christianity is a cult.
1.cults belive in a higher diety.
so do all religions.
2.cults pray
so do devotees of various religions
3.so all religion is a cult

they're just more widely accepted
prove me wrong

Usually cults glorify a single individual. If you want to be politically correct, I guess you're reasoning isn't bad.

wikipedia:
"Cult typically refers to a cohesive social group devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture considers outside the mainstream."

Something like 80% of Americans identify themselves as Christians, so based on the above definition, Christianity is not a cult (since it effectively is the mainstream, at least in the USA).

Nonetheless, the word cult has so many different meanings and connotations (both positive and derogatory) that the word can mean anything you want it to.

Even though I am not religious, most religions are not cults except for scientology and Johovas Witness

those two groups force you to pay to get into their religion.
If you are a lesser member in scientology you have to pay to leave the organisation and if you have more seniority they send you to a "re-abilitation place"
Members of the Johovas witness Church have to pay like 40% of the revenue to the church. And they refuse newer technology.

Last week there was this story on the news about this lady who had quintiplets (five kids at once) and she refused to give her children blood transfusions to save their lives, eventually the government stepped in and did it anyway. But she had postponed it until only two survived. And now she is suing the government because they impended on her religious beliefs and it was "god" who choose to save two and kill the other three.

**** like that makes me really dislike religions and what it has become.

wikipedia:
"Cult typically refers to a cohesive social group devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture considers outside the mainstream."

Something like 80% of Americans identify themselves as Christians, so based on the above definition, Christianity is not a cult (since it effectively is the mainstream, at least in the USA).

Nonetheless, the word cult has so many different meanings and connotations (both positive and derogatory) that the word can mean anything you want it to.

you cant use wikipedia as a reliable source there buddy.

It is for the reasons he stated and if you have ever seen videos of evangelical masses its cult like. Stereotypical gibberish wailing people dancing cultish.

Actually the definition he gave is what the modern definition of 'cult' would be.

It's pointless to argue grammar.

Usually cults glorify a single individual. If you want to be politically correct, I guess you're reasoning isn't bad.

dont most religions.the only ones i can think that dont are the celt/viking religion and hindu
Merging doublepost
Even though I am not religious, most religions are not cults except for scientology and Johovas Witness

those two groups force you to pay to get into their religion.
If you are a lesser member in scientology you have to pay to leave the organisation and if you have more seniority they send you to a "re-abilitation place"
Members of the Johovas witness Church have to pay like 40% of the revenue to the church. And they refuse newer technology.

Last week there was this story on the news about this lady who had quintiplets (five kids at once) and she refused to give her children blood transfusions to save their lives, eventually the government stepped in and did it anyway. But she had postponed it until only two survived. And now she is suing the government because they impended on her religious beliefs and it was "god" who choose to save two and kill the other three.

**** like that makes me really dislike religions and what it has become.

isnt tithing encouraged?what about donations.sure they arent forced but people give anyway.

No, most religions glorify a God. This isn't necassarily what I meant when I said a single individual.

You might check out Jim Jones, the Shakers, or the Heaven's Gate cult. These would be what the modern definition of 'cult' would be.

Actually the definition he gave is what the modern definition of 'cult' would be.

It's pointless to argue grammar.

too bad thats not grammar its deffinition.

and christianity started as a cult. So its not like just becaus eit gained more followers doesnt mean the teachings changed. Another reason why its a cult.

Taken From: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cult

Main Entry:
cult
Pronunciation:
\ˈkəlt\
Function:
noun
Usage:
often attributive
Etymology:
French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate — more at wheel
Date:
1617

1: formal religious veneration : worship
2: a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
3: a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
4: a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator <health cults>
5 a: great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b: the object of such devotion c: a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion

wikipedia:
"Cult typically refers to a cohesive social group devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture considers outside the mainstream."

Something like 80% of Americans identify themselves as Christians, so based on the above definition, Christianity is not a cult (since it effectively is the mainstream, at least in the USA).

Nonetheless, the word cult has so many different meanings and connotations (both positive and derogatory) that the word can mean anything you want it to.

Well if that definition is true, then you can say true Christianity is a cult I suppose, though the way I see it it falls under relationship more than religion or cult. True 80% of America say they're Christians, but 80% of those are hypocrites. My numbers may be wrong, but most so called "Christians" in the US of A are most DEFINITELY NOT following the teachings of Jesus Christ. Call me a bit blunt there, but the Bible did say that we will know them by their fruits.

Well if that definition is true, then you can say true Christianity is a cult I suppose, though the way I see it it falls under relationship more than religion or cult. .

As does everyone else that belong to different religions.

John 3:16. Its a choice, not forced. Believe it or don't. If Christianity is a cult, what do you call the public school system and their humanism?

Whatever, doesn't matter what you really call it.

But Christianity & Judaism are a lot less weird than Scientology, Mormonism, or any of that other crap around....which I'd probably classify as cults.

I mean, I could understand if you're a Christian or Jew (or even Muslim, sort of)...but I really can't see how anyone could fall for any of the other religions...they're just 1000 steps above weird

^^Have you read about the Heaven's gate cult?

well is religion being a cult a bad thing. You make it sound like a terrible thing.

Usually cults make you give A LOT of your money though.

I hate Religion and Cults, though.

My parents force religion on me.

are you an athest (sp)

im a scientologist. our group is lead by beck. yes, THAT beck. soooooooooooooooooooooooy un perdedor, im a loser baby, so why dont you kill me

Religion poisons everything. On the other hand, my mom almost paid me $100 to get baptized. Then she said no more than $20 so I bailed. Eff Jesus.

im a scientologist. our group is lead by beck. yes, THAT beck. soooooooooooooooooooooooy un perdedor, im a loser baby, so why dont you kill me

http://www.filedropper.com/images/scientology.jpg

I think its all cults as well, they twist the words and feed it you their way. Cults also make you "see the light" they do, when I was little I saw the light then it blew.

I also think its a cult cause followers talk about it non stop trying to get you to join what they blieve in (really 8 people talked to me about their church in a school year).

I am half Christian but I wish God would give us a sign letting us know he exists by doing some supernatural ****!!!

you say cult like its a bad thing.

as has been demonstrated above, a cult isn't anything other than what people make it out to be. Its a matter of aesthetics.

you can choose not to like Christians like you can choose not to like broccoli (i like broccoli), but don't hate on people for what they choose to believe.

My working definition of a cult involves how you enter or leave, and how it deals with non-members. For example, if you want to know about a Lutheran church, call it and the preacher/pastor/whatever will meet with you and answer any question you have. He'll probably also give you a Bible if you want one so that you can see how his answer jibe with the source material. Same goes for Baptists, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, etc. Each will give you as much information as you want before you decide whether to join them.

Compare with other groups that charge money or require years of service before they'll reveal their innermost teachings. When they get you to join, you really don't know what you're joining.

Now, say that you belong to a Baptist church and decide you don't like it anymore. Just stop going. Someone may call you to ask why you haven't been coming around, but you won't be compelled to go back.

Other groups can be outright violent to anyone who wants to leave.

Finally, although I grew up Baptist, I have friends who are Catholic, atheist, Jewish, Mormon, etc. No one has ever so much as hinted that I shouldn't do this. Many (most? all?) cults have strict restrictions on how you can interact with people of different faiths, to the point of requiring members to break of relationships with family members.

It's really all about freedom. If a group gives you cartons of material about everything they believe and lets you join and leave at will, it's a religion, even if I completely disagree with them. If they hide their secrets until you can't easily get back out of it, then it's a cult even if I like their teachings. In other words, actual religious beliefs have no bearing on whether I think a group is a cult.

You can call it what you want

You can call Christianity a cult or a religion but it is truly neither.

It is a relationship with God, personally.

We do not believe anyone is higher then Christ, like the Mormons do. We do not go around with holy water or crosses trying to perform rituals like the Catholics do. We do not believe good deeds will get you into Heaven, like most religions say, we believe that good deeds are only a symptom of having the Holy Spirit inside of you, alive and kicking.

We pray to God personally, and we read the gospel he has given us. Yes, many claim Christianity, but they will curse, fornicate, get drunk, and act like the rest of the world. These are lukewarm Christians, if that, and the bible does talk about these kinds of people. They might attend a church weekly, but how many of them read their bibles, and how many of them are not ashamed of it?

A sad reality is this, many claim they are Christian and these people (i used to be one) only allow others to label us as hypocrites, because they act the same as everyone else.

And yeah, Jesus is real. The bible is the most scrutinized book in all history, yet nothing has been found false in it. Ignorance is truly bliss. However, ask and you shall receive, knock and the door will be opened. God is very much alive and he's more active then many would know. Believe it.

Umm, Catholics are Christians, and I say that as a non-Catholic. And that's a pretty sweeping condemnation of people who sin. Since all sins are equal to God's eyes, the hypocrites are ones who notice other people cursing but then have impure thoughts alone at night. Honestly, I couldn't care less about either of those, but if you're setting the bar that high, then you should understand the standards you're setting for yourself as well. There's a saying that the only difference between sinners and the saved is that the saved are forgiven - just something to consider.

Also, the Bible is factually correct as far as I know, but only when you consider which parts are meant to be read literally and which are figurative. For example, we know that the beginning of Genesis is a beautiful, non-literal account of the universe's creation. It's only when people try to insist that it really happened that exact way that the problems creep in.

Umm, Catholics are Christians, and I say that as a non-Catholic. And that's a pretty sweeping condemnation of people who sin. Since all sins are equal to God's eyes, the hypocrites are ones who notice other people cursing but then have impure thoughts alone at night. Honestly, I couldn't care less about either of those, but if you're setting the bar that high, then you should understand the standards you're setting for yourself as well. There's a saying that the only difference between sinners and the saved is that the saved are forgiven - just something to consider.

Also, the Bible is factually correct as far as I know, but only when you consider which parts are meant to be read literally and which are figurative. For example, we know that the beginning of Genesis is a beautiful, non-literal account of the universe's creation. It's only when people try to insist that it really happened that exact way that the problems creep in.

Sorry man, Catholics are nothing like Christians. They believe good works will get them in heaven, they believe confession with a human as a mediator is how you forgive sins, they even believe in purgatory, an in between in heaven and hell, ALSO, they believe in other "bibles", and I hear they are encouraged to read these other "bibles" as appose to the word of God.

And I fully agree with your saying, it actually popped my mine earlier today at work. Also, Catholics (and some Christian deliverance ministries - I am still looking into it, but I have almost made up my mind it's not right, thru scripture, stating evil will not abide with you if you fear the Lord, and prayer is very powerful as we already know, among other things.. demons are pretty worthless.) practice the art of exorcism with holy crosses, water, and other symbolic things. Totally biblical.

And yeah, I recognize the parallels between Catholicism, Christianity, and Mormonism. Mormons believe in Jesus, but they just think the founder of the Mormon church has done more for them, amongst many other ridiculous claims.

I agree, the Catholic religion is the closest thing to Christianity without being Christianity. And yes, we are supposed to have high moral standards. 3 main divisions of sin. Lust of the eyes, the heart, and the pride of life. Just goes to show you our inherit sinful nature, but if we choose to walk in a path of righteousness - the Holy Spirit helps with this.

Also, I'm not sure if all sin is equal. Take the 10 commandments for example, in Mark it says the two most important commandments are this:

Love the Lord with all your mind, heart, soul, strength
Treat your neighbor as yourself

It also talks about a sin that is unforgivable, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. I think this was only possible when Christ walked the earth, I heard that from somewhere, and I'll stick with it. I know satanic people can be saved, so... not quite sure how to blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.. but I'm not too interested in finding out how.

But again, you're right in the aspect of lusting after someone with your eyes, or your heart, is equivalent to actually committing fornication or adultery with the person. So I see where ya comin from bro. Peace.

The unforgivable sin is not accepting Jesus, which is saying that the holy spirit was never inside him.

no not all relogian are a cult

The unforgivable sin is not accepting Jesus, which is saying that the holy spirit was never inside him.

Perhaps... I can see how that makes sense. But then the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit could only be full filled after death?

I decided to look up the word.

wikipedia -- Blasphemy is the disrespectful use of the name of one or more gods.

near the verse it also said blasphemy against the son of man and all other blasphemies will be forgiven.

So.. take from it what you will..

Perhaps... I can see how that makes sense. But then the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit could only be full filled after death?

I decided to look up the word.

wikipedia -- Blasphemy is the disrespectful use of the name of one or more gods.

near the verse it also said blasphemy against the son of man and all other blasphemies will be forgiven.

So.. take from it what you will..

You cannot use the dictionary with this. Words change, but the meaning for 'blaspheming' in the Bible does not.

Usually cults glorify a single individual. If you want to be politically correct, I guess you're reasoning isn't bad.


i agree 100% with u

Sorry man, Catholics are nothing like Christians. They believe good works will get them in heaven, they believe confession with a human as a mediator is how you forgive sins, they even believe in purgatory, an in between in heaven and hell, ALSO, they believe in other "bibles", and I hear they are encouraged to read these other "bibles" as appose to the word of God.

And I fully agree with your saying, it actually popped my mine earlier today at work. Also, Catholics (and some Christian deliverance ministries - I am still looking into it, but I have almost made up my mind it's not right, thru scripture, stating evil will not abide with you if you fear the Lord, and prayer is very powerful as we already know, among other things.. demons are pretty worthless.) practice the art of exorcism with holy crosses, water, and other symbolic things. Totally biblical. [...]

Okay, first of all, do you even know what the first denomination of Christianity ever was? The one that actually was "The First" denomination of Christianity?

It was Catholicism!

Like it or not, catholics are christians. Sure the group may have been split apart by the new-coming protestants, which went into further denominations.

What you are saying is like a Sunni Muslim saying, "Yeah I'm a Sunni, but i'm not a muslim, although i'm very similar." It just doesn't work out that way.

You cannot use the dictionary with this. Words change, but the meaning for 'blaspheming' in the Bible does not.

(Matthew 12:31-32) On this account I say to YOU, Every sort of sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the spirit will not be forgiven. 32 For example, whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the holy spirit, it will not be forgiven him, no, not in this system of things nor in that to come.

I should have gotten the whole quote for you dude, my bad, hope this clears things up.

-- Matix, I do not involve myself with denominations. Christ did not either. I know enough to say that Catholics and Christians are far from the same. From ideas to actions. Purgatory to confession to a sinful man, to even endorcing other "bibles" rather then using strictly our Bible. This is only the tip of the iceburg, I can't say I fully studied them until I go to their churches. I will say I believe Catholics are the closest thing to a Christian without being one. They believe good deeds get them in Heaven, I believe good deeds are a symptom of being a Christian. To be honest, to me, Catholicism is a false religion, like the rest.

To you, Christianity and Catholicism may appear similar enough to be the same. This is not the case with me, I have stated why. Don't they also believe Mary is a mediator or something? Lol... yeah us Christian's believe only Jesus is the mediator for prayer, not some earthly woman or some earthly pastor. I urge you to do some studying on the two, you will find many parallels between them but Catholics have crammed a lot of "extras" into their religion, enough to distract their follows from the true message of God.

(Matthew 12:31-32)
[...]

-- Matix, I do not involve myself with denominations. Christ did not either. I know enough to say that Catholics and Christians are far from the same. From ideas to actions. Purgatory to confession to a sinful man, to even endorcing other "bibles" rather then using strictly our Bible. This is only the tip of the iceburg, I can't say I fully studied them until I go to their churches. I will say I believe Catholics are the closest thing to a Christian without being one. They believe good deeds get them in Heaven, I believe good deeds are a symptom of being a Christian. To be honest, to me, Catholicism is a false religion, like the rest.

To you, Christianity and Catholicism may appear similar enough to be the same. This is not the case with me, I have stated why. Don't they also believe Mary is a mediator or something? Lol... yeah us Christian's believe only Jesus is the mediator for prayer, not some earthly woman or some earthly pastor. I urge you to do some studying on the two, you will find many parallels between them but Catholics have crammed a lot of "extras" into their religion, enough to distract their follows from the true message of God.

Okay, first of all, A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as presented in the New Testament and interpreted by Christians to have been prophesied in the Old Testament.

So every sub-religion centered around Christ is a denomination. Just because you don't associate with something doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

So what if Catholics have crammed a lot of "extras" into their religion.

Lutherans have crammed some "extras" into their religion, and they are a sect of Christianity.

Methodists have crammed some "extras" into their religion, and they are also a sect of Christianity.

The same goes with Seventh-Day Adventists, the Amish, Baptists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Protestants, Eastern Orthodox's, Mormons, and a lot of others.

Oh yeah another thing, what is the Roman Catholic Church, Baptist Church, Presbyterian Church? Face it, they are unified!

When you go down the street, you never see a plain "Christian Church". They always have some preface exclaiming their denomination. Why would a Catholic Church be any different?

You are 100% correct.

However, some denominations and other sub-religions are nothing close to what it should be. For example, one particular denomination will tell you not to read the Bible outside of church, FURTHERMORE, you cannot read it, a pope must read it to you. This absolutely does not encourage spiritual growth.

Many church goers are distracted by all of these "extras", and they do not truly know God, and this happens in every church and every denomination.

I would say this, there are Catholics (and other denominations) who have a real relationship with God, but they would be the exception rather then the rule.

Let's also speak about the Mormons, the founder of their church changed words in the Bible to say who believes in HIM, a sinful mortal, will have ever lasting life. This is an example of how denominations and sub-religions of Christianity mislead people from the truth, but this is an extreme case. Oh, and Mormons do believe in Christ, just not in the way I do, probably because their denomination mislead them.

The matter if the fact is if you know Christ, and have a relationship with him, that is good. Some people like to do extra rituals to do that, that's their thing, they can worship him and bring glory to him like that, then it's all gravy.

Oh yeah another thing, what is the Roman Catholic Church, Baptist Church, Presbyterian Church? Face it, they are unified!


Ok i am Baptist and we are in no way unified with Catholic's what we believe is very different

holy huge debate!

Ok i am Baptist and we are in no way unified with Catholic's what we believe is very different

So am I, and they're pretty similar at the highest levels. Belief in God and Christ? Check. Belief in salvation through forgiveness? Check. Belief in the Bible as highest authority? Check. The rest, while important, gets pretty nitpicky.

So am I, and they're pretty similar at the highest levels. Belief in God and Christ? Check. Belief in salvation through forgiveness? Check. Belief in the Bible as highest authority? Check. The rest, while important, gets pretty nitpicky.

ok 1. they believe that church tradition is some how more important then scripture 2. they believe works get you to haven 3.they pray to Mary and other saints 4. they believe in purgatory. and a lot more stuff not based on scripture

Ok i am Baptist and we are in no way unified with Catholic's what we believe is very different

Well, if you actually bothered to read my whole post, you would have understood that i said "unified" in a sense that they all are a sect of christianity, not that "This" group is unified with "That" group in terms of beliefs, besides believing in Jesus Christ.

^^Actually some catholic bishops don't believe in the absolute truth of the Bible anymore. Google it.

I believe in God...i love God...iv seen him do sooo many things in my life and my parents...if you dont believe in him...fine....i just think your missing out on alot in life

I believe in God...i love God...iv seen him do sooo many things in my life and my parents...if you dont believe in him...fine....i just think your missing out on alot in life

Name one

Major religions are somewhat like cults I think, but not totally. For example, most religions are taught to children at a time in their life that they will believe anything, similar to the preying on the weak and "brainwashing" done in cults.

I am half Christian but I wish God would give us a sign letting us know he exists by doing some supernatural ****!!!

can you define what a half christian is? pick and choose from scriptures?

christianity is a cult.
1.cults belive in a higher diety.
so do all religions.
2.cults pray
so do devotees of various religions
3.so all religion is a cult

they're just more widely accepted
prove me wrong


god doesnt aprove of religion, ask jesus, he aproves of the truth.

Buddhism is not a cult, sorry to diverge from christianity but the title said ALL religion.

1. Buddhism has no higher deity. They simply have teachings.
2. They do not pray, just meditate.
3. Not a cult.

I'd say the Buddhists have got it right.

I believe in God...i love God...iv seen him do sooo many things in my life and my parents...if you dont believe in him...fine....i just think your missing out on alot in life

False until proven logically.

As for all religion being a cult, it's wrong and right. Like said before, Buddhism isn't a cult by definition's standard, but Christianity is. Christianity is cult on a worldwide scale, and to be honest, one of the more deadly ones. It doesn't ask as much as other cults, but it's numbers alone make it a massive threat. The vulnerability in all Christians makes it even scarier. If they're told by a person of a higher level on the Christianity hierarchy to do something, they most certainly will. They do all the time. They tell them to pray, they pray. They tell them to sing, they sing.

Christianity is the puppeteer of millions.

wikipedia:
"Cult typically refers to a cohesive social group devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture considers outside the mainstream."

Something like 80% of Americans identify themselves as Christians, so based on the above definition, Christianity is not a cult (since it effectively is the mainstream, at least in the USA).

Nonetheless, the word cult has so many different meanings and connotations (both positive and derogatory) that the word can mean anything you want it to.

So what about china they have no dominate religion? (I am not trying to put you on the spot accualy I am confused (I just started getting into polatics and religion arguments))

so if beleiveing in christ is considered a cult how did we all get here?

Topics like this always scare me, people really get into it.

It's mostly western religions that seem more like cults, and I'm not going to argure whether they are or aren't. But if you look at asian religions like taoism, buddhism or confusionism, they don't center their enntire belief system on the afterlife, they center their beliefs mostly on how to live a rich, full life without regrets, and also to respect nature unlike christianity which tells people that nature doesn't matter

my grade five teacher was very religious and said that animals don't matter, we can do anything we want with them because God doesn't care about them lol and I don't wanna believe that!

wow, I got really off-topic there lol oh well that's ADHD for ya

to each his own opinion.

and my opinion is you suck at life

Who gives a damn if religion is a cult or not? The great thing about being human is that I can believe what I want, while you (simultaneously) can believe what you want, and neither of us have to force our views upon eachother or degrade one another's beliefs.
Merging doublepost
Sorry man, Catholics are nothing like Christians. They believe good works will get them in heaven, they believe confession with a human as a mediator is how you forgive sins, they even believe in purgatory, an in between in heaven and hell, ALSO, they believe in other "bibles", and I hear they are encouraged to read these other "bibles" as appose to the word of God.

And I fully agree with your saying, it actually popped my mine earlier today at work. Also, Catholics (and some Christian deliverance ministries - I am still looking into it, but I have almost made up my mind it's not right, thru scripture, stating evil will not abide with you if you fear the Lord, and prayer is very powerful as we already know, among other things.. demons are pretty worthless.) practice the art of exorcism with holy crosses, water, and other symbolic things. Totally biblical.

And yeah, I recognize the parallels between Catholicism, Christianity, and Mormonism. Mormons believe in Jesus, but they just think the founder of the Mormon church has done more for them, amongst many other ridiculous claims.

I agree, the Catholic religion is the closest thing to Christianity without being Christianity. And yes, we are supposed to have high moral standards. 3 main divisions of sin. Lust of the eyes, the heart, and the pride of life. Just goes to show you our inherit sinful nature, but if we choose to walk in a path of righteousness - the Holy Spirit helps with this.

Also, I'm not sure if all sin is equal. Take the 10 commandments for example, in Mark it says the two most important commandments are this:

Love the Lord with all your mind, heart, soul, strength
Treat your neighbor as yourself

It also talks about a sin that is unforgivable, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. I think this was only possible when Christ walked the earth, I heard that from somewhere, and I'll stick with it. I know satanic people can be saved, so... not quite sure how to blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.. but I'm not too interested in finding out how.

But again, you're right in the aspect of lusting after someone with your eyes, or your heart, is equivalent to actually committing fornication or adultery with the person. So I see where ya comin from bro. Peace.
I hate to burst your bubble man, but the Bible is the only book out of which Catholicism is drawn from. Also, Catholicism does not preach that works and deeds will get you to heaven. The only thing that will get you to heaven is faith.

Keep in mind that prior to Martin Luther, there was no "Christianity," and only Catholicism, seeing as how the Catholic church is the only church that can trace its founding all the way back to Jesus and Peter.