The True Religion

Whoever does not know the true religion and wishes to find it must fulfill one indispensable requirement: to search. And this demands several conditions:

• Accepting the existence of God. If this is not admitted, all religions will be rejected.
• Accepting that there is only one God. If there were several gods, each would have its own religion. But it is not possible for there to be several omnipotent beings, nor several perfect beings (in what perfection would they differ?).
• Accepting that God is good. And consequently that he helps his creatures to find the path of happiness. Therefore there must exist a true religion that contains the commandments, counsels, and gifts that make man happy.
• Finally, to find the true religion one needs good will and good conduct, since bad habits make it difficult to accept a truth that is inconvenient.

Religions seek man's good by bringing him closer to God. All of them cover more or less broad areas of truth, but only one is completely true, since there is only one God. Among religions there are points of contact and of divergence. Some positions are so opposed that they cannot both be valid at the same time. For example, if one religion permits having two wives simultaneously and another considers this a serious fault, one of the two is mistaken. If one religion is true, the others are not. This does not mean they are wicked or completely false: simply that they are not the true one.

considering these ideas:

• Religions that one invents for oneself are evidently false. Whoever rejects known doctrines in order to approve a behavior based on their own opinion becomes an inventor of religions, and an invented religion is undoubtedly false, however interesting the ideas may be.
• The true religion must accord with the dignity of human nature. Its doctrine must be exemplary.
• The true religion must be valid for all men. For God created and loves all. From this two consequences follow: — Nationalist or racist religions are not on the right track. — The true religion must encompass all ages of history, excluding no one from the past. Hence, relatively modern religions should explain how those who died before them could be saved.

taking into account the following:

• It is not useful to analyze the lives of particular members or leaders, since in every religion there have been unworthy persons and leaders. On the other hand, it would be valid to study the behavior that that religion considers exemplary — the life of its saints.
• Analyzing the life of the founder is also a good argument. If he led an unworthy life, his religion is less credible.
• In particular, and it is a curious point, one need only look at the founder's sexual life. Normally, whoever invents a religion for himself also invents excuses to satisfy his sexual desires.

Only God or those sent by him can perform miracles, so miracles are an important aid for recognizing the true religion. In this regard, it is interesting to see whether the founder performed miracles. Muhammad and Buddha did not. Nor did Luther. Where there have been departures from truth, miracles cease. The Lord does not support falsehoods.

The Bible has great historical and religious value. Reading the life of Christ provides great spiritual and cultural benefit, so the Gospels are reading that no one should forgo. The Bible is useful for distinguishing the true religion if read with uprightness of heart. For example, the life of Jesus shows us his divinity; and the choice of the apostles and of Peter indicates that the Church of Christ includes the successor of Peter.

What is the best path for seeking God? Humility and prayer: humbly asking the Lord for his help in finding him.

Human beings always seek God and wish to know how to please him. For this reason there are hundreds of religions, many with several gods. If we decide to look for religions that accept only one God, then the field narrows and three large groups remain: Christian religions, Islam, and the Jews. Each group has subdivisions. Buddhism is not properly a religion but rather a philosophy, since it makes no reference to God.

Any religion establishes ways of behaving that benefit man by orienting his conduct. Christianity, in addition to providing valuable counsels, adds divine graces that help man interiorly: these are principally the sacraments. Within Christianity, Protestants have largely set aside these divine helps, which Orthodox and Catholics preserve.

Some have asked me, and others may perhaps wish to shorten their search guided by my advice. In my case there is no doubt on this matter: seek the Catholic religion.

There are many. We can group them into three:

• Texts that show Jesus Christ acting as true God. For example, when he preached with divine authority and when he performed miracles by his own power. His resurrection stands out in particular.
• Texts in which Jesus Christ chose twelve apostles on whom he founded his Church, and took Peter as the foundation and shepherd of his Church.
• Texts that show the apostles as chosen by God after Christ's departure. For example, when Peter performs miracles and when, inspired by God, he decided to abolish circumcision.

The successors of the apostles continue that mission and lead the Church of Christ under the direction of the successor of Peter.

Because they died as martyrs. They were killed for being Christians. If they had renounced Christ, they would not have been killed. They risked their lives because they knew the truth of what they were saying.