Can All Religions Be True?

Is It Wrong for Religions to Be Exclusive?

We all want to be kind, open-minded people. So when Christianity claims to be the one true faith, that can feel... uncomfortable—maybe even arrogant. Is it really okay for a religion to be exclusive? Isn’t it more respectful to say all religions are basically the same, or that each one has a piece of the truth? Let's dive deep into that question. Whether you’re a committed Christian wanting clarity or someone just exploring the faith, you’re invited to wrestle with this topic alongside us.

But First: Let’s Talk About Doubt

Before we can tackle the question of religious exclusivity, we have to talk about doubt—because doubt is often the doorway to this entire conversation. A quick story from our family: My daughter went through a phase where she really didn’t want to take her children’s vitamins. One Sunday morning, she told my wife she had taken it. She insisted on it—so convincingly, in fact, that my wife started to second-guess what she knew to be true. Turns out, our daughter had thrown the vitamin down the heating vent. That story shows how doubt works. It’s not about truth—it's a feeling of uncertainty. You can doubt something that’s true. And you can feel totally certain about something that’s false. Doubt and faith actually go hand in hand. They’re not opposites. The real opposite of faith is knowledge—because when you know, you no longer need to believe.

Why We Doubt Christianity’s Exclusivity

Most people who doubt Christianity’s exclusive claims do so because of an alternate belief. For example: “I doubt Christianity is true because a good God wouldn’t allow suffering.” “I doubt Christianity is true because science and faith don’t mix.” “I doubt Christianity is true because no religion should claim to be the only way.” But each of those is actually a belief in something else: in a particular understanding of suffering, or science, or religion. If we want to think clearly, we have to ask: what’s the evidence for those alternate beliefs?

The Blind Men and the Elephant… Isn’t the Whole Story

Maybe you’ve heard the parable of the blind men and the elephant. One feels the trunk and says, “It’s a snake!” Another feels the leg: “It’s a tree!” Another the tusk: “It’s a spear!” The point? Everyone has part of the truth. No one sees the whole picture. But here’s the catch: Who’s the only one claiming to see the whole elephant? The person telling the story. In saying that all religions are equally true, we’re actually saying every religion is partly wrong… except for our own view that they’re all the same. That’s not humble—it’s a different kind of exclusivity.

All Religions Can’t Be True—And That’s Okay to Admit

Major religions disagree on core issues: Is there one God, many gods, or no god? What happens after death? How is salvation found? Christianity claims Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Islam says Jesus isn’t God. Hinduism sees divinity differently altogether. These can’t all be true at the same time in the same way. As Sam Harris, an atheist who is pro-spiritual practices, admits: “Most religions make claims about reality that are mutually incompatible.” So the real question isn’t whether religion should be exclusive—it’s whether a particular faith is true.

Ice Cream or Insulin?

Here’s a final metaphor that might help: Choosing a religion isn’t like choosing your favorite ice cream. It’s more like choosing medicine. Ice cream is about preference. Medicine is about what works—what heals. If Jesus really is the truth, then pursuing truth in any form will eventually lead you to Him. And if that’s the case, we don’t need to be afraid of exclusivity—we need to be seekers of truth.