quote:

---

Whether one is Hindu or a Muslim or a Christian, how you live your life is proof that you are or not fully His. We cannot condemn or judge or pass words that will hurt people. We don't know in what way God is appearing to that soul and what God is drawing that soul to; therefor, who are we to condemn anybody?
Mother Teresa
Indian (Albanian-born) humanitarian & missionary (1910 - 1997)

---

Was Mother Teresa smoking a bong when she said this?

Hmmmmm.....no source or context.

Yes, had she said that she would have been very wrong.

All you have to do is google her. There are a lot of Christian sites that bash her for saying stuff like that.

I am a Christian, and I do not believe that Mother Theresa was wrong in saying that at all. None of us have any way of knowing how God is working through someone, or where any one person stands with God. I don't believe we are here to pass judgement on others or qualify people for salvation. That is God's job.

For those that don't know the origin of the quote it is taken from her book The Joy in Loving: A Guide to Daily Living, which was first published in India in 1996.

Many so-called Christians are fond of her quotes on abortion, but distance themselves from quotes such as this one.

Raj, in my belief system Jesus is the one and only way that I can get to Heaven. He made one perfect sacrifice that will cover me no matter what.

If you believe otherwise I'll talk with you over cheese and wine, but I'm not going to fly an airplane into one of your buildings.

I think the main thing about that statement is that it's about people walking the walk. Much better she should have addressed people talking the talk, since talk is cheap.

The context is nothing more than the quote. The book is simply a collection of daily entries and this is one of them.

I've been told that Mother Theresa would not try to 'convert' people on their death beds. I don't know if it's true, but that and the quote agree with each other.

vt

Christians must not believe that other faiths are "paths to God." If you believe that then you believe in a Universalist Congregation somewhere.

There is TRUTH to God. We can't have a moral relativism approach to Truth.

Jesus told us that He was the ONLY way. Nobody comes to the Father except through HIM.

If other faiths suchs as Islam, Hindu, Buddist etc reject Christ than they don't know the Father. That is an essential part of the gospel.

The Bible teaches that that way to God is very narrow.

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." - Acts. 4:1

Mother Theresa's statement agrees with the canon of the Catholic Church.

We do not know that being christian is the ONLY way to salvation, but that it is the only SURE way to salvation. Christ can save people by grace without them knowing that He gave them that grace.

i have trouble comprehending this sometimes...

but then i'm only human. im sure it all makes sense to God.

Acts 10:34: And Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality,

35: but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, for sure. But people who don't know Jesus through no fault of their own, but who are actually trying to please God as best as they can, should get a break. And they do, according to the scripture above.

Raj, I've always respected Hindus, so no, I personally don't think she was wrong.

So do Jews get into heaven???

They don't accept Jesus so they must be left out; I imagine Hindu's, Muslim’s, Sikh’s and Buddhist must be left out unless they accept Jesus.

Sometimes I think Christian's are just full of themselves if they think they are the only ones who get into heaven.

Then again, I don't believe in heaven or hell so this is all moot....

Yes

People who would condemn that quote are scary.

I don't know if she was wrong or not, who am I to judge?

quote:

---

People who would condemn that quote are scary.

---

People who believe in moral and religious relativism are even more scary.

Mother Teresa did not believe in relativism.

She adhered to long-standing Catholic doctrine which is that the Graces of Christ are possible for those who are unfamiliar with Him, so long as they seek God sincerely. This is salvation through Christ, the same as individuals who lived before Christ.

When you study the Greek-English Lexicon of the NT, you will find two basic difinitions of the word "name" as used in the Greek. The first is most obvious and that is the name by which you are called that your parents gave to you at birth. The second is most important and I think is the definition applicable to the NT statements such as we are saved through His name. That is that the word "name" stands for everything that the name covers. Jesus is love and that love meant that he cared for human beings to the point that He would even give His life for them ("No greater love..".

You can see that in Matt. 25:31-46. So if you are doing in this life what is described for the sheep in those chapters you are living your life in the "name" of Jesus, whether you ever heard of that name or not. On the reverse side of those passages it appears that even those who knew the Lord and called him lord, but did not live their lives in loving care of other humans, or in His "name," are going to be in deep do-do.

[This message has been edited by vetter (edited 8/5/2006 1:22p).]

quote:

---

Whether one is Hindu or a Muslim or a Christian, how you live your life is proof that you are or not fully His. We cannot condemn or judge or pass words that will hurt people. We don't know in what way God is appearing to that soul and what God is drawing that soul to; therefor, who are we to condemn anybody?

---

The very first sentence is incorrect. It is not by the blood of Jesus or even His sacrifice on the cross that we are His, but it is by how we live.

So, according to her we are saved mostly if not totally by works. As to judge and condemn, read the New Testament. There are even places where Paul mentions someone who did him much harm by name and asks for judgment.

And the, maybe grace is extended based on whether one has heard the message, is a bit weak, and for that matter contradicts the clear message of evangelism.

Why should we send missionaries to tell them the good news so they can reject it and really go to hell. Leave them along, and in their ingnorance give them a chance at grace.

Also, in today's age, how many Moslems, etc. haven't heard the basic message of salvation. I am sure that somewhere there are a few people, but in today's media age, I bet their are only a few.

So, great lady, but poor theologian.

quote:

---

The very first sentence is incorrect. It is not by the blood of Jesus or even His sacrifice on the cross that we are His, but it is by how we live.

---

We live the way we do because of Christ. Mother Teresa, to me, was always excellent on this point.

quote:

---

So, according to her we are saved mostly if not totally by works.

---

I don't think she believed that all. She lived long-standing Catholic doctrine, which is that works and grace and faith cannot be separated in the mystery of salvation through Grace received in faith.

quote:

---

As to judge and condemn, read the New Testament. There are even places where Paul mentions someone who did him much harm by name and asks for judgment.

---

Fair enough, but again look at the context of her words. She is not talking about Indian and Pakistani terrorists killing civilians. She is talking about the people who came to her place to die in dignity.

As for your last point, I think Mother Teresa held the same view that the Catechism lays out, which is that it is possible to live in total isolation and still find Christ, because the honest seeker of God will find the Triune God. This exists across all religions. I fail to see why this is controversial.

Mother Teresa understood a lot more than any on this thread or board. She lived the life of servanthood. Very few of us have any idea about living that way. I believe Mother Teresa, in living her life as she did, was able to see our creator in ways few of us have. We tend to put a lot of our own interpretations on what God did for us in salvation. We make it harder than it really is. We like to add things that are not necessary. If man had anything to do with salvation we would eventually have so many stupid rules that it would be impossible to accomplish such a feat.

quote:

---

We live the way we do because of Christ. Mother Teresa, to me, was always excellent on this point.

---

Non seq. her statement is not, at least in the brief context of this quote, the same thing that you stated.

Read it. As stated, it is a bit.......

By the way, I know some Buddist, Hindus, and Islamics who constantly exhibit good works. According to scripture, it's basically a pile of rags.

[This message has been edited by The Lone Stranger (edited 8/5/2006 4:11p).]

73, you show your devotion to the Truth... not that I am suprised given what you think is the Pillar of Truth, you failed to uphold the Truth.

Nor am I amazed at all you other so called followers of Christ, at how you hold Jesus in such LOW REGARD.

Galatians 1:6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—

This is exacly what you are doing... what other "good news" can save? What good works can a Muslim, Hindu, or Buddist do to be saved?

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." - Acts. 4:12


Revelations 3
14"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation.
15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
17You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

This makes Mother Theresa a liar in the face of God if she believes one is saved apart from Christ and His CALL!

[This message has been edited by AgGermany (edited 8/5/2006 5:29p).]

By the way "who are we to condemn anybody?" REBUKING ERROR by Scripture (by anyone including Mother Theresa or Mary) is not condemnation, it is LOVE!

AgGermany - So what do you do with the Jews, the Muslims, the Hindus, the Aborigines, the mentally retarded, and the infants of the world? Are you condemning them all to hell? Do you think that that is God's plan?

quote:

---

AgGermany - So what do you do with the Jews, the Muslims, the Hindus, the Aborigines, the mentally retarded, and the infants of the world? Are you condemning them all to hell? Do you think that that is God's plan?

---

Jews and Muslims are the same as the mentally retarded?

I don't think that you really meant to say of suggest what you seem to have said.

Whether one is Hindu or a Muslim or a Christian, how you live your life is proof that you are or not fully His.


This sentence does not mean she believes we come to salvation through works. It means what she said: our actions are driven by our spiritual life. I also have no problems whatsoever with any other aspect of the quote, perhaps those that do can be more specific.

Lone- Mentally retarded people do not know Christ. Jews do not know Christ. Muslims do not know Christ. Infants do not know Christ.

My point is that some people can be saved by the Divine Mercy of Jesus, if, through no fault of their own, they do not know Christ and they are living a Godly life.

Now if they once knew Christ and rejected Him, then that is a different story.

quote:

---

My point is that some people can be saved by the Divine Mercy of Jesus, if, through no fault of their own, they do not know Christ and they are living a Godly life.

---

...through no fault of their own,.....

I don't get it. Makes little sense to me.

Jesus said I am the ONLY way to the father. Are you giving a free pass to.......

There is no free pass. Jesus can come to anyone at the moment of death and ask if they accept him. You are familiar with the pre-Union parable of the workers in the vineyard, are you not?

i think if the lone stranger grew up in an islamic culture, he would be the one condemning all western infidels because there "is no god but allah, and mohammed is his prophet"

to believe that god gave his only son to save the world, and yet to also believe that only those who have heard the story and believed will be saved..is blasphemous and arrogant. christ's death, alone, is what opened the door of salvation to the world. The worldwide export of christian culture is not a required stipulation in the new covenant.