a question for christians and other religions?
95522
I think you make a good point. Many christians talk like being christian is all about being self-rightous and the right beliefs so you can get to heaven. I would invite them to review Matthew 25:31-46. I don't believe in a literal heaven and hell myself--I think those are metaphors--but I believe this passage has an important message about what Jesus really wanted his followers to care about.\n\nMatthew 25:31-46\n\n"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.\n\n"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'\n\n"Then the RIGHTEOUS will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'\n\n"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'\n\n"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'\n\n"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'\n\n"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'\n\n"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
754206
That is an interesting query, but it raises a problem. Through the years I have debated with some knowledgeable theologians about the polytheism of Christianity and the monotheism of Judaism. The debates always ended in a stalemate.\n\nHowever, many of the religions that are not Bible based have no problem with polytheism and their believers make up the majority of people on the planet.
473084
I never criticize other religions. I think it's insulting to do that. I don't even discuss my religion unless someone asks about it. I believe that people have the right to practice any religion as long as they are not hurting others by doing so. I also believe that too many "religious" people are intolerant of what others believe.
384919
As a Christian, I have never forced my religion on anyone, nor have I try to convince them my way was the only way. Yes granted you have some cut throats out there, but not all are that way. there are some really good people out there, both believers and non. You guys are intitled to the same freedom of religion (or lack of) as me, it is NOT my right or duty to push you. if a non-beliver asks me a Q i will answer or edify, but never r we to force it on you. Those who do that are wolves in sheeps clothing.
683082
In short, most religions say that other religions are wrong. So if you really believed in one of them, you would not be able to believe in any other ones.
1061317
Yes... I believe so. I am technically "christian"... but i am open to a lot of beliefs from other religions as well. I definitely take certain beliefs and values from other religions as well as christianity. I don't think I could say that I "worship" Jesus either. I worship GOD. Whichever god that may be. I choose to have a personal spiritual relationship with god and live my life the way I should.
840787
I can't answer your question fully, but as a Christian I can try to answer some of it.  I can only answer for myself as well.  It's very hard to answer for the majority when everyone has their own take on Christianity and how to act.  I only tell people because I want to see them in heaven and I believe the way is through Jesus Christ.  I don't demand my own way and I respect other's views.  I have a very, very good friend who is an athiest and I respect him and he respects me.  I still talk to him about God and we banter back and forth, but respect each other.  For the majority, I truly believe Christians just want to help others and bring as many people to Christ as possible for the sake of saving them, NOT for their own personal benefits.  You'll get many answers.  This is an age-old question.  I'm not afraid, I just care a lot.  Good luck to finding your answers.
996318
Excellent!!!!!!!!!!! I agree with you entirely. It is refreshing to find a Christian who is willing to accept that other people can have different beliefs. You have restored my faith in people. Thank You
251601
Hmmm...maybe you should ask Rev. Trask. He seems to be "advertising" his religion quite a bit! LOL! I think he could probably answer this question the best!!! Ha!
927495
thank you first, for making a point that you didnt want to offend anybody and you respect all religions. If Christianity was orven to be false in the aspect that "Jesus was not our messiah" and he never lived at all, i would go to Judiasm, because it has the same basic principles, i would have to go through judiasm and muslim after christianity and then become an atheist. but i hope it doesnt come to that
754455
Yes, if we want to really learn about the other religion ask questions instead of bashing the other person or religion. I think is the best way to go. Ask with out insulting or cursing which is very possible to do. I know cause I've seen many questions on here that have asked very nice religious questions on here that want to learn about other religions that aren't there own.
590994
This is a difficult question, and I'm not sure I can answer it all satisfactorily, but I think I can help.  \n\nWith the first part, 'no other gods,' Christians don't believe that Jesus is another god, but rather the same one.  Two different facets of the same God (with the Holy Spirit being the third).  What's more, you know that in Genesis, God speaks in the plural 'let's go do this.'  Also, the Hebrew word for God - elohim - is also plural.\n\nSecond, it is true that Jesus never called himself 'God the Son.'  The way he speaks of himself as 'the son of God,' however, is unique.  He says, "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him" (Luke 10:22).  Also, he is called by the Greek word for "one and only son", "mono-genes", means literally, "one in kind, unique."  This seems to contradict the view that we are all sons and daughters of God on the same level as Jesus.  Finally, in John 15:15, Jesus says "I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father."  God is the only person to whom we (humanity in general) could ever reasonably be called slaves.  How could we have been 'slaves' to Christ is he weren't also God?\n\nOne more word on the Trinity: God sent "his spirit" down onto "his son."  Additionally, in Matthew 28:18-20 it's said, "Then Jesus approached and said to them, 'All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.'"\n\nIn the early Church, the Jews celebrated the Sabbath on Saturday, and then Christ's resurrection on Sunday.  The gentiles who entered the Church, however, didn't celebrate the Sabbath, but only the resurrection.  Eventually, the Church accumulated more gentiles, and observation of the Sabbath was fell out, leaving only the celebration of Christ's resurrection.\n\nIn a sense, Paul is claiming to speak for Jesus, but this is warrented.  He is relaying Christ's message, or the spirit of it, to us.  First, recall that although Jesus appeared a second time for Thomas, on that occasion he said "But blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."  Now if they have not seen, how can they believe?  How can they even know about the resurrection?  Obviously, someone has to tell them, someone has to speak for Christ.  Someone like Paul, or any of the apostles.  What is more, that is the mission Jesus gave them.  He sent them out as missionaries to go to the Jews and then to the gentiles.  They were, in essence, his ambassadors to the world.  They spoke for him because he wanted them to; that was their task.  Now, to reconcile the two paths to heaven that you mentioned.  If you truly believe that Jesus is lord and that he rose from death and that he died as sacrifice for our sins as Paul says, then how could we not "love God, love our neighbor, help the poor?"  If we say we believe and yet don't try to do these things, then despite what we may say, we don't truly believe.  The two go hand in hand.
643160
Why, yes, I did know that.  But, that also makes your question somewhat meaningless:  I could just as easily ask of you, 'Your Allah is called God.  Why don't you worship Him Alone?'  See how that changes exactly nothing about the actual theological differences we have?  :)
249503
For the entire period, now 2,006 years of Christianity's existence, Christians have been criticizing my Judaism! Embedded in the Christians' New Testament there are derogatory statements about my fellow Jews and about Judaism, stereotyping us, labeling us, calling us everything from being Blind to being Hypocrites. So, yes, someone outside of Judaism can criticize us and they still do, as witnessed by the writings of many here on answers.yahoo.com, Christian and Muslim alike!!
1080108
Even though I admire your efforts, the way you have asked the question, will only make the christians feel insulted and become defensive. Only a very openminded one would read your post and seriously think about what you are saying. Good points, though.
331951
You make an interesting point. I have made an exclusive study of the trinity in the Christian scriptures and found it to have a solid premise, albeit that particular word isn't in the bible, and neither is the concept directly addressed. I wouldn't attempt to go into it here - it's too much - and that wasn't your question. I know  little about the Hindu religion,  so I'm not really qualified to comment.  What I find interesting about your point - the trinity notwithstanding - is that Mary, the mother of Jesus is worshiped in some Christian religions, as some  pray to various saints as well. It does indeed sound like at least some Christians have more than one god. I think that's rather odd. But...I haven't answered your question. It's a bit tricky. If you were a Christian we could discuss it.
841953
Sorry for your bad experience. Hopefully here you have brought forth a very good question. Why do others judge at all no matter what their religion? You are right. No one knows your heart but you and God. Humans are just that human. We all have faults.Please find it in your heart to forgive anyone who offended you and accept my apologies for all.