There are so many victims of manipulation and circumstance among us. Do they really deserve the same treatment as those that have sinned for their own financial or social gains? Does an otherwise innocent kid that smokes to fit in or throws rocks at passing cars because the other "cool kids" inadvertantly influenced him into doing it deserve the same punishment as the kids that throw the rocks because they are just angry and filled with hate and hostility? Should we as Students of GOD just stand idly by and watch people that had little choice in their actions get punished like hardened, irreproachable criminals????
If there was a way you could keep them from going to Hell, would you do it?
2006-06-06 13:12:51 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
as children, I would say that there could be extenuating circumstances. As adults that is a much harder argument to make. One needs to know a lot about each individual to make that determination.
2006-06-06 13:27:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Only God himself can answer to who was manipulated and who not. That is why he is the judge and not us.
You as a supposed student of God should know better than think that you can do anything to stop God's judgment on the earth.
There is only one way anyone can do anything and that is to preach the Gospel like the Bible says.
2006-06-06 20:18:16 · answer #2 · answered by † PRAY † 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It takes three factors that need to be present for an action to be considered a sin:
1. It has to be a action that has serious consequences = serious.
2. You have to consent to do the action... to DO IT...the action.
3. It has to be your WILL to do it... you have to be willing to do the action.
Now... as to being "forced" "manipulated" and being under circumstances of pressure from your peers... or to do so for some material gain... fame, fortune, social status, to follow someone that is driven by their emotions of anger, hate or hostility... these are all attitudes of vices... that lead to negative actions... and YES, you ARE obliged to rise above this low level of behavior and actions... even if it costs you ... your "friends."
Everyone has the option to walk away from bad companions, bad actions, bad influences... and negative behavior. Not only do you have the option, but you have the obligation to do so.
We were advised by Jesus ... "not to throw pearls before swine..."
This means that we are not suppose to throw our good qualities away and replace them by bad qualities because we associate with low quality persons. The purpose of LIFE is to rise above your low tendencies... to better yourself by practicing high quality actions... to be a leader and set the example of what is right and good, and morally straight.
Anyone who stays in the gang... and is present when a bad action is committed, is as guilty as the person who did the actual action. Being present is the same as condoning that action and giving your acceptance to the committment of that action.
But you won't go to hell... you might go to prison... or to jail ... but remember... You are obliged each day to strive to be good... to improve yourself... to be better in your actions tomorrow than you were today... and to lead... and NOT FOLLOW...
Hope this helps... Good Luck!
2006-06-06 23:49:11 · answer #3 · answered by Callie Kitty 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither. We need to move on. Nobody is going to Hell because of their sins. Jesus died for ALL of your sins before you were born.
1) How many of your sins were NOT forgiven at the cross? NONE... it is finished.
2) How do we know that His sacrifice was acceptable to the Father? Because HE AROSE. If His perfect sacrifice had not been adequate to appease God, then He would NOT have arisen.
3) Do we pray and ask for forgiveness? ONLY if we do not believe Him (no faith). Without faith it is impossible to please God.
Going to the front of a church and asking God for forgiveness is a public display of unbelief. (It is UNBELIEF that keeps us out of Heaven… not sin!)
The appropriate prayer is, "Thank you God, that you have forgiven me and remember my iniquity no more."
Abraham’s belief was counted unto him as righteousness.
Yours is too.
Johnny
2006-06-06 20:18:03 · answer #4 · answered by Johnny A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a really hard question. God knows. Although, they did have the choice. We are all given a choice.
2006-06-06 20:19:00 · answer #5 · answered by voice_of_truth_777 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋