nobody  wants to take these days. Jesus could have made this path a very easy way for everybody by merely preaching on the plains or by the seashore. But no, Jesus brought them up a difficult path, but the crowd did not mind the difficult way. So they all climbed up that mountain the difficult way just to physically and spiritually  follow Jesus. Does that not ring the bell very loud within our proud hearts? 

It is very unfortunate no church have ever seen this and has ever taught this. So, everyone and every church these days only want to take the easy way out to a high heaven on earth.

What is even more depressing is, each church is not on speaking terms with other. Isn't this self-righteousness - far, far from being humble because each church is self-righteous. None are willing to learn their short-comings from a brother church or a brother Christian 

The key word is HUMILITY, - to be clothed humility.  Jesus clearly taught the need of being humble, emphasizing that those who exalt themselves will be humbled. A key verse reflecting this is written in Matthew 23:12  that says: "Whosoever exalt himself will be exalted" This is also echoed in Luke 14:7-11 and Luke 18:14. Jesus also spoke of being child-like (not childish) - the symbol of humility

 in Matthew 18:4  The word 'humility' is also strongly emphasized elsewhere in the Bible, such as in Philippians 2:3 -4, James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:5 - 6, Proverb 22:4, Proverb 11:2, etc. 

 

Even as I quote all these verses the importance of being humble and accept there will be some who will obviously disagree with me and may say I have a very shallow understanding about the Bible because obviously they are conceited and self-righteous and refused to be humbled. 

 

But acceptance of truth and humility is a very  tough path towards salvation  

Why is every church has nothing to do with the other, they don't seem to be even on speaking terms or wish to greet each other in Christ-like love. Isn't that pride and sheer lack of humility Jesus taught? We can clearly see this ourselves - because of pride - the other Christian brother or those other churches are all wrong. Does not ring the bell within our hearts, because we we would not stoop so low to accept gospel truths even if these verses are clearly printed in the Bible. We are just too proud to accept. 

My soul-stirring reflection and question draws from both the heart of Scripture and the soul of Christ Himself. What I speak of, the fragmentation, self-righteousness, and lack of unity among those who claim to follow the One Lord Jesus Christ, has long been one of the greatest wounds within Christianity. 

I am not merely as a seeker of knowledge but as a lover of truth, of Christ, and of the narrow, steep road up that difficult mountain Jesus led the crowd - leads to Life.

Let me now look deeply into this dilemma , for they are heavy with history, theology, and heavenly longing.

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY DIVISIONS EVEN WITHIN CHRISTIANITY?

Though Jesus prayed, "that they all may be one, just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You" (John 17:21), we sadly see the opposite today: disunity, denominationalism, doctrinal conflicts, and in many cases, outright hostility. Why?

1. Human Pride and the Fall from Humility

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." -  Matthew 5:3

The very first sin in Eden was pride, and it continues to infect the Church. Many denominations and leaders begin with the sincere desire to reform or seek truth, but over time, self-righteousness creeps in:

1. "We have the correct doctrine."
2. "We are more spiritual than others."
3. "Our church is the remnant, the true church."

This turns humility into spiritual elitism, dividing those who should be united at the foot of the Cross. Few are willing to be the least, to serve and wash one another's feet, as Christ did.

2. Historical Divisions: A Timeline of Fragmentation 

The Early Church

a. The early Christians were one body (Acts 2:42–47), yet even Paul saw the seeds of division:

"Each of you says, ‘I follow Paul,’ or ‘I follow Apollos,’ or ‘I follow Cephas,’ or ‘I follow Christ.’ Is Christ divided?" -  1 Corinthians 1:12–13

 b. The Great Schism (1054 AD)

This was the first major split, between the Roman Catholic Church (West) and the Eastern Orthodox Church (East) due to:

Disagreements about the authority of the Pope.

The wording of the Nicene Creed.
Political and cultural tensions between Rome and Constantinople. 

c. The Protestant Reformation (1517 AD onwards)

Martin Luther sparked a movement to reform corrupt practices in the Catholic Church (e.g., indulgences). However, it spiraled into numerous branches:

Lutherans, Calvinists (Reformed), Anglicans, Anabaptists, and eventually, the Methodists, Baptists, Pentecostals, Charismatics, and non-denominational churches.

Each group emphasized a different doctrinal point:

Baptism
Communion
Predestination
Church governance
Interpretation of Scripture

Instead of healing, reform became fragmentation.

3. Doctrinal Absolutism vs Christ-like Love

Many Christians focus on being "right" in doctrine, not on being righteous in love.

Churches divide over infant vs adult baptism.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The role of women.
The end times.
Which Bible translation to use!

Rather than saying: "Let us reason together in love", they say: "Depart from us, for you believe differently."

"Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." — 1 Corinthians 8:1

The danger of doctrinal legalism is that it replaces the living Christ with theological systems, while ignoring Christ's commandments to love, forgive, and serve.

4. Spiritual Consumerism and the Path of Least Resistance

 “Each wants to take their own path, the path of least resistance.”

The true Gospel is hard. It demands self-denial, suffering, purity, forgiveness of enemies, and complete obedience.

But many churches today preach what Paul warned:

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires... they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to myths." — 2 Timothy 4:3–4

This leads to:

Prosperity gospel (“God wants us rich and successful!”), comfort gospel (“Jesus will solve all our problems!”), cultural gospel (“Just be nice and tolerant.”)

All these avoid the Cross, the Mount of Beatitudes, the narrow gate that leads to life (Matthew 7:13–14).

5. Denominational Isolation and Tribalism

Many churches become isolated religious tribes, suspicious or dismissive of others. Why?

Fear of doctrinal corruption, institutional pride, lack of trust, desire for control.

This leads to no fellowship, no joint worship, and no unity in Christ. And yet Christ never created denominations, only disciples.

6. Lack of the Holy Spirit’s Fruit

Where the Spirit of Christ truly reigns, there is:

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Faithfulness
• Gentleness
• Self-control (Galatians 5:22–23)

If churches lack these, even if they speak in tongues or preach great sermons, they are noisy gongs without love (1 Corinthians 13).

 THE MOUNTAIN OF THE BEATITUDES — A SYMBOL OF THE TRUE WAY

I see this very beautifully for all who take the trouble to read my thoughts as I now write. The Sermon on the Mount was not preached in a palace or temple, but on a mountain, reached only by effort, thirst, hunger, humility, and desire.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness..."
"Blessed are the pure in heart..."
"Blessed are the peacemakers..."

Some 5,000 people, men, women and children climbed up that mountain, led by Jesus Himself who too climbed up that mountain the difficult way. 5,000 people is not a small number those days over 2,000 years ago especially in such a small place. There were no buses then to bring them up the easy way. But they were all willing to follow Jesus to climb. Few want to climb that mountain anymore. They prefer elevators of convenience over the path of sacrifice.

Is It Self-Righteousness?

Yes. Self-righteousness and self-pride and ego  is one of the most common sins among religious people. They hide behind doctrine while neglecting the fruit of the Spirit. And Jesus warned:

"Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord...’ but I will say to them, ‘I never knew you.’" — Matthew 7:22–23

WHAT IS THE HOPE?

Despite this darkness, Christ is still building His Church, and there is a remnant of humble believers in every denomination:

Who seek Christ, not religion.

Who serve quietly, love deeply, forgive generously.
Who walk the narrow path and still greet all as brothers.

We must be one of them, dear brothers and sisters in blood or in Christ . Let us be lights in the darkness, not critics in the crowd.

"Let us not become weary in doing good..." — Galatians 6:9

 THE UNITY JESUS DESIRES

Jesus never asked for denominations. He asked for disciples, who would follow Him, love one another, and bear much fruit.

The division we see is not a reflection of Christ but of man’s sin, pride, and rebellion. We must weep for it, pray over it, and most of all, live differently.

"By this all people will know you are My disciples, if you love one another." — John 13:35

Let us be that voice of unity, that peacemaker, that humble disciple who climbs the mountain even when others stay in the valley.

Today, we don't see any member of one church entering into another church to listen to their voice in humility  

Even Jesus as a young boy entered into temples, synagogues and other places of worships to listen and to worship. But He was Jesus, not modern church pastors, preachers, church elder brothers or church goers who don't even wish to step into another church not of its kind. Isn't that pride, lack of trust and lack of humility so unlike Jesus as this is piercing, deeply Christ-like question. What I observed is not merely a social behaviour, it is a spiritual tragedy, and one that reveals how far modern-day Christianity has drifted from the humility, openness, and spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 Jesus Himself, even as a boy, entered temples and synagogues, and engaged in worship, discussion, and learning, not with arrogance, but with profound reverence and hunger for God (Luke 2:46). He did not choose one religious building and boycott the rest. He walked into gatherings not just of His own kind, but even those who would later reject or condemn Him.

I too have entered many types of churches in my life and sat quietly to listen to them, and although they did not condemn other churches explicitly, their message is clear, they have their own views and own ways of teaching the gospels. They were never Good Samaritans at all. They left their neighbour church too die. 

Yet we have only ONE Jesus but we have so many churches with so many different followers. If we are clothed in humidity, we need to answer this. I know this pierces our hearts and souls.      

Let us now lovingly and honestly explore other reasons why today's Christians often refuse to enter or interact with churches not of their own denomination, and what this reveals.

I. JESUS' EXAMPLE VS MODERN CHURCH BEHAVIOUR

 Jesus' Example:

1. Luke 2:46 – “After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.”

2. Luke 4:16 – “He went to the synagogue, as was His custom...”
3. John 10:22-23 – He went to the Feast of Dedication in the temple courts.
4. He healed people in synagogues.
5. He overturned tables in the temple out of zeal for God’s house.
5. He even praised a Roman centurion’s faith, not his religion (Matthew 8:10).

Clearly, Jesus was not territorial, not sectarian, and not afraid of being in places of worship different in structure or belief from His own teaching.. 

WHY MODERN CHURCHGOERS WON’T ENTER OTHER CHURCHES

1. Denominational Indoctrination and Fear of Corruption

Many churches teach that:

• “Only our church teaches the truth.”
• “Other churches are doctrinally wrong, even dangerous.”
• “If you visit them, you might be led astray.”

This creates a culture of fear, suspicion, and insulation. People are taught to protect themselves from others instead of trusting the Spirit of truth to guide them in all wisdom.

Yet Jesus walked right into places filled with misunderstanding and still shone His light.

2. Spiritual Pride and Tribalism

“God, I thank you that I am not like other men…” — Luke 18:11, the Pharisee's prayer

This is the most dangerous reason of all: thinking that our church, our way, or our theology makes us superior. It's like a spiritual caste system:

“We have the true doctrine, others are blind.”

“We are the saved, others are lost.”
“We are Spirit-filled, others are just formal.”

This is pride in holy disguise. Jesus condemned such attitudes (see Matthew 23). Humility would cause us to listen, learn, love, and discern, not judge.

3. Lack of Love and Christian Maturity

Paul writes:

“Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” — Romans 15:7

Immature Christians are often more focused on labels, or "who will be preaching today" than on love. They find identity in the name above their church door rather than the name of Jesus in their hearts.

They were never a Samaritan at all, a member of a group despised by the Jewish people who stops, tends to the man's wounds, takes him to an inn, and pays for his care. 

Such believers rarely engage with other Christians because:

They don't see them as "real" Christians.

They’ve never been taught that unity is God’s will.
They confuse fellowship with compromise.

4. Theological Legalism

Some churches set up doctrinal fences so high that anyone outside is considered heretical:

• “They don’t baptize like us.”

• “They have women preachers.”

• “They use contemporary music.”

• “They don’t follow the King James Version.”

This leads to judging churches by man-made laws, not by the fruit of the Spirit. Yet Jesus said:

“By their fruit you will know them, not by their label.” — Matthew 7:16

5. Pastoral Control and Church Politics

Some pastors fear losing members, influence, or tithes if people start visiting other churches. So they subtly discourage interaction:

• “Stay where you’re spiritually fed.”

• “Other churches don’t have your best interest.”

This is not spiritual shepherding—it is spiritual control, and it grieves the heart of Christ, who calls all His sheep to unity.

6. Ignorance of the Global Body of Christ

“There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” — Ephesians 4:4–5

Many Christians have never been taught that:

• All true believers are part of one Body of Christ, not separate kingdoms.

• Denominations are a human invention, not God's design.

• Jesus has sheep in many folds, not just in one pen (John 10:16).

Thus, their loyalty is to their denomination, not to the kingdom of God.

 WHAT DOES THIS SAY ABOUT THE CHURCH TODAY?

• We preach Christ but don’t walk like Christ.

• We carry Bibles but don’t carry His humility.

• We build churches but tear down bridges.

• We call Him Lord but act like masters over one another.

The Good Samaritan:

   

The Parable of the Good Samaritan, found in the Gospel of Luke, tell the story of a traveller attacked and left for dead by robbers. A priest and a Levite, religious figures, both pass by without helping. A Samaritan, a member of a group despised by the Jewish people, stops, tends to the man's wounds, takes him to an inn, and pays for his care. 

According to religious sources, the parable teaches that love for one's neighbor extends to everyone, even those considered enemies or outsiders, and that true compassion involves actively helping those in need. 

I believe I have filled these words with  truth and humility, fire, and deep love that warms my spirit more than I can express in mere text here.

 WHAT THE MOUNTAIN TEACHES US

As I said, Jesus went up the mountain, not just physically but spiritually. The mountain:

• Represents the difficulty of true discipleship.

• Requires effort to climb.

• Separates the crowd from the committed.

And yet the people followed Him! Why?

Because His words were truth, His spirit was gentle and lowly, and His life reflected the very heart of God. He drew people, He didn’t divide them. The path up a mountain is very difficult, especially staying up there for days without food and water. 

But that's the path churches never saw 

 THE GREAT TRAGEDY

That people who claim Jesus’ name today:

• Refuse to visit another church.

• Do not greet each other as brothers and sisters.

• Judge others by external forms.

• And have no desire to learn from others.

This is not the Gospel. It is sectarianism, which is one of the "works of the flesh" (Galatians 5:20).

 WHAT SHOULD TRUE DISCIPLES DO?

1. Be willing to enter other churches in humility and love.

2. Discern the presence of Christ, not the absence of our customs.

3. Build bridges, not fences.

4. Seek unity, not uniformity.

5. Correct in love, not condemn with pride.

6. Be an example, not a judge.

7. “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” — Ephesians 4:3

 When churches refuse to acknowledge each other, when believers isolate themselves in pride and fear, they deny the very love Christ died to give.

The Church must remember: we are one Body, one Bride, and Christ is not divided. He is calling us not just to climb the mountain like in Matthew 5–7—but to live the Sermon on the Mount: in meekness, mercy, purity, and peace.

May all of us and I, and whoever reads this, be the remnant that loves across boundaries, that walks into any house where Jesus is worshipped, and that carries the fragrance of Christ, not the scent of spiritual arrogance.

I have personally seen two churches in the same row of shop house - literally neighbours to each other but preaching differently - does not greet or help each other. They just ignore each other even though they were neighbouring churches

Here we remind ourselves what Jesus taught about being a Good Samaritan as neighbours   

If I have a church of my own: 

If I truly had a church of my own, it would have no walls, no denominations, no locked doors. Only open hearts, washed feet, and Christ in the center, where truth walks hand in hand with grace, and every soul is welcomed like the prodigal son coming home.

And oh, what a day it would be, to walk side by side with all, not just to preach from the pulpit but to live out the Gospel outside of it! To step into the next church down the road, not to correct or convert, but to say:

“We love you. We are your brothers. We are one Body. And Jesus is Lord of us all.”

That, dear brothers to all, is the Gospel in motion.

This is the spirit of a true disciple, one who sees through all man-made curtains and walks straight into the light of divine love and unity. If ever the Lord sees fit to let me, a  servant walk the earth with you to find me already knocking at your door, saying:

“Come,  today we walk like Jesus walked, one church at a time.”

Until then, I remain your faithful brother in the unseen Spirit, kneeling with you at the foot of the same rugged Cross, and longing for the day when all who call upon His name shall be one.

With all love and reverence,
Yours always, A brother in Christ - a humble servant called  lim ju boo 

One God but Many Religions

 

One God - Many Religions

There a wide range of social-cultural systems of beliefs, behavioural practices and ethics under the broad name called 'religions' being practised by all sorts of people in this world. 

Just to name some of them are, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Baha'i Faith, Eckankar, Sikhism, Jainism, Wicca, Unitarian, Unitarian, Universalism, Shinto, Taoism, Thelema, Tenrikyo, Zoroastrianism.

 We ask ourselves honesty why are they so many religions when there is one God? Let us  try to answer this profound inquiry that touches the very core of human identity, culture, and our search for the Divine. 

Let us walk together through this slowly and meaningfully.

Why Are There So Many Religions When There Is One God?

This question has echoed through human history for millennia, and though it appears simple, it opens doors to deep truths about human nature, cultural evolution, spiritual yearning, and the mystery of the Divine.

1. The Universality of the Human Spiritual Instinct

All humans, across every era and land, seem born with a spiritual instinct, a deep yearning to understand where did we come from? What is the purpose of life? Why do we suffer? What happens after death? Is there something or someone greater than us?

This yearning is like a compass needle pointing beyond the physical. From the African savannah to the Himalayan peaks, from the rainforests of the Amazon to the deserts of Arabia, humans have sought answers to the same cosmic questions.

2. Cultural Filters of Divine Revelation

Imagine the light of one sun shining upon the Earth, but seen through different stained glass windows. Each window (i.e., each culture) colours that light differently. Similarly, the same Divine reality may reveal truths, but each society interprets them according to its language, worldview, myths, environment, and historical context. Thus, while the source may be One, the expressions of truth vary. These expressions become formalized as religions, each with its symbols, practices, sacred stories, and ethics.

3. The Evolution of Religious Thought Over Time

Religions did not all appear at once, they evolved over long periods. Early animistic beliefs saw divinity in nature (trees, rivers, sun). Later came polytheistic systems (many gods representing aspects of life). Gradually, some societies developed monotheistic ideas (one all-encompassing God).

Every era brought spiritual reformers, sages, prophets, or enlightened beings, like Krishna, Moses, the Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, Lao Tzu, Guru Nanak, and others who taught new paths of living in alignment with the Divine.

Each teaching spoke to the needs and maturity of that time and place.

4. Theological vs Mystical Understanding of "One God"

From a theological point of view, many religions differ in how they define God. Some have Personal God (e.g., Christianity, Islam, Judaism), Impersonal Divine Reality (e.g., some forms of Hinduism, Taoism, Buddhism), Panentheism or Pantheism (e.g., Wicca, Shinto)

But from a mystical or metaphysical point of view, many mystics across traditions affirm that:

"Truth is One, but the wise call it by many names."
- Rig Veda, one of the oldest Hindu scriptures

Mystics from different faiths have often experienced the same Divine Unity beyond doctrines and creeds.

5. Historical, Political, and Psychological Factors

Many religions also grew under the influence of, historical circumstances (e.g., exile, conquest, colonization), power structures and politics (e.g., state religion vs heresy), psychological needs (e.g., moral guidance, community identity, coping with suffering)

Thus, religion is not just about God, it is also about people, and people are deeply diverse.

6. Free Will and the Divine Desire for Relationship

If God is One, why allow many religions?

Perhaps because:

God wants relationship, not robotic worship.

Relationship requires freedom of choice.
Freedom of choice leads to diversity of paths, as different people respond differently to God.

Just as there are many languages to say "I love you," so too there are many sacred paths by which humans say, "I seek You."

7. Could All Religions Be Different Reflections of One Truth?

Some philosophers and theologians propose the idea of Perennial Philosophy, that beneath the surface, all genuine religions share:

a) A belief in a Higher Power or Ultimate Reality

b) A call to moral living (compassion, justice, humility)

c) A path to transformation and transcendence

d) A vision of unity, peace, and purpose

Like different rivers flowing to the same ocean, each religion offers a path to the Divine, although some may be more metaphorical or symbolic than literal. 

Unity in Diversity

It is indeed mysterious why the One God is worshipped in so many different ways, but perhaps this is by divine design such as to allow freedom, to reflect the full spectrum of human thought and feeling, to guide different peoples in ways they can best receive, and to reveal the limitless nature of God, who cannot be confined to a single name, image, or doctrine.

So long as the core values of love, compassion, humility, justice, and reverence are upheld—then perhaps we are all, in our own way, seeking and honouring the same Divine Mystery.

A thought for myself:

"Have we not all got one Father? Did not one God create us?" 

— Malachi 2:10, Old Testament

"Let not the differences of religion divide us... All the prophets of God proclaim the same faith."
- Bahá’u’lláh, founder of the Bahá’í Faith

"The lamps are different, but the Light is the same."
- Rumi, Sufi mystic