Should we Follow the Majority?

m_leonora1111: Whenever we challenge the mainstream teaching on some doctrine, we always tend to get a number of people staying ... "Well, this has been the belief of the majority for centuries, so it must be right. I'm not going to go along with just a few who believe differently. It's the majority that have the truth".

So I thought I would take a look in the Bible and see if this statement is correct or not, and what did I find? The Bible shows us the complete opposite! Take a look:

MAJORITY OR FEW?
In the days of Noah, who had the truth? The majority or the few? It was the few, as only 8 people were saved from the flood.

When Elijah was on the mount with 450 'prophets' of Baal, who had the truth? The majority? No, only ONE PERSON had the truth amongst 450!

When the king of Babylon issued a decree for all to bow to the golden image, and Daniel's three friends refused. Who was in the right? The majority who did bow down and conform to the state, or the few who didn't? The few were right!

When the command was given during the reign of king Darius to not pray to God for thirty days, were the majority who went along with that decree in the right, or the few? Yet again, the few, when one man Daniel continued to do what was right and prayed to God.

During the days of Jeremiah the prophet of God. Did the majority have the truth or the few? The few!

During the time of Jesus Christ, who had the truth? The majority or the few? Yes, you guessed it, the few!

During the dark ages, when the Roman Catholic Church reigned the world. Who had the truth? The majority within the 'visible church', or the few scattered around the world, reading and following the scriptures? Yes,the few!

Before you answer, take a look at what Jesus said Himself .... Matthew 7:13-14.

The majority believe that the 4th Commandment has either been abolished or changed. But we FEW believe the truth that the 4th commandment of God still stands AS IS today.

Zanjan: Every example you gave is set in the context of a predominantly wicked world, a depraved and debased society. Of course, the numbers will be outrageously out of whack. The scales of justice had slipped, being heavy with corruption. On the other side sits an angel's feather, high above the rest.

God sought to right that situation by sending a Messiah. He regenerated life and, as that love, knowledge, and integrity spread, its power was so great the see-saw lifted to return society to balance. This dynamic is known as The Great Reversal.

If you live at that time, before the restoration, you can see a huge abyss between these two types of people. You won't need disaster to reveal their true colours.

A new civilization grows up; in turn, it positively affects the individual who is too weak to change their own behaviour. If you live at this time, you live in a blended society. You can't tell who the wicked or good is without severe testing.

Your safest bet is not to follow the numbers but to obey God. I think the verse is just telling you not to take the easy way first. As a famous inventor once said, "Discovery is 99% persperation and 1 % inspiration".

Zanjan: 4th commandment??? Don't take God's Name in vain?

I suppose the numbering depends on how old one's religion is. I've lost count of the commandments in mine but right at the top is Justice:

"O Son of Spirit!
The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor.

Ponder this in thy heart; how it behooveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes. "

GeraldtheGnome: Grammatical errors were made on this forum. Most people are religious, most people are unrealistic about religion, like you both are, so no one should be a part of the religious majority. Foe everything else anyone religious thinks, well it depends on if what the person tells you is true. Each religious god and goddesses are made up.

GeraldtheGnome: There is no god named God around anywhere to take the name in vain of. Behooveth ? Was that Beethoven’s Horse ? English please, Modern English when it’s way too different than what is currently used. When majority brings me to what is wrong then I don’t decide to be with those who are wrong.