2006-07-12 09:06:46 · 38 answers · asked by applecheeks 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The first response is 'Yes'
but I thought that God is forgiving
2006-07-12 09:10:42 · update #1
The first response is 'Yes'
but I thought that God is forgiving
2006-07-12 09:10:45 · update #2
NO....religion controls us by making us think we are bad...heaven and "hell" are states of mind..
2006-07-12 09:11:46 · answer #1 · answered by Happy Summer 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
It's not only about believing in God, but ACCEPTING JESUS as your Lord and personal Saviour.
Heaven is a Gift
"The gift of God is eternal life (meaning heaven) through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
A gift isn't something you work for, it's not something given because of who you are and it's not given out of obligation. Therefore, God's gift of heaven can't be earned by being a good person, it's not given because of social status or family ties and it's offered solely because God loves you.
Jesus is the Only Way to Heaven
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6
Are there other ways to heaven? The answer is no. Believing in Buddha, Mohammed or someone other than Jesus will not work. Jesus was very clear, the only way to heaven is through Him.
PS, How can a person who does not adore and worship God, yet alone, not even know Him feel that he/she has the right to go to Heaven or have any inheritance of God? We have to live a daily walk with Him, talk with Him, cry to Him, honor and worship Him, Obey His laws, Read His Word (The Bible, which was written by men who were inspired by God).
Example.. what if I were to say
" I've been a faithful fan of Elvis Presley ALL my life.. I have done nothing but say good things about him, I have all his albums and pictures,.. So, because of that, I should be able to inherit Graceland." That would be ridiculous and would never happen considering that Elvis never knew me. I never knew him personally nor he never knew me, I never invited Elvis into my home, I never pursued any kind of friendship with him.
(This is just an example.. I'm not really a fanatic of Elvis.... )
2006-07-12 09:21:36 · answer #2 · answered by veritababe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I once heard a minister say that there are a lot of nice people "pillars of the community" who most likely are in hell, even though the led good lives and helped others. They were not devoted to God and didn't live according to his word. On the other hand there are a lot of people who lived awful lives, but gave themselves to God, asking for forgiveness and admitting that they need God. As sad or unsettling as this sounds, there are probably a lot of serial killers in heaven, who gave themselves to God before they died.
2006-07-12 09:13:44 · answer #3 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When we know of God, but don't ask for forgiveness of our sins, accept His son Jesus as our Lord and Savior.. well, what would you think? (That was said lovingly by the way..)
Find yourself a good Christian based church (Assembly of God, or the like), attend a few times, seek a bible study, and even a (christian) woman's group.. make friends there.. share.. ask questions (don't be afraid to sound silly. There are no silly questions, when asking about God).
A good bible to read daily, should you wish to: iWorship Daily Devotional Bible - New Living Translation - ISBN:1-59145-102-7
Good Luck with the answers to your question!
2006-07-12 09:18:13 · answer #4 · answered by sassy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is only one person who knows if you or I or anyone is going to Hell and that would be the just judge. I would caution however that it states quite clearly in most main line religions that the gate to eternal life is a narrow one! You may want to think of reading Pascal's Wager or even some more philosophical arguements for the 'proof' of God. Aquinas or Anselm are good starts.
2006-07-12 09:12:36 · answer #5 · answered by Michelle A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dear Sienna,
That would be a difficult call for anyone except God and you.
I suppose much of it depends - do you avoid investigating God more deeply because of demands that belief might make on you in terms of changing your life? If so, are you deluding yourself about living a good life? Or, do you truly not believe in God, and simply wish to have an ethical life?
-j.
2006-07-12 09:11:31 · answer #6 · answered by classical123 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one can really answer that besides God, but I can give you my opinion...
If you lived a good and true life, helped the unfortunate, stood up for your beliefs, and took care of yourself and others I can't see why He would banish you for doubt. Even Jesus had doubt and God doesn't want us to accept everything with blind faith. If he did, then we wouldn't have churches and such to continue educating us. What would you do if your child didn't believe that you were a good mother...would you still love her anyway? Maybe a little punishment but I doubt you'd cast her away for ever.
2006-07-12 09:13:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is a forgiving God but you have to have faith in order to get to Him...you cant just go on your whole life not believing in him and die and find out he is real and expect to get to heaven read the bible it will answer all of your questions
2006-07-12 09:29:57 · answer #8 · answered by Crystal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being a parent makes this clear. The concept of eternal damnation is logically inconsistent with any fully developed concept of love. Thus, even if there is a God, that being cannot be the Abrahamic God (i.e., the one of Judaism, Christianity and Islam). You have no reason to worry about such things.
2006-07-12 09:22:00 · answer #9 · answered by neil s 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope... if you don't believe in God, then there's no reason to believe in hell.
What you're talking about is sort of a Pascal's Wager type of thing... I should believe in God just in case there's a hell. I'm pretty sure God (if one exists) knows who among his followers is truly faithful and who is believing "just in case."
Besides, if God is so loving a "father," why would he subject his creations to everlasting torture? My son makes mistakes all the time and I've yet to burn him alive. A loving father just wouldn't do that, no matter how omnipotent he is.
Rest assured that once you die, there is blissful nothingness.
2006-07-12 09:11:32 · answer #10 · answered by Rogue Scrapbooker 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
Yes God is forgiving Merciful Most Kind Most Loving only for those who believe his existence. He will forgive the minor sin due to his mercy. The sin of associating diety with One God is unforgiven sin.
2006-07-12 09:09:09 · answer #11 · answered by A K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋