That is to say, if you knew that Hell didn't exsist and that there was no negative consequenses of your lifestyle, would you still be a Christian?
2006-06-30 06:18:19 · 26 answers · asked by vampirejasper 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The old paradigm of Christianity (hell = inflicted punishment) might allow this question, but I know that mine (hell = self-inflicted decision to abandon God) sees it as non-sensical.
From what it seems to me, heaven and hell are not physical locations to which you are given access or damned to.
Heaven is being in (and enjoying) the presence of God (just as you would enjoy being with your spouse, only moreso).
Hell, on the other hand, is not being in God's presence.
Rejection of God implies a lot about how someone deals with their relationships. When you experience deep intimate relationships, and you perceive that God offers the same thing (but even deeper), he becomes more desirable to you, and you want to be with him, and you love others more.
When you fear others, or you're more interested in self-gratification or taking care of yourself, you tend to put distance in your relationships and treat other people and God more as objects. Eventually you have no real relationships with others; you are the only "person" in your little world of objects; and this is the painful, agonizing alienation of hell.
Heaven and hell are, really, states of "being" and not physical locations.
So the question is sort of non-sensical to me, as much as is the old standby of, "Can God make a stone He couldn't lift?":
* Hell (alienation from God and others) exists as long as we have been given the gift to choose God or reject him... and he is fair and just enough to honor our decision.
* There are always negative ramifications for choosing to protect and/or gratify oneself ahead of others (including God). That's simply how people work -- even according to secular psychology.
2006-06-30 06:38:14 · answer #1 · answered by Jennywocky 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
NOPE!
I don't believe in Hell. I'm not a Christian. Negative consequences come IN THIS LIFE, I know this for a fact. I've made mistakes, and IMMEDIATELY AND IN THIS LIFETIME had to pay for them. I've since straightened up my act. I live by the law LIVE AND LET LIVE, this has been the best choice I have ever made. And amazingly, my life has been easier - not monetarily, not situationally, but emotionally. I am happy with myself, because I know I am doing everything I can to be a good person.
There are negative consequences to a negative lifestyle. I don't believe that there is a Hell persay, where we are tortured and burned for all eternity, for the MISTAKES we made here.
That is one of the reasons why I am not a Christian. My parents tried to raise me Christian-Jewish, and I have forsaken both religions to search for my own beliefs.
2006-06-30 06:23:59 · answer #2 · answered by happy-dance 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i Seriosuly think anyone who answered yes, that they still would be, are such liers. Being a christain is all about the get into heaven, do not pass hell card. Morals and rightoussness come from the person. Everyone decides whats right and wrong for them. There are good and bad christians just like there is for every other religion out there. For example, the christains who think war is ok or forcing thier religion down others peoples throat and saying that if they dont believe that thier gonna suffer forever. I believe in god, i just cant stand people who act like thier high and mighty for it.
2006-06-30 06:28:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your question needs to go deeper. Are you saying there would still be a God and still be a Heaven, just no Hell? If that were the case, then yes, I'd still be a Christian. It brings greater meaning and purpose to my life than just living for pleasure.
2006-06-30 06:22:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not even sure if I'm a Christian right now...the only reason why I am is because I'm SCARED of going to Hell! So I probably wouldn't, but I'll defiently try to become a Christian. Defiently. It'll probably be easier for me, anyway.
2006-06-30 06:48:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course. Only the most shallow and pathetic followers of Jesus are followers so as to avoid punishment. True maturity in faith is such that a Christian's devotion to God is a response of gratitude for God's loving kindness towards us created beings.
2006-06-30 06:39:09 · answer #6 · answered by christian_mennonite_pacifist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes- although being a Christian is not a guarantee of happiness in life, there are times when I feel content. I believe Jesus helps me through the times of sorrow in life. And there are many more reasons, as well. I feel better by loving people, rather than hating them. God helps us to love people.
2006-06-30 06:22:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely
2006-06-30 06:21:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you think anyone who isn't Christian is going to go to hell. Who said that Christianity is the right religion? I don't consider myself Christian (even though I was baptized Protestant) so according to your logic, I'm going to hell. Oh well.
2006-06-30 06:26:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hell? Yes!
2006-06-30 06:32:01 · answer #10 · answered by Bridget L. Young 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋