June 24, 2008
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The Only Way To Heaven
A new survey indicates that the majority of Americans don’t believe their religion is the only way to eternal life.
In fact, “57 percent of evangelical church attenders said they believe many religions can lead to eternal life.” Here is the link: Link
Yet Jesus clearly said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
Do you think your religion is the only way to eternal life?
Comments (212)
No. I don’t. I don’t believe that there is a RIGHT religion.
Nope. But then I’m not sure I really believe in eternal life…
Oh, and first =P (Since everyone else has to point it out when they are) Don’t I feel special
I have to agree with the majority here. I think there are many ways to end up somewhere good when you die.
Yes.
Yes, Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation available to fallen man. It’s not what Barack Hussein Obama Jr. believes, but it’s what the Bible says.
I wonder how many of those evangelicals confused religion with denomination. I do believe Christianity is the only way. Why would I be a Christian if I didn’t believe this?
Ha, well. I don’t think there’s such a thing as eternal life at all, so.
However, if there were such a thing? I think it’s ignorant to say your way’s the only way. Or even the right way.
The Only way is through him.
the only way.
But I think that other religions (denominations) who believe that Jesus is the only way to the father…They go to heave too. But Who are we to decide or to judge. Let’s just leave that up to God. Phew!
@Kestryl - It is. And just because I claim a religion doesn’t mean I believe in everything they do either. But I have always felt as you said. That it is ignorant to say that you way is the only way
@paoguy118 - More than one religion believes “Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation available to fallen man”
@CrazyXBeautifulXDisaster - EXACTLY ^^
…all I know is that I’m royally fucked.
No, I don’t think so. Different strokes for different folks…
Yes I do. Anyone who claims to be religious and does not is either lying to themselves or to others. The findings of the study can be simply explained, no one wants to think that everyone who does not hold their same religious beliefs will be doomed from eternity.
Yes.
I believe there is only one way.
That is through Jesus.
If you have never opened your heart to Jesus
Christ and you refuse to allow Him to be your blood atonement (the only
blood atonement God will accept to cleanse you from sin) There will
come a day when you have lost your chance.
Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Jesus is our substitute.
He is the only way.
No. I am not ignorant
I should have answered a little differently. I don’t believe that my religion is the only way. I do believe as others have said that Jesus is the only way. But more than one religion feels this way. As long as they believe that Jesus is the way and the truth, I believe that is their key to heaven.
As far as other religions, I have nothing to say. I don’t believe in criticizing or bashing others beliefs. Religion is a very touchy subject to people, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion/belief
I don’t really believe in eternal life, but if it is there, then I don’t believe it should be only through organized religion and such. I think those who have faith [This does not automatically mean they are religious] in any higher being all have a shot at eternal life.
The only one that is true, is the one that you belive in……
I believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven. I don’t believe you can get into heaven by just being a good person, because all good people still have sin in their lives, and it is that sin that separates us from God. Only by grace is our sin covered, but that’s grace that we have to knowingly accept. Besides, isn’t it a little arogant to think that you can just ignore God all your life and He’ll still let you go to heaven?
I believe anyone who believes their religion is the one is arrogant. Before Christ there were many other religions, yet Christians were arrogant enough to call those religions pagen and unholy. They were the ones who ruled the crusades and holy wars over the muslims, attempted to convert the heathan natives of America, and killed “witches” for being different. Religion has been the center of battles, disputes, and wars for ages. The Bible is a book constructed by man (some say inspired by God), edited and manipulated by man to serve his own agenda. I have serious issues with religion and believe solely in my spirituality. You may say I’m going to hell…I say, who are you to condemn me there?
Well, since I’m a Christian…. yes!
In a sense, yes. I have no religion, and I don’t believe in eternal life, but my style of living and outlook on life will bring me the greatest total happiness that I could achieve in the time that I do have.
yep
i think that this report lacks definition
for instance I believe all christians are the same religion with different denominations (unpopular but hey). However I think this report did not differentiate between Catholic vs. Baptist vs. Jewish vs. Hindu
I feel results may be very different if the question was “is some belief (as interpreted by the individual or religion) in jesus needed for eternal life”
as opposed to
“many religions can lead to eternal life”
So for many it is a matter of degree
As for personal beliefs…I’m a neo-pagan…who am i to judge?
Yes.
I think in the end, all religions are fundamentally the same, so it’s really not so much that there are multiple paths, but all religions lead you down the same one. Y’know, with the exception of some of the random “worship me” cults, as they don’t realy count as religions.
I don’t follow any religion, but from a scientific standpoint, it seems clear that no humans are capable of eternal life, regardless of their religious beliefs.
I don’t believe that Christianity is the only way to heaven, nor is any other religion or denomination. It is arrogant and close minded to say that there is only one way to God. God is more than our little human minds can comprehend, so why wouldn’t it be possible for Him to reveal Himself to each person in the way that person can best relate to? I believe there are as many ways to heaven as there are people on earth.
Who wants to live forever?
It is our mortality that makes life meaningful. I’d get bored sometime between my “earthly-death” and eternity.
What eternal life?
well, no. I’m Baptist, but I don’t think that only Baptists are
going to be in heaven. I think that one of the things that Baptists
believe in IS the ONLY road to eternal life – that is, that Jesus died
on the cross that my sins might be forgiven and that if I believe He
did that for me and ask him to be Lord of my life, then He will save me.
this
particular belief is one that any Christian can hold – Baptist,
Assembly of God, Catholic, Presbyterian, etc. For that matter, a person
who starts out atheist, Buddhist, Muslim, can hear the Holy Spirit’s
call on their hearts to repentance and acceptance of Jesus and can be
saved from an eternity in hell.
no particular religion saves you. Jesus Christ saves you.
Eternal life? What does that even mean? Pearly gates, angels strumming harps while you fly around like a bumblebee? There is not nearly enough evidence to suppose there is anything other than matter and its effects.
It takes a lifetime to figure that one out.
I am going to trust what Jesus says is how to get heaven. So far He hasn’t let me down yet!
No, I think so long as we live our lives to their fullest and are good people, then it shouldn’t matter too much.
i believe if i could blow all yall up along with myself i will get 72 virgins to keep for all eternity,,,
hahahahahaha,,, wait a minute,,,, eternity is a long time to only have 72 old ladies,,,,
maybe i should reconsider…..
jghfdgf
no
@nkleyva - agreed
I don’t think any religion gives you any sort of life at all.
No idea – how can anyone possibly have that knowledge? Seems sort of arrogant. I am open to all sorts of possibilities – there is rarely only one correct answer.
No; any religion will get you eternal life. Only faith in the Messiah will get you eternal life in Heaven.
The Scriptures teach, and therefore I believe, that Christ is the only way to salvation (John 3: 16-21; John 14: 6) religion has very little to do with it. Of course this is what makes the Gospel an offence to unregenerate man, along with the fact that their own “righteousness” is irrelevant (Romans 8: 5-8; Romans 3: 9-20). Of course you can’t read those verses without the answer to the problem (Romans 3: 21-26).
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). I guess it doesn’t really matter what I think. I’m not God. I think I’m going to reiterate His answer instead!
My feeling is that Jesus spoke in metaphor and analogy a lot of the time. I’ve felt for a long time that in that particular passage, Jesus is using himself as a metaphor, or a symbol to represent something else. I believe the way to Heaven is to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, not necessarily to claim him as a diety and worship him. Because how can we as mere humans really know which faith is truly “right”?
Perhaps I’m wrong, and I’m okay with that. I just have a hard time understanding why my God, who is the Father of all and loves all his children, would condemn them to unending pain and sorrow for having some “incorrect” beliefs.
It is not the point of religion, but if you accept and believe that you are a sinner and that Christ has died fof you.
I think that jesus is the only way to Heaven because it makes sense to me. I don’t however think that my religion is the only way to heaven. I think Christianity has added a lot of rules to Jesus that aren’t really there. There’s nothing wrong with traditions, but when your traditions become your way to heaven, then there is a problem there.
The answer is simple, if you believe the Bible, the answer is Yes, if you don’t believe the Bible then your answer would be NO. I believe the Bible is truth, so I say YES, faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father. It’s just too hard for people to believe that salvation comes thru one man…that one man being 100% man and 100% God. They can’t see it as something that could be so easy yet so hard to understand.Why would the creator become His creation and live a perfect life so there would be a perfect sacrifice to atone for mans sin? Why would He allow Himself to be punished for what His creation did? Why would He give Himself to be killed on a cross? Why would Jesus not only endure the physical pain, but what was worse, having God turn His back on Christ when man’s sin was placed on Him? WHY? Because of love! It’s easy to love someone who loves you, but try loving someone who HATES you. We can’t do it, but God does!
I am an “Evangelical Christian” and Yes, I do believe Jesus is the one and only way to heaven.
People are sick. I go to church to be healed of my sickness.
People who don’t go to church are choosing to be sick.
The Scriptures teach, and therefore I believe, that Christ is the only way to salvation (John 3: 16-21; John 14: 6) religion has very little to do with it. Of course this is what makes the Gospel an offence to unregenerate man, along with the fact that their own “righteousness” is irrelevant (Romans 8: 5-8; Romans 3: 9-20). Of course you can’t read those verses without the answer to the problem (Romans 3: 21-26).
Be Blessed!
@xDarkxxFirex - And those who don’t have faith in any higher being don’t have a shot at eterenal life, or heaven?
@KechiNeko244 - That is just such an awesome viewpoint that your religion teaches you.
These questions make it seem as if there is some truth to be discovered by taking a poll on the issue. Perhaps we can call it Democratic Theology. I wonder what the church services would be like.
“What do we believe in today, people?” “Let’s take a vote!”
I’m not crazy about the word religion. Who’s drawing lines as to what equals a specific relegion? I think this word is overused entirely, and it means nothing.
But I believe that Christ the son of God died to pay for our sins, and He is the only way to eternal life.
My worship of David Bowie brings me an infinite amount of rewards for an infinite amount of time for my infinitely long lifespan.
If they think that you can get eternal life with other religions, then why do they continue to send out missionaries? Are you sure that they didn’t misunderstand the question, and circled “Yes” thinking “Eternal life in hell!”?
I think that faith in Jesus is necessary for eternal life.
The particular denomination that I belong to isn’t so important. I think there is room for diversity within the Christian community.
I dont think Jesus was being that literal or narscissistic. Jesus stood for his teachings, a way of love and mutual respect. I think he was saying that it is through me (these practiced virtues of love) that we find salvation.
@nkleyva - It kind of defeats the purpose of actually having a religion if you don’t believe your religion is right. And i personally don’t even like the term “religion”, at least not for myself, but that’s an argument for a different time.
“Pagen” is not an insult. I have friends who consider themselves “pagen”. But, some of those ancient relgions could be considered evil and unholy because they involved burning children alive as a sacrifice. I think almost anyone would agree that’s such a practice is wrong. (The same could also be said of African relgions who believe a woman’s genitals must all be cut off for her to be “clean”.)
And I will be the first to agree that men have manipulated and twisted relgion to fit their own agendas, such as the Spanish Inquisition, the Salem Withc Trials, and the Crusades. These are incidents where the true flavor of Christ was lost. Christ is about love, forgiveness, mercy, and grace. He is not all about slaughtering individuals who are different.
I don’t think that there is one set way to get to eternal life.
I don’t believe being the way to eternal life is a very good reason to believe in a religion at all.
Yes I know I totally did not answer the question. So shoot me.
I don’t have a religion, but I do believe in God…and I don’t think that any one religion is the only way to get to Heaven. I remember a friend once told me, “I’m a Christian so I’m set…but the Jews are the chosen people so I guess I’ll see them there too!” which I found really funny. Nobody knows for sure of course, but I for one would be very disappointed if God only allowed those who believe in Christ to go to Heaven, or only those who were Jewish, etc. That’s not the loving, tolerant God that I believe in. And plus, I believe that all of these religions are different ways to get to the same thing.
Okay, I’ve ranted/strayed enough ._.
My religion, yes. My denomination, no.
@nkleyva - Arrogant? Doesn’t it make one a person of faith? If a person’s religion says, “This is the only way,” and that person sincerely believes his religion, then he would have to believe hie religion is the only way!
Christ, or being a christian is the only way to heaven. But i believe there will be believers found from different denominations not different religions. You have to be born again.
It is the only way. And that is all.
I think composing in the ground is the way to at least a semi-eternal life… unless we have to abandon the planet ala Wall*E…
@theladyofabundance - VERY well put.
No, I believe it makes a person closed-minded and intolerant to other aspects and perspectives of religion as a whole. Christians are continually trying to convert those from their choice of religion because they are either arrogant or naive enough to believe that their way is THE only way. I don’t believe that. Compared to other religions, Christianity is fairly new…what makes it THE way? Because some guy claimed to be the son of God and back then every one believed him? Yet, if that same guy was born today he would be locked away for his own protection. Faith is a hard sell in today’s society.
Religion as in Jesus being the only way to heaven, yes, absolutely. John 14:6 is true.
Also, I see what saintvi is saying – there are lots of denominations of Christ followers and I certainly don’t believe that the denomination of church I happen to go to is the only way to heaven.
I don’t like using the words “religion” or “Christian” though, because religion is just a set of rules and the world has distorted the true meaning of Christianity. So usually I call myself a servant of Christ.
*End rant*
I believe that the closest we’ll ever come to “eternal life” are the brief moments we have on Earth. Living life in a cardboard fantasy, and not appreciaitng it for its fragility, diminishes from it.
If life were an evanescencent wisp, wouldn’t you want to know about it?
@KechiNeko244 - I think it is a perspective thing. You and I find things to be an atroscity, but to those people, of those cultures, it is part of their lives, their culture, and their beliefs. Growing up there were many aspects of my family’s choosen religion that to others it was strange…to my family and my church it was normal. Those who travel abroad often find things strange and weird, yet at that same time, who are we to judge how other choose to live or worship just because we don’t undersand or condone it?
For the record…I don’t condone human sacrifice…but lets not forget the Aztecs were wiped out because Hernan Cortes’ people were mortified by their rituals. A entire nation of people.
No. I don’t think any “religion” is “the” way. They all point to the way, but you have to sort the wheat from the tares and shaff in each of them. It is all too easy to dedicate yourself to a “religion” instead of to God. To worship a book or set of doctrines, instead of God. To blindly follow anything but your God given head and heart, is to take your focus off of the Spirit of God and place it, instead, on quick pat theological structures and “doctrinal” answers that can lead you into a spiritual life filled with judgement instead of mercy. Adherence to rigid structures instead of a spiritual relationship.
Religions are never absolutes, or “the” way to anything, but that is not to say they don’t have value. They provide communities for support and opportunities for spiritual growth in our relationships with one another. In as much as they approximate the nature of God in their teachings, they help us to find God in ourselves and each other.
Often we have just enough religion to make us hate, and not enough to make us love one another.
“True religion is the life we lead, not the creed we profess.”
Man is the religious animal.
He is the only religious animal.
He is the only animal that has the True Religion -— several of them.
He is the only animal that loves his neighbor as himself
and then cuts his neighbor’s throat, if his theology isn’t straight.
He has made a graveyard of the globe
while trying his honest best to smooth his brother’s path to happiness and heaven. ~ Mark Twain
There is no religion without love.
People may talk as much as they like about their religion, but if it does not teach them to be good and kind to other animals as well as humans, it is all a sham.
Jesus Christ was not being arrogant when He proclaimed that no one could come to the Father but through Him(self). Rather, that is the manifestation of Christ’s divinity – Son of Man and Son of God – as part of the Triune God.
Yes, there is one way to Eternal Life (versus Eternal Death in Hell) and that is through the Lord Jesus Christ.
if indeed people believe there is a path to eternal life, most probably believe jesus is that path. since so many religons believe in the idea of jesus (in general) it would make sense that people would believe there’s more than one way to get to heaven, assuming they accept that there are religons that exist besides their own.
I would have to say yes. Though I think it’s unfortunate the splitting into denominations. I believe it is the core of the belief that gets you there. Not so much on the whether you are catholic, baptist, non-denominational or whatever it be…
As I have posted on a similar topic elsewhere, all religions/belief systems lead to eternal life. It’s just whether or not that eternal life is spent in or out of the presence of God. That second clause is dependent upon your belief in Jesus who stated “I am the way, the truth, and the life. Nobody comes to the father except through me” (John 14:6).
To the Christians who identify with specific denominations:
The denomination does not matter. The various denominations are how the protestants have tried to focus their theology. Infighting between denominations is pointless because the most important thing should be whether or not we believe the main christian claims (Jesus is the son of God, fully man and God at the same time, led a sinless life, sacrificed himself in our place for the punishment we deserve, and arose from the dead three days later). Everything else is just what we feel from a human perspective is important (for example: specifically focusing on the baptism (baptists) or the pentecost (pentecostals)).
This is always a tough question, considering our Judgement on this issue is against everyone else who is different with us, religion wise. I am Catholic and I believe in everything the bible has to say, but there are somethings, I feel, God has left us to answer on our own. There’s an interpretation of life; there’s an interpretation of the bible that requires a strong relationship with God to be able to see the ‘bigger picture’ of what God is all about.
I don’t think God will condemn those who give an honest effort into their religion.
The truth in the Bible and Catholicsm still stands in my heart, but there are just things where you tend to do your own interpretations based on your ‘oneness’ with God. If the Bible literally represented the whole being of God, then faith would be too simple. It takes a stronger relationship with God, Jesus, Mary, etc to fully realize what this whole ‘faith’ thing is about.
You tend to wonder… Why in the Wolrd did God ‘bless’ this world with different religions?
In the end our differences tend to scare us, and make us fearful of our own faith. If we could just learn to put aside our differences and focus on what mostly all faiths, and religions are about; Love, we’ll slowly start to see that there is a bigger picture we have to start interpreting.
@Kristenmomof3 - If you have never opened your heart to Jesus
Christ and you refuse to allow Him to be your blood atonement (the only
blood atonement God will accept to cleanse you from sin) There will
come a day when you have lost your chance
It’s okay. If that day ever comes, I’ll start a club and call it “Tribulation Force.” After all, God has a plan– even for those left behind. =P
Absolutely, 100%, yes!
John 3:16-21 (NIV) says:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”
If you study the basic principles of the world’s religions, the similarities massively outweigh the differences. Does religious practice arise because of the appearance of any specific teacher, or is it an inborn need? I believe it’s the latter.
@huginn - I wasn’t talking tribulation. I was talking death.
No one is guaranteed their next breath, or tomorrow.
@Kristenmomof3 - Then I feel sorry for those children crushed to death in that Chinese earthquake. Apparently, the lot of them is going to Hell.
No. Because who I am to judge.
I’ve met a lot of folks who go to the church of the “whatever”.
But imagine going for a job interview at WHATEVER, INC. You ask, “What is my job description?”
The president of the company responds, “Whatever you’d like to do!”
You hesitate. “Uh…well, what do you expect from me at this company?”
“Oh, you’ll be fine, ” he says reassuringly. ”Just show up, be happy, and everything will work out in the end.”
“Uh, sir” you continue, “what time do I report in every morning?”
He winks. “What time do you want to come in?”
“What about salary? ” you ask.
“Oh, we’re a little different around here, ” the president explains. ”We believe that everybody should get the same salary, especially retirement benefits.”
Now you’re getting frustrated. “Then what’s my motivation for wanting to be associated with your company?”
“Because you stay in control”, he muses.
If it doesn’t work in temporal employment, it ain’t gonna work with one’s eternal destiny, either.
But again…it’s all about maintaining control, isn’t it?? Even over our “gods”.
yes.
If you Christians ever get to heaven, I wonder if you’d see Judas or Hitler there. After all, according to the rules of the game, if they had Jesus in their hearts in the wanning moments of their lives, they get a one-way ticket ot heaven!
Adolf did weave Jesus into his rhetoric. Even if he had the wrong idea, hey, wasn’t his heart in the right place?
Hmm… I believe God is the the fairest of judges and only He can know what’s in a person’s heart or understand the entirety of a person’s circumstances. I’m sure God will know who deserves to be with him in the next life and who deserves punishment. Who am I to say who will or won’t be with our Creator when all is said and done?
Yes. The Bible is the truth, adn jsut as it states, Jesus is the only way to Heaven.
I don’t believe in heaven or hell…or even really eternal life. I suppose it’s kind of depressing to think that we have such a short time here, but it helps me enjoy everything to the fullest. If I were to believe that I had all of eternity to do what I wanted to get done, I wouldn’t appreciate waking up just in time for a beautiful sunrise as much, or the taste of day-old coffee. I’m not saying that belief one way or another is good or bad, but I don’t think any religion will grant us eternal life.
yes
I think Jesus is the only way to eternal life, otherwise he died in vain on the cross for our sins.
@notreally_butokay - I were to believe that I had all of eternity
to do what I wanted to get done, I wouldn’t appreciate waking up just
in time for a beautiful sunrise as much.
I don’t think that’s true at all. I’m very appreciative of beautiful sunrises.
Not religion, but my relationship w/ Jesus Christ… the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I don’t claim to understand eternal life, but its a fringe benefit of knowing Jesus and I’m sure its gonna be incredible.
I believe that many of the things Jesus said have been altered and manulipulated by the church and its male higharchy to suit the ruling parties of the church and state of the early goverments.
Example – Try and find anything on a female apostille in the king james bible you will find nothing but if you are lucky enuf and skilled enuf to read one of the 500+ year old bibles and you will find there is many references to females being head of state and church.
One good example is the Adam and Eve story in the acient latin version they both found the tree together and shared its fruits whereas in the newer versions Eve is portrayed as the one who ate the fruit and talked adam into it.
What the old versions say is that the WAY jesus taught is the only way “peace forgiveness acceptance and charity.
To give jesus such power that his way and his words are the only way is to say that your god is so one sighted and one minded that even if someone were to live their life in charity peace and helping others unless they bowed to the idol of jesus on the cross they were still doomed to the eternal damnation of Lucifer.
That very concept goes against the teachings of the bible.
Forgiveness has to be universal.
“Forgive us our trespassers as WE forgive those who trespass against us.”
Not ” Forgive us our trespassers as we (all but christ) forgive those who trespass against us”
<– Braces himself for the onslaught of neo-christian negitivity.
It’s true if you believe in it.
How do you define “eternal life”?
Speaking as a Pagan, no my religion/spiritual beliefs are not the only way to have eternal life with one’s Higher Power.
Of course not.
Most all religions say that Jesus was at least a prophet sent from God. Christianity believes that Jesus is the only way to God because Jesus Himself said that He was the only way.John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. I ask you this…If most all other religions at least say Jesus was a Prophet set from God….how could a prophet sent form God lie?
Religion? no. Christ? yes. They are two different things, you know.
Why did I know you’d be writing about this when I saw that headline this morning.
yes, and if you don’t, then you don’t truly believe in your religion.
yes. because i believe in John 3:16.
@huginn - That’s why God revealed Himself in His word…So we would KNOW about it!
Yes.
no
Jesus seems to be a pretty vain God if he’s requiring all this suck-up from us.
There is no natural causal connection between there mere belief in God and our metaphysical state. The only connection is the ground rules established by God. Jesus could have absolved all sin categorically, regardless of particular whorship in himself. Yet, he did not.
What if this life, and our test of faith towards God was a test? Well, it is not. Wouldn’t you suppose that God would have given us the benifit of an even playing field? The son of Billy Grahm would be more privilaged in knowing God than say your typical starving child in China or Inidia. People’s belief in God has nothing to do with the inherent goodness of the Chrisitian message or its iternal truthity– rather, it’s a matter of fucking happenstance.
We are created sick and commanded to be well. In my mind, this calls for a sick, perverted creator.
Well let’s see.
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. NO ONE comes to the Father except through me.”
“The wages of sin is death, but the free gift from God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.”
“For God so loved the world that He sent his only Son, that if anyone should choose to repent and believe in Him, they could have eternal life in Heaven.”
Ignorant or not, there isn’t any room there to argue, is there?
Opinion this, opinion that, it’s a fact.
@UnworthyofHisgrace - That’s why God revealed Himself in His word…So we would KNOW about it!
From the perspective of the 21st century man, the message of the Bible is no more distinguished than the Koran or Buddhist scripture.
I think we shoudl just be as critical of written claims as we are of spoken ones.
Also, I find it no wonder that people are so doubtful of Jesus and such, when people who profess to be Christians won’t even stand up for it.
That’s too bad really.
I believe the only way to eternal life is through Christ.
@carry_the_harmony - Agreed. Christians have ignored their obligation to “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” There is plenty of good reason to have faith in the Word of the Bible, much more so than any other religious scripture. History, science, and philosophy reveal the truth. Christians are just too busy being a part of the world to actually know what they believe and why they believe it. They’d rather read Harry Potter than sit down with an open Bible and a Concordance, or — gasp — learn Hebrew and Greek and actually know what it is the original text says, to learn about history and science and what the Bible has to say about them.
The Bible is clear; it’s people who are confused.
I don’t believe ”religion” will get you there. But relationship will.
@huginn - Question, do any other’s have a Savior that conquered death? I’ll answer it for you, NO. But of course, you will always have some giberish comeback that is just YOUR opinion, so your thoughts are no better than mine. I prefer to take the chance that the Bible IS true and live my life to be the best I can and then when I die, if there is nothing else left, so be it, but if it is as God says in His word, I’ll be an heir to ALL He has thru Jesus, and can NEVER be separated from Him again. Thats worth it to me bud. You seem to think a Christian leads a miserable life so who in their right mind would want to be a Christian. True Christians are the happiest people on Earth. Even going thru struggles just because the seem unhappy, they have a faith that gets them thru it all. I wish I had all the answers for you bud, but I don’t. Maybe in your quest you should look for truth in the Bible instead of trying to always DIS prove the Bible
Like stated earlier, I also believe that there is no right religion. I just believe that when I die I’m going to be pushing up daisies six feet under the ground. I don’t believe in eternal life. It’s comforting to believe in eternal life because no one ever really wants to die completely, and it gives them some hope that they will continue to live on.
Personally, I don’t believe that it’s possible to live onwards spiritually when your physical body has died. But that’s just my beliefs.
I know, becasue my Bible tells me so.
That verse is not connected to any specific religion…I my self am spiritual but not tied to any religion as in the past have bad experiences with “organized” religion. It has more to do with how you live your life…You can be a “believer” and not be connected to a religion.
@UnworthyofHisgrace - Question, do any other’s have a Savior that conquered death?
I can name about five other Virgin births. Clearly, human avatars are reborn (i.e. Dali Llama); as to rising from the dead, I’m kind of drawing a blank now. It’s a google-able question. =)
But of course, you will always have some giberish comeback that is just YOUR opinion, so your thoughts are no better than mine.
My vision of this forum works like this. You bring your beleif, I bring mine. If they don’t match, then we go to the reasons for that belief and compare their basis. Sure, we hold to differing stances, but that doesn’t mean we can’t discuss the issue.
I’m still bitter that your Tigers shreaded my Bruins. =(
I prefer to take the chance that the Bible IS true and live my life to be the best I can and then when I die, if there is nothing else left, so be it
That’s a fair approach. But if it can be shown to a high degree of probability that the Bible is false, wouldn’t you want to know about it? Would ou still whorship as you do now if God did not exist?
You seem to think a Christian leads a miserable life so who in their right mind would want to be a Christian.
I actually like Christians. They’re nice, pleasent people. They seem to lead happy lives. It’s Christainity that I don’t like. If the basis of their lives are paperback fiction, I can’t help but feel annoyed.
At the point that Christianity is a self-propagating beleif– with missionaries and evangelical peeps, at the point where the hold strong political clout– I have to object, and object loudly.
Since I’m a Christian, yes.
Yes, Jesus is the answer, but who’s to say that Jesus isn’t reaching out to everyone at all moments and to those of all faiths? Who’s to say that when a Muslim dies, or an athiest, or a Hindu, or an agnostic, that Jesus does not meet that person’s soul and ask, “Will you follow me or not? This is the last choice.”
Then again, I am no expert. I just know that after a human’s death, all that we know is what has been revealed to us, and that still does not give away the whole Mystery.
No – I’m pretty sure in my current state I’m hellbound… And that verse could be interpreted several ways…Just sayin’
the idea of ANOTHER life after this one, especially one that is eternal does not sound appealing to me in the slightest.
i don’t care how many ice cream ponies i’d get to ride over how many rainbows in heaven, i’m still saying no thanks.
@maje_charis - Yes, Jesus is the answer, but who’s to say that Jesus isn’t reaching out to everyone at all moments and to those of all faiths?…
That’s a fair perspective, IMO. Judaism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Mormonism, and Islam all share a common OT basis for their faiths.
For theological clarity, I think Christians like to distance themselves as far as possible from something like Islam.
@huginn -
Islam and Christianity share the same God and ancestry; why would I wish to distance myself from Islam? I especially admire the commitment to prayer five times per day. Similarly, Christians have the Liturgy of the Hours, but most of the time religious communities are the only ones who practice that, nowadays.
Jesus meant what He said and then He backed it up by dying and raising again from the dead. His disciples and over 500 people were witness to these events. All efforts (which began the day Christ rose from the dead) to discredit these events have been proven to be fraudulent- including James Cameron’s documentary- according to the American Archaeological Association. I find it rather humorous that the only 2 directors who have tried to discredit the resurrection were famous for their work in FICTION.
I don’t find such solidarity in any other religion nor do I find any sort of claims from any other religious founder who promised salvation. Muslims aren’t even sure they’re going to heaven, and Jews can only hope on the basis of a system that Christ came to put an end to because it was only a foreshadow of what the Messiah’s purpose was in the first place. When God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Issac on Mount Moriah Abraham obeyed believing that God would “provide himself the sacrifice” in Isaac’s place or bring Isaac back to life again. God provided the ram in Isaac’s place and more than 2000 years later provided the ultimate sacrifice for all mankind. The blood of animals could never take away our sins- it was only a sort of representation of what Christ would do- and those sacrifices were not the basis of any Jew’s salvation- faith was. It always was and always will be. Read the book of Hebrews- the writer explains this all very clearly.
The only way to heaven is through God’s means and God provided Christ as the mean. And Jesus himself told his followers that He would be the rejected cornerstone. Jesus is the “rock of offense” to natural man- a stumbling block to the Jews and Gentiles. Because natural man will automatically reject God unless God by grace gives the capacity for faith. But all who put their hope in Christ will not be disappointed.
Perhaps, but what if there is no eternal life at all?
@CrazyXBeautifulXDisaster - Well said.
I believe that anyone who believes the truth of Jesus and His saving love will be accepted by the Father into heaven.
Anyone.
But that’s the only way to do it.
yes. But I’m having doubts about any religion at all.
I follow Jesus, and He said He is the way to salvation. It is not up to me to make judgements about anyone else or any other religion.
Arguing over who is going to heaven and who is not is a big waste of time and energy. Eventually we will all get the chance to know the truth about death, heaven and hell, and some of us may be surprised.
So all I can say is I will stick with Jesus.
@maje_charis - When I spoke of “Christians” distancing themselves from Islam, I wasn’t speaking of you in particular (I don’t enough of you for such a claim).
@huginn -
Oh, well, it’s nice to clarify anyway.
Have a wonderful day!
Asolutely not!
hmm, jesus said he is the only way, he made the claim! If I believe that the Bible is the Holy Inspired word of God then my answer is a resounding yes! I’m going to say that the majority of “Evangelicals” who dont believe that christ is the only way to Heaven just dont know what their Bible says or don’t believe in its inerrancy.
He is the only way but no matter what denominations you are as long as you believe in Him then we all end up in the same place
Yes, I do believe that my religion (Christianity) is the only way, because my religion is characterized, defined by believing that Jesus is the son of God and He said that He is the only way to the Father (God) and eternal life. That being said, I’m not the gatekeeper; and I’m not condemning anyone to hell. Only God Himself gets to separate people at the final accounting, not poor ole Shirlann.
Even with my own beliefs being what they are; I think I can understand why the survey went that way. The same almighty that I call “Father” may be called “Allah” by others… I don’t know. It’s not for me to decide; but I can understand the sentiment of not wanting to feel like you’re saying “You don’t get in” like you’re some kind of almighty bouncer. I do believe that MY way to salvation is through Jesus Christ; but it’s not mine to say that someone else’s way is wrong. I guess we’ll both find out soon enough, huh?
without a doubt
@The1Stacy - Amen to that, I agree completely.
And no, I don’t believe that my religion is the only way to eternal life. It seems arrogant to me to assume that.
no I do not.
However before anyone freaks out let me explain. I had a beginning. my life started around 9 months before September 19th 1981. The word eternal means something that always was. therefore since I had a starting point, I cannot have eternal life.
I do believe that through Jesus and his death on the cross I can spend everlasting life in Heaven.
Eternal no. Everlasting yes.
i think it factors in, but it isn’t the main or only way to get in
you just gotta be a good person
@laughingfairy -I feel results may be very different if the
question was “is some belief (as interpreted by the individual or
religion) in jesus needed for eternal life”
No, because that would be directly only at Christians.
One God and One way to Him – Jesus.
I recently read an article in National Geographic that if you cut open a living virgin’s torso and eat their liver, while simultaniously fornicating with a goat you will be granted eternal life. I tried it, it works!
Belief in an afterlife is comical. It’s like the carrot dangled before the draught horse.
I don’t believe in heaven. But if I did I don’t think religion would have anything to do with it. I think that if you’re a good person that no matter what you believe you should be able to get into heaven.
@huginn - I’ll tell you what, if you can give ME absolute truth there is no God, you will win me over. I don’t worry, cuz there IS no proof HE DOESN’T exist. Funny you should bring up the Tigers, The comment I was typing up instead of the one I posted I brought up the Tigers and how you thought they didn’t have a chance at the NCAA Championship and that they were WAY over rated but made mincemeat out of your Bruins, but I deleted it cuz I thought it was being cruel. I still enjoy going to Youtube and watching CDR slam over Mr Love!
That was one of the best Dunks in College Basketball you have to admit!
“the righteous of all nations have a place in the world to come”
-jewish saying
Absolutely. Just as you said Dan. The Bible, which is Jesus (John 1:1), clearly says that the only way to Heaven, or Eternal Life, is Jesus Christ. A Bible verse which most people know is John 3:16, “For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” So obviously it is through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is God, the Trinity, and not Allah or any other god that is out there.
yes
It doesn’t matter how much faith you have in something. What matters is whether the thing you have faith in is TRUE. No matter how much faith I have, I will go through thin ice. No matter how weak my faith, I will not go through thick ice.
I don’t believe in Jesus because it makes me happy, or because among all the religions he seems most attractive, or because I like church music, or whatever. I believe in Jesus because I’ve examined the historical evidence and believe he rose from the dead and proved himself to be God.
For me my religion isn’t a preference. It’s a conviction based on solid evidence leading me to center my worldview and life around what I believe is factually true about the universe.
(I’m certainly not a believing follower of Jesus based on institutional Christianity. Heavens no! If anything, what humans have done with Jesus over the years is evidence of the opposite kind.)
@paoguy118 - Talk about outright racism, elitism and closed-mindedness…
I think there’s other ways… Well, I think that if you follow most or all of Jesus’ principles and yet don’t believe in him you have a chance… although that’s quite a rarity to find.
no.
I hope there is eternal life, but I do not base my life on that hope. It would just be nice.
@UnworthyofHisgrace - Grampy, YOU are making the claim that God exists and that Jesus is God. Because you make this claim, you have the burden of proof. You have to support it, or few will believe you.
no way. i mean seriosuly, if your an honest good person and you practice buddha or something. Do you really think god is going to be like, yo go to hell your culture was retarded.
No. most religions are even a lot alike. The catholic church even borrowed traditions from others; the christmas tree a.k.a. yule tree, their feast days often coincide with pagans. So really, who are they to stand on a high pedestal and be like only people like us can enter?
@Tallon5 - Natalie, I make the claim because I believe the Bible, and the Bible is it’s own proof. I simply state what the Bible says. I can’t help it if people think it’s false, thats their perogative. I believe it to be totally true. Until someone can PROVE it without a doubt to be false, I will believe it. And as I’ve said before, I can’t convince ANYONE to believe, that believe comes from God opening the eyes, not me. I’m totally powerless in that area. All I can do is point people in that direction, God shows them thru His Spirit. You just don’t know how BAD I wish I could show you…everyone here, but it’s imposible for me to. I don’t have that sort of power.
@xXRaraAvis - As many have said, it isn’t the religion, it’s Christ and Christ alone. It doesn’t matter the religion, if that person’s trust is in Jesus Christ for their salvation and not of anything they can do on their own or thru someone else, then yes they will go to Heaven.
@UnworthyofHisgrace - The Bible is the word of God because the Bible says it’s the word of God.
@UnworthyofHisgrace - ” Until someone can PROVE it without a doubt to be false, I will believe it.”
Probably a bad line to use. That’s equivalent to me saying I choose to believe in Zeus until someone can prove him to be absolutely non-existent. Or in an invisible spaghetti monster, etc.
I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with believing in something that cannot be proven, but to say you believe in something simply b/c it cannot be proven, without a doubt, to be false is kinda silly.
but to take it one step farther…Isn’t Gods Word the “Bible” a interpretation by “Man” of what his word truly was…????
It’s not about religion
Taking a page out of Revelife’s book, are we Dan?
There’s more than one way to skin a cat, right?
@Tallon5 - but that is exactly my point. This is directed at evangelical christians. Or maybe just christians in general. The way the original story was written is that it is about christians. And since the basic tenet of christianity (hence the name) is a belief in Jesus…well there you have it.
Traditionally many other religions are not nearly as dogmatic about eternal life. Hindu’s believe eternal life is for everyone. You just don’t get rewarded in the cast system.
Judaism believes in an afterlife. It’s just not as important.
oh well I’m a minority…and i believe that all life is eternal…just not as most other christians see it
I’m shocked to hear they believe this. Christian who does not follow their own believes. Weird.
nope
I think the only way into Heaven is in Masiela Lusha’s pants.
‘Nuff said.
@findingliberty - Oh yeah… really shocking. :rolls eyes:
@whataboutbahb - You’re right, didn’t mean it to sound like that was the reason why I believe the Bible. Problem is, I can only show someone Christ by the way I live my life.I don’t have anything but my life to show them and others that have seen that change in their life. People want proof with their eyes that they can see, well, they had proof with their eyes when Jesus did all the miracles right in FRONT of them and they still didn’t believe. So what makes people think they would believe if they SAW a miracle now.Their trust would be in the miracle and not the one who WAS the miracle. People will say and do anything to justify their sin and even say God isn’t fair because they can’t do as they please. Well, they can do as they please, but there’s a price to pay…and I didn’t make the rules. Anyway, you are right, that was a stupid way to put what I said so I take it back.
@Tallon5 - Very true statement there my dear!
Were you trying to make a point to me by saying it? Like that doesn’t mean anything because I can say I’m the tallest man in the world, that wouldn’t make me the tallest man in the world…I’m tall but not that tall 
. Is that what you are illuding to? That just because the Bible says it doesn’t make it true?
@UnworthyofHisgrace - I was pointing out the circular logic. And yes, it doesn’t make the Bible true because the Bible also says that the Earth is flat and that pi equals 3. So if it’s supposed to be completely true, yet those are false statements, then obviously the Bible isn’t completely true.
@laughingfairy - Well, it does have some references to Jews, etc. in the article, but I agree that the article focuses mainly on Christians.
How come you’re a minority?
If one is following Jesus, but thinks other men and gods can lead to Heaven, then one is making Jesus out to be a liar.
Jesus didn’t go through all that hassle and pain just to be pushed aside.
@Tallon5 - LOL, where does it say in the Bible the world is flat and that pi equals 3? Guess I haven’t gotten to that part yet! Nat, if God is God and the Bible is His word, then why would He need proof of His own word….do you not see the folly in that!
@UnworthyofHisgrace - Isaiah 40:22. 1 Kings 7:23.
And why would he? Possibly because it isn’t God’s word?
@Tallon5 - On my way home, I’ll check into it tonight when I read my Bible. Those will be my study tonight
Again, hope you have a fun and safe trip. Later!
@UnworthyofHisgrace - Okiedokie.
And thanks once again! See you.
Many people DO confuse denomination with what it means to be Christian. I believe any denomination can find the path to heaven by accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. He is the way, the truth, and the life. How you GO about your beliefs are what make up the different denominations. I can accept many different churches – enjoying the differences in worship – but the main point of recognizing God’s Son and making it personal is something that can’t be twisted.
Yes, Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
The only way to get to heaven, is through Jesus Christ.
The Bible also says, “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:14 (KJV.) That’s why so many people can believe many religions can lead to eternal life. They haven’t found a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and someday they will find out they were wrong.
Like the verse you just quoted says, I think Jesus is the only way.
@Tallon5 - I wanted to look up that Pi thing, as it sounded oh so interesting, but, unfortunately, it’s been disputed on the grounds of “Translations screw things up”
http://www.apocalipsis.org/difficulties/pi.htm
Very nice one, though.
I’m so glad its really not up to people to decide who goes to heaven
I believe God is the only way.
@paoguy118 - what does obama have to do with anything
@ryoma136 - Ah, pulling the ol’ mistranslation card. I suppose that’s valid enough, though. Still, I pointed out less than a percent of all the errors found in the Bible..so it doesn’t really do much.
i want to say yes as i’m christian… but my parents are muslim… their religion says that too… so does the torah… so i’d have to say no. sorry.
There can be only One right way – Jesus.
I think it depends on what you mean by religion. I think that there are many people who call themselves “Christians” who go to hell. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 is the basic gospel: “Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” This is the only way of salvation. If anyone believes this, he is saved.
No religion is the way. Being religious doesn’t mean anything. There’s always another step in the process. And being Southern and the heart of the bible belt I do believe that’s Jesus, however, in this society it is hard to believe that everyone should I agree with me.
If you ‘ll pardon my impertinence, those who do not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God don’t give a shit what he said about eternal life, AMIRITE?
no…….Jesus is
As a Christ-follower, I believe Jesus meant it when He said He was the only way. I will never say otherwise. “Narrow is the gate that leads to eternal life, and few find it.”
@Tallon5 - Yeah, I know. I just wanted to see if I could add that to my ammo supply
I dont believe one religion is the only way.
I do believe that Jesus Christ is though.
i think… everyone is entitled to believe in what ever they want to believe in… but if you are in a religion, you cant… ok… umm lets say you are catholic… you cant go around saying that your religion will get you to God… and then say that being jewish will get you to God too… it makes no sense… idk… just rambling…
No, for in Buddhism, I shall come back from death as someone or something else. In science however, anything is possible.
That’s a lie. Jesus didn’t say that at all. He was talking about the mob-boss of those times, referred to as “The Father.” Jesus was a badass.
Yes, I believe I’m right. Relativism kills.
My religion doesn’t teach that it is the only true one, so no. I believe that we can’t really know the whole truth about the supernatural, and every religion probably gets some things right and some things wrong.
I believe that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. Everyone will be judged according to what they did with what God revealed to them about Himself. Those of us who have heard about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection will be judged on our response to that. Those who have not heard about Jesus at all will be judged on how they responded to what God revealed to them during their lives. Ultimately, God decides who gets into and who does not get into Heaven.
It is actually.
i believe it. because; though i walk through the the valley of the shadow of death i shall fear no evil.
I don’t think that Jesus is the only way to Heaven, and I think it’s bloody ignorant of people to believe that their religion is the only way to salvation(whatever that may be). Holy wars were started by the Crusades, whose pilgrims killed thousands of innocent lives in order to spread Christianity.
“For the first decade[1095-1099], the Crusaders pursued a policy of terror against
Muslims and Jews that included mass executions, the throwing of severed
heads over besieged cities walls, exhibition and mutilation of naked
cadavers, and even cannibalism, as was recorded after the Siege of Maarat,” as taken from wikipedia.com.
I’m not trying to bash on Christians here, even though it may look that way, but I’m sick and tired of people telling me that through their religion is “the only way” to eternal happiness. F*&*& that and have a nice day.
I believe that there will be some in heaven who have never heard the name of Jesus, but do all the good that they can. I believe that there will be people in heaven from every Christian denomination, as long as they are truly living for the right reasons (which noone can judge but God).
Never the less, I believe that there will come a time in this earth’s history, perhaps not too distant in the future, that everyone will need to decide clearly if they are obedient to God or to the prince of this world (the devil). See Revelation 14:12, and actually all of Revelation for that matter, but especially chapters 12 – 14.
@AnkhPriestess - It might be helpful to remember that not all who said they were Christians in history were really following the teaching of Jesus Christ the Son of God. Many professed Christians were really controlled by the devil to misrepresent God and His Messiah. Many who have claimed to be followers of Christ did and said things very unlike the healer from Galilee.
THAT is one reason why there was a protestant reformation: thoughtful Christians read the Bible and saw the difference between what it taught and what people were doing and saying.
I might mention also in response to the comments on Islam that I the Muslim family which i new was very pious, courteous, and gentle people. They practice what they believe, and most do not believe in the extremists view of Jihad.
I recently met a Hindu family, and could say the same thing: very nice people.
I heard about this, and this was frightening to me. For the record, I believe Christ is the only to having eternal life.
I don’t think that any Religion is the way to eternal life.
I know that the one and only Living God is the only way to eternal life through His Son.. .. but that is faith, not religion. Religion is a bunch of rules and regulations and people with God-complexes. Faith is following and beliving in the one true God
@JabezPrayer - I understand that, but I just can’t help but get fired up by theological questions like these(in a good way, though!).
I am glad that our country is still free enough to allow the freedom of religion(or faith/spirituality, whatever you want to call it)…and that Dan has questions such as these~
. I don’t think I’m a conspiracy theorist(although, plenty of my friends and family might think so), but like all empires, this country’s freedoms, such as faith and free speech, will silently fall through the cracks. Now, aren’t I just a ray of sunshine! 
@AnkhPriestess - Perhaps they are already starting to fall through the cracks….
No, but Jesus Christ said He was the only way to heaven…I guess that pretty much settles it!
And let me also add…most Americans would say that..its seems to fit the idea that all religions are equal in some way…Jesus Christ would disagree.
I’ll side with Him.
Only Jesus Saves.
Yeah, I am Christian. And I do believe that the Only way we can reach an Eternal Life, that is in the Heaven, is through Jesus Christ. No Question about it.
I was born into a Christian family, but here’s my confession:
I’ve never been concerned with the afterlife, or anything that might be lingering around waiting for us after we die.Sure, I’m curious, but I don’t think we can ever really know what’s in store. I’m fine with following my religious ‘rituals’, but I honestly am not very concerned. My mother would be in shock if I told her my ideals and if she knew of my nonchalance and “almost nonexistant faith”, but I honestly think it’s for the best that she didnt know.
But I’m really not very deeply religious, and I feel like a hypocrite for that, sometimes, when I act like a total devotee in my church.
Hey, i’m just following the procedures that were drilled into my head since birth.
Nope.
The point of religion is to have faith in something.