Serious question… The question of religion?

Question

Serious answers only… I’ve been through a lot of “spiritual awakening” this year because of a family member going through cancer and a grandma passing away this summer. Friends and acquaintances also passing away due to tragedies and illnesses. I’ve been reading up a lot on near-death experiences and especially this website www.near-death.com and this section, on religion. For NDErs (Those who experience near-death) who are religious and came back more spiritual… They say religion – it doesn’t matter in heaven… All it counts is what’s in your heart and the golden rule: Do unto others as you do unto me. God ONLY cares about your true self and your heart.

What do you think? Do you agree with this statement. Why or why not? http://www.near-death.com/experiences/articles010.html

I think understand why there are different religions created… For different spiritual paths and honestly, we as people worship THE same God…

There’s no need for us to argue whose religion is right or wrong. No one is perfect.

Answer 1

Well honestly this is a pretty crazy theological question that has been posed lol but I'll try to be brief on what I personally think...

Wow, where to start. Well, first of all, I believe that there is only truly one way to get to heaven and that is through Christ Jesus and what he did on the cross for us. There are plenty of other religions out there - and not all of them are as bad as people tend to make them out to be. I know a lot of nice catholics for instance - make no mistake about it - but I think alot of them are in error about what they think about how to be saved and stuff (though not all! again I want to be clear on that as well).

Honestly though I have no clue what goes on in the supernatural realm fully, and I don't think anyone does. Christianity is indeed about justice, mercy, and love as you speak. Those are the most important manifestations of it. But it's theoretically possible to be a loving, merciful, and just person without being a Christian, and still go to hell ultimately. I think that's the crux of the matter. You know, the more I think about it, the more I am actually not so sure on this matter. Great question, and definitely makes the brain think on this lol.

Ultimately only God decides who will go to Heaven and who will not, therefore, it is not in my power to say really. I just have opinions, naturally. But it does say in the Bible...

Romans 10:13 'for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."'

and there are various other references to this point as well. So I think that unless you consciously choose to love God and obey him, He isn't going to recognize you and save you. It is true that God really wants to save everyone from their sins, but he has nothing to work with unless the person willingly admits his failures and shortcomings and asks for forgiveness. That is the ultimate motivation to serve others... if we're serving others merely to please them or to look good, and not because we love God, then we are no better than Pharisees.

Don't think too hard, I'd say. It's not an issue we can totally understand to a point.

You could really go into weird theological theories with this subject, of which I have no understanding, I am FAR from an expert on this. You may want to consider reading teachings on C.S. Lewis's Last Battle book, I believe he had some thoughts on this very issue.

Answer 2

No one is perferct, that is so correct, no one but God, and then again I would not try and force my beliefs on you, or to make you see God the way I see God.
This one thing I know to be true, there are but two powers at work in this world today, good and evil, and the only thing it takes for evil to succeed is for good men and women to do nothing about it.
I personally belive in Jesus Christ as my Lord. I do belive he died and was resurected and is now on the right hand of God, I do belive in the trinity God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
I also belive that freedom of choice is ours and that we are not going to be forced by God to do one thing, how ever if we look at the Golden rule " Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" Then we can trace that thought directly to Biblical scripture, and it can also be traced to ancient budda philosophy and also that of the Koran. The one thing that is true above all else is that we need to learn to love one another and to realize that this planet is very small indeed.

Answer 3

I read a book about children who have had near death experiences, the book is called Closer to the Light (I think) and it's by Dr. Moody. The reason they did the book about kids' experiences only is because children are too young to have a pre-conceived idea about religion / God so their experience is probably more genuine. All the kids described pretty much the same experience of a bright light, seeing deceased loved ones and overwhelming feeling of love/acceptance. I have no reason to doubt what any of these people who have had a near death experience say. If I recall correctly, I remember one man who was an atheist who even was given one last chance in his near death experience to become a believer and go to heaven. When he woke up, he changed his ways and is a believer now.

Answer 4

You are right. I do not think it matters what religion you practice we are trying to get to the same God. It does however matter how you do things here on earth. God wants us to love one another, obey the commandments and walk with him not away from him. We leave him, he never leaves us. There is more to salvation that we as Christians do not totally understand. You as a christian has to set the example for the rest of the world to see. Sometimes people don't show it and it saddens me to see this. You must also pray daily and give God the Glory. May God guide you and strengthen you through your walk with him.

Answer 5

Thats a great way to look at it. I don't go to church that often but have a close connection with God. Everyone has a different view on religion. Even people in the same faith have different opinions. I think each person has their own individual idea about who "GOD" is and what they need to do to go to "upstairs". To me living a good life, helping others, and beliving are good enough. Don't listen to the people who say God wont let you in because you don't go to church etc... etc.. GOOD QUESTION!

Answer 6

Thanks for your beautiful post and the link. Indeed, there are many spiritual paths. We find the ones that work best for us. On the "other side" it does not matter. It doesn't matter which perception of "God" you pray to, as long there is good in your heart. The soul is merely energy, and energy can only change. Never be destroyed.

Answer 7

Forget about religions .We are made of live cells and these cells are transfer from grand mom and grandpa to our parents and from them to us ,even if grand mom pass the way ,she is life inside of your parents and you and your kids .This is how man kind can be life for ever.

Answer 8

I agree, no one is perfect

religions were created mainly in an attempt to control - if you can control the spiritual life of people, you can control their material life. I am therefore completely against organized religion

I try to follow my own spiritual path

Answer 9

I agree.

Those who emphasize the differences usually have some vested earthly interest in seeing their "brand" prosper.

My God loves all people of all backgrounds, and He speaks to me through Jesus. That does not mean I disrespect people who hear Him differently, or don't even realize they hear Him at all.

God Bless.

Answer 10

I believe God knows and judges the heart. I believe that He is LOVE. I believe He is unwilling that any should perish. I do think we pay for the evil we do. I don't see God sending good people to hell.