Does any belief system outside of Christianity offer total forgiveness?

[KnowSelf]

The foundation of Christianity is forgiveness of sins and restitution unto God. Sin divided man from God and Jesus came to restore communion between God and man. Jesus a perfect man must die and overcome death, metaphor for sin or detachment from God.

I am reminded of Moses who could not bear to witness God and all His glory. When Moses descended from the mountain, the people turned away from the glory that shined from Moses face after being in the presence of God. God is.

When I was saved 2005, I changed. Between 1974-2005 mental illness controlled every aspect of my life. I isolated myself from everybody and everything. I was addicted to nicotine and I was a pill popper. Due to certain psychotropic medications I weighed a hefty 351 lbs and a size 52 pants. I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and almost died.

March 2005, I overdosed on prescription drugs and herbal supplements and was later committed into the local psychiatric ward of a nearby hospital. Between the hospitalization and the overdose , a force led me to the bathroom where I disrobed and my shower at the front and exited at the rear of the shower curtain. That's it, except it was at Easter time that this transpired.

After 15 days of committed hospitalization I somehow how to get well and productive again. First I volunteered at a local library, three months later I became gainfully employed after 34 years of isolation. I got down to 200 lbs, gained 20 since then and I have a Bachelors degree in Community & Human Services.

I changed and God made it possible.

 

[Cino]

Thanks for sharing.

Did you ask for forgiveness, in that moment at the shower curtain?

While I think that sin and forgiveness are important topics in Christianity, I can assert that other world views, even secular ones, offer similar ways out of the self-dug hole to anyone who earnestly asks for outside help in acknowledging one's inability to help oneself.

 

[KnowSelf]

I do not recall much about that day, however, after discharge from the hospital I offered myself to God in accordance to His will whatever it may be. I thought God wanted me in the ministry like my father and great grandfather. After three years study in bible college God led me away from ministry work to Human Services.

 

[RJM]

Being forgiven is one thing. Being able to forgive myself is quite another?

Someone says: "No, it's ok." But I know it never will be really. The damage is done. The bullet left the gun? Time can't reverse it?

 

[KnowSelf]

Being forgiven is one thing. Being able to forgive myself is quite another?

Someone says: "No, it's ok." But I know it never will be really. The damage is done. The bullet left the gun? Time can't reverse it?

Yeah it's rough. A few years back I went through a restitution stage in which I tried to resolve my past with people I caused harm to. Some didn't care while others claimed innocents on my behalf. The mind is a wonderful machine for inflicting internal and external pain, that's not the wonderful part, the mind can also be healed if you are so inclined.
Maybe you are not ready to give up your pain and move on? Sometimes pain is the only thing we relate to, because happiness requires effort.

 

[Cino]

Being forgiven is one thing. Being able to forgive myself is quite another?

Someone says: "No, it's ok." But I know it never will be really. The damage is done. The bullet left the gun? Time can't reverse it?

Isn't forgiveness about just these things that cannot be undone?

If I can't forgive myself, isn't that yet another thing where I need to admit my powerlessness and ask for help?

 

[KnowSelf]

I related the story of my inability to forgive my father, it wasn't until the passing of my mother who days latter sent a sign in the image of 1111 and my desire to forgive my father based on the number sequence 1111. I can't explain it but after years of resentment toward my father the both of us were set free.

 

[RJM]

I can say I was young then, or I didn't understand at the time. I did not realise the consequences. I acted selfishly but not maliciously, etc.

Perhaps I was gripped by addiction. But the damage is still done -- often to the most innocent and to those who love me most?

I believe this is the heartbreak of purgatory? It takes a long time to work through it. Amends have to be made. The trust of others has to be gradually won back and restored?

 

[KnowSelf]

Do you know how the other party feels about you? I mentioned resolving old wounds, I found out that I was making more out of my transgression than the people I thought caused harm to. Maybe my situation is similar to yours, not in context but in the sense of inner forgiveness and the ability to move on.

If you able I suggest complete honesty with the other party and see where that leads you. At least by trying, you made the effort to resolve the relationship. If by chance the worst happens, you tried and hopefully able to come to peace over the situation. Honesty will set you free. Chances are, you're not the person you were before. My prayers are with you.

 

[RJM]

Do you know how the other party feels about you? I mentioned resolving old wounds, I found out that I was making more out of my transgression than the people I thought caused harm to. Maybe my situation is similar to yours, not in context but in the sense of inner forgiveness and the ability to move on.

If you able I suggest complete honesty with the other party and see where that leads you. At least by trying, you made the effort to resolve the relationship. If by chance the worst happens, you tried and hopefully able to come to peace over the situation. Honesty will set you free. Chances are, you're not the person you were before. My prayers are with you.

Thank you. That is very kind. Wise words.

I believe the hymn Amazing Grace
https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/
was written by a slave trader who found Christ.

I don't know if it's true, but point is that remains that even when forgiven by God, there must still be a lot of horror at the irreperable damage caused to innocent people, and the wish to make whatever restitution possible?

Perhaps forgiveness does not just wipe clean the slate? It is perhaps just the start of a process?

Something along the lines?

 

[KnowSelf]

If forgiveness is a process at least that's a start. I do not believe God forgets, however, forgiveness means to make it as it was before, no longer accountable for the infraction, you are not accountable, you are forgiven.

"Perhaps forgiveness does not just wipe clean the slate? True, if that is what you believe. I believe God forgives all I choose for him to forgive. Partial forgiveness occurs when I all I want is partial forgiveness do you understand what I am saying? You are responsible for God's forgiveness in you.

 

[AlanT]

The original question was about different religions.
If I commit multiple sins throughout my life and belong to religion X I am not forgiven and according to that religion I am likely to be punished.
In Christianity I can still go to heaven.
Which one is more just?

 

[wil]

Who has the best sales pitch?

I'm offering eternal salvation, a box of chocolates, and a money back guarantee!

Send me $9,999.99 and even if you don't like our rollercoaster or memory foam mattresses you can get your money back...simply send a stamped self addressed envelope...

 

[Thomas]

In Christianity I can still go to heaven.

Not if you do not repent your sin. It's not, as some suppose, a 'get out of jail free' card.

 

[Thomas]

Not if you do not repent your sin. It's not, as some suppose, a 'get out of jail free' card.

LOL, I don't think anyone's offering a sales pitch ... nor did I see the question as asking that?

 

[wil]

LOL, I don't think anyone's offering a sales pitch ... nor did I see the question as asking that?

the skeptic in me reads the title as my belief system is better than yours!

I accept that I could be 100% wrong in that regard, but dang near guarantee I am not the only that would read that as a challenge.

 

[RabbiO]

the skeptic in me reads the title as my belief system is better than yours!

I accept that I could be 100% wrong in that regard, but dang near guarantee I am not the only that would read that as a challenge.

I don’t know that I would read the title as a boast about Christianity or, necessarily, throwing down the gauntlet to those whose belief system is different than the OP. I do believe, however, that the question betrays the OP’s lack of knowledge about faith traditions other than his own.

That, certainly, is not a hanging crime and can be rectified if one wants to learn about other traditions.

 

[Thomas]

the skeptic in me reads the title as my belief system is better than yours!

Ah, my bad. I was reading you as responding to #12. I stand corrected, and I think you might be right.

 

[KnowSelf]

The original question was about different religions.
If I commit multiple sins throughout my life and belong to religion X I am not forgiven and according to that religion I am likely to be punished.
In Christianity I can still go to heaven.
Which one is more just?

Religious teachings are tricky and I do not have an accurate answer to your question as I am struggling with the same concept. Baptist believe there is only one God and basically to consider other godhead options is forbidden. Exodus 20:3-5 'You shall have no other gods before me. 4. You shall not make for yourself a carved image-any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5. you shall not bow down to them nor "serve them" . For I the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth of those who hate me".

The context of the above verses derived from Exodus 20:3-5 are in response to the children of Israel who were led out of Egyptian slavery by Moses who was chosen by God. Is Exodus 20:3-5 relevant today or was it specifically designed for the Children of Israel in preparation for God's Promised Land?

The Old and New Testaments each have their purpose, however, various religious practices and rituals from the Old Testament are not necessary or supported in the New Testament.
The following scripture readings proclaim Jesus as the only way to heaven, however, my question remains "is the afterlife/heaven based on one's beliefs and practices here on earth today?
https://www.openbible.info/topics/jesus_being_the_only_way

 

[RJM]

"is the afterlife/heaven based on one's beliefs and practices here on earth today?

A person can only act from their own highest light, and let whatever they call 'God' take over from there -- but really to act from the highest place inside?

Who really knows what happens after that? Imo