Who is right?

Question

I am a Chritian (Church of Christ) and I have struggled with this question for years. Each religion (Baptits, Methodists, Catholic, etc) think that their religion is the "correct" religion. Do they think that everyone else is going to hell if they don't share in their beliefs? I mean, I try to follow what the Bible says to a T and when I slip up, I ask for forgiveness. But these other religions are trying to do the same thing. Does this mean that they are going to hell in the end because they are not sharing my same beliefs? I would like to think that if we all try to do our best we will share a home in Heaven. What do you think?

Just to let everyone know...I have not given any thumbs up or downs to any answers! Thanks to everyone who has answered so far! Very thought provoking!

Answer 1

No I think that no church is saying that they are the only ones going to heaven....You wouldn't be a Christian if you could say that all other religion or a person is going to hell....All we can do is pray... Good day to you... @

Answer 2

The diffeent Christian religions are simply diffeent expressions of faith. Although some are in my and others opinion a little more liberal and could be not following the Bible in the most accurate way. The main thing is to make sure you are not following a religion and practicing something that is not in line with the only real source of information we have on the nature of God, the Bible.

"Doing our best" is not a commandment. Jesus never said "Do your best" and you will attain the kingdom of heaven.
Nope what he said, and this is what you should hear from your preacher, pastor, priest, each and every week is...that we must have a second birth(to be born again in the Holy Spirit) repent, turn from sin(follow each and every one of the Ten Commandments), believe in and follow Jesus Christ. Simple.

Answer 3

I am also a member of the body (church of Christ non-denominational) One of my brothers is Catholic and another is a methodist pastor. I believe individuals in other denominations are saved. The question for them is do they understand that they are really the Church of Christ this is a discription not a denomination. Here is a story for you.

there was once a Methodist preacher (you can add any denomination) we was asking for donations. a man said I will give you 1000.00 if you put up a sign that says this is a Church of Christ. The preacher said I can't do that we are a Methodist church. so the man said I will give you the 1000.00 if you put up a sign that says this is not a Church of Christ. The point being is if the denomination does not realize they are just a church of Christ then they are worshiping a man made church. When a person who is LDS tells me they are a Mormon I ask them if the follow Mormon. They always say no then I ask why do they not give the honor and glory to Christ.

hope this makes sense.

Answer 4

Well first of all...those are all not separate religions...they are denominations of one religion, Christianity. I, too, have been to many different churches within the Christian religion and found that everyone has their on interpretation of the bible. I believe that if you choose Christianity that you have the same right to interpret the words and work them into your every day life. No, just because they each follow a little differently does not mean that you are going to hell. I think if we all just try to live our life well...as a good person, that it will all be the same in the end.

Answer 5

It makes LOGICAL sense to think that a God who gave us the faculty of reasoning would welcome those who use it, whether they are of one Christian denomination or another, whether they are of one religion or another, and whether they have a religion or not.

Reasoning is the faculty that makes us differnt from animals. Reasoning is the faculty that allows us to decide what is logical and what is not. What do you do when things do not make sense with reality, when someone tells you something that contradicts reality? Do you use your reasoning ability or do you just go with your feelings?

Someone tells you things that are so fantastic that they could not possibly be true, like a dream or a fable. Yet, because our parents believe them, our society endorses them, we don't stop and think if what we are told is actually true, real, just, or moral. We just accept it on feeling, instead of trying to use our logical mind.

Your question shows that you want to make sense of what has been taught to you in religious classes and you detect contradictions, injustices, and logical fallacies. Intelligent human beings want to live morally according to reason, not accept statements by feeling, conditioning or social pressure and conformity. If we had the brain of a dog, we would simply be trained to do a few tricks and we would never discover or invent anything. The life of the dogs who lived thousands of years ago are exactly the same as the lives of the dogs that live today. But humans have a conceptual brain. They can improve their human condition. Ideas are important because with them we can create a much better world to live in or we can destroy ourselves.

Answer 6

Aha! (pricks up ears) -- it's the call of the fledgling atheist. Such a sweet sound.

-- Pardon my teasing. But you already know part of the answer, don't you? According to the teachings of all these religions, and indeed according to the scripture that they share, only one of them can be right. Everybody else will end up in hell. That's how it works.

Which brings us to your question: Which of these thousands of religions is the right one? How can you tell? Which beliefs must you accept and which must you shun in order to conform to the correct dogma, thereby gaining your eternal salvation?

Not to mention the question you're trying not to ask:

What if they're all wrong?

Answer 7

I think everyone believes in the same supreme being...just differently. I also feel that most people fear not to believe because it has been engraved into their minds from a young age. I don't feel anyone is wrong but I feel those that condemn others for not following the same belief system are wrong.

I feel you are growing intellectually by asking questions. I asked the same question for the longest time along with many others...now I'm no longer a Christian.

Answer 8

I agree with you - God is not going to judge and burn people just because they didn't pick the "right" religion.

Your question only spoke of Christian religions - but there are some Christian religions that believe that following their religion is the ONLY way to heaven - and other people who are not of their religion - simply CALL themselves Christians and they are going to hell - along with the Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and any other faith.

I don't want to be part of that. I believe that God is Love. Religions that are based on fear - are trying to scare everyone into being good people. I believe that practicing Love is what will help us all to be good people. I don't believe in hell and I don't believe in sin. And actually - I don't know if I believe in immortality. We are here - now - and we're supposed to be nice to each other - and figure out who we are - and what our gifts are - and live the best life possible. My life is incredible - a miracle. If that's all there is - I think I'm okay with it.

Namaste!

Answer 9

Religion is nothing.
Knowing God through faith in Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit is everything.
Please read some stories of true Christians in China:

http://www.asiaharvest.org/

click "testimonies" in the menu bar.

Cry out to God, with all your heart, and He Himself will lead you into the truth!!
Jesus said this:
"If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own." John 7:17

Answer 10

I agree.

We are not going to hell, we are going to the same place, no matter the religion we had. There is no distinguished place to this, that or the other. We will have the same opportunities, as equal. God made religion so confusing, with so many possibilities of being professed, because He has a purpose. His purpose is to make all of us equal, no matter if we think differently. Think about it, if some of us detain the Truth, and brag about it, which it is what normally happens, we are wrong too, for being full of ourselves and arrogant. We all need to know we don't know everything, we just follow what our intuition tells us that is right. We all have to be humble enough to admit we don't know everything, and be tolerant to each other, because everybody is right. I see religion as different paths that lead us to same point.

Peace!