Do you really beleive that Ghandi (not a Christian, but a compassionate, peace loving man) go to hell while a cold blooded murderer who might whisper the name Jesus in his last hour go to heaven? Is this what you beleive? Are there any Christians out there who don't beleive this?
2006-07-17 12:57:35 · 45 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
An atheist dies and is surprised to find himself standing before God in heaven. The man looks up at him in awe and says "wow! i guess i was wrong!" God answers "Only on one big point my son, but all is well, would you like the tour?" The atheist says "yes" and they begin their trek thru heaven. God points to a group of bearded men enjoying the company of a multitude of virgins and says "over there are the Muslims, fantastic bunch those guys... they really know now to party." Down the way a bit god points to another group of people, "There's the Jewish camp, nice folks those guys." They continue, on thru the Hindus, Zoroastrians, etc.. finally the come upon a wall and God says in his best Fudd voice "be vewwwy vewwwy quiet..." The atheist asks God, what's over that wall? God replies "That's the Christians, don't say anything, they believe they are the only ones here.
2006-07-17 13:01:15 · answer #1 · answered by ChooseRealityPLEASE 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Heaven as you describe it and understand it is a clearly Christian idea. However, that doesn't invalidate it's existence.
Just because you follow a different religion doesn't mean it is the wrong one. It just means you are taking a different path. Heaven exists, but it is a heaven for all.
Lets use an analogy. Lets say you want to go to the mall (heaven) and you are currently at your house (earth). The mall lies northeast of you. Now, you can't just face northeast and go because there are roads to follow (life lessons) and buildings in your way (challenges). But there are many roads. Which road you take depends on you individual choices and personal preference. Some people choose to take the freeway. Others take surface streets. Others may even go south, get lost a little, turn west, turn north, turn east, then north again! Eventually everyone wanting to go the mall will get there. How long it takes and which way you go depends on you.
2006-07-17 13:09:12 · answer #2 · answered by sallymarlyn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, not only Christians go to heaven. Heaven is not a place but an intimate and total union with God in the life of the Holy Trinity. Heaven cannot be earned by being "good" or by any merit of ours. Heaven is available as a free gift from God to all who try to cooperate with the grace He extends to us. Yes, Jesus is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" and it is only through his eternal and perfect sacrifice that all people, past, present, and future have access to this grace. I believe Gandhi as well as all men and women who have earnestly tried to follow the law of their hearts are found acceptable by God, Yes, even the cold blooded murder who on his deathbed feels true sorrow and contrition for his sins. God's mercy and love are infinite.
2006-07-17 13:08:18 · answer #3 · answered by andrewtm78 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not even the Bible says that all who are Christian go to Heaven. granted, following Christ does get you some other great rewards, but heaven is not neccesarily one of them (Rev 21:3, 4). Only 144,000 of God's servants will go to Heaven where they will rule with Christ (sometimes symbolized as a lamb because he was the final sacrifice for all mankind) as kings and priests (Rev 14:1-3; 20:4-6). Those they will rule over will be humans who have either proved their loyalty to God or have yet to prove it (Acts 24:15; Rev 7:9). Only those who have made an active choice to serve God will be destroyed forever by Him so He can restore His earth to its former beauty.
2006-07-17 13:09:30 · answer #4 · answered by da chet 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am Christian and beleive in other religions too. I don't think that only Christians go to heaven, I beleive that everyone who did good in a life can go to heaven.
2006-07-17 13:02:05 · answer #5 · answered by let the speakers blow your mind 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible actually says only 144,000 will be going to heaven. They have a purpose...to be kings and priests with Christ over the earth for 1,000 years until mankind reaches perfection and then Jesus will hand over the Kingdom to God. (Revelation 20:4-6; 1 Corinthians 15:24)
2006-07-17 13:07:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's questions like this that make me like Buddhism because you don't have to be a Buddhist to be enlightened. But anyways, in my opinion, Jesus is just one path, not the One path, but one path as in there are more. I think Ghandi is up in Heaven watchin cricket with Jesus but that's just me. Although I'm not sure if Ghandi would agree because he was Hindu and some sects of Hinduism believe that in the end we get obliterated and become one with Brahman. So who knows?
2006-07-17 13:03:04 · answer #7 · answered by Jake S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The short answer is "yes", only Christians (followers of Christ) go to heaven. No one likes to hear this. Everyone says, Well, but, what about,.....
The truth is, if people were really being honest with themselves, is that we all deserve hell. Do we honour God? Do we fear Him? or do we live for our own selves, giving glory to me, me, me. Everyone sins (even the best of us). The reason the Bible is called the Good News is that it is good news for people who are on the way to hell that Jesus made a way for us to NOT go to hell, but go to heaven instead. And of course, there is a catch....you have to give your life to Jesus. You can't just be a good person or give lip-service to a religion or a church. Only you and God knows if you really belong to Him or not. And the only people going to heaven are the ones who are His.
2006-07-17 13:08:36 · answer #8 · answered by lord0cherry 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible says, that it is by grace we are saved, not of works lest any man should boast. The Bible also states, that all our righteousness are like filthy rags. Chrisitanity is not about what we can do to get to heaven, but rather, to accept that Jesus died on the cross in our place, took the punishment of our sin, which we deserved. Its our response to this is what is crucial.
Johns Gospel chapter 3 v 16 says
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved"
There is nothing we can do to make God love us more. He loves each one of us unconditionally. If we are born again then we can have a relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. This is salvation.
If you would like to know more please click on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/seeking_reality
2006-07-17 13:06:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was raised as a Roman Catholic, but believe it or not, the official position of the Church is that we do not know who goes to Hell or Heaven, with the exception of the apostates, i.e. those who once accepted Christ as their Savior and then renounce him. Personally, I think if Heaven exists, its a big place with lots of room for just about everybody. If we have immortal souls (and I think we do), I doubt if God is as picky as he/she is made out to be. I think we are here to garner experience in the mundane realm through life after life until we are ready to move on.
2006-07-17 13:02:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sadly yes...there is ONLY one way to heaven and this is through the son of God, Jesus Christ.
As it says in the book of James, deeds themselves do not guarantee you eternal salvation. BOTH faith and deeds are needed. One without the other (as is the case with Ghandi) would not work
2006-07-17 13:01:15 · answer #11 · answered by Michael 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋