Alright, I got into this arguement at my table Friday about Christianity, they kept insisting that even the people who never once heard of Jesus, or the Bible, who have gone their intire lives without one person mentioning Christ to them, even tho them themselves have lived a life the would rival a Saints, if they had never heard of Jesus, they were doomed for an eternity in hell.

Now I know most peoples beliefe on this board.

That is why I asked for people with some knowledge in the Bible.

Is there anything in the bible that would contradict this way of thinking?

Because I brought it up with my mom too (after she invited me to the church these kids go to) and she looked at me and said "It's true."

I just about threw up, and I can't even look at her the same.

So, could anyone help me?

HI B-man -  (The safest place is still the center of the target! But I'm getting used to it and agree with your evaluation.)

With all due respect to those who take Christian religious writings literally, or for that matter, to all those who take ANY religious writings literally, the point being made when words like those (which can be found in Every Major Religious Faith) rae being written, is that without following the one basic path to self-salvation, we ain't gonna make it.

The idea of "self-salvation" varies a lot, but in general it seems to involve an afterlife, a visit to meet God Herself,  and a new state of consciousness in which you retain the awareness and knowledge appropriate to your ego-self, but have abandoned exclusivity to the extent that ypou are able to merge into the Nature of God, the Communion of Saints, the True Self or whatever you want to call it.

The Basic Path consists of a good life that generates little karma, plus acquisition of appropriate meditative skills by which you can "cease to be yourself, while remaining a perfect observer".  Many sports teach this, such as archery in which the bow is draw, the archer gently suspends breath at the balance point, and then looses. (In the military they taught us to shoot using the same process.) Education teaches this, to understand the flow of history, the images of geometry, the humor of Mark Twain or the philosophy of Plato requires focus that takes precedence opver thinking about your ego and self gratifications.  And of course, lots of people on this board are meditators. When the mnind is turned on its relationship to the Ultimate, and the ego has been allowed to drop off like a secondary embodiment, then the mind joins the object of its perception.

The reason so many people are so adamant about their literal interpretations is usually that they do not understand what they are talking about, and are trying to make sense of it all on faith alone. To hear you talking about something that seems to make sense, but is opposed to what they have invested in, is scary. It's like opening a black hole into which they are sincerely fearful of falling.  Actually, if they truly had faith, they wouldn't be fearful, nor would they bother about others with different beliefs. "You believe in worshipping the Big Green Cheese by sacrificing garlic sprouts? OK with me. Not my department." 

It's all very simple. I think it's vicinity of Matt 7:12 "Whatsoever you would that men should do unto you, do you also unto them. For this is the law and the prophets." Because in your ultimate nature you are God, you are always doing it to yourself. If you don't like it, stop. Than go to God.

So, IMNSHO, the reason for the reaction is simply fear that what they hope to believe will somehow escape their reach due to lack of understanding.

dave

I have to admit Dave_a_mbs, I got quite a belly laugh out of the way you wrote that line:

"You believe in worshipping the Big Green Cheese by sacrificing garlic sprouts? OK with me. Not my department."
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I too find trouble in the idea that there are so many people out there that have been raised/programmed/re-programmed since birth to follow a specific set of beliefs regarding what "God" wants/DEMANDS from us.
-- And to do that without question. No matter how absurd the demands can, and often get...  In fact most religions scare the followers so bad about questioning any of the doctrine, that the members feel like a dirty rug-mat if they harbor any inkling of inquiry inside of them. Apparently most religious facilities don't saude their followers into reading such dietary supplements as "Curiosity's Father" by Bruce Moen. I personally like to have it early in the morning, with 2 cubes of sugar and a dollop of French Vanilla. -- (Curbs my appetite.)

Personally, a God that is so strict, as to not allow room for curiosity, is no God to me... especially following logical deduction. How could such a complex reality exist, as the one we find ourselves in now, made by the hand of the supreme consciousness, but on the same hand, be it may, we are swatted repeatedly for honest/sincere questions that we hold about this complex reality we find ourselves in? Again, that kind of logic renders me useless...

If I was born on a deserted island, with no outside contact/influences whatsoever (and could reasonably deduct that I wasn't in an episode of the "Twighlight Zone"), I would expect to be able to decipher my surroundings/origins by searching within myself. (The only place I would have available to search...)

Aside from the peyote, that's basically what the Indians/Buddha did. Also, does not the "Christian" bible say that the kingdom of God is within us? So, who are we to be brainwashed by the almighty brainwashers of religious conviction. I for one, am searching for my own deserted island. Getting down to "brass tacks" so to speak.

PUL,

Cosmic_Ambitions

P.S. I believe that all of the differing religious sects that have sprouted up over the years are analogous to the "path" scenario... It's like a bunch of religious people got together and started a journey down a long path... the scenery was all the same for each of them, but each reported their experiences differently. Then, when they got home, each told their family about their voyage. Those people each made their own churches/mosques/gathering places; Henceforth, the followers came, and the fun began! 

The ray of the Sun embraces all creation.

God is with us all the way , with his love for us ,he is our faithful friend,forever and ever amen. God bless juditha

Thank you all for your long, detailed thoughts on my problem, all of you (other the juditha...) have helped out, but I still need some qoutes from the gospel like what Chen-Kuang gave me.

By the way Chen-Kuang, do you know where exactly the bible says that?  That would be great to show my mom.

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This IMO shows the religion of christianity & all other religions for their true colours.

How could a mother scare their child so much by emotinal blackmail, absolutely pathetic, and christianity is meant to be a religion of peace what aload of crap.

Basically your mother is full of crap (no offence), just  be a good person and do good deeds and treat others as you would treat yourself the you should be absolutely fine

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Dear Roxas,

I haven't read all of the replies to your question, but I did want to comment that this very question disturbed me as a child, about 8 or 9. I was told that yes, even those on a remote island who had never heard of Jesus or our God, would go to hell. I could not believe that God would make people, put them on an island, and then send them to eternal hell for not knowing about God of "our" bible. At that point I began to loose faith in the church, and eventually left it because that "truth" felt so wrong. I believe it is a misguided belief. Different cultures and different religions speak of God in different ways, and I think that is fine. We follow different paths in connection with our Source.

Love, Carolyn