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Is there room in Christianity for other beliefs?

Results so far:

Yes
46% 491 votes Total: 1056 votes
No
54% 565 votes
Yes

Yes, there is absolutely room in Christianity for other beliefs. I am a Gnostic Christian. That basically means that while I am definitely a Christian, I am constantly searching for answers. I do not take any one persons word for it. Studying and researching other religions also leads you to the fact, that no matter how much any two religions can differ, there are still some undeniable basic principles that exist in all belief systems.

Is a God by a different name not still a God? Are we all worshiping the exact same entity, just calling him/her by a different name? I think to call yourself a true Christian you have to embrace the beliefs of others. Religions exist solely on the basis of faith and believing. You cannot prove that what someone else believes is wrong, therefore you must respect it.

In todays society, more than ever before, I would think we were more willing to accept these simple truths. As they say, you can't teach and old dog new tricks, some of the older folks may find it harder to change their ways. But I think the newer generations are much more open and willing to adopt aspects of other religions.

We also must remember, that there are several denominations within Christianity. I suppose that the willingness to accept aspects of other beliefs would differ greatly between them. But speaking as a Christian, I keep a very open mind and I am on the quest to spiritual enlightenment, for me that means atleast considering every idea I come across.

Learn more about this author, Nickie Sandra.
Contact this writer Click here to send this author comments or questions.

No

Is there room in Christianity for other beliefs?

The answer to this question clearly has to be "no"! Anyone who has taken the pains to read the Bible would agree. All too often people make comments about the Bible and Christianity without having studied either. They take scripture out of context in order to bolster their arguments, or misquote the Bible and Christian doctrine to serve their own purposes (as Satan did with Eve in the garden of Eden). I would even go so far as to state that some "beliefs" which make a claim on Christianity today are not truly Christian at all.

God has given warnings through His word that no scripture should be added or taken away or changed in any way that would alter the meaning of His word, as we see in Rev. 22:18-19:

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: [19] And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

Or in Proverbs 30:5-6:
"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. [6] Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar."

Again in Deut. 4:2:
"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you."

And Deut. 12:32:
"What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it."

If other beliefs are taken in and made a part of Christianity, do we not then violate God's command not to alter His word or commands? You know we do. It cannot be otherwise and history proves it.

The purity of Christianity has been distorted by the blending in of other belief systems. The Roman Church, or so called "universal" church system, (Catholicism) is itself largely responsible for many of the changes made to Christianity since its inception. Christian holy days have been combined with pagan holidays (Christmas and Easter for instance). Each time a new cult or pagan religion was won over, some of it's cultural and religious baggage was allowed in with it, thereby changing Christianity. When Jesus said, in Matthew 28:19,20, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:" He did not say "and allow them to keep some of their pagan beliefs"

Others such as the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Christian Science
have attempted to change not only God's word, but Christianity itself, based on the "inspiration" or visionary dream of some charismatic leader. Jim Jones attempted to bend Christianity to his own egotistical ideas and look what happened; not only did he die, but so also did most of his followers. And there have been others like him.

Christianity is not an "inclusive religion" in the sense that it can absorb other religions and their traditions without harm to itself. It is "inclusive" in the sense that everyone is welcome to the Christian faith, regardless of former beliefs, but it is they who must conform to it rather than the other way around. To be a Christian means to follow Christ, not Mary or any false gods, and obey the commandments of God as He gave them. You cannot water down the word and tenets of God to fit your own version of Christian faith.

Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." John 14:6. To say otherwise, as so many liberal minded "Christians" do, is to call Christ a liar while also implying that the Bible says something that it does not.

No! There is no room in Christianity for other beliefs.

Learn more about this author, Richard Ellis.
Contact this writer Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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