This is one thing I have been thinking about a lot because a lot of my friends are from different beliefs. Some are Christian, but don't practice.

But then if I were to tell my nonchristian friend that all those who don't believe in Jesus Christ are going to hell, this also means that his ancestors are in hell. It means that his whole family is going to hell. Which is why I am starting to see the Jesus, God in all religions.

Though it goes against the Bible and what Jesus says, the main point that I am going to look at is that God is Love.
he'll be the judge of whether a Hindu, a Muslim is going to heaven or hell. Not us. Plus how could God send someone to hell if they were just misinformed throughout history?

The Truth can be very offensive.
It takes people who really know God, and that God is love, not just the Bible and what it says to convert others.

the bible can have many interpretations, and sometimes it contradicts itself.
This is why we need a relationship with God and the Holy Spirit to lead us into discernment.

"Unabashed truth" is a good term.

Christian lingo and sappy snap answers are embarrassing. Most of us don't understand the Gospel well enough to phrase it in ordinary language. And most of us aren't transparent. We really want the world to receive the truth, but we aren't always willing to be completely open and honest about ourselves, so what we say sounds canned.

@me8523@xanga - All religions are not created equal, and Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) The Holy Spirit or Christ in you will never contradict what the Bible says.

The real Jesus is not in Hinduism, Buddhism, or Islam. His name may be mentioned as a human prophet, but only Christianity worships Him as the one and only begotten Son of God who is Himself God. Other religions make Him into something He isn't and fail to worship Him for who He is.

This is a hard truth, but it is the truth. Accepting Jesus' payment for our sins is the only way to God and to heaven. That is why it is so urgent for us to tell everyone we can about Jesus all over the world.

The answer is not in pluralism (acting as though all religions are equal). The answer is found in communing with God. Only there, in God's presence, can we receive comfort for the hardest truths.

So many great points already have been made here. 

It is very offensive to tell a person (directly or indirectly) that their religion is not "right."  A Buddhist, Hindu, or a Jew has just as much faith in their religion as a Christian does. 

I feel much more in the way of religious tension than I did when I was younger.  Seems that so many more people have to find someone or something in the way of a religion to identify with and they are much less concerned with stepping on another's toes than they used to be.  I grew up as an agnostic and was one until about 5 years ago so the religious discussions just didn't take place in my childhood home.  I was warned; however, about those who tried very hard to convert others.  Just a little note about political correctness - it is important to be considerate of others' feelings and that is not to be confused with being "PC."  

Evangelism is so off-putting to me, that I try to follow this rule:

"preach the Gospel at all times, and when neccesary, use words." 

Honestly, it does annoy me when people say they are praying for me. Just do it, saying it doesn't make me feel special cause I don't believe it. So yea, that does bother me. Also every time I visit the church to see my Mom sing or go on Christmas cause it makes her happy, I get swarmed with "Oh, how nice to see you, I'm glad your back!" in the most sarcastic tone. I'm not saying everyone, but some people at the church are really sarcastically rude to me. I'm not an idiot cause I'm still technically a child, I can tell when someone is being sarcastic. Off the topic. Anyway, if a Christan is telling someone about their religion, it's basically the same as me telling them it's wrong. Which I don't do, so I don't like when people throw it in my face. Although, I don't mind when my friends or family tell me about their experience or thoughts on the religion itself because I love them and I wanna hear about what they think.

Also, yes all religions are equal and saying Christians are better is kinda rude. Jesus accepted everyone, he was friends with everyone including sinners. I think you should be accepting of all religions as well.

@sarahb_86@xanga - "My religion holds just as much weight as yours does because in the end all religions are equal and have the same message anyways"

Understand, Christianity does not believe that all religions are equal, and Christianity believes that its message is different--the way a mathematician believes that his answer to an equation is the answer, and that all other answers are not as valid because they are incorrect.

Thus, if a Christian does not act as though his/her faith is the same as yours, you cannot really blame him/her.  He/she is only acting according to the dictates of his/her faith, which is inherently offensive.

@ChrisRusso@xanga - Thank you!  ^_^  I was afraid I was going to get super flamed for that comment so I'm really happy that the first reply was a positive one.  Again, thanks. 

@bittersunday@xanga - No flaming here. I agree with you.

Interestingly, when I wrote the post I didn't necessarily mean personal evangelism as the main focus, though I can see why people are taking it that way. What I meant to focus on is the presentation of Christianity in culture and the fact that we shouldn't be silent in the public sphere simply because our message may offend people.

I also meant to encourage Christians in the fact that it's not our fault that not everyone accepts Christ; it's their choice.

I don't believe that it's a good idea to meet someone and immediately start haranguing about faith (except in very unusual situations, and I have heard of them happening, but extremely rarely). That's almost always ridiculous and obnoxious. When I have had chances to talk to people in person about Christ, it's because they asked me questions about my faith.

@tolerance_for_all - You gave a great example of my point. It's the message of Christianity you're rejecting, not me. Jesus Christ is the one who said He is the only way to God. I didn't. I realize that to someone who doesn't believe, that is inherently offensive. And it always will be.

@ChrisRusso@xanga -  Yes but you cannot command respect from me and expect me to respect your religious views when you are so quick to bash mine.

Just remember this the next time you're offended by other religions telling you that you're going to burn in eternal damnation because you don't believe correctly :)

@UnworthyofHisgrace@xanga - That's ok.  It must be part of God's plan that I don't believe-- and God would have know that I would or wouldn't believe the moment the universe was created, otherwise God wouldn't be omniscient. So I don't feel too bad about people not believing.  After all, it's part of God's plan :)

all religions are not equal. there is an absolute truth out there that can be known. Believing whole heartedly in the Muslim religion doesn't mean their religion is equal or right. They pray to the wrong God. It's like If I believe I can fly. It doesn't matter how hard I believe I can fly, If i jump off a building I won't fly.

Some reasons why Christianity is the way.
Jews use the old testament which is pretty much their faith, Muslims use it too and it's called the Torah. In the old testaments of the Bible there are over 300 prophecies that Jesus fulfills in the New testament. And It's beyond me why Muslims and Jews deny this fact.
We believe Jesus is the Son of God, because he said he is the Son of God. Either He's a complete lunatic, or it's true. I'll go with the latter.

I don't know much about Bhuddism but I know that it has nothing to do with the emotion Love, and Love is such a huge part of the human race. It's not really based on facts. so i dunno about that one. but if you look at all the countries in this world, look at the ones that are founded on Christianity and look at the ones that aren't and see who God has favor on. There is no denying the impact that Christianity has had on the world.

In the Koran, it says the holy word of God cannot be changed. And they say the Torah, (the old testament) is God's holy word, and and yet it has been changed. The Koran has also been changed a number of times too, bet you didn't know that one. The bible however, even though it has multiple versions, It always translates direction from the original Hebrew texts. The Koran was made After the bible, and they added to the old testament saying it wasn't complete. Because they didn't understand Jesus and why he came. Some muslims might get upset for me revealing these things...

Jesus was alive there are lots of evidence for that. And the fact that he died and rose again is truth to. look at all the accounts written about Jesus from various people. look at the fact that all 11 disciples died for their faith, after they saw Jesus raise from the dead. look at peter. Before Jesus died he was a coward and denied Jesus 3 times. If Jesus really did not raise from the dead, would he have done what he did, and even die for his faith? If Jesus didn't really raise from the dead, would this religion spread so far into the entire world as it is doing? the religion would have died with Jesus when he died if Jesus did not raise from the dead. These are just some reasons why I believe Christianity to be the real religion.

Science is pointing towards God these days. the whole universe declares his glory. Evolution is being thrown out the door. There is ample evidence for there being an intelligent designer for this world. just gotta do your research. watching zeight geiz and davinci code which are all untrue doesn't cut it.

With all this said, people will still reject Christianity. people will be offended. People will reject Jesus. Even though it's truth, people will just be too prideful and will rebel against God. We are all sinners.

But still we are commanded to share our faith and to make disciples. We are commanded to always be ready to give a reason for the the hope we have in Jesus Christ. The work of the Evangelist is actually very hard, impossible actually without God.
For me evangelism is this. Sharing the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results up to God. And the Fruit does come.
Obviously i don't go up to people and say believe in Jesus or Go to Hell. But I go to people in Love, and have intelligent conversations, and help them to see the way I do. And If they don't get it, I don't condemn them, but I remain patient and love them still. And I talk to them about other things other than God. Paul says be all things to all people in order to win some. Another quote I like is, talk to God about people, before talking to people about God.
Alot of Christians these days need better methods in evangelizing in my opinion. not to say that taking that step in faith to share is a bad thing. Any atempt is good and honors God. But there are other verse to take into considering. First, you need to be ready to give a reason for the hope you have in Christ. And second you need to abide in Jesus and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Your words need to have power as you speak to convict people of truths.