Why don't all paths lead to God?

Question

Do you really believe that God can just be encapsulated and boxed in to such a small definition as one religions beliefs vs. another's? God is far greater than the definitions human beings come up with. Why? Because we are all divine. If you believe that God created all beings then all beings have the divinity of that God. Does it matter in the end how one reaches God or what God is? Do any of us really know? A life filled with goodness is just as good as a life filled with doing good for a God. In the end, none of us knows what is beyond this or whose God is right or whose God doesn't exist so why can't we just accept that the inherent divinity of another being is the closest we may ever come to God? Thoughts on any of this? Thank you. Blessings and Namaste

I'm just sharing a thought so if the thumbs down fairy makes a visit it's not from me.

sportz: what I said makes sense if you would read it with care. I wouldn't ask you to agree with it, that's not my style.

Answer 1

There is one thing we do not realize in our life's spiritual journey:

God is not the destination of our journey, God is the journey itself. As an Atheist, I substitute the term "spirituality" for "God", but the meaning is the same, I think.

Answer 2

All paths do NOT lead to God. Jesus was very specific when he said, "It's the straight path that leads to the narrow gate." Regarding why God created us: Well, things were much different in Adam's time. God created us for companionship and he (God) even came to earth and walked with "us" in the garden. But, Lucifer's jealousy got in the way and ruined it for us and God. Now, here we are and the only chance we have is through Christ. What road have you been on? Are you going to choose the straight path?

Answer 3

I would say rather that there are many paths to (or through) God, but not all of them have God at the end of them. Some pass by God and go on to something else. Of course, do we need to define God in order to recognize God on the path or at its end? Perhaps let's say that if one takes a path out to its ultimate end, it will reach God, as all men must die and all men must breathe. Perhaps an alien that is NOT human might tread a different path...is there God at the end of it or along it? I would say so, if one is free with the definition.

One could also say that every single point in the universe could be taken as its center...infinity is that way.

Answer 4

God is outside of our experience...surrounding and within us as well. We are the expression of "God," expressing Itself. This Ineffable is Its own Way, Tao, Dharma, etc. in ALL experiences, Its own Path of which you speak. Our supposed separation from All That Is, is the illusion we are all seeking to remove. Thus, the Path is mutlitudinous in the One, and that Path includes what we judge as negative as well as positive...judgment is the limitation imposed upon the separated ones by themselves, for they cannot "see" the oneness of which they are "a-part." Only God Is, no matter whatever human word or phrase best conveys the One to any separated one. It is we who "de-fine" (delimiting and diminishing "In-finity"). The ocean, the wave, the drop...all undifferentiated except in the minds of human beings, all of whom are inevitably returning, some taking longer as unconsciousness falls away. Divinity's de-finition is in the "mind" of the beholder (or not), until the veil is lifted and we all merge back into Source. Minds and language are the limitations. Yet without naming would we still not have life? So with Source. Our naming of The Unknowable is our struggle to understand. We are all holographically appearing in the One, but can only see from our limited viewpoint or perspective. Remember the blind men and the elephant story? One day (using "time" as a concept) we will all "see." Blessings and Namaste to you as well. I am Sirius

Answer 5

Do you really believe that God can just be encapsulated and boxed in to such a small definition as one religion's beliefs vz. another's?

Nope.

[[Why is]] God far greater than the definitions human beings come up with. [[?]]

In my opinion, he is not.


Does it matter in the end how one reaches God or what God is?

Yes. It matters greatly.


Do any of us really know?

Nope.





So why can't we just accept that the inherent divinity of another being is the closest we may ever come to God?

Because it's a Long Hard Road, out of Hell.

Answer 6

Interesting. But defining God really has no purpose. I must disagree with you, however, in the matters of how one reaches God and Who - not what - God is. The Christian believer does indeed know Who God is, and lives His experience in his life. I agree that a life filled with goodness is a good thing, but if the goodness of that life doesn't serve God, it has no spiritual value. So much is unsearchable by the unbeliever that it is futile for my small mind to attempt to present any compelling apologetics. I trust that in His time God will draw you into His presence and be gracious to you.

Answer 7

Well actually if you read into Islam you would know that God judges people on their intentions and beleifs the only people who go to hell are the ones who FULLY know Islam is the right path and who FULLY reject it not the ignorent ones they will be judged on circumstances and how they beleived their actions were - right or wrong etc.

there is one God, Lord of the east and the west, Lord of all people. Lailahailulah, call him by any name you wish.

Those who believe, and those who are Jewish, and the Sabiens, and the Nazarenes, whoever believes in God and the Last Day and does good works shall not fear

Answer 8

If someone believes in God, then all paths should lead to him, yes. I never understood all the denominations and fighting. I've literally heard it said that everyone in Church A was going to hell because they had music during their services and that Church B members were going to hell because they let their women wear jewelry.

I don't believe in the Christian god but in many gods so all paths can't lead to the same path for me. I'm one that don't believe that the gods are merely aspects of the Cosmic divine - I think they're separate and individual.

Answer 9

Exactly right. We are children of God and the divine Father would never allow the child to be lost forever.

This is a resource that supports what you are saying in Jesus Christ's own words. It is a revival of the ORIGINAL Kingdom Gospel.... and it really does support everything you are saying.

Very well done. The Father loves all the Children.

Answer 10

There is only one path to God, and that is through Jesus Christ. Here is why . . . Look at the Ten Commandments, have you ever lied? stolen? even once? then you are a lying thief. Jesus said if you look with lust you commit adultery in your heart, you ever done that? We have all broken the God's moral Law, and we all have a conscience, so when we lie and steal and lust, we do it with the knowlege it's wrong. So on Judgment day, we will be guilty of violating God's moral Laws, and we will be punished in Hell for eternity. Now the good news . . . Jesus, God in human form, took it upon Himself to provide THE way to God. He died on the cross to take our punishment that we deserve. If we repent and follow Christ, He can forgive us on the basis that He already paid your debt to God. The debt of death and Hell. That is why Christ is the only way. "God will by no means clear the guilty" (Num. 14:18) on judgment day, and so either we pay for our own sins in Hell, or take the gift that Jesus offers if you repent and trust Him.