I am curious on some of your thoughts.
Well, I was not sure how to title this or ask so I just will go for it. I have read many threads over the years and had many questions but do not wade into them. This one is based from the discussion with the thread: Divorced and alone in old age? I did not want to interrupt his thread.

Towards the end of that thread discussion, it turned toward calling out non-christians or non-chrsitian beliefs.
This is where my question comes in.

With so many different views of a Christian (even on Trapperman) and what beliefs one has, how is that determined? How is that because of the Bible you read, and what you believe is the correct beliefs? (different Bibles, different wording, interpreted different ways, different religions) How are you to judge others and what they believe? In my careers dealing with the public I have had so called Christians call out my faith or question my beliefs. They have no idea of what I believe and my relationship with God. But their behaviors are very what I would consider Unchristian.
Thoughts ?

I very much know God is real and I do see what you are saying with regards to judging. I see it all the time. What I keep in the forefront of my mind is Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge, that you be not judged." It is not our place to judge. With that said, however, we are humans and sinners by nature.

I agree. I'm a Christian and I don't judge others based on their religious views.

your questions could be legitimately asked of EVERY religion.

Those beliefs are determined by many in what faith backgrounds they were brought up in....But, I always admired the people who studied, and made their belief system through dilligence & prayer.

Believe there will be people of many different faiths in Heaven, and also believe there isn't just one path either.

Beware of those that say their faith is the only way....There are several faiths that will work, and the contents of your heart are where it's at, not a particular doctrine.

If what you say is correct Jesus is a lier and I doubt God would make one of the paths to Heaven be through a lier.

When a person starts believing what they want they start making their own religion up. And then there would be no truth.

Truth lies in the scriptures. As far as judging other there are scenarios when the Bible calls us to judge others and there are times it tells us not to. Got to find the whole context of what your reading.

I didn't say Jesus wasn't the only way...He is...We're talking different religions.

I must of been confused by your post, I thought you stated there isnt just one path too heaven. And my belief is there is and its the path through Jesus Christ.

Yes, your correct....Jesus is the one, and the only way to Heaven.

It's the paths of different doctrines/religions saying do it our way, or you will go to hades, I was referring to.

Faith specific, like if your not Baptist your going to hades, etc.

I agree and with that when people believe theirs is the only way and judge others how do we know they are right or wrong?



I agree with your statement truth lies in the scriptures but what version? Who says Lutherans, Baptists, Catholics, etc. are right or wrong? When we read anything we interpret it, whos' interpretation of the word is correct? Who are we to judge (other than actions specifically) according to your own beliefs of the word?

OK im with you. Ky coyote

I thought this was settled. From what I understand when conversing with brothers and sisters of the Church of Christ denomination they are the only ones going to heaven. Us poor old Baptist want ever make it off the ground.

Bear Tracker as far different versions of Scripture i have four different versions of the Bible in my house and have looked at a few more. They pretty much say the same thing. Now sometimes there is scripture that is hard to understand and one might kind of point u in one direction by how its worded and another might kind of point u a different direction but those cases are rare and in those cases I have a concordance that I can look up the original Greek or Hebrew words and their meaning and that usually clears it up. Also the Holy Spirit will help in your understanding if you seek and hear. As far as different denominations, if there teaching isnt lining up with scripture they are wrong. Now there are some minor things that we can disagree on because the Bible doesn't always give us a clear answer but those things are secondary. All teaching should line up with what the Bible teaches in full context and its up to each believer to grow there own knowledge of Truth so that we cant be mislead.

I know that Catholics do/believe things that aren't in The Bible, for one example. Not my place to judge, but there's that.

There is a scriptual bases and from that we humans can manufacture what we like to raise up or forget. Just look at the current senate hearings and listen to the two widley different views each side has on very similar data or info and that is with currently only 2 parties and 250 years to hone our "skills" Compare that to scripture or the Bible which parts were written over 5,000 years ago down to 2,000 years ago and by several different authors and then being sifted and winnowed by hundreds of leaders, sects and denominations. Is it any wonder that with that many generations humans have been able to build the walls they want and the walls can be used to keep people in our out, whichever fits their needs at that time. Could be similar with other religions as well.

Bryce

Simple, for me anyway. Don't allow them to judge you and don't judge them. Let God deal with it. He's do a far better job of judgeing them than I ever could. Your thoughts are your own till they come out your mouth. Then they become a judgement.

Rom 14:4  Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 

Oh yeah, I've been told by the COC bunch I'm going to hades, so has my wife, and even my grandmother, Lol.

Ill open the can of worms, remember when people were told to convert to christianity or be killed? Use to be a somewhat bloody religion. I know its not the only religion like that. I do believe on a higher power, dunno if its god, odin, or some other superior being. Just know im not in a hurry to find out yet.

In C.S. Lewis's "The Last Battle" Emeth, who basically represents a Muslim and Aslan, who represents Jesus meet and have a conversation. Emeth is a goodly man who serves an evil god.

"Then I fell at his feet and thought, Surely this is the hour of death, for the Lion (who is worthy of all honour) will know that I have served Tash all my days and not him. Nevertheless, it is better to see the Lion and die than to be Tisroc of the world and live and not to have seen him.

But the Glorious One bent down his golden head and touched my forehead with his tongue and said, Son, thou art welcome.

But I said, Alas, Lord, I am no son of Thine but the servant of Tash.

He answered, Child, all the service thou hast done to Tash, I account as service done to me.

Then by reason of my great desire for wisdom and understanding, I overcame my fear and questioned the Glorious One and said, Lord, is it then true, as the Ape said, that thou and Tash are one?

The Lion growled so that the earth shook (but his wrath was not against me) and said, It is false. Not because he and I are one, but because we are opposites, I take to me the services which thou hast done to him. For I and he are of such different kinds that no service which is vile can be done to me, and none which is not vile can be done to him. Therefore if any man swear by Tash and keep his oath for the oath’s sake, it is by me that he has truly sworn, though he know it not, and it is I who reward him. And if any man do a cruelty in my name, then, though he says the name Aslan, it is Tash whom he serves and by Tash his deed is accepted."

Later in the dialogue, after Emeth admits he has sought Tash all his days, Aslan replies:

"Beloved, said the Glorious One, unless thy desire had been for me thou wouldst not have sought so long and so truly. For all find what they truly seek."

Yes, the "Chronicles of Narnia" was written in large part for a young audience, but it is inarguable that C.S.Lewis is one of the greatest Christian theologians of all time. His books touched me when I first read them when I was 6 years old and still do. That passage is one of the most powerful explanations of what God likely feels ever written.

Keith