This is a common belief amongst certain elements of the Christian Church (and of course other religions have their own equivalents of this belief favouring their own ideals). Christians of this type will tell you that the most angelic person who does not claim faith in Jesus is destined to everlasting fire, but the paedophile priest will get into heaven, by virtue of the fact that he is Christian and his sins have been absolved. Muhammad? The Dalai Lama? Buddha? They are all going to hell apparently.
Take another look at that quote:
"The only way to be saved from the wrath of God, is to be saved from it by faith in Christ". [My emphasis]
In order to back this up, it provides references to Ephesians 2:8-9 and Romans 5:1. They also, helpfully, provide the quotes2 should we wish to actually see for ourselves rather than blindly trusting them:
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast
Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
The idea that there is only one way to be saved is poorly justified. The quotes indicate that faith can save, but it in no way indicated that the only way to salvation is though faith in Christ. The quote from Romans chapter 5 is more concerned with the idea that faith is more important than works. That is, just doing the decent this is not good enough if you are doing it for the wrong reasons and doing the wrong this is forgivable if you did it in the belief that you were in the right.
Saint Paul also writes in Romans 2: 12-15: 3
All who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged under the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but the doers of the law who will be justified. When Gentiles, who do not possess the law, do instinctively what the law requires, these, though not having the law, are a law to themselves. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness; and their conflicting thoughts will accuse or perhaps excuse them.In other words, it does not matter who you call yourself. What counts is whether you can honestly face your conscience and say to it: "I'm doing my best to do the decent thing."
Christians of all stripes will tell you that their god is a god of love. How then would we expect the loving Father in heaven react to the efforts of His children? Would a loving god condemn someone for failing to acknowledge an entity that they do not know to exist? That would be foolish. The Bible claims that the Christian god is better than this.
Luke 11:11-13 "Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" 3Frankly, any god that would condemn an innocent person to everlasting torment is not worthy of worship and warrants the same kind of respect that is due a snake or better yet a terrorist holding a gun to one’s head. The idea that it is a good thing to be ‘God fearing’ is anathema to me. To any who would worship such an unforving god I can only quote the Scottish theologian William Barclay and say, "Your god is my devil."
To claim that those whose ideas differ from ones own will be condemned to hell is an offence to Christianity and the Jesus Christ.
As suggested in Romans chapter 14, leave the judging to god. A being capable of creating the universe is probably more qualified than you.
1. http://carm.org/jesus-saves
2. New American Study Bible.
3. New Revised Standard Version
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