Reconciling pluralist values.

United States
January 3, 2008 10:58pm CST
Hi every one and happy new year.I am currently at midlife studying to become a pastor in seminary. Alot of twist go into my background but they range from being born and raised till thirteen to be a Bar Mitzvahed jew,with Roman Catholic first cousins and some unitarian there too, and not a lot of accountability. So lets say i have a diverse background that has included some rather detailed study of other religions but not formaly as I do now. I give you this background to open new dialog into the examination of two or three major issues I am trying to reconcile even now in Seminary and that is I am really wrestling with the issue "that narrow is the road to heaven", and the feeling Christians can not condone other religions. I could go on but I will save other topics for a later date. Peace, Edge DDB Gold
2 people like this
3 responses
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
4 Jan 08
I don't know how narrow it is, but whatever road i will be up to take it will have to be a road that includes at least the open mind to accept the idea that maybe it's not only one religion that is right, excluding all others from salvation, but rather that in its own way most religions are right. The basis for each religion are basically the same, with the same principles and guidelines. Men took it upon themselves to add, change, restrict,amend, censor, explain,and revise to their own need for power and money sometimes. Making their own religions the "true" one. Then they fight for it, forget those guidelines and just disrespect any others that are not right there with them. I am glad to find that more and more people from any religion are finally more open to understand what the other ones are about and less ready to condemn without even knowing.
• Canada
5 Jan 08
You said it so well. Excellent response. You are absolutely right, men in every religion added and changed things for their own desire for power or greed or political leverage.
1 person likes this
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
4 Jan 08
"Narrow is the road to heaven" to me means it is not easy to achieve eternal life for your soul. But I believe this road is open for all people of all religions who lead a moral life, leave the world a little bit better than they found it and believe in God. I do not believe Christianity is the only right religion.
• Philippines
4 Jan 08
It's good that you are studying but it's best to study the Holy Bible. The road to heaven is narrow and that is in the Holy Bible and only few can find it and the road is even made "rough" that not all the few who find it can actually go to heaven as they will still be judged. It is not that Christians cannot condone other religions. The true religion is laid out in the Holy Bible because it is the God in the Holy Bible who created everything and who promises everlasting life with Him in heaven and that's what Christians say. There is only one true religion laid down by God. Of course there are many religions but they are laid down by men who cannot save people.