U.S. Religious Landscape Survey http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/24/us/24religion.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin this is the sort of stuff that makes me shake my head. "For example, 70 percent of Americans affiliated with a religion or denomination said they agreed that “many religions can lead to eternal life,” including majorities among Protestants and Catholics. Among evangelical Christians, 57 percent agreed with the statement, and among Catholics, 79 percent did." id like to see the stats from practicing Jews. although the above quote doesnt say eternal life in heaven
It seems most people have no idea what they really believe anymore because everyone is too busy trying to make their faith fit their surroundings. And God knows, few pastors are interested in teaching anymore. They want to talk to people about subjects that make them feel warm and cozy, but ignore the subjects that may make them squirm in their pews. God help the pastor that hurts some one's feelings.....:rolleye33:
it just really amazes me. either people are very ignorant of what they read or hear, or they dont believe the doctrine of Christianity. i tend to assume the former.
I have no idea what you are trying to communicate here. Who are you "shaking your head" at? Are you on the side of those who are more likely to believe many religions can lead to eternal life, or are you on the side of those who are less likely to believe that other religions can lead to eternal life? As for your whole question about the stats from the Jews, you did read the article you brought up in this discussion here, right? It clearly says that "more than 80 percent of Jews" in America agree that "many religions can lead to eternal life." Also, the article does provide a link to the exact study itself, and if you had clicked on the link, you'd see that the study states that 82% of American Jews think that "many religions can lead to eternal life." Here's the break down of the percent of Americans in that poll that agree that "many religions can lead to eternal life": 89% -- American Hindus 86% -- American Buddhists 83% -- American Protestants (mainline) 82% -- American Jews 79% -- American Catholics 72% -- American Orthodox --------------------------------- 59% -- American Protestants (historically black churches) 57% -- American Protestants (evangelical) 56% -- American Muslims --------------------------------- 39% -- American Mormons 16% -- American Jehovah's Witness Basically, what that shows to me is that historically black Christian churches, evangelical Christians and Muslims have a lot in common when it comes to being fanatical. As for the Mormons and the Jehovah's Witnesses... wow... thank Goodness that they have such a very, very, very tiny following.
Saltyone, trust me, you are a posterchild for the one who makes his "faith" fit his surroundings. So am I. So are all of us. If you haven't realized this basic concept, you are still on square one when it comes to spirituality.
I agree, I believe that people are very ignorant, including you, and including myself. Being able to sincerely understand and believe that is a tiny little baby step in the beginning of making any kind of progress whatsoever in the spiritual life.
clearly i wrote "practing Jews" in my post. with jews regarding themselves as much as a race than a religious group, i'd guess a much smaller fraction of "jews" practice than christians. i'd expect practicing jews to be much less likely to believe there are multiple ways to heaven
dude, im not talking about deep philosophical issues here (nor was the linked article). a christian is either stupid or going against a fundamental tenet of christian doctrine (and therefore i question their salvation) if they beleive that other religions can lead to heaven. im not 100% sure about what judaism and islam teach, but for christianity it is quite unambiguous.
I think you misunderstood Saltyone's point. Instead of sticking to what their religion teaches, too many are trying to change those teachings so that it is accepting of the flaws too many have accepted. Note that I am not necessarily agreeing with Saltyone, though I do believe that what he is saying is true in some cases.
