Open-minded Christianity?

Question

Katharine Jefferts Schori, the Bishop-elect of the Episcopal Church, was asked, "Is belief in Jesus the only way to heaven?"

She replied, "We who practice the Christian tradition understand him (Jesus) as our vehicle to the divine.

"But for us to assume that God could not act in other ways is, I think, to put God in an awfully small box."

Is it possible to be a proud Christian yet respect/admire other religious traditions? YES!

Answer 1

As a non-christian, I am pleased to see that someone of the christian faith is open-minded enough to publicly make a statement like this.

I have taught my students that although my PERSONAL belief system is rooted in the Norse culture and mythos, (yes, I am definitely 'one of those', and have been all my life) I am in no way prepared to state that mine is the ONLY way, or even that it is correct for anyone but myself. In fact, I will go so far as to admit that I could be COMPLETELY wrong....and that you (the christians) or the muslims, or the jews, or the buddhists, or the (insert name of religions here) could be the only true and correct followers. In fact (gods forbid) it could even be L Ron Hubbards gang (gasp, shudder, vomit).

God/dess presents in many aspects...not all of us are able (or willing) to see or accept all of these.......but they are all only different sides and views of the same oneness.

Answer 2

YES!!!! I think that you can practice other traditions and still believe in God. Jesus isnt the only way into heaven. I am wiccan and I still pray to God. In fact, my faith is stronger now than it was before I became wiccan. Since God created the earth, wouldnt you be able find him the next time you are outside and a fresh day and feel the breeze? That is God blowing in the wind, that is God blowing in your hair. So next time that your not sure, go outside, take off your shoes, put your feet in the dirt and feel God. Dont forget to thank him for creating something so wonderful as yourself. Blessed Be

Answer 3

It is just simply impossible for every religion and every opinion to be the truthful way. That's like saying "The sky is yellow and it's my opinion so it's just as right as your opinion." No it's not!!
God is not a God of chaos. He knows who He is, He knows what He thinks, and He knows what He requires from humans.
People who think that all ways are just as good do that because they can't grasp, even a tiny bit, who and what God really is.
He's not Superman, He's not a kindly grandfather sitting in rocking chair, He's not an amorphous, all accepting blob,...He's GOD. As in the Being that knows where every electron in every atom in the universe is at every nanosecond. The Being whose Presence keeps the entire universe from flying apart.
By definition, God is Holy and Righteous, otherwise good, love, and purity could not exist. Righteousness cannot accept unrighteousness so therefore God CAN NOT accept unrighteous people into His presence. That's why they have to come into His presence His way.

Answer 4

It seems to make so much sense to believe in Jesus and believe there are other ways to God also. Gee then we can all just get along.

Except Jesus didn't give us that choice. Jesus said people hated Him because of His message and they will hate us because of His message. Do I want to be hated - no.

I can't say I believe in Jesus, but don't believe what He said was correct. Sorry it doesn't work that way.

I wish to love others and I am disappointed when others reject me when I try to spread Jesus message of love, forgiveness and reconcilliation. I want to be loved, not hated, but I am "stuck" with what Jesus said.

I do respect other people's beliefs and I defend to the death, their right to have them, except when they insist on killing people who don't believe how they do.

How hypocritical!!! I get comdemned for believing Jesus is the only way and telling others about it. And here are people telling me not to shove my religion down their throats while there are other religions who kill people who don't believe like them. Is there anything more narrow minded than that?

Answer 5

What Jesus (not Jefferts Schori) said, however, is, "No one comes to the Father but by me." (John 14:6) Now, does that mean that a person cannot get to heaven if he/she has never heard of Jesus? No -- but if that person does get to heaven, it will be through Jesus that he/she gets there, even if he/she doesn't know about Jesus as such.

The real question, however, is, "Can a person who hears about but refuses to believe in Jesus get to heaven?" To this Jesus categorically said, "No." (Mark 16:16)

So, if a person belongs to another religious tradition, is told the good news of Jesus Christ, but says, "No baptism for me, thanks. I like my own way to heaven just fine," then that person will not be going to heaven (unless, of course, he/she converts to Christianity sometime later in life).

Answer 6

Yes - read some of the Jesuit stuff (e.g. "Belonging to the Universe' by Fritjof Capra). Read stuff by Thomas Merton (Christian monk) who was involved in Zen. Read 'Living Buddha, Living Christ' by Thicht Nacht Han. The worst thing we can do is to think our symbols -- buddha, jesus, beliefs, concepts -- are the truth. They are TOOLS that can be used to get the same experience that Jesus, Buddha, etc. had: the experience of God.

Answer 7

I personally admire quite a few religious teachings that arent Christian. I also feel like God is more loving than I am, and if its possible for me to love someone who is not a Christian, then it can be the same for Him also.

Answer 8

I agree with you. It is possible to be a proud and active Christian yet respecting and admiring other religious traditions.

Answer 9

Notice our name Christian not Schoritian. We do not follow this Katharine schori, we follow Jesus Christ, and Him alone, The Holy Bible, which we read and go by says narrow(this means small, little) is the road that leads to Life, and wide(big, large) is the road that leads to destruction.

Answer 10

this is the beginning of the end of the Episcopal Church... I hope the Church can find its way back to Christ/God centered worship.... not looking at the Bible as a collection of "nice stories"