h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I think a lot of people use religion as a tribal and social thing without thinking through the ramifications of what they believe.

If you take he fundamental Christian view you say that anyone who doesn't believe in Jesus is doomed. But if you take the opposite view and say that the whole point of the cross is that the price is paid and you can belive what you want because God's love is unconditional then it can really push a few buttons too.

We all like to be right...and on the R&E message boards I get quite scared sometimes to write what I think. But actually, unless I've posted something that's immediately disprovable I'm usually just ignored if I'm trying to make a salient point. Or what I think is a salient point anyway

It's so sad the way everything's got so muddled and that there are so many different opinions and beliefs even within Christianity. I mean like, how many different Christian denominations are there? It's getting a bit ridiculous.

There are the extreme Brethren and Free Presbyterians and then there are the more charasmatic churches that are *so* different. I don't know what your church is like. Think we get so tied up on the more minor doctrinal differences between us that we miss out.

Yes I think we do.

I'm sure my Church would be thought heretical by many - we are comfortable with teachings from all faiths and believe that the task for us all is to find Christ within ourselves. We ourselves prefer to use Jesus as our teacher but we believe that others can find Christ without the persona of Jesus.

To us, Jesus Christ speaks to all peoples but in different personas, some might call him Buddha, some Mahommed, some Krishnamurti. There's one God but we don't think he has an ego and that His love is totally unconditional, if we won't or can't listen to one great Messiah - though birth, training or whatever - we might listen to someone else. Or we might come to the same truth without outer guidance.

In the end, we all come home to God no matter how long the journey...

But maybe you disagree!

Clarification (why don't I hit the preview button ) We DO think God's love is unconditional!

Your church certainly sounds interesting. I don't think I've ever actually been to a church like what you're describing, though I've heard of them. There can't be that many?

It's definately true that God speaks to us in many ways. I've heard of Muslims converting to Christianity after having a series of dreams. Would be amazing to have something like that.

There are a few churches like it - but you're right, not many. It's lovely to learn about Jesus's teachings being inclusive rather than exclusive.

It helps me be much more comfortable with people of all other faiths. I also think that God doesn't have an ego the way we do and doesn't need us to fight over what's right or wrong; just to live happily and love each other.

What a lovely idea....

I always remember in school we were taught relgious education. but it was always centered round the Christian church. We never learnt anything about Islam, Hinduism or any of the other main religions. Didn't make sense. Should've been called "Christian Education". I can see that where I live there aren't many Hindus or Muslims, but still.

Know what you mean bout how we fight over being right. The Bible does say there's only one way to God - through Christ. But still there's no need to be all holier-than-thou about it. think there's a way to hget along with other people and tell them about what you believe without being superior.