On being saved

Makes sense! So does this anyway validate all the other religions? does this mean we have the same God?

I don't think so. Because there will be elements which are not good or rather which are not according to the will of God who has revealed in Christ. So we don't really argue that they will go to hell if they don't come to Christ, but persuade them to see that the god they search is actually the Jesus of the Bible. Well, in the process some may refuse to accept, but others will accept. Unfortunate for those who refuse, but for those who accept praise God! That's the way I see the whole thing.

Well, the Catholic Church is careful to say "no." See, Christian churches don't want to validate other religions. That would make other religious valid competition. The Christian theologers are going to want to tell you to come to and tithe to a Christian church.

However, I would suggest that one can keep in mind a general creator to whom you owe your fealty and allegiance. If you pray, ask the True Creator (whoever they are) to help continually refine your faith and bring you closer to the truth. In this way, you are acknowledging whatever True Creator might be out there -- even if he favors Hindu, Islamic, or Jewish faiths. You ask the True Creator to guide you.

This would be praying to the True God and, if the True God is Jesus, then you are finding Salvation through Christ even if you can't realize that it is the Christian Christ providing Salvation for you.

The Catholic church recently sanctioned or disapproved of a educated Catholic theologer's book because it seemed to validate other world religions. Being a good Catholic, he recanted his book because of Papal disapproval.

I am not under the microscope of the Church in that way. So, from an official point of view, I encourage you to read the bible and find wisdom where it may be found. From a practical point of view, I don't think I can convert you to Christianity through one post on one board and I find it vain and presumptuous of people to claim there is the only possible way of finding truth.

Therefore, I submit, there are two universal poles for humanity. At one end, humanity moves towards peace, acceptance, brotherhood, love, and kindness. These are the peacemakers and they are not challenged by different points of view. They are not challenged, so long as your heart and intention is towards goodness.. that is, a peaceful and sustainable future for all mankind. Then, at the other end, there is that which moves humanity towards self-destruction, divisiveness, judgment, scorn, hatred, war, and the ultimate destruction of human life as we know it.

If by your actions you are moving towards one pole or another, that is how I pray that the True God will judge your life. Do you serve the ultimate ends of peace, truth, and compassion? Then I do not think God will through the baby out with the bathwater. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed only because God did not find one true person of faith within them.

I see many people who's religion is full of division and hatred. Such strongly held religious beliefs that cannot tolerate others seems to be a force which tears the world apart. So, when the Catholic church draws a line and says 'you are not one of us' they are separating humanity and creating conflict. I would rather see all religions treat all as welcome with tolerance and compassion.

Amen to that, headhunter525!!!