According to Judaism... Can the Christians get into heaven despite being idolatrous?

Answer 1

i thought you were jewish, quantrill?

as far as i know, virtually all jewish authorities agree that while christianity is idolatry for a jew to believe in, it does not constitute idolatry for a non-jew to believe in it.

Answer 2

It's my understanding that there are different levels of the world to come. I'm not sure that worshipping Jesus is considered idolatry, but even if it were, they might enter a "lower level" of the afterlife.

In any case, Jews very seldom consider any afterlife until threatened with eternal torment by Christians. We continue our mission of being a "light unto the nations" and get on with the business at hand -- life! Judaism is a journed, not a destination.

You're asking the wrong people about "heaven." It's the Christians who are the experts on death, dying, and torment.


LOL at the guy who thought heaven had ever been reserved for Jews!!!! He's definitely confused Judaism with Christianity! There's no way we'll ever get into the Christian heaven. We'll suffer eternal torment along with all the other "non-believers." Such a kind and loving God.
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Answer 3

According to Judaism, all moral people merit heaven, regardless of their religious beliefs or lack thereof.
Being moral means following the seven laws of Noah:
1. Prohibition of Idolatry: - You shall not make for yourself an idol.
2. Prohibition Murder: - You shall not murder.
3. Prohibition of Theft: - You shall not steal.
4. Prohibition of Sexual Promiscuity: - You shall not commit adultery.
5. Prohibition of Blasphemy: - You shall not blaspheme.
6. Prohibition of Cruelty to Animals: - Do not eat the flesh of a living animal.
7. Requirement to have just Laws: - You shall set up an effective government to police the preceding six laws.
There are entire communities practicing the seven noahide laws. You can find out about them here:
http://www.noahidenations.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=11&Itemid=46

Answer 4

OK, ****I'm Jewish**** so let me answer this. Apostate is correct--we believe that **any** good person has a place in the world to come. How we define the world to come is somewhat variable, but that's not your question. **And** Apostate is correct when s/he states that the definition of "good" is following the Noahide laws. However they must be followed consciously and choicefully because the individual recognizes that this is the right way to live, and not merely because the person thinks that this will get him/her into the world to come.

Answer 5

If they abide by the seven Noachide laws...


The Seven Laws of Noah
According to traditional Judaism, G-d gave Noah and his family seven commandments to observe when he saved them from the flood. These commandments, referred to as the Noahic or Noahide commandments, are inferred from Genesis Ch. 9, and are as follows: 1) to establish courts of justice; 2) not to commit blasphemy; 3) not to commit idolatry; 4) not to commit incest and adultery; 5) not to commit bloodshed; 6) not to commit robbery; and 7) not to eat flesh cut from a living animal. These commandments are fairly simple and straightforward, and most of them are recognized by most of the world as sound moral principles. Any non-Jew who follows these laws has a place in the world to come.

The Noahic commandments are binding on all people, because all people are descended from Noah and his family. The 613 mitzvot of the Torah, on the other hand, are only binding on the descendants of those who accepted the commandments at Sinai and upon those who take on the yoke of the commandments voluntarily (by conversion). In addition, the Noahic commandments are applied more leniently to non-Jews than the corresponding commandments are to Jews, because non-Jews do not have the benefit of Oral Torah to guide them in interpreting the laws. For example, worshipping G-d in the form of a man would constitute idolatry for a Jew; however, according to some sources, the Christian worship of Jesus does not constitute idolatry for non-Jews.

There is a growing movement of non-Jews who have consciously accepted these seven laws of Noah and chosen to live their lives in accordance with these laws. This movement is referred to as B'nei Noach (Children of Noah). For more information about the B'nei Noach movement and the Noahic commandments, see Chavurath B'nei Noach of Fort Worth, Texas.

Answer 6

Judaism hit a crossroads when Jesus Christ died and was resurrected. They no longer had exclusive claim to heaven. Now, if they reject the one who grants them that, they will be the ones considered idolatrous. Christians are not idolatrous in the sense that you are using. I gather you are talking about the Trinity. Genesis 18, my friend, since we're talking about Judaism.

Answer 7

Clarification; All men (Jews, Christians, etc)can be idolatrious. Man became a false god (See Gen. 3:5-6), when Eve and Adam partook of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.

Answer 8

Sorry Jesus Cult...You won't make the grade without being accepted into the chosen, and following the LAW OF GOD as laid out by Moses, God's chosen prophet.
So pray to your graven images (crucifix) and patron "saints" (demonic forces.) See how much good it does you when it comes time to hand out the wrath...

Some proto-hippie yahoo comes along and starts saying, "you don't have to listen to God's law! I'm his son and I say live for love! Pray to me, and peace out man! Trust me! It'll all be groovy!"

Answer 9

Since we worship a Man whom we revere as "God With Us" (Immanuel) or "God in the Flesh," I can certainly see why Jews would think Christians have no part in Olam Ha-Ba or Gan Eden. If we are incorrect, then we are practicing idolatry and have given up any possibility of an afterlife.

So apparently we are going to Gehinnom (She'ol). (Gehinnom sounds very similar to purgatory to me, but that's another subject.......)

EDIT: "Mark S," you didn't answer the question. Do you consider Christians to be following the Noahide laws? Since there's a prohibition against idolatry, and since Jews consider Jesus to be an idol, aren't we transgressors from your point of view?

Answer 10

Judaism has always been an enemy of Christianity.