As a Christian and a Catholic, I believe that my religion is about worshiping God in the ways set out by Jesus and His Church, and to spread the Word of God to others.

Why spread the word if it doesn't matter?

But isn't the teaching of the NT that the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ?

But isn't the teaching of the NT that the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ?

That's what I've always heard. Which leads me back to my three questions.

Why spread the word if it doesn't matter?

 

It's not that it doesn't matter. It's that people can't be held accountable upon their judgment if they have never been taught the Word of God in the first place.

Is it a chicken/egg thing when it comes to the areas listed?

 

Probably in those specific locations. The freedom of religion in a particular location is obviously a major influence.

It's not that it doesn't matter. It's that people can't be held accountable upon their judgment if they have never been taught the Word of God in the first place.

So, if Muslims have heard the word of God then they can be held accountable?

 

I'd like to see your responses to my three questions above please.

So, if Muslims have heard the word of God then they can be held accountable?

 

I'd like to see your responses to my three questions above please.

 

Accountable, yes. Does that mean they can't get into Heaven? I'm not sure. I believe that God will judge them, and as I'm not God (yes, it's true), I can't tell you how they will be judged.

 

1. If you were born in Saudi Arabia do you believe you would be Muslim?

I would certainly assume that I would have been born a Muslim - but that's a given. I suppose my religion, in the end, would be dependent on how much exposure I would really get to Christianity. Obviously Saudi Muslims know Christianity exists...but do they have anyone honestly try to evangelize to them? And how was the evangelization done? There is a lot to be said for the approach at which the people (both the Muslim and the postulated evangelizer) took to the discussion, and how each of them personally responds to that type of a discussion. I can certainly say that I could have heard out and listened to the Christian perspective. I don't know for sure how I would have reacted though, given the number of variables that play into things. My gut reaction, though, is that knowing my personal dedication to my religion in actual life, I would be a tough sell were I to have a Christian trying to convert the "Muslim me" to Christianity.

 

2. Do you believe Muslims are going to heaven?

I believe that they can go to heaven, yes. I believe that a truly good man (or woman) can most certainly go to heaven. Still, adding a little bit of my Catholic beliefs, I also believe that no man can be saved by works alone. There is more to salvation than being a "truly good man" - it requires faith

and

works. Does believing in a Muslim God satisfy the "faith" portion of that equation? I would assume that in some cases it would. But still, when it comes down to it, I'm not the one doing the judging. I'll leave that up to The Man Upstairs.

 

3. Not very fair, is it?

Nope. That's why I said "God is just". That, above all things, will play into the salvation of those of every religion.

Do you think you would be a Christian if you were born in Afghanistan?

If I was born in Nebraska, would I be a fan of the Huskers? I'd say probably not, to your question, until I got a chance to hear the Gospel. But I can't say for sure. Same if I was born any Non Christian nation.

I have three questions for my Christian friends here.

 

1. If you were born in Saudi Arabia do you believe you would be Muslim?

2. Do you believe Muslims are going to heaven?

3. Not very fair, is it?

 

1. Highly, highly likely a Yes.

 

2. I really am not trying to skate past the question in this response, but eternal destination is not determined by me. I will say that I believe if someone asks me how to get to heaven, I'm going to tell them they need to accept Jesus as Lord & Savior. Because I believe the Bible to be true, I take Jesus at his word when he says "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." But I'm not God, therefore I don't know people's hearts, opportunities, exposure to the Gospel, etc. So, unlike how I have sometimes been in the past, I feel uncomfortable giving a definitive Yes or No answer to this.

 

3. From my vantage point, as a Christian, the "not very fair" part is a perfect man dying for my imperfection.

 

Good, thought-provoking questions! :thumb:

But isn't the teaching of the NT that the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ?

 

It is.

I have three questions for my Christian friends here.

 

1. If you were born in Saudi Arabia do you believe you would be Muslim?

2. Do you believe Muslims are going to heaven?

3. Not very fair, is it?

 

1) Islam is not a terrible religion, but its a false one. God knows your heart 1st Samuel 16:7 I'd say yes to the question.

 

2) I was told I was going to Hell on a radio talk show by a preacher who hates Baptist. He is a Church Of Christ Preacher. So I never tell anyone they are going to Hell, but I let the Bible speak. John 14:6 And Jesus will judge all mankind.

 

3) Its fair, but very hard.

If I was born in Nebraska, would I be a fan of the Huskers? I'd say probably not, to your question, until I got a chance to hear the Gospel. But I can't say for sure. Same if I was born any Non Christian nation.

 

Here's the reason I don't buy the "until I had a chance to hear the Gospel" answer. I'm assuming you currently, being a devout Christian, would never consider converting to Islam or any other religion, even if someone convincingly tried to persuade you to do so, am I correct?

 

If I am correct (and I'm positive I am), what makes you think that if you had lived the first 40 years of your life as a Buddist, and were just as devout a Buddist as you currently are a Christian, you'd be willing to just throw those beliefs aside and follow this religion you were just exposed to? I don't think you would (and I'm not just talking about you AL, I'm talking about pretty much anyone).

It is.

So without it, how would anyone else get there?

So without it, how would anyone else get there?

 

Scripture doesn't reveal any other way to get there.

I have three questions for my Christian friends here.

 

1. If you were born in Saudi Arabia do you believe you would be Muslim?

2. Do you believe Muslims are going to heaven?

3. Not very fair, is it?

 

1) Yes.

2) I believe they can, but not based purely on their Muslim faith or their lack thereof. I just don't believe that religion is a precursor to any afterlife. It is my personal belief that some of the most judgmental and hateful people that I know claim to also be devoutly religious. The two don't always necessarily go hand-in-hand, but I just believe that if there is an afterlife (which not one, single, human being on this earth can possibly be positively certain about), you get their by how you live your life -- not what temple or mosque or church you walk into once a week.

3) The notion that people are excluded from an afterlife or doomed to an eternally painful one based on religion [which I argue is based on parental influences (which is based on location)] is ludicrous to me. Honestly, is it just luck of the draw then? That is just illogical, in my own very humble opinion.

 

Some background on the religious influences that had an impact on my life:

I attended a Catholic grade school for the first 9 years of my true education. I attended an all-male Catholic high school called Covington Catholic for the next 4 years of my education. I have a family that is almost entirely Roman Catholic, and I come from an area of Kentucky I would assume is very Catholic relative to the rest of the state (Kenton County). I attend Mass when I can, and I consider myself a member of the Catholic Church.