If one believes that the father, son and holy spirit are united, what is the difference between Christ and the holy spirit?  Maybe native Americans were worshiping the holy spirit, only they called it the "great spirit."  They were worshiping Christ before the missionaries even got here.

Some missionaries don't want to hear that.  It could put them out of business.

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When Christ is saying "I am the way, the truth and the life," he is speaking about God, if you believe Christ and God are basically the same thing.  Salvation is a gift directly from God.  No one, except God, can give you salvation.  No one can deny it either.

Maybe he is saying, "God is the way," rather than some other person, like an church leader or evangelist, being the way. 

Don't be deceived.  Each person can have gifts of the holy spirit in their heart.  No person, church or organization owns the rights to the "spigot."  Many churches try to say you can't be saved because you don't believe a particular doctrine.  "One supposedly can't be saved with certain political beliefs, or not being a member of their "club."  These preachers stand in front of God and try to parcel out who gets salvation and who doesn't.

Churches can play a valuable role in community, but belief systems and preachers are not sources of salvation.   This is what I think Christ was saying.  God is the only source of salvation and the holy spirit is everywhere in the universe.  It can be in the hearts of each person.
 

Reader comment about this section Although I don't consider myself a Christian, I greatly appreciate your interpretation that people may be able to "go through Christ" without being a Christian (e.g. the Native Americans) since many people worship or acknowledge God or the Great Spirit.  I've always suspected that God Himself wouldn't judge people by such rigid rules, as some Christians believe.  So I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that way. I was reading what you wrote about gay acceptance in the church.  Although I'm not gay, let me offer my two-cents.  Many people feel that being gay is a choice.  They think that someone chooses to be attracted to members of the same sex just to be "different", "sinful", "wild", etc.  They also consider the fact that God apparently made man and woman with organs that fit like a glove.  Their conclusion: homosexuality is unnatural and ungodly. I know from gay friends and from logic that having the choice in the matter can be a grave misconception.  I can't explain briefly what I know from my gay friends, but the logic is quite simple.  If being gay were always a choice, why should anyone have to "come out of the closet"?  If all men could love women (and vice-versa) in a sensual manner, why go through any ridicule if it could be easily avoided?  Why?  Because with many people, homosexuality is NOT a choice.  And in complement with what you wrote, Robert, how could God be displeased with something which clearly isn't human choice?