by Xavier Grey

Created on: July 11, 2008

Christianity isn't the only religion that has struggled with the concepts of the various other religious possibilities that are available throughout the world. With the advancements in technology making information available at an unprecedented rate, each religion respectively has had to take notice of the trends involving the various cultural and religious beliefs that are finding a foothold among once predominant geographically oriented sects.

The premise that the Word of God is only found in the Christian Bible is being eclipsed by the similarities that can be derived from investigating not only other historically established religions, but many of these same common denominators are also prevalent in many of the up and coming movements that offer what are commonly referred to as "New Age" beliefs.

The underlying reason why many religious organizations seem to be reluctant to accept the teachings of other denominations seems to be the result of the contextual significance that is found within their ranks. What makes it necessary to accept these other teachings as valid is the reality that while we have only begun to transcend the limitations and barriers of geographical divides and language, God has always had the capacity to relate to the children of the Earth in a way that resonates within them as individual portions of the whole.

Many of the fundamental doctrines of Christianity are being revised, the Vatican has acknowledged the potential for extraterrestrial existence, homosexual ministers are finding venues in which they can preach of love and understanding, as opposed to the brimstone and hell fire that used to be so commonly referred to, and these are just two examples that indicate a developing trend which will ultimately benefit Christians and other religions alike.

The "judge not lest ye be judged" approach that is currently being employed by some of the churches is a positive change, and even if the individuals who preach, or otherwise subscribe to these variations in doctrine were to be mistaken in their judgement, the act of letting others be accountable only to God is essential to finding one's own salvation.

God was relating to the people of earth prior to the life of Jesus, and while that by no means indicates that Jesus and his teachings were invalid, it doesn't necessarily mean that the previous teachings were invalid, or that those that would follow would be for naught. To accept only one variation of faith as beneficial is tantamount to implying

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