I've heard that some Christians have respect for other religions. I've even heard of some Christians who have said all religions strive for the same Truth and that non-Christians who are good people will go to heaven. How can this be? How can you believe Jesus is the Son of God and that there is only one God, yet turn around and say that Hinduism, which has it's own Gods, is also a valid religion that deserves respect?
I'm not condemning people who say these things. In fact, I think the idea that all faiths lead to the same truth is enlightened. In fact, I'm really curious, how do you balance faith in Christ and respect for other religions?
2006-09-07 18:45:45 · 35 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jesus told his Deciples that he had other sheep that weren`t of this flock.He said this when the Deciples came and told him that there were others preaching in the city .
2006-09-07 18:50:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Now thats a deep question and deep thinkin. I myself am a pretty dedicated Christian. And i'm very interested in the way Hinduism works and there belief in many gods. I believe that all religions are searching for a truth and all religions have different views and concepts of what truth is. Yes, unfortunetaly non - christians do go to eternal condemnation because they have rejected the way of Christ and His Truth and have not recieved Him as their Personal Saviour and Lord of their Life. No matter how good you are and being a non - christiam you still will enter eternal punishment. On the subject of respecting other religions. I think respect them, that you still love them as people and creation of God the Father but not conform to their belief. instead being a testimony of Christ and if God willing share the Gospel Truth with them. I don't think all faiths lead to the same truth. The bible says Jesus says" i am the way and the truth and the life" qoute -the gospel of John 14:6- look it up if you have a bible.So if this is the case how can a muslim, buddist or a hindu have the real truth and faith if there not following what Jesus says in his bible. Hopefully to answer your curiousity is that repect them in the way you still love them and don't persecute them for their belief but if possible witness to them about the truth of Jesus. I hope this answer is of some relief to . Sounds like you have put alot of thought into this issue.
2006-09-07 22:16:20 · answer #2 · answered by jesus' princess 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes I’m a Christian of another type. I formulate my beliefs
directly from what I can glean was Christ in my mind and bypass
the formal religion that weaned me from my early education. Ur outlook is a little to fundamental sometimes for my blood... I think the poetic license that Christ often took and the spiritual paradoxes explain beautifully what most Christians and not Christians fail to see.
Firstly I respect all people not all religions .....
Second All people basically want to be good but heaven is within u while u live look within for god and heaven for eternity on earth for after you die their is nothing and the was the Jewish meaning of hell (the cremation grounds as translated from the original Hebrew) your life and eternity cease in death . The terms god and heaven are figurative in the traditional sense. Taste the food not the fork the true genius of Jesus Christ is not so easily understood but once u get it its simple
And thirdly these minor discrepancies between religions are usually only in form and seek to say the same thing that each have the way to live better and that is essentially really is.
So I don’t respect any formal religions but the intent of the people for good which is universally what Christ and Buddha and Mustafa and Krishna have in different ways to achieve what you want...
So why do people confuse this? Because they don't even stop to listen to themselves. I hope this helps some for somebody.... remember none are so blind as those who refuse to see and none are so deaf as those who refuse to hear...; this is the devil (metaphorically speaking) the ignorance that lays the groundwork for all other evils .....And it all begins in the mind of mankind! So I think I can agree for most part with your point of view . please excuse my form and ramblings as i am busy at work as well
2006-09-07 20:01:21 · answer #3 · answered by dogpatch USA 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Are you a (so called) Christian if you believe that? You must understand that we are all one no matter where you come from or live. Do you think God hates or condemns people? How do you know what God thinks? Are you in a position to question God ( aka. the Creator). From beginning of time religion divides people, cultures, governments, nationalities etc... Heaven and hell are right here on earth. You can't have one without the other. Just live good with your brothers and sisters (fellow man). That is what God wants regardless of what religion you are afilliated with.
Peace
2006-09-07 19:03:22 · answer #4 · answered by One Love 1 · 4⤊ 2⤋
That would be the difference between those who claim the religion of "christianity" and those who believe only what the Bible says.
"christians" are nothing more than humans, with their own ideas - good and bad - about religious points of view. They make mistakes because they are still human.
The Bible, however, was written by God Himself (by speaking through specifically chosen humans) and IS NEVER WRONG because GOD IS NEVER WRONG. If He could be wrong He wouldn't have the authority to be God, now would He?
So forget what humans say. You want to know the truth? Read the Bible for yourself. It's the Truth, because God is not a liar.
2006-09-07 19:07:01 · answer #5 · answered by trillo333 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You see, I'd like to say this is true. Because, well, it's up to God to judge. I've been told that someone who's never heard of Jesus Christ, but has a good natured soul can be saved. It will still be through Jesus Christ, but they can be saved. However, for those who reject him, there's no hope. I'd like to say that's not true. I'd like to say all paths lead to God. Yet, as a Christian, I tend to believe what Jesus Christ himself said when he stated that those who do not believe he is the son of God and the savior will not be saved.
That's doesn't mean people can't change. I used to believe all kinds of things when it came to God. If you told me I'd be christian, let alone catholic.....I'd have laughed in your face. Yet, it just came to be that everything I'd come to understand in my search was brought to light when I accepted Jesus Christ. Especially appealing to catholicism. Things I used to argue about with other christians.
The question is though, if all you have to do is believe in Jesus Christ and TRY to live according to God's word, is that so hard? That's it. That's all you have to do. Just believe and make a consistent effort.
The fire burns, but it burns for the purification. If you get burned, perhaps it's because you're guilty. If you're guilty...confess.
2006-09-07 18:59:40 · answer #6 · answered by nathancarson23 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I truly believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life- no man comes to the father except through him and that He is the only mediator between God and man.
However, it is not up to me to decide how God does things, what happens to people who have never heard the gospel, etc.
Only God knows the heart of a man and only God can make that final judgement.
I beleive that God is a loving and merciful God and does not send people to hell indiscriminantly. I don't believe that all paths lead to the same place but I beleive that a heart that desires truth, seeks truth and is humble , teachable and correctable will find a lot more mercy than one that is haughty and prideful holding on to 'their own truth' even in the face of THE truth
2006-09-07 18:53:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋
No religion preaches hating, lawlessness or killing. In that way, all religions are heading towards the same. Attaining unity with the divine. But no religion says that this is the only way to heaven, except Christianity. Only Jesus said " I am the way, the Truth and the Life..." True, there are Christians who say that God is love and therefore He will not let His children suffer in hell. That is lopsided thinking. They have not read the whole Bible. They have formed opinions on their own. John 3:18 says, " He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. " The Bible says he is condemned if he rejects the Son of God. Where does that leave him? On the road to hell, of course.
Don't get confused by such people. Read the Bible carefully and attend a good church which teaches the Bible truthfully. God has given you enough wisdom. Don't demean other religions but be sure of your footing. Respect others but give them the truth too.
2006-09-07 19:02:02 · answer #8 · answered by sunilbernard 4 · 0⤊ 5⤋
That's what's great about the Baha'i faith.
They believe that all religions are essentially the same and all have the same paths to the same destination. It's a great way to believe in God while still having honest respect for all other religions.
I'm not religious in the least, but I believe everyone has their own entitlement to their faith just as long as they don't harm others or force their beliefs onto others.
2006-09-07 18:49:09 · answer #9 · answered by meKrystle 3 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Well hang on there - last time I was in church (literally) I asked the Baptist Pastor if he thought my Mother was in heaven - although she was a wonderful loving, caring person who I'll swear never "sinned", she did not "accept Jesus Christ as her lord and savior".
He quoted me that "no man comes to the father except through me" stuff, and said no - doesn't matter how saintly Mom was - there would be no heaven for her.
I asked him "If God wouldn't accept her, why would I want to spend eternity there?"
That was the one thing that got me to sleep at night when I was a kid - knowing that if I died in my sleep, my family would meet me in heaven. Then I find out it's a lie? And now half of you are telling me the Pastor lied? What the heck is the truth of it anyway? No wonder I'm a Pagan now, thanks anyway.
2006-09-07 19:14:14 · answer #10 · answered by joyfulpaints 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
It is hard to explain how indeed you balance that kind of thing.
Still though, for Christians, we believe that Jesus Christ came to redeem all people, and died for all people...not just Christians. Those Christians that believe that, are in a few words, slightly off... Christianity didnt exist until after Christ. Also, why would a God we proclaim to be loving, want to die only for a certain group of people, and not everyone?
To say that non-Christians are going to go to hell because they believe in other gods, or dont believe at all, is highly judgemental, and wrong. In order to be a TRUE Christian, you have to be accepting of all people, and know that no matter what God loves them the same way he loves you and I.
(I dont know if that helped, but I hope it did if even a little...)
2006-09-07 18:54:18 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 5⤋