i have no religion now and ive had mixed ansers on this point so i just want some clarification
2006-06-13 14:52:43 · 24 answers · asked by zuumy99 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
i went to a catholic school from the time i was in kindergarten until i graduated from high school. the catholic religion believes that everyone who is not christian will go to hell regardless of what type of character they possess (i.e. if they are a good person or a deadbeat). i'm a lutheran, which is very similar to a catholic, and as far as my understanding goes, the lutheran religion believes the same thing. i do not. i believe that no matter what religion you are participating in, if you live a just and moral life, you will be rewarded. because, if u think about it, how can any really say what God is or if he exists? i believe the bible to be an accurate historical document, but i believe that some of the events within the bible and some of the stories are fiction and were manufactured to provide guidance to people searching for the right way to live. i hope this helps! good luck in your search for faith...mine is still somewhat weak and non-existant so i hope you can relate to what i've said......
2006-06-13 15:02:33 · answer #1 · answered by sbradner04 1 · 5⤊ 2⤋
The concept of "hell" (abyss type of place with lots of flames) is not christian at all. Early christians did not even believed in such place as the Bible refers to Seol [hebrew] or Hades[greek] (words that are commonly translated as hell) as the common sepulcture of humanity, this is the place where the Bible says that Lazarus, David and Jesus "went" when they were dead and everybody would agree that they were not burning in "hell" while dead.
The concept of a "burning hell" was later taken from the greek mythology and adopted by the Roman catholic church in an effort to control the masses by fear. The Bible explains that the death pays for all human sins and the only punishment would be not having the opportunity of resurrection. Why would a loving God punish a person with ethernal pain in hell for sins that were made during a normal human life span? Would that be fair? Think about it...
2006-06-13 22:30:45 · answer #2 · answered by karel0001777 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I see that you have some very good answers and some mixed answers to your question. It doesn't mater what Christian church you would belong to. And yes unlike the one answer you got, you had better base your belief on one sentience. Jesus Did say that he is the door, no one comes to the Father except through him. Jesus is the only way to the Father. Confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your savior is the only way to heaven. There are no short cuts. Jesus revels himself to people in many different ways. yes all who do not know Jesus and accept him go to hell. What is hell? we don't understand, all that is said but in some accounts it says that it is a separation from God. How would it feel to be seperated from all Love?
2006-06-13 22:23:34 · answer #3 · answered by william c 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christ said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but through me."
This is what we need to get to heaven. Those that do not accept Christ as their personal Lord and Savior do go to hell. This is made very clear in Scripture.
All of our righteousness is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). We are saved by GRACE through FAITH. We are not saved by our WORKS (good deeds, etc), so that no man can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Jesus did the ultimate "good work" by offering himself as the ultimate sacrifce. All we have to do is believe (accept) it, confess it, and live it (John 3:16).
2006-06-13 22:08:19 · answer #4 · answered by hyperpipermouse 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Chirstian hell is not all fire and brimestone according to The Inferno. In it, the first layer of hell makes up the non-believers who were good people. It is a nice place, but nothing compared to the "glory of God." Most churches also provide a special pergatory for unbatized babies. The threat of damnation made the Church in demand untill it became as powerful as the king, or more.
2006-06-13 22:02:23 · answer #5 · answered by her_highness_lilypad 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some denominations will beat around the bush with this one, but if you want a straight answer, go to the source: Catholicism.
I was raised as a catholic myself and I can tell you that we / they believe that you are going straight to hell if you are not baptized, and do not accept jesus as your savior.
Enjoy the Lake of Fire!. Or just in case the budhists are right, enjoy being reincarnated as something / someone better!
2006-06-13 21:57:04 · answer #6 · answered by Argon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The decision as to who is going to heaven or hell is soley God's decision to make. As my dad says, there are lot of people sitting up in church on their way to hell -- may be some truth to that, I don't know. Man looks on the outside and say, such and such is going to hell. God looks at the heart. God didn't create these 300+ denominations, they are all creations of man. If a group of people who are members of First Baptist Church don't agree with the church doctrine that is being taught, the split off and name themselves the Second Baptist Church. Religions are man made and each purpose is to assist people in developing a relationship with Jesus. People today are moving away from religion and are moving towards spirituality. Wanting to learn more about what Jesus desires for our lives. What are the things Jesus wants us to do for each other and not TO each other? Jesus walked this earth and taught us and showed us perfect love. Jesus loved everyone from the haves to the have nots, from the Jew to the Gentile. God has know respect of person -- meaning, God doesn't favor one human being over another. God doesn't favor black over white, rich over poor, or straight over gay. We are "All God's Children" and I for one, am leaving the heaven and hell decisions to God because we have no idea what is said between a person and God on their dying day.
2006-06-13 22:04:33 · answer #7 · answered by cajun7_girl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're going to get different answers depending on who you talk to. For example, you will hear people often quote Jesus saying "no one comes to the Father except through me," but I would be wary of using a single bible quote for the basis of such a large question.
Catholic teaching on salvation does not exclude non-Catholics/non-Christians. This is in the Vatican II documents. (Wish I could remember which one off the top of my head.)
2006-06-13 22:03:23 · answer #8 · answered by Church Music Girl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For Protestants (no catholic but still Christian) yes unless you have accepted Christ as your personal savior and have repented all your sins and have a strong ongoing relationship with him, and have not disowned him you will go to heaven.
Catholic- if you have made the commitment and accepted Christ and are a good person and do good things you will go to heaven.
If you have not surrenderd your life to Christ in any form of Christianity, you will not go to heaven.
Hope that helps
2006-06-13 21:58:00 · answer #9 · answered by 20mommy05 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christianity is more about a relationship with Jesus Christ than it is about being a religion. All Jesus really asks is that you believe in Him and confess your sins. If you do that, He comes into your heart and begins a relationship with you.
It's not about how much you can do. If you really love Jesus, you'll want to do things for Him and His people. You'll want to see Jesus in people, and you'll want people to see Jesus in you. He did the work: He died on the cross for your sins. His last words as a human were "It is finished." He was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. It's done. There is nothing we can do to prove our worthiness to God.
This is how it was explained to me:
All other "religions": DO
Christianity: DONE.
Jesus paid the price. All you have to do is accept him as your Saviour and believe!
2006-06-14 10:27:31 · answer #10 · answered by Gabby_Gabby_Purrsalot 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋