Other Religions

[none the wiser]

What makes Christianity more valid than other religions?

 

[Catherineanne]

What makes Christianity more valid than other religions?

To me, Christ himself.

I do not see anyone in any other religion who has more moral integrity, or more sacrificial love for his fellow men and women, than Christ.

If a Christian is able to connect with that integrity and love, then Christ walks the earth again. If he or she does not, then they are the clashing gong and sounding cymbal spoken of by Paul.

 

[jesusxchick]

To me, Christ himself.

I do not see anyone in any other religion who has more moral integrity, or more sacrificial love for his fellow men and women, than Christ.

If a Christian is able to connect with that integrity and love, then Christ walks the earth again. If he or she does not, then they are the clashing gong and sounding cymbal spoken of by Paul.

Amen Sister.

 

[none the wiser]

So...that makes it more right? Because Christianity places a lot of stock in being the only truth...

 

[Bunnymedic]

Christianity is also the only faith that is based on faith and not works.You dont have to Do things to earn your way into heaven.All you have to do is believe in Jesus and trust him as your lord and savior.Other religions are based on rituals and works.If you never DID anything but gave your life to Jesus,he would except you.Thats why a dying person can turn to him and have eternal life right there on his death bed.When you become a christian,God changes your heart and you want to honor Him with your life and so your faith becomes expressed in your works,but works is not what saves you.

 

[none the wiser]

Well, I know, and that's what I've been told before. But what makes it right?

See, it doesn't make sense to me that people are divided up between heaven and hell based on what they think or feel. How do we judge people? By what they do, not what they think. How can a Christian who throws the Bible at everyone and has no compassion go to heaven, and an atheist who has compassion in spades goes to hell, sheerly based on one thought? Besides that, that particular thought can be influenced by forces outside their control. Some people find it harder to believe, some are raised in atheist households. How is this a fair system? Why does this system that is sending so many people to hell more valid than other religions?

I also want to know why is believing in Jesus more important than being a good person?

This is a last ditch effort for me, excuse me if I seem rude, I don't mean to be.

 

[PhilosopherD]

What makes Christianity more valid than other religions?

Basically, the reason Christians believe this is because they believe that Jesus claimed to be the only way to God in His fullness (i.e. the Father).

 

[DavinMochrie]

Well, I know, and that's what I've been told before. But what makes it right?

See, it doesn't make sense to me that people are divided up between heaven and hell based on what they think or feel. How do we judge people? By what they do, not what they think. How can a Christian who throws the Bible at everyone and has no compassion go to heaven, and an atheist who has compassion in spades goes to hell, sheerly based on one thought? Besides that, that particular thought can be influenced by forces outside their control. Some people find it harder to believe, some are raised in atheist households. How is this a fair system? Why does this system that is sending so many people to hell more valid than other religions?

I also want to know why is believing in Jesus more important than being a good person?

This is a last ditch effort for me, excuse me if I seem rude, I don't mean to be.

These are extremely important questions, I would also like to hear responses from this. Reasoned ones, not just because someone told me, or it's in the bible.

 

[rocklife]

Well, I know, and that's what I've been told before. But what makes it right?

See, it doesn't make sense to me that people are divided up between heaven and hell based on what they think or feel. How do we judge people? By what they do, not what they think. How can a Christian who throws the Bible at everyone and has no compassion go to heaven, and an atheist who has compassion in spades goes to hell, sheerly based on one thought? Besides that, that particular thought can be influenced by forces outside their control. Some people find it harder to believe, some are raised in atheist households. How is this a fair system? Why does this system that is sending so many people to hell more valid than other religions?

I also want to know why is believing in Jesus more important than being a good person?

This is a last ditch effort for me, excuse me if I seem rude, I don't mean to be.

the punishment for sin is death. I hope when you refer to hell, you aren't thinking of the myth of fires torturing people for billions of years. That is a wrong understanding of bible teaching. there is punishment for sins, but not billions of years of burning.

and belief is not just head knowledge. many churchgoers are actually going to be surprised when God tells them "get away from me, evildoers, I never knew you" on judgment Day (see Matthew 7:21-27) belief is also acting on it, putting that fact into your life so that it directs your steps. if a person believes Jesus with their head, but their actions show they molest babies and are serial killers, they don't know God, they don't really believe Jesus saves them sins. Jesus saves us from sin, not only our past, but also helps us to then stop sinning every day too. we make mistakes, but we won't be purposely sinning against people. Jesus tells His people to love God and love others. If there is no love, they don't have Jesus. the biblical Jesus is not santa claus though, sometimes parents have to discipline their kids, and God and Jesus sometimes are not easy to follow, human love (which is often selfish) is often different than God's love (unselfish).

if the christians you see are not loving, maybe they aren't real christians. maybe they don't have Jesus. But before we go judging others, we need to judge ourselves. Do we lie? Do we steal? Do we treat others right? Are we respectful to our parents? etc. Jesus can help us not sin, only the power of God has changed me, I used to be totally evil, including being a criminal. His power in Jesus to change my life is enough to let me know He is real. I have been exposed to buddhism, ancestor worship, atheism, other religions. I am half-okinawan, they are not christian people for the most part. All I had before Jesus was misery and depression. God gave me hope. I also looked at Islam, that was not hopeful, they give you a maybe, not a definite answer to sin and death. Jesus gives a definite answer, saying "I am the way, no one comes to the father but through me", and I have experienced God through Jesus, cleaning my overloaded conscience and changing my life for good, I could not do it on my own, and doctors didn't do it, and my lifestyle of sin didn't do it, but God did.

God isn't a book to me, He is much more. The bible and New Testament are wonderful encouragements to know Him more, but He is even more than that, we need the Holy Spirit too. He hears prayers when we ask.

to really get to know christianity, I encourage start with New Testament, especially Matthew Mark Luke and John, to see biblical Jesus, also all New Testament. Jesus is not just head knowledge though, God requires us to offer our lives too, not just head knowledge. And unfortunately you have to be careful of even church leaders, that is also a New Testament repeated warning. so please look into Christ for yourself, and not just christians, who are supposed to represent Christ. 1 John 2:6 "whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did". we can do that only with His help.

 

[Key]

What makes Christianity more valid than other religions?

It all Hinges on Christ.

So...that makes it more right? Because Christianity places a lot of stock in being the only truth...

Not really, anyone can say "They are Right"

But, Christ, is the Hinge on all things, not just the Words of Jesus, but The Christ is what defines faith.

Well, I know, and that's what I've been told before. But what makes it right?

Faith, Love, and Hope.

See, it doesn't make sense to me that people are divided up between heaven and hell based on what they think or feel.

Please forgive me a moment, but why does this not make sense. If we are not counted and accredited by our faith, thoughts and actions, then what should we be held accountable by?

How do we judge people? By what they do, not what they think.

Well, that is not entirely true, if we could tell what people were thinking (Read their minds) we would judge them on that as well. People are judged to be crazy or sane, by what they think (or what we can tell they are thinking).

Actions speak to us, because we are in a physical world. As such, actions are the best way for us to judge something. But actions alone do not make something good or evil. Intention deals with that.

Sometimes we have the best intentions, and our heart is in the right place, but, the outcome of our actions is hurtful. Should then, we only judge the action and not the intention?

How can a Christian who throws the Bible at everyone and has no compassion go to heaven, and an atheist who has compassion in spades goes to hell, sheerly based on one thought?

Well a compassion less person that claims to be a "Christian", well, I would have to end up with an "No True Scotsman" stand here. But as it was said on another topic.

Not all people that claim to be "Christians" will go to Heaven, and not everyone that is not a "Christian" will go to Hell.

God judges us on or Faith, Love, Hope and Actions, so in this sense, it works out better to judge by "Thoughts and Feelings" then just simple "Action".

I hope that you see how the answers seem to explain themselves as we go along.

Besides that, that particular thought can be influenced by forces outside their control. Some people find it harder to believe, some are raised in atheist households. How is this a fair system?

That would require me to believe that God can not enter their lives. I do not accept that. Those that believe, will believe, those that do not, will not. But in the end, it will be their own choice, to which they alone will be accountable for.

Too much we say, "It's not my fault" and we try to blame someone or something else for our own choices and outcomes. We need, if nothing else, to stand for our own decisions. To hold up to our choices and the father away our world gets from God, the more we want to shrink our responsibility to accountable for our actions.

Maybe the question would be better placed, "Why do people not want to held accountable for their actions and choices, when they do not like the outcome"

Why does this system that is sending so many people to hell more valid than other religions?

Mercy. God is merciful, on that we all base our soul and final destination.

I also want to know why is believing in Jesus more important than being a good person?

Because, we are only "Good" some of the time. Simply because you act "Good" today, does not mean you always were, nor does it mean you always will be.

We are humans. We all sin and fall short of the Kingdom of Heaven.

One might say, it is not enough to just be a "good person" you also, on top of that, must realize you are not a perfect person.

This is a last ditch effort for me, excuse me if I seem rude, I don't mean to be.

Effort to do what?

and you do not seem rude at all, at least not yet

God Bless

Key

 

[Weasel7711]

Well, I know, and that's what I've been told before. But what makes it right?

See, it doesn't make sense to me that people are divided up between heaven and hell based on what they think or feel. How do we judge people? By what they do, not what they think.

When Samuel was chosing God's annointed, the one to be the next leader, he was looking for someone who would be a strong leader, maybe someone tall, with a strong build, but God had in mind a small, young shepherd boy named David.

"But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.'"

This shows that God looks into the soul of a man, not into what he does on the outside. The Pharisees in Jesus' time were perfect by the standards of the law. They observed every ritual, they gave large amounts of money to the temple in front of crowds so that they would be seen, and their prayers to God were large and elaborate prayers. But Christ could see through all of that. He looked at their hearts and saw what no one else saw:

23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. 24"You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
25"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence.
26"You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also.
27"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.
28"So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Very strong words. Inside they were evil and prideful and unjust and unmerciful, but men still considered them righteous because they obeyed the laws of Moses so well.

How can a Christian who throws the Bible at everyone and has no compassion go to heaven, and an atheist who has compassion in spades goes to hell, sheerly based on one thought?

20If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.

Plain and simple: the person without compassion probably isnt saved, but is simply a religious person trying to win converts and thus gain "brownie points" with God.

He has shown you, O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you? To do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God

Besides that, that particular thought can be influenced by forces outside their control. Some people find it harder to believe, some are raised in atheist households. How is this a fair system? Why does this system that is sending so many people to hell more valid than other religions?

18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
21For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

I could get into the case for a creator but ill save that for another thread. Pretty much, this verse is saying that the natural science and its laws testifies to a creator, therefore men are without excuse.

I also want to know why is believing in Jesus more important than being a good person?

9What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; 10as it is written,
"THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
11THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
12ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE."
13"THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE,
WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,"
"THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS";
14"WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS";
15"THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD,
16DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS,
17AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN."
18"THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES."
19Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;
20because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.
Justification by Faith

21But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;
23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
25whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;
26for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
27Where then is boasting? It is excluded By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.
28For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.
29Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,
30since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.
31Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.

So there you have it, we are justified through faith and not by works (being a good person).

 

[Key]

So there you have it, we are justified through faith and not by works (being a good person).

I disagree with this.

But because of the possible debate that might arise, I'll just leave it at the fact that I disagree with this idea.

God Bless

Key

 

[Weasel7711]

I may have some sort of idea with what you may disagree with, but actually we may agree (if I am correct in guessing what you disagree with). I did not mention that I do believe that faith without works is dead faith. If the holy spirit is working in ones life, it will begin to change the person from the inside out and the outward will be a testimony of the inward. However, we can see in what Christ said about the pharisees, that if a person appears righteous on the outside, he can still be dead on the inside. It's impossible to tell completely whether a person is saved strictly from the actions they do, our Lord will do the sorting out of the sheep and the goats when He returns (IOW those that pretend to be christians and those that truly follow him).
The main point is, we do good works because we love our father, not because it will gain us ANY standing with God. He said himself, "unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees, you will not get eternal life." This righteousness we CANNOT attain through any effort of our own, it is the gift of God to those who believe.
I stole this from Wonderwaleye:

"Believe" in Greek is a verb and has three components which are: hearing, accepting, and then acting ( COMMITING ) upon that which you have accepted.


Thus you must hear, then accept, then act upon it. Keyword being act.

 

[Key]

I may have some sort of idea with what you may disagree with, but actually we may agree (if I am correct in guessing what you disagree with). I did not mention that I do believe that faith without works is dead faith. If the holy spirit is working in ones life, it will begin to change the person from the inside out and the outward will be a testimony of the inward. However, we can see in what Christ said about the pharisees, that if a person appears righteous on the outside, he can still be dead on the inside. It's impossible to tell completely whether a person is saved strictly from the actions they do, our Lord will do the sorting out of the sheep and the goats when He returns (IOW those that pretend to be christians and those that truly follow him).
The main point is, we do good works because we love our father, not because it will gain us ANY standing with God. He said himself, "unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees, you will not get eternal life." This righteousness we CANNOT attain through any effort of our own, it is the gift of God to those who believe.
I stole this from Wonderwaleye:

"Believe" in Greek is a verb and has three components which are: hearing, accepting, and then acting ( COMMITING ) upon that which you have accepted.


Thus you must hear, then accept, then act upon it. Keyword being act.

Your are correct, and I am glad you posted this.

God Bless

Key