A question for Christians?

Question

First, let me say I'm not an atheist and, no, I'm not picking on any particular faith or denomination here.

Now...Christians of all denominations believe that their religion--their faith--is *the* proper (for lack of a better word)one; it's the only one that matters. All the rest are wrong in their interpretations of the bible and will not be allowed into the kingdom of Heaven. Ok...so say you die and find out that your religion ISN'T the "proper" one...that God is banishing to hell all those who followed/worshipped under the denomination with which you have belonged? Say that you discover that God is only taking persons of the faith(s)/denominations you have judged as being wrong or cultish?

My point here is this...shouldn't Christians of *all* faiths be a little less judgmental of those who do not believe as you do? Shouldn't you be a little more tolerant rather than spend so much time preaching and judging other people who believe or worship differently than you?

Answer 1

Actually, you are "Picking on" a particular faith.

Answer 2

SOME Christians do tend to be critical of other denominations, which is why I like the non-denominational churches. You are right about Christians who spend too much time judging other denominations and not enough time actually worshiping.

I tend to be judgmental or critical when I think that a denomination is teaching the wrong thing to the detriment of the individual follower. For example, Jehovah's Witnesses think that blood transfusions go against what the bible says. I think that this is an error in their interpretation of the bible, which could result in death if the follower were to be involved in, say, a terrible accident and experience severe resultant blood-loss. Because of things like this, I am critical of that faith/denomination.

Other times, a denomination's beliefs might cause the follower to cut off ties with family members, or otherwise hurt themselves (severe dietary practices, for example.) In cases like this, I would also be critical because the beliefs being taught by the denomination are detrimental to the follower (cutting off family members is bad for everyone in the family, and dietary restrictions can cause harm.)

All denominations have good and bad to them.

Answer 3

This hypothetical question is just that, hypothetical, it won't happen that way, it is up to each individual to find God's truth in the Bible there is no need for you interpreting it because, if that is done then that is where confusion starts, personally I have researched several religions and the Bible so as to see if there, is truth and in which religion, and my findings were that any religion that teaches everyone goes to heaven is not teaching the truth, because the Bible says that God did not create the earth simply for nothing he created it to be inhabited by man and beast. So God's purpose was for us to live on earth not in heaven!(Genesis1:28 Genesis2:8-15)(Isaiah45:18)There are other untruths being taught by religions another is, the, trinity doctrine which is not only unscriptual, but also, elaborate, and contradictory, and denies, important truths about God and Christ and therefore any religion teaching this doctrine is teaching a lie and the Bible does not teach lies, so if I die which is quite possible I know from the Bible that I will not go to heaven, but my hope is to be resurected(John5:28,29) to a newly cleansed earth to a life of peace and happiness without having to face death again, this is the promise in the Bible, that all living will be restored to perfect health(Job33:25; Isaiah33:24; Mathew15:30,31)And I too am not picking on any denomination,or judging for judging is for God to do not me, I just researched the Bible, and found, that, the denomination I was in, was not, following the scriptures, and teaching the things that are unscriptual, which I mentioned earlier, in this answer, so, I disassociated from it, and now I try to follow the Scriptures, to the best of my ability,even though I too fall short many times, I now keep trying to go on in the truth from the Bible.

Answer 4

Jesus said he is coming back for his church, prepared as a bride, that means people coming out of all these denominations, and that have kept the faith. A true Christian should not believe that it is just their denomination that is going to heaven, that is silly, or they will be very surprised when they see people that did not belong to their denomination. He has sheep in other folds also. G-d no's we will fail because the flesh is week, but that is why he sent his son, the perfect lamb spotless in every way, to take on the sins of man and die in their place. Their is one thing that is very true, their is no other name under heaven by which you can be saved. PS. Christianity is the only religion with a savior.

Answer 5

You're starting point is wrong, therefore your conclusion is also wrong.

True, there are some denominations that at first glance appear to claim to have the "real" truth, but if you really get down and research them, you'll find that's not the case. The closest you'll find to this is the more fundamental Churches of Christ (and they really aren't a "denomination", 'Church of Christ' is more of a classification).

So your statement that "all" denominations believe what you are claiming they believe isn't true at all. So your question in regards to that really has no basis for a response.

But your spin-off from that, about Christians being less judgemental towards those who do not believe as Christians do, you lept from something that was intended to be an "in-house" question and now are applying it to Christians vs. other world religions...and it's not that Christians are judgemental, they merely know their Bible, that Jesus claimed to be "THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Life", a claim that this world (and even other religions) rejects. Tolerance is just humanistic code for telling Christians they can't claim Christianity and the Word of God to be any more important than another person's belief (even atheism). But it is not our claim, it is Jesus Christ's. And as followers of Him, we must give a truthful witness to what He said and what He claimed to be.

Answer 6

Are you talking about religions or denominations? If you mean denominations, then you are addressing people that are all Christians. In that case people must move on what the Holy Spirit shows them. I don't think that most Christians would say that other denominations are going to hell. I think they may disagree with the way they see things or worship. I have been on a journey that I fee is leading me closer and closer to the true worship spoken of in the Bible. I am growing. Just like physical growth, spiritual growth is individual. But there is a standard for a healthy physically grown adult, The same is true spiritually.

Answer 7

I am a Christian and will be the first to say that in my experiences with people of faith, Christians (especially Southern Baptists...which I am) are probably one of the most judgemental and hypocritical of all religions. This is a sad fact because it is our duty, as it is of anyone who has a particular god, to go out and teach what we believe, in my case, the Gospel. Unfortunately, Christians tend to only look on the outside and dont always take into account that our God teaches to love everyone and to be loving and patient. We tend to make premeditated decisions about others based on their past, the way they dress, how they talk, etc...and then we are caught doing, dressing, or acting the same. Look, my point is don't judge a book by its cover. Not all Christians are like the ones described. I used to think so myself, but all it took was one person with an optimistic point of view and a little bit of patience and i was won over. I am an ex drug addict and I LOVED the life of the world...and still do sometimes, but then I realized it wouldn't always last. I believe as long as Jesus is your Lord and Savior and you are living as you really should, then you are okay. And who knows...maybe all gods are the same in the end, but until then, all I can do is share my thoughts. And by the way, you ARE picking on Christianity, so how does that make you any different from us? :)

Answer 8

I am not big on denominations. I am not big on RELIGION. I am interested only in a relationship with my Savior and Lord. I don't worry about what other denominations believe because they could believe as strongly in their relationship with Christ (as active members of their denomination) as I feel toward Christ.

I belong to an interdenominational faith. We accept everyone. And we expect people to worship their Savior in their own way. We do have a worship and praise service---followed by preaching but I think I am blessed because the pastor in my facility preaches the word and not DOCTRINE! (For those of you who were confused by the term "facility" please keep in mind that believers are the CHURCH---not the building we meet in.) WE believe that the BIBLE is the the holy word of God---true. We believe in the virgin birth---we believe that Christ healed the sick, raised the dead, fed the multitude, cleansed the lepers, was judged by man, crucified, died and laid in a borrowed tomb. We believe that He was raised 3 days later and that He ascended to sit at God's right hand. We believe that He is coming again to call His followers. We believe that there will be a great judgement throne and that He will separate the lambs and the goats. Notice---I have not given you a denomination. I could be anyone.

Answer 9

Christianity is not about a denomination. If you notice in the Word Of God, there is not a label put on the churches that were established by the apostles( The church at Corinth, the church at Ephesus, etc). It is by faith and through faith in Jesus Christ that we are "saved." It is our faith in the blood that He shed for the sins of the world. So, as Christians, we should not judge or talk about others. We should pray because no one is perfect.
The Bible says this -James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Answer 10

Either the Bible is true or it is a bunch of crap. If the truth is that all beliefs are OK then Christians will go to Heaven too. If Christians are right and there is only one way to eternal life then it was worth preaching to those around them. I, as a Christian, believe there is only one way to eternal life and that is through Jesus Christ. I do not 'attack people' because of who they are or what they have done. I have friends whom I love who are homosexual, but I don't agree with their life style and they know it. I hope that in time they will want to know more about my faith...which does happen every now and again. I also have friends who are Seventh Day and Jehovah's Witness. Again...I think they are wrong. Do I preach to them....no....I am their friend. We do talk about faith and what we believe, but I think that relationship is more important than yelling and screaming about who is right and who is wrong. I hope the life I lead will show God's love to those who need it most. I know I screw up more often than I should, but I continue to seek God. I think...who was Jesus the hardest on in the Bible...those who THOUGHT they were 'true to the faith'. Jesus had compassion for those who were sinners and outside of the faith. I think Christians need to remember that and stay strong. Thanks for the question.

Answer 11

First, I didn't say that people who don't believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord & Saviour are going to hell. God did. Second, aren't all Christians of like faith? I've never heard any particular denomination condemn another to hell for their interpretation of the Bible.