The REAL religion?....

[kellyg403]

I recently had someone tell me that their religion was the only "true" religion and that those would be the one's saved in the last days. I really didn't know what to say to that. I am Catholic but over the years find myself wondering if I am not more Methodist or Episcopalian. Other than the Jews I never even realized there was a True religion out there. I really am a defender of whatever religion brings you comfort, the man upstairs is aware of what is in your heart. That being a christian means more "acting" and "living" like a christian then belonging to the one true religion. I just have a hard time believing there is a religion and only those will be saved regardless of the rest our relationship with God.

Any light to shed on the subject? I really am interested in knowing the answer because well, it makes me feel like a lot I have learned is wrong. This particular religion is not for me, so I am really thinking I am doomed if it is in fact biblically stated somewhere.

Thanks.

Kelly

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

If there is only one 'real' or 'true' religion, then I am headed straight to heck! Anybody wanna join me? There's room in my handbasket and I've got the beer!

 

[amyhughes]

I too am Catholic and while our beliefs stipulate in the Nicean Creed: "We believe in ONE Holy, CATHOLIC and Apostolic Church, we acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins..." I know how you feel. Sometimes it is hard to say, "My faith is the "Right" one." I personally have never felt that any faith has gotten it truly "Right". There are a multitude of things wrong with each belief structure. I guess what I am saying is, you need to find what works for you and go with it. I think you know what is in your heart, and that should be your guide.

 

[Jennasis]

I would imagine that most religions (the church) will say that THEY are the one "true" religion.

 

[declansdad]

The only true religion would not be an "organized" religion.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Whether it is Islam, Wiccan, Christian, Scientology, LDS, Amish practice, Satanism, Hoo-Doo, etc...yes, even Satanism. They are all the same thing to me.

It is a vehicle to worship an "alien/supernatural/natural/spiritual force".

At this point in time I am leaning toward "alien beings" as our heritage.

In the end it doesn't matter as the truth will be revealed to you or not.

 

[kellyg403]

I too am Catholic and while our beliefs stipulate in the Nicean Creed: "We believe in ONE Holy, CATHOLIC and Apostolic Church, we acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins..." I know how you feel. Sometimes it is hard to say, "My faith is the "Right" one." I personally have never felt that any faith has gotten it truly "Right". There are a multitude of things wrong with each belief structure. I guess what I am saying is, you need to find what works for you and go with it. I think you know what is in your heart, and that should be your guide.

Right. How many times I have said this in my life time! I think the difference for me as that I believe in the teachings of the catholic church I don't believe in ONE true religion. This was actually brought up in the conversation as well as why the catholic church is not the right religion because of such and such and such. It just came off as so hypocritical and judgemental, I was skeeved out. After years of catholic schools and masses these are two of the big ones I stay away from!

Kelly

 

[kellyg403]

If there is only one 'real' or 'true' religion, then I am headed straight to heck! Anybody wanna join me? There's room in my handbasket and I've got the beer!

I'll take wine please...cause I think I have a one way pass myself after all.

Kelly

 

[lovesmurfs]

I too am Catholic and while our beliefs stipulate in the Nicean Creed: "We believe in ONE Holy, CATHOLIC and Apostolic Church, we acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins..." I know how you feel. Sometimes it is hard to say, "My faith is the "Right" one." I personally have never felt that any faith has gotten it truly "Right". There are a multitude of things wrong with each belief structure. I guess what I am saying is, you need to find what works for you and go with it. I think you know what is in your heart, and that should be your guide.

It's my understanding that the creed means "catholic" (small "c") as in:

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) –adjective

1. broad or wide-ranging in tastes, interests, or the like; having sympathies with all; broad-minded; liberal.
2. universal in extent; involving all; of interest to all.
3. pertaining to the whole Christian body or church.

From a Christian standpoint, the roadmap, provided in the New Testament, is clear. In order to be a Christian (i.e. spend eternity in heaven), one must 1) acknowledge that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 2) acknowledge and believe that Jesus died to redeem us from those sins; 3) confess Christ as Lord of your life (behaviors change because of #3).

That's it, boiled down. IMO (and only my opinion...), everything else is just "religion" and gingerbread. If you're Catholic, Methodist, Episcopalian, Baptist, etc. etc. ad nauseum, it all boils down to those three steps. The interpretation of #3 is what makes organized religion (and it's what ticked Jesus off about the Sadduccees and Pharisees).

 

[eliza61]

I recently had someone tell me that their religion was the only "true" religion and that those would be the one's saved in the last days. I really didn't know what to say to that. I am Catholic but over the years find myself wondering if I am not more Methodist or Episcopalian. Other than the Jews I never even realized there was a True religion out there. I really am a defender of whatever religion brings you comfort, the man upstairs is aware of what is in your heart. That being a christian means more "acting" and "living" like a christian then belonging to the one true religion. I just have a hard time believing there is a religion and only those will be saved regardless of the rest our relationship with God.

Any light to shed on the subject? I really am interested in knowing the answer because well, it makes me feel like a lot I have learned is wrong. This particular religion is not for me, so I am really thinking I am doomed if it is in fact biblically stated somewhere.

Thanks.

Kelly

They all say that. My MIL is Jehovaah witness (sorry about the spelling) and did not attend our wedding because it was being held in a church and evidently they are not allowed to hear anyone else preach because every one else is a "false" religion. Hey, it saved me a couple of grand on the reception because I got to cut way back on the guest list.
Anyway I give a standard answer.. "when the big guy himself sends me a message saying your the real religion" then we'll talk.

 

[Amlee]

I have relatives that truely believe that they belong to the only true religion. They will tell you in a heart beat, that only they will make it to heaven and the rest of us "non believers" will go to hell.

I'm a firm believer that when it's all said and done, many will be surprised by who makes it and who doesn't.

 

[cabanafrau]

Yes, as a previous poster stated, the catholic church in the Apostle's & Nicene Creeds does mean the universal church, not a reference to the Roman Catholic church only.

 

[Barbossa]

I'm Roman Catholic, but do not believe that there is a True Religion. I believe that only God knows what's in one's heart and only God can judge us. This personal belief contradicts most of the world's religions, IMHO.

 

[daisax]

It's definitely "small c" catholic.

 

[kristilew]

That being a christian means more "acting" and "living" like a christian then belonging to the one true religion. I just have a hard time believing there is a religion and only those will be saved regardless of the rest our relationship with God.

Any light to shed on the subject? I really am interested in knowing the answer because well, it makes me feel like a lot I have learned is wrong. This particular religion is not for me, so I am really thinking I am doomed if it is in fact biblically stated somewhere.

Thanks.

Kelly

Well, it does state in the Bible that the Jesus is the way and the truth and the life, and that the only way to the father is through him. It also states pretty unequivocally that how you act has no bearing on your ability to earn God's grace. Christians try to "live like a Christian" in grateful response to God's free gift of grace, not to earn salvation.

The Bible does not state that a particular church is the only one. Jesus makes it pretty clear what he thinks of most established religions.

 

[Took]

Well, it does state in the Bible that the Jesus is the way and the truth and the life, and that the only way to the father is through him. It also states pretty unequivocally that how you act has no bearing on your ability to earn God's grace. Christians try to "live like a Christian" in grateful response to God's free gift of grace, not to earn salvation.

The Bible does not state that a particular church is the only one. Jesus makes it pretty clear what he thinks of most established religions.

And most other religious books have similar claims. It all boils down, then, to faith. Either you choose to believe in a religious creed or you don't. The one that you accept will seem most "real" to you.

 

[suzanna1066@comcast.]

If there is only one true religion, I hope it belongs to some obscure remote tribe. That would show those arrogant SOBs that think their God can beat up your God.

 

[NY Disney fan]

It shows what you people know. The only true religion is Rock N Roll!!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I too am Catholic and while our beliefs stipulate in the Nicean Creed: "We believe in ONE Holy, CATHOLIC and Apostolic Church, we acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins..." I know how you feel. Sometimes it is hard to say, "My faith is the "Right" one."

Alrighty...you need a history lesson on the Nicean creed. That is not what you think it is.

 

[NY Disney fan]

Also, not all Christians acknowldege or recognize the Apostle's Creed which states Jesus descended into hell before he went to heaven. This is not stated in the bible at all.