Approaching marriage at the age of 30, my fiancee and I often discuss our religious future. She was born into a Catholic family and attend a private Catholic school. I was born into a broken Catholic family and rarely attended Catholic church. I actually spent a few years attending a Baptist church in my late teens.
Now that you know a bit about me, I am interested in becoming more spiritual one day soon. The issue is, I have a problem with religion.
For many, choice of religion is inherited from generations past. As children, we do not have our say in choice of religion. Many of us are conditioned to believe that our parents religion is the one and only from a very young age.
My personal beliefs are that there is likely a god but there is no telling which religion is closest to the truth, if any. I believe that most religions were created back when laws did not exist in order to maintain a community that can coexist. After all, the fear of the unknown (afterlife) is an excellent means of controlling people.
I would like to know what happens to all the "good people" who are non christian, or Buddhist, Islam, etc and are blindly lead into their particular religion from a young age? Perhaps they never even heard of religions such as Christianity. Do they burn in Hell because they are ignorant to the fact that Jesus exist? Do Jews automatically go to hell?
This question has bothered me for years. I would like to get a response from members from a variety of different religions, not just Christianity. And please, don't use the word "faith" when you respond.
Thanks everyone
If you want to be religious, follow the advice of Isaiah, and visit widows and orphans in need. If you want to be Spiritual, I suggest you stay away from the traditions of men, which in general means stay out of churches. Feed the hungry, and clothe the naked, and you will find your spirituality. If you want to worship the gods of Rome, then become a Catholic. I am sure you can find a statue of Jupiter in St. Peter's cathedral. Be sure to be a good Catholic and kiss the feet of the statue, although it has been kissed so many times, the feet have had to be replaced at least twice. PAGAN SUN WORSHIP AND CATHOLICISM - THE PAGAN SUN WHEEL