Love God = love people.
In real life, is the above equation correct? I know in biblical theory there is a difference. In real life, if a person loves people (true love), in another word, if he is a highly moral person, but he is not a Christian, let's say he is a Confucian, Buddhist, Muslim, or a atheist, can he have eternal life after death ? My question actually is : is there only one way of salvation, or several ways ? I am not interested in theoretical debate here. Various religions have been debating on this issue for hundreds of years. I ask this question here because I myself want to go to heaven after I die. Frankly speaking, (perhaps you won't believe it) I have read dozens of books about all the religions mentioned above. The more I read, the more I believe they are similar in nature. They are all about spiritual life and the central concept of all the religions is the same – love.
2007-03-11 13:54:52 · 11 answers · asked by Gone 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
All other concepts are based on it. As a result, I believe as long as I love people (pure, true love as a life time commitment), I can have eternal life, WITHOUT having faith in God. (I am not saying I am already a highly moral person, but I am willing to try my best to be a better person every day, simply one small step at a time. It won’t be easy, but I want to try) Can I have eternal life if I am a Confucian or an atheist? If you don’t know what Confucianism is, it doesn’t matter, its theories are very similar to the teachings of Jesus and Paul in the New Testament, otherwise, I would not have posted this question here in the first place. Thank you in advance.
2007-03-11 13:55:31 · update #1
I believe the same as you, all that matters is kindness and peace, It is the ultimate truth, what else can be above it? I honestly believe that god prefers you follow these absolutes over belief in him. So many people believe and "worship" god and it hasn't done the world a lick of good. Obviously something is wrong. Believing in god is easy, understanding and embracing peace and kindness is much harder and much more important.
2007-03-11 14:07:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
>In real life, is the above equation correct?
Okay, let's take an indirect proof here.
love*people=love*God
(love*people)/love=people
(love*God)/love=God
people=God
So, for the equation to be necessarily correct in all cases, people must be equal to God.
>if he is a highly moral person, but he is not a Christian, let's say he is a Confucian, Buddhist, Muslim, or a atheist, can he have eternal life after death ?
Interesting question. As an atheist, here's my perspective on it.
Let's assume that Heaven exists, Heaven is the best possible place to be, God exists, and God is very intelligent (christianity is in agreement with all these things). Looking around, I do not see sufficient evidence for God's existence, therefore I logically conclude that God probably does not exist. God is very intelligent, therefore he knows that one, I have come to this conclusion in a logically valid fashion, two, he was the one who had control over the evidence I can see, and three, logic is the only valid means of investigation. Therefore he knows that in being logical I have done something good, while those who believe on faith are illogical (faith is innately illogical) and therefore have been doing something bad. Presumably God would also prefer to put people who have done good things in Heaven above people who have done bad things. Therefore atheists are more likely to go to Heaven than religious people are. :D
2007-03-11 14:05:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus said that if a person lived according to God's law without ever having the law (meaning, at the time, being Jewish) then it may be proof that God wrote the law upon his heart and others should not judge his chances of salvation.
If you have no faith in a higher being, if you think your ability to help others is ALL your own doing, that is the definition of self-righteousness.
On the other hand, if you reject Christianity, Judaism, Islam, because all the people you know of these faiths are less helpful to others than you are... than the sin is ours.... and you get a better deal in the next life than we do...
Try to be more open minded to the existence of the Holy Spirit. It makes trying your "best to be a better person every day" much easier.
2007-03-11 14:15:35 · answer #3 · answered by angrygramma 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being a "moral" person isn't enough. You're right about love but you must include mercy and there also must be some acknowlegement of the one who procurs for you eternal life. Without Jesus, there is no eternal life. He makes it possible to those who follow in His footsteps, doing only their heavenly Father's will and suffering and atoning for their transgressions and the transgressions of others. Practice unconditional love at all times, unconditional acceptance (in peace and humility) of everything life deals you and you're well on your way to a personal encounter with Christ.
2007-03-11 14:06:11 · answer #4 · answered by Babs 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not going to debate with you (as you requested) just tell you the straight up truth of the matter.
From the day Adam and Eve sinned - this trait was passed down from generation to generation. The forbidden fruit could have possibly altered their DNA from immortal to mortal status (that could be debated for years). But this is as I see it. So sin entered the world by Adam essentially.
Jesus was sent by God, to correct what Adam screwed up and provide a means of eternal life, to escape death that Adam brought to the generations of mankind. Jesus, (as Paul put it) was in essence, the second Adam.
We are all destined for the Grave (hell "Gehenna"). On an appointed day, God will merge the spiritual world with the world as we know it, where ALL laws of physics are altered.
The dead will rise, and will face Judgment. Some will be judged to eternal life (those who accepted the gift of salvation from the grave through Jesus).., and those who rejected Jesus as their savior, will end destroyed in the Lake of Fire. I might note here, that many confuse hell (hades / Gehenna) as burning forever and ever. Actually its the lake of fire that burns forever and ever - but whoever or whatever that is thrown in this eternal flaming lake is totally consumed (destroyed) and is dead forever - but I suppose the pain in the process is something not pleasant.
The idea is - in the New Heavens and Earth.., Sin has to be purged... much like our governments would not hesitate in completely destroying whole populated villages if a global non curable disease outbreak could be contained in so doing.
Sin is not going away by itself. Its in man's nature. There can only be one God when one examines the chain reaction of life, and backtracks. Everything traces back to an initial single prototype of each species (plants included). Only one creator (Master Designer) remains.., and since that master designer can not have a maker, he is the chief source of all things.
If there is one God - there is one central truth. How do we establish what truth is among all the vast religions (most of which, the ancient ones) were started by what we call Fallen Angels who set themselves up as gods to be worshiped by men... these alternate religions are obviously not the single source truth.., but facsimiles thereof.
Look at Israel. A tiny nation, yet the world is seemingly centered in on her. The majority of the world hates her with a passion. The Bible predicted that Israel would be destroyed, and rise from the ashes (which she did in 1948).., and goes on to predict the massing of nations against her.., and the entire Middle East surrounding Israel, desires her demise and waiting for the moment they can wipe her from the map.
There is more - but this is just to get your cerebral juices flowing. The Bible seems to be the central indicator of truth since it is the only religious books that has a large number of prophecies to take place, with many more to take place soon.
2007-03-11 14:39:50 · answer #5 · answered by Victor ious 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you are confused. But you are not alone, as many Christians confuse this issue also.
You are confusing what the Bible actually teaches with what you think people are supposed to believe.
To love God is not the same as to love people. Christians are supposed to love "each other", not the people of the world. This really afflicts many churches. They try to make the church palatable to the godless in society-down goes the church.
Jesus said of His followers- "you will know them by how they love one another". It does not say "how they love the world (people)".
2007-03-11 14:05:06 · answer #6 · answered by Desperado 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Believe that Jesus Christ is your savior and lord is the only way to get to heaven. Its one of the only religons stating that you dont deserve heaven and that you dont have to do deeds to get there. You only have to repent you sins and try to be christ like which is impossible without Jesus Christ.
hope this helps.
may God bless you and everyone you love.
2007-03-11 14:11:10 · answer #7 · answered by ilovepointeshoes 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LONG QUESTION! short answer: Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life no man comes to God(the father) but by me! take it how you want to!
2007-03-11 13:59:50 · answer #8 · answered by ***BUTTERFLY*** 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the bible says that the only way to get to heaven is through Jesus. there are differences between religions...
2007-03-11 14:00:57 · answer #9 · answered by horsefreakmillie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Short answer...yes, love one another and regardless of your religious affiliation, I believe you will experience the heaven you desire when you pass away.
2007-03-11 13:59:30 · answer #10 · answered by Greenwood 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋