What do you think of this statement? Do you agree or disagree? Why?

Question

Ramakrishna, the greatest Hindu saint of the nineteenth century, once said, "God has made different religions to suit different aspirations, times, and countries. All doctrines are only so many paths; but a path is by no means God Himself. Indeed, one can reach God if one follows any of the paths with wholehearted devotion. One may eat a cake with icing either straight or sidewise. It will taste sweet either way."

Please, really think about your answer before you reply...

Okay, for those of you who think Jesus Christ is the only way to reach God. What about those who have never even heard his name? For example, the Native Americans before the white man came? Were they sent to hell simply because no one ever told them about Jesus?

Answer 1

As a christian I do believe that as the bible says God will give everyone an opportunity to hear the truth and then it will be up to them to decide. Though it may have not been it the terms we think of, yes this includes Native Americans, my God is a just God and He would not send people to hell without first giving them an opportunity of salvation. Everyone, yes everyone, will be given the chance to come to know Christ before Jesus comes back. It's only fair. This is why missions and other stuff is very crucial. Oh and no, I don't think my God made different religions, He has called for us to be of one body, not to be separated. I think everyone can serve God in their own way, time, culture, country appropriate. Though we are all part of the same body we are all uniquely made. Hoowever, there is only one way to the true living God and that is through His Son Jesus Christ. Many paths can lead you to hell but only one can lead you to heaven.

Answer 2

For those that believe that Jesus is the only way, those souls that were before Christ or who didn't know of Him can still be saved through His sacrifice. Their souls will either accept Him or not. Remember that on the third day, Jesus went into the place of the dead to release them. God is not an evil dungeon master trying to trick souls. All souls get a chance to choose between good and evil. In Romans 2:14, it discusses those who have followed the natural law of right without knowing about Christ.

Many Blessings,
Bridgit

Answer 3

From God's perspective there is no religion. Their is only truth or untruth. Right according to God or not right according to God. Every principle of every religion and every philosophy falls into one of these two categories. All religions have true principles, but they can't all be entirely true. Their can only be one religion with the full truth and nothing but the truth. The rest are watered down with the philosophies of men.

Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it (Matt 7:13). All those who truly seek truth will eventually find themselves on the same path. Unfortunately many of those who claim to seek truth are really in search of their own truth. They decide what standard their willing to live and what their willing to accept and find a religion or philosophy that makes them feel good about it.

In this way they are creating God in their own image rather than patterning their lives after him.

Answer 4

Men have always had aspirations to make it to God in his own way, by his own philosophy. Jesus - the Son of God did away with the need for man made traditions and "shadows of the law". But to deny this last sacrifice for man is to ultimately deny God. This is why He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". And it is also important that the Gospel be spread throughout the entire world as it is now and was commanded. So that there would be no misunderstanding this calling. Christians today just as throughout history risk life and limb to complete this task in hope of enabling us all to receive salvation. Even as Christ Himself died for us.

God bless

Answer 5

There is no way to God except through His Son Jesus and to the world this gift of love was sent to die for mankind so mankind could be saved from the judgment and consequence from sin which is spiritual and eternal death. The price has been paid in full now mankind can come to God and receive from Him all that belongs to Christ even to share and reign in his coming kingdom on this earth. No other religion hold any value or spiritual worth but lies vain before God Almighty and will keep people separated from him unless they come to personally know the living Saviour. When one stands before him the books shall be opened and whosoevers name is not found written in the Lamb's Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire, so there is only one way to get your name in this book-Jesus Christ..

Answer 6

Yes. I agree. I believe truth is like a jewel. It's many faceted. Everyone has their own path. Sometimes they miss truth and end up on another side of their path rather than at the truth, but all they have to do is turn around and head back for truth again. On their journey they'll see alot of other POVs. If something is true it will overlap with other people's truths. For example, we know the Golden Rule is true because all religious and spiritual beliefs have one. I could go on. But there you have it. That Hindu guy was right on.

Answer 7

Everyone will have the opportunity to accept the gospel. If you are pure in heart and have a contrite spirit you will accept the gospel in this life or the next. It won't matter if you followed a different path up until that point, as long as when the truth is presented to you, you accept it and begin on the new path. It's that path, which is like a straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life and exaltation.

Answer 8

here's the answer to the additional details first:
it (bible) says that God gives the oporitunity somewhere in life to know Him and his son, Jesus. if you don't take it; it's your choice. God gave us freewill so we can live our own lives. it's not His fault we screw it up... but people also ask what happens to babies and mentally challenged people... they go to heaven anyways, b/c they can't understand... (and you know why they can't understand.)

but now to the origional question...

i guess if you took the cake theory; it'd make sense... but it depends what YOU believe. if you're a christian, then God is everything... I'm a christian and yeah, God and Jesus is the light of our world, no other religion matters, blah blah blah. you get it.
but for others i guess it really is about timing, aspirations by freewill and countries... some countries don't give you that choice.

if i have to agree or disagree, i don't think i could fully trust my answer...i'd debate which way was right. but at the end of the day it's what you believe in and you don't have to listen to anybody else... i hope this is an answer helps in anyway.
:0)

Answer 9

I do agree with this statement very much. There are so many religions out there and so many different approaches to different deities that there could never only be "one true way" if Christianity was the only true religion it would have been known around the world equally not just in the more active ones.

Answer 10

I believe that god made it so the people could have different religions and see if they can still stay true to him. What I mean is that God didn't make the religions, but he made the people who the religions were based on. Differnet prophets were sent to diffferent ends of the world. Everyone is entitled to believe what they believe beause no one told us which way was right or wrong.