Christianity is the only religion that teaches Grace?

[McCulloch]

All religions except Christianity say you must work to please God.

I have not made a thorough study of this. But I have some doubts about the veracity of this statement.

Questions for Debate: Is Christianity the only religion to teach grace? Is Christianity the only religion to teach that you cannot please God by works?

[bernee51]

All religions except Christianity say you must work to please God.

I have not made a thorough study of this. But I have some doubts about the veracity of this statement.

Questions for Debate: Is Christianity the only religion to teach grace? Is Christianity the only religion to teach that you cannot please God by works?

Grace, according to dictionaries at least, I understand to be "unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification" This fits pretty well with to a christian dictionary it is "Favor, mercy. Divine grace is the free and undeserved love and favor of God towards man as a sinner, especially as exhibited in the plan of redemption through Jesus Christ."

So from a christian viewpoint it must be the only religion which has this as its fundanmental teaching.

OTOH from what I understand of Islam - On Judgement Day an appearance is made before god who then decides on the balance of life's deeds as to the fate of the deceased. (I'm not sure where they are between the time of death and judgement day. I would think that this fits with a standard definiton of grace as it is divine assistance which sends the deceased one way or the other.

[McCulloch]

OTOH from what I understand of Islam - On Judgement Day an appearance is made before god who then decides on the balance of life's deeds as to the fate of the deceased. (I'm not sure where they are between the time of death and judgement day. I would think that this fits with a standard definiton of grace as it is divine assistance which sends the deceased one way or the other.

From that description, it appears as if the Islamic picture of Judgment day is much like the one Jesus described. If one denies grace then both do.

[Arthra]

All religions except Christianity say you must work to please God.

I have not made a thorough study of this. But I have some doubts about the veracity of this statement.

Questions for Debate: Is Christianity the only religion to teach grace? Is Christianity the only religion to teach that you cannot please God by works?

The Grace of God is a theme in the Baha'i Writings as in this quote from the Kitab-i-Iqan revealed by Baha'u'llah:

These people have imagined that the flow of God’s all-encompassing grace and plenteous mercies, the cessation of which no mind can contemplate, has been halted. From every side they have risen and girded up the loins of tyranny, and exerted the utmost endeavour to quench with the bitter waters of their vain fancy the flame of God’s burning Bush, oblivious that the globe of power shall within its own mighty stronghold protect the Lamp of God. The utter destitution into which this people have fallen doth surely suffice them, inasmuch as they have been deprived of the recognition of the essential Purpose and the knowledge of the Mystery and Substance of the Cause of God. For the highest and most excelling grace bestowed upon men is the grace of “attaining unto the Presence of God” and of His recognition, which has been promised unto all people. This is the utmost degree of grace vouchsafed unto man by the All-Bountiful, the Ancient of Days, and the fulness of His absolute bounty upon His creatures. Of this grace and bounty none of this people hath partaken, neither have they been honoured with this most exalted distinction.

[SmellsLikeLife]

Actually, Mormonism and Catholicism both believe that you are saved by grace.

Catholicism didn't used to believe that, but slowly their theology changed, and now Catholicism is basically Christianity at that level.

Also, Mormonism is very, very similar to Christianity. In fact, the only difference I found while on a Mormon website was that they have a level of heaven for people who are do-gooders but don't believe in God.

[Arthra]

Actually, Mormonism and Catholicism both believe that you are saved by grace.

Catholicism didn't used to believe that, but slowly their theology changed, and now Catholicism is basically Christianity at that level.

Also, Mormonism is very, very similar to Christianity. In fact, the only difference I found while on a Mormon website was that they have a level of heaven for people who are do-gooders but don't believe in God.

Well I think in the Qur'an most of the Surihs begin with something like that God is Compassionate and Merciful..so to me God's compassion and mercy would be "grace".

Is there compassion in Buddhism? Consider the Bodhisattva Kwan Yin...

Also as above in the Baha'i Faith we also have grace as in the following from Abdul-Baha:

But the lack of capacity and merit in the Day of Judgment does not prevent one from bounty and generosity, for it is the day of grace and not justice, and to give every one his due is justice. Consequently, do not look upon thy capacity, nay, rather, look upon the infinite grace of the Bounty of Abhá whose grace is comprehending and whose bounty is perfect.

[SmellsLikeLife]

Is there compassion in Buddhism? Consider the Bodhisattva Kwan Yin...

As an aside, I don't think Buddhism is really a religion, or at least not a theistic religion. Although today many people worship statues of Buddha, Buddha did not declare himself a deity, and, in fact, was an atheist. What Buddha actually taught was just morality and ethics.

Islam does not believe in salvation by grace, as far as I know. I went to their website, and they just quote the Quran saying stuff about Judgement Day. It had lots of implications that you needed to believe, but also you needed to have good works to your name to be let into paradise, as the Muslims call it.

[Arthra]

As an aside, I don't think Buddhism is really a religion, or at least not a theistic religion. Although today many people worship statues of Buddha, Buddha did not declare himself a deity, and, in fact, was an atheist. What Buddha actually taught was just morality and ethics.

Islam does not believe in salvation by grace, as far as I know. I went to their website, and they just quote the Quran saying stuff about Judgement Day. It had lots of implications that you needed to believe, but also you needed to have good works to your name to be let into paradise, as the Muslims call it.

I think your view of the Buddha as being an athiest may not be correct as He presented more of an agnostic position refusing to side with either the theists of HIs day or the materialists -athiests. He refused to align HImself with either side... Why? I think He did not want His teachings to be misunderstood . He opposed the views of the Brahmin priests much in the same way that Christ opposed the Pharisees... Both of these priestly orders had a strangle hold on the spiritual life of the people... The Brahmins also made their fotunes doing rituals and sacrifices for people and you could say the same about the Temple priesthood in Jerusalem... making their living off sacrifices of people.

Anyway that's my "take" on it...

Kwannon or Kwan Yin is a Bodhisattva... one who refuses to enter NIrvana to be "reborn" for the sake of enlightening everyone... so Kwan Yin is pictured with countless rays like emanating from her to all beings...a pretty compassionate diety.

Read the opening verses of the Surihs in the Qur'an...about God being merciful and compassionate... When I visited a Muslim site this is what I found: According to the teachings of Islam, God is always ready to bestow His abundant Grace and Mercy on anyone who turns to Him in repentance. Even people who used to commit the worst sin of worshipping others besides God will be forgiven if they realize what they are doing is wrong and repent.

So I see Grace and Mercy in Islam and Buddhism as wella s Baha'i Faith..

- Art

[Openmind]

I think your view of the Buddha as being an athiest may not be correct as He presented more of an agnostic position refusing to side with either the theists of HIs day or the materialists -athiests. He refused to align HImself with either side... Why? I think He did not want His teachings to be misunderstood . He opposed the views of the Brahmin priests much in the same way that Christ opposed the Pharisees... Both of these priestly orders had a strangle hold on the spiritual life of the people... The Brahmins also made their fotunes doing rituals and sacrifices for people and you could say the same about the Temple priesthood in Jerusalem... making their living off sacrifices of people.

Anyway that's my "take" on it...

I agree, from the little I know.

I think that Mithraism incorporated an element of Grace. That is, Mithras the "Saviour of Man" prevented people from going straight to Hell.

[Cathar1950]

I know Mack and I have looked at Cohn book “The Mind of the Bible-Believer” and his dealing with the concept or at least the word “Grace” as used.
It does seem to mean favoritism. It is meant to mean undeserved grace.
Yet it is only part of the story. Ultimately it means obedience, if you love me you will keep my commandments. Of course their commandments are given as love but there many ideas of love and one is obedience. This undeserved grace is brought about by belief called faith which did have a connotation wit faithfulness or trust. This is one of the many problems in the NT use of words (our focus is on Christianity here, I think) Of course this belief or faith seems to also be a gift of God's mercy and it is given to whom God favors. I am sure the first uses had to do wit trying to get believers to not think to highly of themselves just because the were the elect or favored so as to not take any credit.
The words do not mean what the usually mean. Cohn calls it logicide and is often used so that death means life and life means death , free means obedience while slavery means freedom and so on where what we hear often means something else. All of this is part of the bible program fro indoctrination of brainwashing. I tend to think any bible based Christianity is going to be irrational and confused given the conflicting messages. The grace seems to come as a side idea where it still is dependent on belief that is only given as favoritism for no particular reason except for Gods arbitrary choosing to reveal while it also requires actions or fruits.
Abraham trusted the Lord and obeyed and God made a contract with him and his offspring. While it seems to have been unconditional after the fact, it is not so for those that claim to be his people and those that were Israel or Judah. Of course Priest from various centers wrote the laws and complain that the people were following others gods or such nonsense while other nations were claimed to be used by God to punish them , often just because of their leaders, then because they rod of his anger he would then punish them too until we get the Lord's anointed Cyrus the Great.
If all this confusion is really God's working He seems rather fickle while I suspect it was a lack of understanding of politics on the part of the prophets or the followers or priest if not also self-serving.
I will go back at look at Cohn's work as it does give some great insights.
I just don't think it is all that clear even if we cherry pick.