Is religion necessary for salvation?

Answer 1

"It is by grace you are saved, through faith, and it is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not by works of righteousness, so that no man may boast."

Religion is the institution set up by man and often used for personal power... FAITH is what it necessary!

Answer 2

Faith in Jesus Christ and new life given by the Holy Spirit are necessary for salvation. After that a person should be a member of a church because God gives spiritual gifts to each believer so that they can work together to support the great commission that Jesus gave us.

1 Corinthians 12:7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Answer 3

I have heard a story which perhaps might answer your question. There are three monks living in an deserted island. They have never been influenced by any religion from the outside world. They chant something everyday, in a language only known to them to God. In each & every activity they do they have that chant on their lips. One day, a ship halts a little away from the island. A priest emerges from it who has a book and a rosary bead in his hand along with few other people to relieve themselves from the long & the weary journey on the sea. The priest meets these monks while they were in their prayers. After the prayers, the priest introduces himself to the monks & the monks were more than happy to receive guests & treated them with a decent hospitality, best known to them. During a conversation with the monks, the priest mentioned that the way in which they were praying to God was wrong. The monks thought that perhaps the priest was right as God did not make a personal appearance before them. So, they asked the priest for the correct method of praying to God. And the priest taught them a few verses from the holy book & the correct method of praying. The next day, the priest & the rest of the party thanked & took leave of the monks & went on a small boat to board the ship which was anchored a little far away from the island. The party boarded the ship & it slowly lifted the anchor to set sail. The priest was looking at the monks on the island from the ship & waving at them. Suddenly, the priest, saw an amazing spectacular feat. The three monks were running towards him on the water. The priest knew that the water was deep enough to drown a elephant, but, the monks came running as if they were running on land. From below, the monks asked the priest if he could repeat the prayer that he taught to them yesterday as they forgot the verses. The priest, recovering from his amazement, said that they did not have to follow the correct method as the means they used were more than enough to please the God.
Even though this is only a story, it shows that commitment to god (in whatever name, form, style, mode, etc.) rather being just religious is more important. God accepts all his children alike.

Answer 4

Religion is the human way of dealing with the unknown. In the past, physical phenomena became incorporated into peoples religions and even dictated them.
I believe, that in today's society where science is giving the answers (or tries) to the mysteries of the world, religion should play a much lesser role, and eventually dissipate.
I do not have the need for the God hypothesis. I don't believe in a supernatural being with a will and a consciousness that will judge me, save me or condemn me in any way.

Answer 5

Its like some who knows all the books of a university degree course better than the ones on the course, but he hasn't joined the course. He looks from the outside, he can never get the degree unless he enrolls. So enroll.

Heres a nice story to remember

Once a king called a Jewish Rabbi, a Christian priest and a Muslim scholar. He asked the to present the case for their religion, why was it better?

The priest said the Rabbi can go first because the Jews came first and then the Rabbi, said the Christian should go first. They are argued and then said let the Muslim go.

Ok the king said, why are you right and they wrong. The scholar said, "If the Jews are right, then the Muslims are with them because we believe in Moses, the Christan's are okay too. If the Christan's are right then the Jews are in trouble and the Muslims are right because we believe in Jesus. But if the Muslims are right then the Jews and the Christan's are in trouble because they don't believe in Muhammad." (peace and blessings be upon him)

Answer 6

Any god who *made* religion necessary for salvation would be an unjust god, and an unjust god would be just as likely to sent the fervently religious to hell, just for the fun of it.

Best policy to follow, I think, is this:

Live as if there are no gods, enjoy life, and be a decent person. If there is indeed a just god, you will be rewarded. If there are no gods, you had a worthwhile life and that's the end of it. If there is an unjust god, then you're probably screwed anyway, whatever you do.

Answer 7

Is this a question of semantics? Given that "salvation" is a religious concept, I'd say yes. Salvation means to be saved - specifically from an eternity of damnation in hell. If you're not religious you consequently wouldn't believe in hell and how can you believe in being saved from something which you don't believe exists??????

Answer 8

Religion may actually keep you from salvation. Believe in your heart that Jesus died for your sins and conquered death by his resurrection. Then begin living your life through Him.

Answer 9

Without religion there isn't any need for salvation.

For instance, I'm not a christian, so I don't think there's a hell for me to need salvation from.

Answer 10

No, accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior and repenting of your sins is how you obtain salvation.