Ms Casey's Daughter:
Shiva IS known as 'the destroyer'. I think no more info on Shiva is offered because the writer doesn't have the knowledge to offer.... but if you'd like more, check out http://www.sanatansociety.org/hindu_gods_and_goddesses/shiva.htm (can't remember if I sent you this address already)
The more you read on Hinduism, the harder it is to believe, with its pantheon of Gods - it reminds me of Norse or Greek mythology. And unlike Christianity, there's no hard evidence supporting this religion at all. (Just like Mormons, but that's another story.)
However, that's irelevent to the discussion at hand. This is one of the arguments made by people who take one person's actions and damn the entire Christian religion with it. Jim Baker is a good example - people who feel condemned by Christianity reveled in his commission of sin. It makes them feel better about themselves to see one who appeared to be on a higher plane flung to the ground, and they used his story to condemn ALL televangelists because that suited their purposes and made them feel better. But they would do well to keep their eyes on Christ rather than the hypocrites and sinners that we all are, Christians and no-Christians alike.
ARridgerunner: how many missionaries have you met and talked to personally? I have met quite a few. Some of them risk their lives every day witnessing to Muslims in Arab countries where they could be tried and executed for doing so. They don't make diddly squat, but they are there because they believe their Lord told them to go, and because they love their fellow man.
Jesus was harsher than most modern missionaries. He told it like it was and pulled NO punches - that's why His enemies, the Pharisees and Sadducees hated him, and it's why He was ultimately killed. It wasn't because He was all peaches and cream!!!
And you are right, there IS only one God, but trust me, all religions aren't "just different ways of worshipping the same God". The Bible makes very clear that there is only one way to reach Heaven, and that is through Jesus Christ.
And before you criticize Christians for that exclusive attitude, please think about this fact - ALL religions are mutually exclusive. NONE of them (except maybe Bahnai Br'ith if I'm spelling it right, but it's a man made religion) believe we're all worshipping the same God. So yes, you and the rest of the world DO have to follow the God in the Bible if you want to LIVE eternally, for Jesus said He was The Way and that No one could reach the Father but through Him.
If you believe that's not the God I know, I can live with that - I wouldn't want you to err in your choice of Gods based on my limitations.
Ms. Casey's Daughter
" ALL religions are mutually exclusive. NONE of them (except maybe Bahnai Br'ith if I'm spelling it right, but it's a man made religion) believe we're all worshipping the same God"
Not true - read about Bahais (or Bahaism).
Just one correction in that spiel will I address.
ALL religions are mutually exclusive.
Absolutely untrue. Hinduism is the world's only major inclusive religion. In that sense it is far superior to a Christianity which excludes everything except a Jesus it no longer understands. (if ever it did after the third century)
Christianity is lost. Spiritually dying if not already dead. If it weren't, it would not be looking for Shiva devotees to swell its ranks.