The bible says you must accept Jesus as your personal saviour in order to go to Heaven.
There are many primitive tribes of people who have never heard of Christianity or Jesus, or even know America exists.
It seems wrong for them to go to Hell, because no one ever told them about Jesus.
Do you believe they go to heaven or hell?
2006-06-19 16:45:28 · 14 answers · asked by queen rabbit 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
its kind of a controversial matter, but as you may know, God looks at the heart not so much as specific actions.... So really, I would say that if they were always trying to do the right things, and putting others before themselves, I would imagine that they may go to heaven, but I couldn't say for sure.
Another example of your kind of question is like do babies that die at birth go to heaven? they had no idea about getting saved, but were all born sinners...
God is a merciful God and he is the fairest of all, so I would say that it would only be fair to let the people who TRUELY had no idea go to heaven (unless they spent their life trying to be a pain to everyone or something like that)
2006-06-19 16:57:51 · answer #1 · answered by Pyr0 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I think the best idea I've ever heard was in a book about the Vietnam war called "Guns Up" by Johnnie Clark.
Several of the characters were discussing this very question. One of them says basically that all people are born with a God-shaped void in them, sometimes we try to fill it with other things, but only God can really make us complete.
The bible does say that if you look, you will find God, if you seek him with all your heart. Because of this, even people who have never heard the gospel can find God, know Him and accept Him.
2006-06-19 17:05:11 · answer #2 · answered by s.wade 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK, in Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus tells his followers to, "... go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end.”
IF everyone who never heard of Jesus was saved because of that, then why didn't Jesus just tell them something like, "You know what I taught. Follow it and you'll be saved. Don't tell anyone else about it so everyone will be saved."???
2006-06-19 17:39:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Catholic Church weighs in with the Catechism:
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p3.htm
Read especially 836-848 (these aren't page numbers, but paragraphs.)
It isn't very long. But appreciate that it is in context. I think it gives a good sense of where the Catholic Church's stance is in answers to your question, but it is built upon and supported by the rest of the Catechism with scripture and doctrine.
-arewethereyet- provides a bit of insight to the Catholic Church's idea. Christ is all around us. God loves all and we all are saved through Christ, but He knows the hearts of men and what chances they've had to respond.... but just read those paragraphs. It is says it better than me.
Now take Calvinism on the other hand. He proposed that God makes men with the intention of sending them to Hell. They weren't predestined so sorry for them.... yikes!
2006-06-19 16:55:12 · answer #4 · answered by velvet 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Somewhere in the Bible, I forget where but I think Paul said it, it says that even if there is no one to tell of God's Love, the rocks would rise up to testify, as would the animals of the field, or something like that.
They need just look around to see God everywhere ... no one need say a word :)
2006-06-19 16:48:24 · answer #5 · answered by arewethereyet 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In Revelations it is written that whoever's name is not found in the Book of Life, that person will be cast down into the lake of sulphur with Hades and the false prophet and the beast. For your name to be written in the book, you need to accept God into your heart. For the tribes, we send missionaries on trips to evangelize them.
2006-06-19 16:50:45 · answer #6 · answered by Nobody 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only God knows but I believe that everyone has a conscience of right and wrong.
2006-06-19 17:01:51 · answer #7 · answered by Pashur 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They could not be judged on the Gospel of Christ if they know nothing of it. I believe they will first be given the opportunity to learn (whether in this life or the next) and then use their agency to decide for themselves if they will follow it. Does it seem just to you that they would automatically be sent to hell for not having been taught or knowing? Not to me! Besides, who are we to judge? Are we perfect?
2006-06-19 16:52:52 · answer #8 · answered by ocgringa 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They would go to hell. Who said that they have never heard??
2006-06-19 16:50:53 · answer #9 · answered by † PRAY † 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ive allways heard that when everyone everyone has heard the word and they will it will be the end so lets get the word out where we can go be with our lord and have everylasting life
2006-06-19 17:06:17 · answer #10 · answered by Sharon G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋