Do you believe every non-Christian ends up in Hell?

Question

Including such people as Buddha, Gandhi, Einstein and Plato?

If not, where do non-Christians end up after their death?

If you believe in Heaven, how can you not believe in Hell? Isn't that wishy-washy?

Answer 1

No. And not every 'Christian' will end up in heaven.

Answer 2

Not at all. God is not naive. He know there are those who are born into a different faith and do not have the opportunity to come to know Him or Christ during their lives. But if the person still lives a "Christ-like" life, even without having personal knowledge of Christ, than I believe God sees the goodness in those people and will allow them to enter his Kingdom. There are those Christians who will quote the bible and tell you that Jesus said "Unless you know me, you cannot enter the kingdom." Well I ask you this, what did Jesus mean by the word "know". Semantics with words are what has led to the schism within the Church. I think to "know" Christ means to live like him, regardless of whether you actually "know of" him.

To not believe this would be to damn to hell entire countries if not continents of people who do not have access to Christianity. Why would God create people who he knows would have no possibility of becoming Christians and are destined for hell?

Now if you are born into a country where Christianity is prevelant, such as the United States, and you reject Christ despite the opportunity to learn more about him, then this may be different. However, I am sympathetic to the fact that if I was born into a Jewish family, I would more than likely be a devout Jew. This really is a very tough question knowing human nature and taking into account how strong family traditions, including faith, are. But like I said, God is not naive and I have to believe He takes these things into account.

In case you were wondering of my own faith, I was born and raised a Roman Catholic. In terms of my own faith formation, besides taking part in all of the regular activities of my church, I also took several theology and philosophy classes while a student at the University of Notre Dame and currently teach religious education classes with my wife.

I hope my answer gives you something to think about.

Answer 3

Heaven and Hell are such limited concepts. They are alive in our thoughts...we can be in heaven or hell right here, right now.

The afterlife is a continuum of earth plane learning and growing...it does not cease...it may change focus for some to a more spiritual effort.

We arrive in the afterlife EXACTLY where we have prepared ourself to occupy. It is like the cream rising to the top of the milk...we will by a natural process go to where we are fitted to be by our own lessons of spirituality.

Answer 4

No. Those that did not hear the good news about Jesus and his saving grace will be judged according to the way they lived.The laws of the community will be the guideline.Those that heard the message and did not believe will be judged for that.Nobody can say what God`s thinking of the specific case may be, but according to the Good Book, Jesus is the only way to be saved.

Answer 5

Those who do not accept Jesus as their savior will not see the kingdom of heaven , but will share hell with satan.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Psalms 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

Answer 6

No I don't.
God is the judge, based on what I see.
If you are not in the lambs book of life, you will wind up in hell.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.
Rev 20:15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Answer 7

not at all. all of us will be judged based on the knowlege we were given and how we used it. Remember the parable of the Good Stewards? The three servants who were given money by their master to invest while he went away on a journey? The first one was given 5 pieces, the second one, 3 and the last one, one. The last servant, didn't even bother to do anything with his, and so he was condemned. The other two, even though they were not given the same amount, did their best with what they were given, and they were praised and rewarded. It will be the same with all men.

Answer 8

My belief system does not include Heaven or Hell. The concept of Hell uses fear to convince someone to have a certain belief.

Answer 9

Hell no, My God is not one who punishes. He is one of love and peace and for you to even hint or suggest that others may or may not go to hell sets yourself up as being judgemental. It is not our responsibility to in any way judge others. If you think of others as good or bad you are judging. Other peoples behavior is not your concern in the sense of whether it is right or wrong. The less you judge others the more free you are to be the best person you can be.

Answer 10

If I am wrong and there really is a heaven and hell, then I will take hell over heaven. If you read the bible, god does not want us to have the fruit of knowledge. He wants us to be his sheep. Satan on the other hand wants us to have knowledge and to be free thinkers. He also tried to overthrow that evil dictator God. I don't want to live in the kingdom of a dictator!!! Give me freedom or give me hell!!!!!

Answer 11

no, because Gandhi was a hindu and they believe in heaven and hell as well, but in different versions of it than christians do, and i dont know about the rest of the people.