Why does it matter, whether someone believes in God or not?

Question

Its so hard to resist sometimes.

Firstly, what kind of self centred God would required belief in him to judge worthiness for entry to heaven.

Second, if God is surely so egocentric, and he sends me to the lake of fire, will he let me take a few photos? It must be quite a sight.

I would like to think that a good god allows good people to heaven. Wouldn't you like to think that?

Answer 1

It doesn't matter what a person believes, what matters is what a person does. Many religions tell their followers to convert the infidels, and many religious people vote to enact laws that dictate their morality to everybody. That's what most freethinkers/atheists hate, not that some believe, but that they try to force their beliefs on us.

Answer 2

It does not matter. The important thing is that there should be a complete separation of church and state. The words "In God We Trust" should be removed from our money. School children should not be forced (or expected) to say "one nation under God". I am aware that the majority of Americans believe in God. However, when the government endorses or encourages a belief in a deity, at least 10% of the population of the US is excluded. Rather than uniting Americans, this divides us. Our founding fathers would be appalled.

Answer 3

The problem with allowing "good people" into Heaven is the term "good." It's a pretty relative term, no? Is there a set number of good deeds/traits a person must have? What if the good deeds outweigh the bad deeds by just one? Are there varying degrees of goodness? Can a pedophile who devotes all his time to caring for mentally ill patients and gives all his money to charities be considered good? He's still molesting kids. If there ARE moral absolutes that are given to mankind by a godly being, then it stands to reason that mankind should obey ALL of these moral absolutes in order to "make it" to Heaven. The beauty of Christianity (which is what I'm assuming you're referring to) is that it simply takes asking forgiveness of the sins you've committed and recognizing God for who He is. It's not egocentric of God, if you ask me (and you did, indirectly). It's just logical. It's not just a belief in God that brings about salvation. For one, Satan believes in God. That doesn't mean he gets to don golden shoes and chill with Saint Peter. Two, a belief in someone/something doesn't constitute its existence. God will do just fine existing without your belief in Him. The sweet thing is that He longs for you to walk with Him. I think it's nice. Besides, once someone sincerely asks for forgiveness for the sins he/she has committed (be they big or small) and acknowledges Jesus as his/her savior, they have a tendency to be "good" people anyway. It's just the natural order of things.

Answer 4

I'm not sure that I understand your question. But I will say this; Than even the devil believes in God and he knows he will be casted into the lake of fire, and he will try to take all he can down with him. But you need not only to believe in God but also in His Son and accept Him into your life as your Lord and Savior as being born again. Jesus came so that they will have life and the hands of the devel can never take you out of His hands. Nothting! not even sin. And if you dont believe that then your calling Him a lier. Jesus is all we need and He is more than enough. Oh and your not going to heaven by your good works but by having faith and trust in Jesus.

Answer 5

It is the nature of a person to believe in something or someone other than himself/herself. We live in a world where we see ourselves as fragile, vulnerable creatures. It is natural for us to look to a higher being for hope in what we see as a hopeless world. This search for hope and answers is the foundation for primitive religions. Since the dawn of Judaism this hope and faith has been placed in the one Almighty God. We have come to realize that we cannot save ourselves, we cannot go through life alone and that we need the saving grace of a benevolent God. God knows this need we have for he created us with this need because he wants us to worship him and rely on him for everything that we need. Jesus manifested himself in the flesh as our Savior to pay the penalty price for our sin nature, thus allow those who believe in his completed work at the cross salvation and entry into heaven. It matters very much that we believe in Jesus because life extends beyond the time that we spend on earth. God makes the rules, not I. I do not know his whole plan---no one does. I do know that I am part of that plan and that the time I spend on earth is for spiritual growth---growth that I will need when I get to heaven. Jesus loves you.

Answer 6

Even if you don't believe in Him , you will come before Him to answer for all things you did in your life . Remember there is still the lake of fire for those who don't believe . Revelation 21:8

Answer 7

It matters for your life today, how you live your life and who you live your life for. It matters for eternity. If you do not believe in God and accept the forgiveness offered through Jesus, your eternal destiny will not be pleasant. It matters more than anything else in this world.

Answer 8

It doesn't.

Beliefs are personal and, to some extent, private. As long as a person follows some general practices of civility and ethics, he should be left to believe whatever and however he chooses.

(And, along similar lines, I also believe it to be inappropriate for any religious zealots to be knocking on the door of my home in the attempt to foist their beliefs upon me . . . )

Answer 9

Because cults can't control your life if you don't believe.

Some old fart may spew lies about "souls" and "forever" all he wants, that doesn't make it true. He will tell you the lies as a scare tactic: "Give us all your money or you're going to hell!" How else will they be able to pay the settlements after pedophilia lawsuits?

Answer 10

It doesn't matter. But it would matter only because it is a measurement of someone concern about have moral discipline and virtues. One who does not believe in religion is not firm on what right and wrong human behaviour.