Ms. Anne Agostini: Why do many religions claim to be the only way to God?

Sri Chinmoy: It is true that many religions claim that they represent the only way to God. If these religions feel that aspiration is the only way to God, then they are offering us the correct message. But if they feel their own respective religious philosophy represents the only way, then they are mistaken. If a particular religion claims that it has or embodies the only way to God, then that particular religion must convince us that it is nothing short of aspiration. Religion, in this case, has to be pure aspiration, for aspiration is undoubtedly the only way to God. If that religion claims to be something else, then unfortunately it is incorrect in saying that it is the only way to God. Religion, when it becomes nothing short of aspiration, a climbing inner flame, is undoubtedly the only way to God-discovery.