Other religions, gods, and heaven.

[Mop]

Is our God the only true god?
While I was in Oregon, I saw a TV program that claimed that 65% of Christians would answer "no". I thought it was nonsense, what do you guys think?

Do people from other religions get into heaven? Is there more than one Heaven? Do people who think that Christians are complete looneys, but still lead a good life get into Heaven?

I, for one, think that if someone leads a good life, then they should get into Heaven.

I would like to hear other opinions.

[Armany]

In response to this, I just have to look back to the Ten Commandments: "I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt have no other gods before me." Is Allah really another god: no, because, as a Christian, I have to believe that I am on the right path, and at that, the only right path. That may sound stuck up or something, but there really is no other way to answer the question. All throughout the New Testament, there are references to only those who accept Christ gaining entrance into heaven many times. If you lead a "good" life but reject the only One that is truly good and holy, then there is no heaven, because this person has rejected Christ and has sought salvation through his own means.

I have to go, but I'll respond on more later. A great topic!

[Chocolate Bar]

Jesus said he was the ONLY way to the father. So no I do not believe their are other gods.

[Triphus (Titanian)]

I agree with Choco and Armany. I don't believe there are other gods. It says many times in the bible that Jesus is one and only way.

[New Titania (TD)]

Ditto, guys.

[ApologeticChrist]

"Is our God the only true god?"

Of course He isn't, I mean the Bible tells us over and over that He's just one of the ways to heaven. Alright, for those of you who just wet yourselves, I was just kidding. There is no doubt in my mind that our Lord and God, Jahovah, is the only God. No other deity exists, and there are no exceptions.

If 65% of Christians would say that God is just one of the gods, then we have a serious problem. I figure it was just bad data.

"Do people from other religions get into heaven?"

My personal belief is that there are only two ways to get into heaven. The first is through Christ, the obvious plan of salvation. I also have some biblical evidence to think that babies and small children who die also go to heaven because they are innocent, or at least I feel they are innocent.

"Is there more than one Heaven?"

One Heaven, one Hell. No exceptions.

"Do people who think that Christians are complete looneys, but still lead a good life get into Heaven?"

Salvation through faith in the saving power of Christ alone. Not a lot of room there. Sin is sin is sin, and if you have even on speck on your heart, you get thrown into the pit, a rather nasty place I believe.

My responce to your opinion is that of course you believe that. I wish it myself, and were I God, I'd want everyone to come into heaven except the really rotten folks. We know about Christ's mercy and love and want to emulate that. Unfortunately for those sinners who refuse to accept Christ, there is only Hell. The only way for a soul to enter heaven is if it is pure and without sin, and only Jesus had that rich ability. Jesus is God's mercy to us, and the only way through which we can come into His world. I also feel some Jews who followed God's Laws of OT (Job, Isaac, Moses, Abraham, etc.) will be there as well. I mean, Jesus was hanging out with them after all.

-R. S. of UC

[Mop]

ApologeticChrist said:

There is no doubt in my mind that our Lord and God, Jahovah, is the only God.

-R. S. of UC

Jahovah? Yaweh, I believe.

[Xanatos]

Same thing dude, come on. Jesus Christ is the only way into heaven(and I agree with U.C. :oabout the innocence thing) Unfortunately, most people do belive in good workd getting you inot heaven, and that doesnt work. A foundation of being a christian is believing that Christ is the only way into heaven. Thats my simple stance.(for the long version, disagree with me)

[ApologeticChrist]

There are two Old Testiment "names" that God gives Himself, Jahovah and Yahweh. They are used frequently and synonymously. This is how you get "Jahovah's Witnesses" and the Church of Yahweh (we have one here anyway).

No biggy. The Old Testament does not leave them in the way they are, so it's difficult to know which is which without knowing Hebrew and having a Hebrew Old Testament.

[Vanador]

These are all good points. but here is something that i already know the ancer to but i wont to know what you think about it.

How can a god be made out of our one hands or have a mother or father and never really do any miracles and still be considered a God?

[Chocolate Bar]

Vanador,

I don't understand what you are talking about can you explain a little more?

[Armany]

Yeah, I don't really understand it either. Could you elaborate?

[ApologeticChrist]

Just a few names of people who are or were worshiped as gods, simply for their own charisma and wisdom.

Buddha

Muhammad

Gandhi

Hitler

Paul

Zoaraster

Out of this list, I can see only one obviously evil character, Hitler. Even Paul who did works by God's hand was worshiped by the Greeks. The rest did what they thought was right, and many miricles are attributed to them. Buddha was a heavy dude, and his thoughts are still interesting. Zoaraster had a unique way of percieving evil and good. Gandhi promoted peace and brotherhood, getting millions to follow. Despite what you may believe, Muhammad actually developed a religion of peace.

I grant that not all of them were worshiped dirrectly as gods either, but it's very easy for people to worship wisdom and ignore others because all they have ever known or learned is from one thing, so it must be true. The unique thing about Jesus is that He was God and loved us. That's what most converts tend to notice.

-R. S. of UC

[New Titania (TD)]

This may be a little "off the topic," but I wanted to ask you guys some questions:

1. If you are murdered, do you get a free pass to heaven? (I don't really think so)
2. If you commit suicide are you subject to d**nation? (I mean going to hell. For the record, I'm NOT cussing.)
3. If you kill someone during a war, are you as guilty as being a murderer?

All right, I'm going to answer #3 myself (please join in.)

I think that there is a difference between "murdering" and "killing." If you are standing up for a nation that fights for the good of the world, but you "kill" the enemy, then I think you're OK. But, if you "murder" someone in cold blood, then you go to Hell.
I may be completely screwy on this, but doesn't it seem that our great guys in uniform who kill the bad guys are not commiting a crime?

[Misty Hills]

Good questions....I can answer all of them.

1. If you are murdered, do you get a free pass to heaven?
Depense, if you have asked for forgiveness and made Jesus Lord of your life.

There is a difference in being murdered and killing yourself. When you're murdered, you usually don't choose to be murdered. But killing yourself is your choice. And that all leads up to what I am going to say next...

2. If you commit suicide are you subject to d**nation? (I mean going to hell. For the record, I'm NOT cussing.)
This one I really can answer, because I have just answered this like about 5 times in the past month. So I'm fresh on what I have to say about it...(or i mean what the Bible has to say on it....)

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God; him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

1 Corinthians 6:19 "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the holy ghost which is in you which ye have of God and ye are bought with a price: Therefore glorify God, in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

It's pretty self explanitory, but if you have any questions about what that means, ask me.

3. If you kill someone during a war, are you as guilty as being a murderer?


You see the Middle East terriorising us... What are you going to do about it, are you going to do nothing and let them kill us, or are you going to help defend our nation, so they won't destroy us?

David in the Bible killed Goliath, because God had him do it. Goliath was the enemy and they were going to try and destroy the israilites if they didn't do something.

God wants his people to try and stay alive, unless it is for his sake, dying for Christ. So if you are just trying to let someone kill you, it is just like murdering yourself.


[glow=violet,2,300]~Misty:)[/glow]

[Chocolate Bar]

[glow=red,2,300]I agree with Misty[/glow]

[Chocolate Bar]

YES I GOT IT TO GLOW!!!!!

[New Titania (TD)]

Thanks, Misty. You have answered all of my questions!

Ah, but I have one more.

1. Is there an animal heaven?

Ok, I know it's kinda cheesy, and there probably aren't too many scriptures on it (lol) so any philisophical thoughts would be helpful!

TD

[Chocolate Bar]

I always wondered that too.

[Armany]

I don't think so, TD. My reasoning is because animals are not humanly conscious; they cannot reason, and thus, they couldn't obtain salvation. The entire world is, if you think about it, immersed in sin, so animals would still be in the ways of this world. However, they couldn't know that they were sinning, cause they don't have a soul or a human conscious. So, no, animals could not go to Heaven, nor do I think that there is an animal heaven.

[ApologeticChrist]

The only answer of Misty's that I could disagree with is on question three, the question of warfare. You do NOT get a free pass as a soldier. As a matter of fact, a soldier should be held to the highest moral standard. A soldier kills to defend himself and others, but must be beyond careful with that responsibility. The American military is a fine example of this. We attempt to reduce innocent casualties to zero, and this MUST be a number one priority. I'm sure you weren't implying it was ok, but I wanted to make a very clear destinction.

Oh, and animals do not have souls. We love them, but when they die, they just go pfft. Sorry amigo.

-R. S. of UC

PS: All these things are in my belief and mine alone. God may be TOTALLY someplace else with this.

[New Titania (TD)]

Ah, bummer. No cat heaven

;D Oh well. Thanks for the responses, all!

[Chocolate Bar]

But aren't animals innocent?

[Triphus (Titanian)]

Yeah, but they have no souls and that's the part of us that's going to Heaven.

[Armany]

Exactly.