What if you choose the wrong religion?

[Intrigued Fellow]

Christianity states that the only way to heaven or eternal life or whatever, is through faith in Jesus. But, since other religions state that the only way to these things is through their teachings, how do you know which one is the truth? Thanks

 

[andreha]

I firmly believe that a strong desire for truth will lead you to it. If you seek truth, you'll know in your heart when you're onto it. I am absolutely at peace with my eternal future resting in the hands of Jesus Christ - He's the only one to have ever died and for the sins of man and rose from the dead 3 days later.

 

[DCJazz]

I can't really agree, andre. For the human heart is wicked; who can trust it?

As for the OP... one key difference seems to be that Christianity teaches that nothing you do can save you from Hell/eternal punishment/etc; only Christ alone can do that. But every other religion I see teaches that works are what save you, or that you don't have to do a single thing as everyone goes to heaven... and other stuff like that. Christianity is unique, it appears.

 

[Eternally Optimistic]

Faith and reason. IF (hypothetically) I'm wrong, then so be it.

 

[DCJazz]

Yeah, faith and reason are what lead me to my belief in Christ. A big deal of logic/reason, in fact. And a lot more faith as well.

 

[Intrigued Fellow]

I firmly believe that a strong desire for truth will lead you to it. If you seek truth, you'll know in your heart when you're onto it. I am absolutely at peace with my eternal future resting in the hands of Jesus Christ - He's the only one to have ever died and for the sins of man and rose from the dead 3 days later.

Faith and reason. IF (hypothetically) I'm wrong, then so be it.

Yet my strong desire for truth has led me further and further away from God and religion, why is it that I am led in a different direction then others? Why is it that Muslims or Jews or led in a different direction? What if Islam is the only true religion? How could somebody possibly decide on a religion when there is so many religions, and if you don't believe in their religion, you don't get to heaven or wherever?

 

[Intrigued Fellow]

Yeah, faith and reason are what lead me to my belief in Christ. A big deal of logic/reason, in fact. And a lot more faith as well.

Logic and reason led me straight down the scientific route. Logic and reason seem to be the exact opposite of religion in my experience.

 

[DCJazz]

Logic and reason led me straight down the scientific route. Logic and reason seem to be the exact opposite of religion in my experience.

My belief in Christ isn't a religion in and of itself. And as far as our origins go, the only logical conclusion I could come up, without lying to myself, was that since there is a creation, there must be a creator. I don't know who decided it, but science and God aren't incompatible.

 

[Intrigued Fellow]

My belief in Christ isn't a religion in and of itself. And as far as our origins go, the only logical conclusion I could come up, without lying to myself, was that since there is a creation, there must be a creator. I don't know who decided it, but science and God aren't incompatible.

When a child is born God did not create this child, the parents did. Although it did get me thinking, this doesn't lead me to think that there is a God whom is our creator. Although religion and science does have it's agreements, I think there are far more incompatibilities. Science has been held back in the past because of the Church refusing to accept scientific facts, until the Age of Enlightenment/Reason which promoted science.

 

[Eternally Optimistic]

Well if Islam hypothetically is correct, you'd have to ask them what becomes of us. Logically I am a theist, I believe there is a God, and that monotheism makes more logical sense than other forms of theism, I belive in a linear sense of time, that we have one life, I am not nihilistic.

That I suppose limits me to four or five potential faiths with those criteria. I do believe that the Deity is concerned with "creation", I believe there is something unique, at least on earth, about man, that distinguishes him from other animals. Faiths recognizing that say we are made in the image of God, and as such that would mean man is an animated icon of the Divine, and since man is a physical creature, a mental creature, and a spiritual creature, yet not three seperate creatures but one the concept of a Triune God makes sense to me. Thus Christianity.

Are there certain elements of the Christian faith's theology that must be taken on...well faith, certainly. Though the notion of faith itself permiates virtually every aspect of our lives, not simply religion; faith in nothing is impossible. Nor is faith an illogical idea, rather it is simply something improveable, which again really is most things in life...proof is all but technically confined to mathematics equations and first hand tangible experiences.

 

[Intrigued Fellow]

Well if Islam hypothetically is correct, you'd have to ask them what becomes of us. Logically I am a theist, I believe there is a God, and that monotheism makes more logical sense than other forms of theism, I belive in a linear sense of time, that we have one life, I am not nihilistic.

That I suppose limits me to four or five potential faiths with those criteria. I do believe that the Deity is concerned with "creation", I believe there is something unique, at least on earth, about man, that distinguishes him from other animals. Faiths recognizing that say we are made in the image of God, and as such that would mean man is an animated icon of the Divine, and since man is a physical creature, a mental creature, and a spiritual creature, yet not three seperate creatures but one the concept of a Triune God makes sense to me. Thus Christianity.

Are there certain elements of the Christian faith's theology that must be taken on...well faith, certainly. Though the notion of faith itself permiates virtually every aspect of our lives, not simply religion; faith in nothing is impossible. Nor is faith an illogical idea, rather it is simply something improveable, which again really is most things in life...proof is all but technically confined to mathematics equations and first hand tangible experiences.

I just can't get my head around why people would put all their faith into a religion, when another religion could easily be true, and all their faith throughout their lives will have been meaningless. In the case of Christianity I just see far too many holes I suppose. Although most things cannot be fully proved and there are always theories that offer an alternative view, a lot of science can be proved beyond reasonable doubt, whereas religion seems to just be blind faith without any reliable proof.

 

[Rangerainy]

Christianity states that the only way to heaven or eternal life or whatever, is through faith in Jesus. But, since other religions state that the only way to these things is through their teachings, how do you know which one is the truth? Thanks

Well, then we will be in a big trouble man. I do't know what if the other guys are right , mean the Jews, Muslims, ,,, .I can't imagine that i will be burned in fire man, that is just so scary.

I watched a video for someone who was burned alive in Africa. I've got to tell ya, that was really painful.

 

[Intrigued Fellow]

Well, then we will be in a big trouble man. I do't know what if the other guys are right , mean the Jews, Muslims, ,,, .I can't imagine that i will be burned in fire man, that is just so scary.

I watched a video for someone who was burned alive in Africa. I've got to tell ya, that was really painful.

Why do you think we'll be in big trouble?

 

[ebia]

Christianity states that the only way to heaven or eternal life or whatever, is through faith in Jesus. But, since other religions state that the only way to these things is through their teachings, how do you know which one is the truth? Thanks

The more I understand the Christian story the more sense it makes to me.

You'll have to make the judgement yourself. For me most other religious claims don't appeal anyway.

 

[Eternally Optimistic]

I just can't get my head around why people would put all their faith into a religion, when another religion could easily be true, and all their faith throughout their lives will have been meaningless. In the case of Christianity I just see far too many holes I suppose. Although most things cannot be fully proved and there are always theories that offer an alternative view, a lot of science can be proved beyond reasonable doubt, whereas religion seems to just be blind faith without any reliable proof.

blind faith no. Even within Christianity, I am more specifically Catholic in part because it is, as far as I can tell, the most logical form thereof. Religion, like science, is a means not an end.

 

[andreha]

Yet my strong desire for truth has led me further and further away from God and religion, why is it that I am led in a different direction then others? Why is it that Muslims or Jews or led in a different direction? What if Islam is the only true religion? How could somebody possibly decide on a religion when there is so many religions, and if you don't believe in their religion, you don't get to heaven or wherever?

It helps to know what's out there, especially when it comes to faith/religion. Furthermore, I believe that a genuine God would have more compassion, understanding and insight than mere mortals. Not like some gods preached by other religions where their god can turn on you at any time. My God is faithful, and never breaks His promises.

 

[Intrigued Fellow]

The more I understand the Christian story the more sense it makes to me.

You'll have to make the judgement yourself. For me most other religious claims don't appeal anyway.

What about Science? Does that not appeal to you?

blind faith no. Even within Christianity, I am more specifically Catholic in part because it is, as far as I can tell, the most logical form thereof. Religion, like science, is a means not an end.

Yet to others Islam is more logical, and to others Judaism. Which is why I believe that having to accept Jesus Christ as my lord and savior throughout my life is wholly unreasonably considering so many other religions could be true. To others, like me, Science seems more logical, so if I follow Science rather than religion, does this condemn me to hell? Or at least ban me from heaven if when I die I find there is one? Even if I've lived my life as a good person?

 

[Eternally Optimistic]

And really anything can be taken on blind faith, which seems to mean believing something without really knowing what it is or entails, essentailly ignorance of a topic though still claiming to adhere to it. So I will concede it is possible to have blind faith in religion (or again really anything), although the ignorance will not get the adherent too far.

 

[Intrigued Fellow]

It helps to know what's out there, especially when it comes to faith/religion. Furthermore, I believe that a genuine God would have more compassion, understanding and insight than mere mortals. Not like some gods preached by other religions where their god can turn on you at any time. My God is faithful, and never breaks His promises.

Yet your God does not allow someone to enter heaven unless they have believed in Jesus in their life, even if they have been a good person. I do not see this as understanding.

 

[andreha]

I can't really agree, andre. For the human heart is wicked; who can trust it?

Yes, the human heart is wicked - true enough. But, remember, God is faithful, and it is written "Seek and ye shall find." God recognises someone's efforts in seeking truth, and He, by His Holy Spirit, does lead people to truth - even if it takes several years.