I was not aware that there are so many Rabbis, Priests, and Imams on this board, but from the multiplicity of responses it appears that nearly everyone on this board seems to fit one of those categories.
Question: Many Christians claim to be born-again and thereby claim to have priority to heaven...why?...isn't this promoting prejudice?
Man is flesh with a spirit. Man can not claim to be “born again” because man is not spirit. God is spirit. Man’s spirit always has flaws attached to it so in order to “enter into the kingdom of God” it is cleansed by God; THE SPIRIT IS BORN AGAIN in order to be a part of a perfect unity. Upon the bonding with the spirit host, the spirit continues eternally. Those born-again spirits are the souls of ALL, ALL, All who have lived righteously, not just the Christians or the ones who "claim" to be born again. Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.' "Having said this, He breathed His last. This is when the spirit of Jesus was "BORN AGAIN" and united with God.
Kurt
Kurt, since you quoted me, I'm guessing that you would like for me to respond. I think others have probably done so admirably in my absence. But thank you for asking the question and allowing me a chance to address it as well as I think that this is an area of confusion for many who might have been raised outside of the certain segment within Christianity which uses this sort of language.
First, I ask everyone to realize that language is always connected to culture. This is true not only between different languages, but even when people share a common language, if they have different cultures they may misunderstand what is meant by even a simple phrase. The term "born again" is one of those culturally laden phrases.
Second, one has to accept at face value what is recorded in the Bible if one is going to discuss the way that Christians use the term today. I know that there are many on this board who do not accept the authority of the Bible, and that is fine, I am not here to try to argue that point. But if one wants to understand those who do use this term, one must walk in their shoes, and that means (at least for the purpose of trying to understand how they use this term) that one must accept the authority of the Bible.
The term, "born again", is taken from a passage of scripture, John 3:3, in which Jesus declares: "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is
born again." I see from your post that you are familiar with the passage. However, I also see from your inference to Jesus' spirit being born again that your understanding of it is very different from that of the vast majority of Christians. Rather than debate the differences with you -- I don't see much point in saying "I'm right and you're wrong."; we could go round in claims and counter-claims ad nauseum -- in some things we may have similar understandings and in others none, so allow me to attempt to articulate the Christian understanding of the passage and subsequently the phrase.
Let me be clear, I am not looking for agreement, just a honest hearing from those who are truly seeking to understand where others are coming from.
The predominant Christian understanding of being "born again" is in the context of this discussion that Jesus is having with Nicodemus. In response to a question from Nicodemus about the source of Jesus' authority, Jesus turns the conversation on its ear and starts talking about entrance into the kingdom of God. Now this is sometimes thought of as merely a refernce to heaven by many today, but of course Jesus was referring to that and much more. For Jesus the kingdom of God was the totality of one's being belonging to God. Anyone for whom that would be a true statement would of course find themselves residing with God in heaven at the end of their earthly life, and this is the slant most Christians take on it today.
How does one become a part of this kingdom of God? Jesus says that it requires a new birth. That Nicodemus thinks Jesus is referring to physical birth can be seen from his question, "How can this be?" But Jesus is referring to a spiritual birth: ""I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." Today some Christians think that water in Jesus' answer refers to baptism, others think it refers to the amneutic fluids of birth, but all agree that the "new birth" refers to a spiritual rebirth.
Now the concept of rebirth implies that there was a previous birth. Certainly we are all born physically. In contrast with other religions, Christians understand that simply being a good person is not enough to guarantee entry to heaven. We think there needs to be a new birth, that our spirits need something from outside us that is not already present within us to connect us with God. Even adhering to all the teachings of the prophets, even the keeping of 600+ points of the Torah would not be sufficient unless the Spirit of God is in us also. That is not something we can accomplish on our own, anymore than we can accomplish our physical birth on our own. It is something that God conceives and nurtures in us, but we cannot control it. As Jesus said, "The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.", so it is with how the Spirit of God moves in human lives. God determines it. The best we can do is be receptive and being willing to submit to it. If we do not harden our hearts and turn to our own worthiness, but we rely on God's worthiness and his grace, then God can and will work with and within us to shape our lives in accordance with his will.
I don't know, kkawohl1, if you view what I have stated about the connection the Spirit of God to be in harmony with what you spoke of your understanding of being "born again" in your post or not. I see some similar words, but I really think we have two different concepts in mind. Christians understand that one remains a unique individual, not simply bonded to a "spirit host" as you worded it. We, our very unique selves, continue for eternity with God in his presence, but not absorbed into him.
As to the issue of priority....we don't really understand this new birth as giving us a priority - i.e we don't come first before others. We understand it as granting entry which is not possible outside of the new birth. Yet, this passage does not anyplace say that God cannot grant that same new birth to others who are not Christians. As to the issue of prejuidice....Yes, we are prejuidiced to the extent that we don't generally think of non-Christians being born again. But, based on the text alone, and leaving my personal prejuidices aside, I would not exclude the possibility of anyone being saved, for the wind (and hence God's Spirit) can blow wherever God wills for it to blow and all who then are born again through the intervention of God coming into their lives would likewise be born again as well.
kay:
i am so happy, we were able to have a baptism in veracruz in my family's town there it is so beautiful, and our good friend the cardinal will perform it for us my whole family will be there and i have asked my BEST friend in the entire world to be my babies god parents, she is very pious and will be so important in our girls lives 
) . Accidently , that man died...........as Moses (p) repented & asked for forgiveness , God forgave him.
under others option :hiding: 
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