Matthew 7:18-20 says:
"A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." NASV
When I was a JW I would look at charities and not see the good being done because I was conditioned to think that only JWs did good and all others were evil and acting out of selfish intent. Now I see people who do good for others simply because they want to help.
My sons were watching a Disney movie yesterday and I came in and sat down when I heard the music and recognized my childhood favorite, "The Little Mermaid." Nic asked me why Ariel couldn't just talk to the human because he isn't a bad guy. He couldn't understand why her dad thought all humans were bad. We talked about how sometimes we judge other groups based on the actions of a few. It was a good lesson for Nic to learn, especially when his father is trying to turn him into a JW and judge all those, including me, as being worldly and evil and deserving of death by God's hand. I also saw a deeper meaning in the way Ariel kept objects from humans and could see that there was some good in that world high above her, even though she was raised to believe that they were all evil monsters. How could they make such beautiful things if they were evil?
When I look at all of the good things done on this earth in the name of humanity and various religious groups, I can see that we cannot be corrupt as humans if we are doing good for others. It reinforces my belief that all religions have their bad moments, and so God cannot expect us to overlook those things to be part of ANY 'true faith.' I believe that God will judge us individually and that we will all be surprised at who he/she is like. My faith lies in the human spirit and the way we instinctively help others in trouble.
Just my humble opinion,
Angie