2006-07-12 15:12:27 · 10 answers · asked by allie in NY 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
"...choosing free will..."? I think you mean using free will, don't you?
Hell isn't eternal punishment; it's the eternal consequence of blowing the free-will decision each of us must make here on earth. Many decisions have "permanent" consequences; that's no surprise. This one's simply a lot more permanent than the rest. It's YOUR choice, so choose wisely, and don't blame God if you wind up in a hot, dry climate!
2006-07-12 15:41:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Crazy Human, you are easily impressed. It is a decent question though. God loves us and gives us free will. By the definition, that free will must entail a consequence to our actions, or it would not be truly free, simply different irrelevant choices that end with a parental God intervening with a pre set fate. Thus, it is because of God's love for us that the free will that he gave us is actually free, and includes the option of rejecting Him. Rejection of God entails, eschatalogicaly, a seperation from him which is condemnation. Acceptance of God's love gains us Salvation.
2006-07-12 15:23:04 · answer #2 · answered by boyhulga 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is loving because He gave us free will. If you abuse it then that's your fault. He also gave us rules to follow, the TEN commandments. If you do things according to His plan then you won't be punished. Remember God is our FATHER. It is no different from your parents punishing you when you do something wrong. It doesn't mean your parents don't love you. If you live in Christ and you believe, and you are truly sorry for your sins, you will not be punished for eternity. Ask God for forgiveness and you shall be free. Repent and praise God, you will earn Heaven and you will live forever. He who believes and lives in Christ will not die. We may die in body but our soul won't die.
2006-07-12 15:24:56 · answer #3 · answered by curious_boricua_soul 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I can't believe in any god that would punish people who live a good life. I don't think you have to donate all of your free time or extra money to charity, but you should help out whenever you can and never hurt others.
If you do that, how can any just deity punish you if you don't happen to follow the exact set of rituals that one particular religion preaches?
2006-07-12 15:15:41 · answer #4 · answered by FozzieBear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're looking at it the wrong way. You don't get to create God. You don't get to judge Him. You have no choice about who and what He is. He is holy.
The choice comes in here: Mankind sinned and chose to separate himself from God. You have too. So have I. We made our choice to disobey God the very first time we sinned.
Here is the good news. God provided a sacrifice for our sins. He didn't have to. He is God. But He did.
We now have the chance to choose redemption. What a wonderful and loving God.
I wised up and chose God 26 years ago and it was the greatest gift I have ever received. He loves you so much.
2006-07-12 15:24:36 · answer #5 · answered by nancy jo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is not GOD punishment but it is the real destiny of what you chosen to be with. HE really love us that HE gave us HIS only SON to save us from our sins and to be with HIM in glory. Even in my own life there so many wonderful things He done for me, but prior to that there so many trial I've encounter sometimes leading to loss my faith on HIM. Only to realize that what had happen to me is a preparation for another step higher than before.
2006-07-12 15:23:54 · answer #6 · answered by jaime, jr c 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
John 3:16 certainly speaks of a God who loves us. You should read it sometime. Have a nice day! =)
2006-07-12 15:34:37 · answer #7 · answered by resilience 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
who said god was loving? thats just what you've been brought up to believe. god could have a very different outlook on us humans than we think he does. i mean think about it he punishes humans because they did not do what he wanted therefore he feels no more love for them they are doomed.. according to christianity
2006-07-12 15:18:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's a make-believe character to frighten weak-minded emotional slaves. Dont' sweat his "retribution". He really sounds like a petty little kid to me!
2006-07-12 15:21:42 · answer #9 · answered by kennethleemcdaniel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL!!! That is the BEST QUESTION that I have seen on here!!!! :)
2006-07-12 15:16:31 · answer #10 · answered by crazyhumans2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋