My friend is Christian and I would say I am "still finding myself". But I found if very "HATEFUL" to condemn another person for their religion and say that only CHRISTIANS are going to Heaven or whatever "afterplace". With all the similarities between religions, why religion continue to be so divisive. I feel content to just follow the principle that is ever present in all religions "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". I don't think my religion is going to determine whether I go to heaven. I think how I treat folks will
2007-02-12 07:55:17 · 24 answers · asked by manifest_my_destiny 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm an atheist. I used to be a Christian.
And I'm quite clear that on any natural reading of the bible only Christians are saved, and that these are "the few". In this respect you cannot blame Christians for their message. If they believe the bible and Jesus, they are stuck with it, and to say anything else would be dishonest. (HOW they say it, and what they do about it, yes that can be more easily criticised)
I have looked at the arguments for universal salvation, and that a loving God will forgive all, or that Jesus can save those who do not admit that they need him, but I was and am unconvinced that that these are anything more than a way to make the Christian message easier by watering it down.
If Christianity is true, you have to take it on board and live with it. Most are going to hell.
If it isn't true, then it's only an annoyance that people who believe it preach, albeit with consistency to their faith.
But to my mind you can't comfortably hold the middle ground and try and believe in Christianity and the bible but cut out that part of the message.
2007-02-12 08:24:26 · answer #1 · answered by Pedestal 42 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You say good things.
Have you ever considered that with all the similarities between religions, maybe they are all wrong?
Similar yes, but wrong.
Jesus indicated the true religion would be a small group going against the majority.
Matthew 7:13-14
“....broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and MANY are the ones going in through it; whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and FEW are the ones finding it."
2007-02-12 08:04:33 · answer #2 · answered by Uncle Thesis 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
John 14: 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
According to the bible, Jesus is the only way to heaven. Christians are only repeating what they read in the bible. We must all make our own choices. Looks like you've chosen a different path.
2007-02-12 08:04:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I recommend the bible is crystal approximately it. Why does she join Catholicism? i comprehend alot of human beings try this; I basically don't comprehend why. Why connect your self to a e book that very for sure pronounces salvation in basically via Christ; yet purely take the warmth fuzzy hippie Christ and not the hardcore Christ who spoke at super lengths greater advantageous than the different element affirming we would desire to be born returned via perception in Him. I wouldnt call your chum a bad Christian in any respect. besides the undeniable fact that, i'd question what she believes Christian incredibly potential. Thats my address it a minimum of.
2016-11-03 06:32:26 · answer #4 · answered by speth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because Jesus, Peter and Paul all said so. We Christians didn't just make this belief up to annoy you or your friend.
We think that the only way into Heaven is to get your sins forgiven, since you can never be totally sin-free (this is not an excuse for guilt-free indulgence in sin, it is just an acknowledgment of human weakness). You cannot "earn" your forgiveness by doing good works, because:
(i) no ones motives are ever completely pure, then even when you do something good, you are also doing something evil that has to be made up for (you are simply digging your hole deeper); and,
(ii) doing good is simply doing your duty; you cannot do God a favor by doing something good. If a cop pulled you over for speeding, you couldn't get out of it by saying, well at least I didn't rob a bank -- doesn't that make up for it? Actually, no. You are supposed to be doing good all of the time, so doing good does not make up for the fact that you failed to do good some other time.
2007-02-12 08:03:32 · answer #5 · answered by Randy G 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
It's not our place to make decisions about others. All we can do is repeat what God has told us. That's not being hateful, it's being honest. You can believe as you like. We're just telling you God's opinion of human religions, and where they will get you.
Why, after God put so much effort into saving you, should He allow you into His Home if you ignore His efforts and deny His Works? Would you allow people who disrespect you into YOUR home?
2007-02-12 08:07:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very good question. As a Christian I wonder about that too, since Jesus died for ALL of our sins and ALL sins are forgiven, then it only makes sense that all people would go to heaven anyway. And, by the way, your quote is one of my favorites. "Do onto others as you would have them do onto you", are words to live by and I quote that often.
2007-02-12 08:06:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm a Christian and I don't believe anyone but 144,000 will go to heaven. All the rest of mankind will live on this earth forever when it is restored to a paradise.(Revelation 7:4)
2007-02-12 08:03:07 · answer #8 · answered by Gail B 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
simple.
yes, it would be hateful except for one thing....
God says so, too!!
here are His exact words:
John 3: The Words of Jesus Christ (God in the flesh)
3. "Verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God."
4. Nicodemus saith unto Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?"
5. Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God."
6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."
16. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18. 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."
2007-02-12 08:02:05 · answer #9 · answered by Chef Bob 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
True Christians don't say this.
I'm not going to do the judging for God. All I can do is encourage people in their relationship with God. If I do this, and am a good example, hopefully they'll come to accept Christ.
If not, I leave it up to the mercy of God weather or not they spend eternity with him.
2007-02-12 08:00:55 · answer #10 · answered by azarus_again 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋