This is a serious question and it is not intended to bash Christians or their beliefs. Just a question I've always wondered. Many Christians I speak with tell me God is omnipotent; all powerful and all knowing. So this would mean God would know I would go to Hell before he even created the Earth because I don't believe in him, right? So why did he put me here if he knew beforehand what I would think of Him? I would certainly hope God didn't put me here just so I would go to Hell. So in case I wasn't clear, answer this question for me please: Why did God place us Atheists here if he always knew we would not believe in Him, and therefore go to Hell? Why create something that is destined to Hell?
Please, don't give me any crap on "Freewill to decide if we want Heaven or Hell". I'll post a question on what this God given freewill really is to question those peoples answer if I see one. Thanks to any serious and informative questions.
2006-08-01 20:19:31 · 32 answers · asked by whosyodaddy3030 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The notion of free will in an environment where we also define something/someone as being all-knowing is not possible.
If an all-knowing entity exists, then it knows what you will do in the future. If it knows what you will do in the future, then your actions are not the result of free will ... you had no choice but to perform as the entity knows you perform.
Thus, either we do not have free will or there does not exist an all-knowing entity (this isn't a proof against God, just against the notion of God being "all-knowing").
All things aside ... welcome to the Hell Boat! I hope to see you up on deck later this evening ... we're holding a wet t-shirt contest and drinking A LOT of cocktails. Let us know if you need anything.
2006-08-01 21:12:26 · answer #1 · answered by Arkangyle 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You make the question difficult to answer completely without the use of an explanation of freewill so...let's start with definition of Hell and Hades which are the interpretations of the Hebrew word Sheol. Sheol is an unlimited, intangible place where ALL the dead go. Sheol is the common grave of mankind. No matter where you die in the ocean, burned to cinders, buried, bombed to bitty bits, we all go to Sheol or hell or hades. Our release from Sheol is the undeserved kindness of God and even good people are reliant of God's undeserved kindness for a Resurrection hope.
God created us and then left us to make our own decisions. He has a plan and He wants all to be saved but knows that some will not make the right decision. So you can be assured that as God looks down on you He's pulling for you because He wants you there in Paradise. First Timothy 2:3-4
2006-08-01 20:47:25 · answer #2 · answered by Lynn K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are really an atheist then you don't believe in God or Hell. But you sound more like an agnostic. You question the existance of God.
I do believe in God but I cannot believe my God would permit Hell. And rather than leading people into Heaven, Jesus would go to Hell where he can do the most good.
Don't accept too much of what general society says about religion. So often it is just used to control the weak minded. Study and find the philosophy that works for you.
2006-08-01 20:30:03 · answer #3 · answered by San Diego Art Nut 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I look at atheism the same way I look at Baptists. (I just picked that out of a hat.) You can be no more certain that there is no God, than they can be that there is a God. This simply has no concrete evidence in either direction. But, if you look at all the Continents of the world, you always find in them a belief in a God. Therefore it seems humankind has a sort of instinct that there is a 'Creator Source.' It is my personal belief that this Source, seeks an evolution of consciousness from it's creation and it is simply illogical to believe that hell exists at all, except in the 'religion flavor of the moment' which glommed onto the idea of Hell and the pleasure they receive in casting anybody in it that doesn't agree with themselves. I wouldn't have any part of a God that would burn anybody up forever and I would rather burn than believe in such a corrupt God. Or one that takes sides against it's other children.
2006-08-01 20:39:32 · answer #4 · answered by honorbright24 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there. I am going to try to answer this question to the best of my ability. I am going to school to be a pastor, and I currently a youth director at a church, so this question comes up with youth wondering about the same if not similar problems. The word to be destined by God to go to either Heaven or Hell is something called Double Predestination, one is either destined to go to Heaven or Hell, showing the double part, but most Christians do not believe in this. Predestination is being in a covenant with God and God in a covenant with you. Now I truly believe in a God of Love, that God would place everyone down here on Earth to Serve, Learn, Live and Love God. Now I believe that we are all God's children, and some may have problems in believing that there really is a God. It takes everyone different times to realize the love of God, and if we truly believe a God of Love, then this God truly will wait understand in a person not always believing in God. I also believe that God will never turn God's back on any of God's children, even at the end. Now in my faith there is a heaven and a hell, and hell is being away from the Love of God, and I believe even at death one can accept the love and forgivness of God. I don't think God ever intends for athiests to be here on earth, but uses everyone to reach out to those who question and disbelieve. So I hope that God is using me to answer some of your questions. It is not always easy to understand why there is a God, or What God really wants, but I do believe that God loves all of God's creation and you are a part of God's creation. My prayers are with you and hope this helps.
2006-08-01 20:35:26 · answer #5 · answered by ndv98 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible says in 1 Peter that God is not slow in his coming to Earth because he doesn't want anyone to perish and go to Hell. You want to be serious about your destination? Yes, God is all knowing and powerful - he knew you before you were even born. God wants you to go to Heaven - what is stopping you from going there? What is stopping you from accepting him? What is your problem that God would send you to Hell when you know the reason why and you could easily stop it before it happens - you are playing with fire. Do you really think that God is fooled by your human thinking and rationalization of him? You know in your heart that there is a God or why else would you be asking this question? If you don't want to go to Hell - do something about it!!!
2006-08-01 20:31:20 · answer #6 · answered by wonderwoman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For one thing, I don't believe you'll always be an athiest. You seem to intelligent to deny the existence of our Creator and I seriously think that you will come to accept the truth someday. God does indeed know everything, and yes He knew before the creation of the world who would be saved and who would go to hell. However, God would not put anyone here just so they could go to hell. God has a purpose and a plan for everything; you just have to let go and trust that He knows what He is doing. Lean not on your own understanding my friend and understand that His ways are higher and wiser than our own. He sees things that we can not see. Please remember that God loves all of us, and does not want anyone to be destroyed. He wants us to turn to Him and live. It is my prayer that you will do just that. See you in heaven brother! God bless you.
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." ~ John 14:6
Seek and ye shall find!
2006-08-01 20:46:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, God gave the freewill for everyone. In time, maybe one day the bridge will bring you the right road to heaven. There are two ways to get in heaven. One you are already chosen by him. The second way, God has not spoken to you and you haven't been chosen. So this second part is the work on your end to believe him and accept the way of his words in the bible. Good luck and I pray to see you in heaven someday!
2006-08-01 20:29:51 · answer #8 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bible is a book of mythology.
The concept of heaven & hell was adopted from Zoroastrian myths.
It is a convenient myth to force on people in that it allows priests (the government, dictators, whomever) to exercise control over people with a minimum of force. Occasionally, heretics must be executed as an example, but, for the most part, condemning people to hell works as well as threatening physical torture or execution.
And, given the fact that most humans are superstitious, frightened animals, it works very well when applied at early ages.
2006-08-01 20:29:06 · answer #9 · answered by Left the building 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am curious, and please think about this. If you don't believe God exists, why do you believe hell exists?
If there is a hell, I don't believe that because you don't believe in God you're going to go there. This is a scare tactic. Don't be afraid of what you believe. You are on this Earth now, enjoy this time, try to be a basically good person and be true to whatever you believe regardless of what others think.
Doc
2006-08-01 20:30:00 · answer #10 · answered by Doc2b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋