If jesus christ is the only way as the bible says. What is the fate of millions of people born into other religions as it seems thatmost peoples beliefs are as a result of the fact that they were born into a particular faith and their parents thought them to follow that faith?

Do you think that God would punish other people for being in a faith that is different? Is that a loving and forgiving God?

That's why our GOD in unique he loves and cherishes everybody no matter your religion and faith.

While God is loving, that he why he gave man a choice and did not just destroy all of mankind when he could have.

And man has choices, so the fate of all of those that reject Christ will be that they will not enter into heaven.

Christianity does not allow those that do not accept Christ a place in God's kingdom.


While he is loving his has his strict rules that also has to be followed, the old testment is not done away with, and too many people who are even Christain forget the punishment that God does give for not following his word.

All mankind by its very nature does not deserve anything from God except punishment, no one is "good" enough for God. So he is loving by even allowing us a chance to be saved

So, back to the poster's question, are you saying that if these people who were born into other faith/religion/cultures, etc... do not eventually follow God, that they will not be saved into Heaven when they die?

I like this question, because I often wonder myself. I suppose that is why there are missionaries and people like that who go around the world to speak of God-but still-what is the real truth behind all of this?

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)



It all depends on the reason why a person rejects Jesus.
If the person knows in his heart that the Ransom sacrifice is valid and still rejects it, then his losing out on life is his own choice. If a person rejects it because he honestly believes Jesus is not the only way to a good relationship with God, then that person will be given a chance in the new order of things to see for himself that Jesus is indeed the way to eternal life. Then and only then will the person's rejection be taken as a sign that he has chosen death instead of life.

If a person never hears about the free gift of salvation through Jesus, I believe they will be given the opportunity to make the choice. God is not going to hold someone responsible who never heard the good news. However, Jesus is the only way to God the Father.

Some don't worry about fate, rather they strive on being good people and do good things during their lives here on earth. You can find a lot of happiness this way. If you have had a difficult life or have lived through traumatic moments then you may find that you need that extra help, otherwise enjoy yourself, challenge yourself, surround yourself with nice people.

One can not be concerned about their destiny and prides themselves with being a good person and doing good. However, good works do not equal salvation. And how can someone say others may have had a hard life or tragedies when their own life is not even over?

Now to the OP, I caught a few articles about this perennial question. As this one:
http://www.gotquestions.org/never-heard.html

I studied to become Christian and objected to the "only" part too. In fact I was baptised by a generous priest who allowed me to leave the word "only" out and the hallabaloo that followed with that caused me to leave the church and the faith. I understand now what he did was wrong but it doesn't make the only concept right, only right for that religion. That is an important distinction to make.

I believe this "only" business is a marketing tactic cooked up long long ago by humans who wanted to hardsell their particular religious product. No God who made us all would santion that, frankly. How could he?

So maybe its not God who says that...

The other marketing tactic I believe is used (and is the subject on a recent threads too and here it is) is what happens after we die.

I'm not sure what this sentence is saying but suffice it to say that destiny and doing good are not mutually exclusive of course.
That's right. Being a good person is its own reward.
I assumed the "up to now" was understood since I can't see the future. I agree that a pessimistic view on life and one's own future would push one to hope that a higher being watches over them.

Whoa Nellie! This paints us in a pretty bad light. It also paints God as kind of stuck up, or arrogant or well, at the very least puts some sort of negative human attribute on the One who is all perfect. Which does not make sense to me?

As for destiny, I am very concerned about my destiny and the world's destiny and everyone in it too. Without exception. It does not take being of a faith or being of any particular faith to be that. And when my fate and the world's fate is one, good works does equate salvation and that is how it all works too, I believe. That any religion attempts to neatly separate itself from the world, when its not in reality separated, is THE GROSSEST form of denial I have ever encountered. It held its ground as true when the world was unable to communicate as easily as we do now. I think people are beginning to figure this denial= lie out at the same pace as how small the world is becoming.

Notice how no one attempts to actually answer this question. All they can do is spew a bunch of relious jargon at you.

And what of the 5 month old baby that died of birth complications? He didn't accept Jesus into his heart... where will his soul be for eternity? And don't try to answer with the old "Do you really think God would allow a baby to go to Hell?" Because if none of us deseve anything but punishment as it is, then obviously YES... God WOULD allow a baby to spend eternity in Hell, right?

All I can say, NK is that you are wrong to say that I have a pessimistic outlook on life. And I can easily say the same of you, since I do not know you either. All I'll refer to is one fact I can tell, and that is that you have heard the Gospel. The rest is your free will to do what you will with it.

Val, I'm sorry, there's just too much dialogue for me to understand your posts sometimes. I can appreciate your contributions, but maybe it's the Brooklynite in me that is happy just getting the point, or getting to the point, but I can't get around too much analysis in between.
I have a hard time with words. I really just express myself singing and playing guitar- although these days it's the Casio keyboard.
So forgive me. I'm hearing your point and I do hope you come back to the Faith.

Love & Peace to all. :)

Pps- DrJizzle- in my prevous link there is an explanation about babies & the handicapped.

I'm sorry Pumpkin, I'm know logic is hard to follow sometimes. I was suggesting that I won't be back to the faith anytime soon, I think. But thanks for the hope you offered. That was nice.

As a intellectual dilemma, I was also making a point that religion likes to claim things "of the world" are bad, like the "flesh" is bad but funny thing is... religion is one of the things "of the world" and its propogated by the "flesh", people. Is that any clearer? Maybe? Maybe not?

Well, maybe it's better to look at it as Spirituality rather than Religion.

Consider Scripture - Galatians 5:24-25- Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:19- The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality,impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, self ambition, dissentions, factions and envy, drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Sinful nature can also mean "the flesh" in many instances.

This world is under the sway of the evil one. We are mostly referring to the influences of this world, and not the fact that there isn't beauty, love and goodness in it to be enjoyed.
Consider another Scripture- Romans 12:2- And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

The Good News is that Jesus overcame this world. John 16:33-"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

While it is merely a glimpse of the Bible, we do have descriptions of the "flesh" and of the "world" that is really not that hard to understand, it just takes some time I guess to understand spiritual truths. It's not just intellectually, it involves one's heart. (and will also)

All of us deserve a chance to make an informed decision in relation to the Ransom sacrifice.

The refusal to accept Jesus Ransom results in death only if the decision is an informed decision not if it is an involuntary one based on ignorance or lack of knowledge or the result of being duped via socialization-or inability to choose due to mental deficiency.
If indeed there are those who have died without having had the opportunity to make a truly informed decision then they will be resurrected and provisions will be made for their care until they are ready to make an informed decision in reference to the Ransom sacrifice.

BTW
What was meant by the other poster who said that we are inherently undeserving is that we cannot earn salvation via our conduct alone and that our condition is one requiring a Ransom sacrifice. Otherwise our undeserving condition cannot be remeddied and eternal death will follow.

I'm 34 years old and I have not been a Christian all of my life although I was raised in a Christian home. I went to Christian school, and am happy to say I have rededicated my life to the Lord. Here's the answer to the question: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father except through HIM-Jesus. It's simple. Look, God has rules, we as man cannot bend them. People born into other religions have the opportunity to hear the Truth. Those that do not I'm sure God has that covered. As far as babies going to Hell and little children, come on! That's not the God I serve. We have an age of accountability. It is different for everyone. A 12 year old may be different than a 10 year old as far as knowing right from wrong. The important thing to know is that you have to make the decision for yourself. No one can do it for you. The bible also says that if anyone tries to enter by any other way but through Jesus he is a thief and a robber. He didn't die to give us a multiple choice way into Heaven. He died to be the only way. Read the Word of God for yourself. King James, NIV, there are a lot. Ask Him to show you. He still talks to people. You don't have to be Isaiah, Moses, or Jacob. I think the hardest thing right now for people to believe is the simplest of ways. Everything has to be NEW and the latest trend. Start by believing that He is, and he will take you into the deepest parts of who that is. Again, He is the ONLY Way. In the end, we'll all realize it, won't we? Thanks for allowing me to answer, I hope it helped.

This is nice and all... but prove it. Where in the Holy Scripture is this said?


My point exactly... that is the only real answer anyone can give about this subject... because they simply do not know.

No it doesn't. No one ever died who didn't believe what you believe.