You are close to understand the obvious flaws of religions but not quite there. You said it yourself, you thank god because he put you in this situation, meaning that god doesn't want Muslims, for example, to find out the real truth, he wanted you to find it but not others, isn't that a bit unfair? That's the fundamental problem of religion, you are sure you believe in the right religion now just like you would be if you were born there, you would think like now, that the islamic faith is the real faith.
The situation is more subtle then simply picking one religion and rejecting the rest as false. Accepting the reality of the infinite it follows logically that all human conceptions of God and consequentially all religions must be "wrong" in that they are at best gross simplifications of underlying Truth. At most they are akin to an explanation of quantum mechanics given to 4 year old and even this example understates the vast chasm between reality and our understanding. The choice then is not choosing which religion is right but choosing which religion represents the least distorted simplification that you personally can grasp and follow.
Notably all of the major branches of monotheism Muslims, Christians, and Jews all usually acknowledge that they worship the same God. That is a logical necessity that follows from the concept of an infinite God. The various religions usually differ in their beliefs regarding the duties of the individual in relationship to God and some of the attributes of God.
None of us have ultimate Truth regardless of which religion we follow. At best we have an understandable and mostly accurate simplification of Truth. At worst we have great distortion and self-contradictory beliefs. The value comes from the process of exploration reflection and learning. Each of us and each society are at a different point in that process.
The recent post of brodekola highlights this journey well. Thanks for sharing.
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I was raised as a Methodist ministers daughter and later attended various churches: Baptist, Catholic, Presbyterian, Episcopal
I attended vacation Bible school, made crayon drawings of crosses and doves, memorized Bible verses, and went on church retreats twice a year. Still, I wasnt sure what I believed, deep down.
By the time I got to college, I defined myself as a seeker. I went to youth fellowship meetings, read about Buddhism, took a World Religion course, and even thought seriously about joining the Bahai faith. Nothing fit, but I remember knowing that the search was important. I was 19, and I said out loud, If God exists, then learning more about God is the most meaningful thing Ill ever do.
My search turned up all kinds of answers, some of which were in direct conflict with each other or with what felt true to me. I decided to keep searching, while adhering to the Golden Rule of treating others the way I would want to be treated. Now, in my mid-40s, my conscience still feels pierced when I fail to treat others with kindness. I also make time for active meditation, the only kind I can stand: I give my mind time to slow down, making room for contemplation and silence while doing something physical like walking, folding laundry, or emptying the dishwasher.
I found that the Golden Rule structured my behavior in the world, while active meditation offered space for my mind to enrich itself through introspection, self-examination, and appreciation. For me, that combination worked, and it felt right.
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