There are so many religions out there. How do you know your religion is the only true way to heaven? What makes your religion the right religion?
I don’t believe there is one way to heaven. I just believe in a higher being, but I don’t believe in any of the multitude of religions out there, so I just try to be a good person.
Answer
There are two approaches people generally take when it comes to sorting through all the religions out there. One is to say that all religions are essentially the same, meaning they all eventually point to God. This is a false premise made by people who have never studied religion. Anyone who knows even the basics of religious belief know that all religions are by definition mutually exclusive. In other words, they contradict each other in basic points of belief and practice. So to say that all are true is illogical. It would be better to say that all religions are false.
The second approach—the one you are taking—is that all religions are false. You are free to do that, but then we would ask if you have investigated the claims of all the religions? How do you know all religions are false? Let’s assume for a moment that you have done that and have concluded that no religion is worth following. Our next question is this: Why try to be a good person? What’s the motivation? If all religions and belief systems are false, or at least worthless, why should you be a good person? Why not seek all the pleasures you can?
We would answer that the reason you want to be a good person is because something inside compels you to do the best you can. Your desire to live a good life is something you share with every person ever born (except for true sociopaths), which brings us to another question: If all people have some kind of moral framework, where did that inherent morality come from? Did it just evolve, or is it possible the God built that into the fabric of each person? The apostle Paul dealt with this question, and here was his answer:
Even when Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, instinctively follow what the law says, they show that in their hearts they know right from wrong. They demonstrate that God’s law is written within them, for their own consciences either accuse them or tell them they are doing what is right” (Romans 2:14-15).
I am rather new to this, so please excuse my ignorance….
I was born and raised Catholic, as are my children.
In a conversation not long ago, my daughter asked if people of other religions (Jewish, Isam, etc.) who do now accept Jesus as their savior, will have salvation and eternal life in heaven.
That baffled me too….it it possible that THIER savior, though perhaps called by a different name, is actually Jesus Christ?
It is somewhat difficult to fathom that all non-Christians will not have etenal life…
Becca–
Great question! It is difficult to imagine that God would deny anyone eternal life just because they didn’t believe in Jesus, and yet that’s what the Bible tells us. The most famous verse in this regard is John 3:16. There’s also John 14:6, where Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Later, after Jesus had died, rose again, and ascended into heaven, the apostle Peter said this about Jesus: “There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them” (Acts 4:12).
People sometimes read verses like these, and they accuse Christianity of being an “intolerant” religion. Yet if God is real, and the Bible is His written message for us, then we have to take it seriously. As for God being intolerant, that’s really not accurate. The Bible is clear that anyone can be saved through Jesus Christ. There are no restrictions, no requirements, nothing we have to do.
Christianity is the only religion in the world with no requirements for salvation. Islam and Judaism and every other religion have requirements in order to come to God. Every other religion is based on works. Only Christianity–the religion based on Jesus Christ–says that there’s nothing we can do to earn our salvation. It is by faith that we receive God’s eternal life through Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).
We have to trust God that He will be completely fair with all people. We aren’t to judge who believes and who doesn’t. We are only called to be witnesses to what God has done for us.
Stan
My fiancee has asked this just today! We came in here, and his question was the topic of discussion. He is a new Christian, and wants to know exactly what all is required to be saved. My granddaughter and I told him, to BELIEVE (with his heart, not just his head) that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, died on the Cross for his Sins and paid the penalty for all sins past, present and future, and that He rose from the Dead and sits at the Right Hand of God. He asked IS REPENTANCE REQUIRED to be SAVED. Also asked if you backslide and turn your back on Jesus….how can you then STILL BE SAVED? He wants to hear what YOU have to say on that subject. Thanks!
Dixie