This is just something I have been thinking about. To start off, I am a Christian. Though, I am confused and unsure on some things. One thing though that I have thought a lot about is this. Do you think that religions that teach the same basics have one in the same God? I don't know if I worded that exactly right. I'll try to explain more....
Christianity formed thousands of years ago in Europe. Now, the Bible says the only way to Heaven is through Christ..and I agree. But what about those people who have never even heard the name of the Christian God? What happens to them? I do not think God would just let them go to hell. The Native Americans are a good example. Their beliefs are very similar to ours......do you think that it the same God, just going by a different name so every one will have the opportunity to know him?
What are your opinions? Sorry if it didn't make much sense, I tried to explain what I'm thinking but I'm not even sure myself of what I'm thinking......
2006-11-21 09:25:44 · 22 answers · asked by Led*Zep*Babe 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I did not mean that all religions have the same God....that is not what I was saying.
2006-11-21 09:32:16 · update #1
each time we do something that raises consciousness, we lift sparks of holiness to new levels. this is called tikkum ha nefesh, mending the soul, and tikkum ha olam, mending the world, bringing it closer to its source.
thank you for your question?
2006-11-28 03:32:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, what you are saying makes a lot of sense. In Romans 1 it talks about the "heathen," and how, even those who have never heard God's Word are accountable, because they've been given a conscience. That means that they know right from wrong, though they don't have the Law written down to tell them. I think that there probably have been (and maybe still are) some who know nothing about God, and yet have looked around at Creation, and searched their own hearts, and realized that there is a God somewhere. If they have seeked to serve Him, then either He has taken them to heaven, or He has provided a way for them to learn more about Jesus so that they could accept Him as their Savior.
I don't know how it all works out, but I do know that my God is just, and I trust Him that no one will go to hell simply for not being told enough.
2006-11-21 17:32:15 · answer #2 · answered by BekaJoy 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That is a very thoughtful question. I would like to share my own views.
I believe that this thing called God is an unknowable, awesome consciousness of pure love and creation. Throughout history, various saints from different faiths have gotten in touch with God. Different cultures produce different religions. These different religions are different ways of describing one reality of pure love that is beyond words.
Some people say that Christ is the ONLY way to God. But many, many Christians maintain their faith and also acknowledge the validity of other paths. Personally I have been in a Buddhist temple, a Jewish Synagogue and in an Islamic Mosque and felt the same presence and power. I have heard people say that there is only one true path and all the others are false but the awesome, silent presence of God speaks louder than the accusations of small minded human beings. Also I have met the Christians who are narrow minded and I have met the ones who are more open minded and the ones who are able to see beauty in other faiths seem closer to God and to Truth. So in my opinion follow your own path but whatever it is, don't let somebody else tell you what to think or believe.
2006-11-21 17:42:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
One god. The same god. We are all looking at the same thing through different windows. The Bible is one of many sources for information about God. His (and I use the pronoun loosely) creation is another source. I believe that where religions agree (ideas such as Love God as you know Him, Love your neighbor, love the planet, love yourself) are the great truths of that which you and I call God. I believe the differences are created by culture and politics, and I include some of the Bible's teachings in that category. When Christ ascended and promised the Holy Spirit, he promised that the Comforter would lead in spirit and in truth. You as a believer have that polestar within. Use it to guide you into Spirit's Truth. Your faith will be far more unshakeable if it comes from within than from an external source or group.
2006-11-21 17:43:24 · answer #4 · answered by writelikeme2 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All people will hear the gospel darning the 1000 year reign. If you have not gotten to hear the gospel message in a clear concise presentation you will have the chance then. If you have heard the gospel message and refused to accept Jesus Christ as your savior then you don't get a second chance. God is totally fair so all souls will have a chance to hear and decide on their own weather to believe or not. Yes satan will be loosened a little while after the 1000 year reign to tempt all soul and then the judgment will come. Hope this helps and God bless
2006-11-21 18:04:26 · answer #5 · answered by peewee5001 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How do you know there is even a god!!!!!!!!!
What do you really believe in god himself or the principle's of your faith..cos the way I see it is you only have the whats written on paper to say that god, Jesus & everything else is true cos it happened like a squillion yrs ago..
No matter what religion you belive in they all have a god of some form so you will all go to heaven because that god will get you there.
I dont belive in god or have faith in any religion but I think if there were a heaven I would go because everyone gets there apart from the really BAD people, so dont stress out ova little bits & bobs in the bible cos you will neva know the truth untill you get there!
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2006-11-21 17:48:53 · answer #6 · answered by bakebeanie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God said we are to spread the words of the Bible to all.It is our duty as Christians to plant the seed(so to speak),in other words tell everyone we can about the Kingdom and Heaven.People have often said that we all worship the same GOD as all others do.NOT TRUE! There is a lot of idolatry in this world usually due to confusion such as your own.If you want to know the whole story start in Genesis and read the Entire Bible.Make notes as you go and read ALL the footnotes corresponding with the tiny numbers beside some of the words as you go. Good luck and Feel free TO E-Mail me @ GibbyGuy@netzero.net with any questions that I can help you with.
2006-11-21 17:33:39 · answer #7 · answered by gibbyguys 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that I remember that Jesus spent three days in Hell liberating the good ppl that died without knowing his name. Not sure how this affects post ressurection Native americans, but it shows that Jesus was interested in saving those ppl as well.
The God of Abraham is the God for Islam, Judaism and Christianity...so you are correct in thinking that some of the same basic tenets in these religions have a basis in the same God.
2006-11-21 17:33:52 · answer #8 · answered by saopaco 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They're not all the same, though. A lot of cultures are polytheistic and worship gods and goddesses of nature that have nothing to do with the Christian god. It's not just one single God with many different interpretations; the concept is just totally different, especially in a lot of those Native American and African faiths.
2006-11-21 17:30:08 · answer #9 · answered by . 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
hmmm
1. do religions that have the same teachings have the same god? no. different places have different original gods. the similarities you see is basic knowledge. dont kill, dont steal, dont hurt others. most religions tech this because they are inherent facts. theyre common sense.
simply because many religions teach the same things isnt evidence that there is a god or gods, its evidence that those things are inherent in all of us.
christianity formed in the middle east....not europe. i think you might have that confused with catholicism.
as for those who have never heard of him. theyre in hell. its as simple as that . you said it yourself. the only way to heaven is through christ. if they dont know christ they cant get into heaven. so the only place to go is hell. id hate to be the bearer of bad news but.....well.....maybe you should rethink your subscritopn to Christianity Weekly.
the native american gods are not the christian god. once again there are similarities in many religions, that does not mean they all beleive in the same god. the thruths they teach are inherently within us all.
2006-11-21 17:27:53 · answer #10 · answered by johnny_zondo 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It simply means that there is nothing but God. It does not mean that God only allows people who follow one limited way ( a way created by an infinite god,) into heaven. There is no reality that says, "Sorry, you don't fit the bill...down you go."
"Only through me": God is All That Is, meaning that no matter what teaching one follows, one will "end up" with God. There is nowhere else to go.
2006-11-21 17:52:48 · answer #11 · answered by Sky in the Grass 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋