Eg a child growing up in a Muslim or Buddhist country has virtually no chance of becoming a christian, he/she is taught from day one to follow the prevailing belief system. He/she will grow up GENUINELY believing that their belief is correct. Would it be fair for God to send them to hell when all they were doing was following what they believe. Many Christians will say that everyone has a choice, but is this REALLY the case?
2006-08-22 23:55:56 · 19 answers · asked by Eureka! 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Kenneth what do you call some one who does not believe in Jesus? A non-christian.
2006-08-23 00:13:33 · update #1
Geepee, if there are so many gods then which one created the universe?
2006-08-23 00:17:02 · update #2
Quicksilver- If god does not discriminate against other faiths then why is the only way to him through Jesus Christ?
2006-08-23 00:19:09 · update #3
Miss America- Please read my question, just IMAGINE if you had been following an incorrect religion all your life and went to hell for it, how would YOU feel, wouldnt you feel hard done by?
2006-08-23 00:27:11 · update #4
Wildfire- How is a muslim follower given a choice by god? How is he offered the handle of the knofe so to speak? He knows and follows only his religion from birth till death?
2006-08-23 00:33:34 · update #5
Hello Jonny!! :o) I hope you're OK. As a Christian - what you're asking is what I have asked myself for years and years. Was it just pure luck that I happened to be raised in a country that is still predominantly 'Christian'? If I were born in a Muslim or Buddhist country - would that just be.. well... to bad for me?! Are all the Chinese [I have asked myself] just 'kindling' for the fiery furnace of hell?! After years of trying to make some sense of it all - I'm afraid I have to admit that I don't know anymore NOW than I knew 30 years ago. [when I first started to ask the very questions you're asking] I like to believe that God is fully aware of the concern we both share and will NOT be nearly as restrictive [as many Christians believe He will be] insofar as WHO gets into heaven. At least that's what I hope. I think that those who have 'heard the word' will be accountable for rejecting it. But for those who haven't - maybe there is some other 'plan' that God has for them. Like you - I think it would be awfully unfair to send some Muslim or Buddhist to Hell when they were never really given the opportunity to come to Christ. [And I mean in a very real sense - not just hearing the word 'Christ' once or twice in their life] I have to trust that God is going to be fair and allow Him to deal with it. Craig!! :o)
2006-08-23 00:27:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My understanding is this, if this child growing to an adult has been preached the gospel of jesus Christ and fails to hear and change, he will spend eternity in Hell. However, if no one has told him right from wrong in that sense, then I guess he cannot be blamed...like a baby born who cannot understand yet. If someone has heard the truth of the Bible, that the only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ, then they are now liable for their own choices where as, if they haven't ever honestly heard the truth....my understand is they are not held accountable for that. Maybe I have misunderstood at some point, but if a child not reaching the point of understanding would go to Heaven i something should havppen, then i would think it would be the same for others. Hmmm...I'll have to talk to my pastor and see if this is right. if not, I'll post a correction...
2006-08-23 01:52:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
jonny, NO !! GOD IS PURE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE,what parent sees anything but good in their child? So much more so GOD. Jonny to understand life; Know you are spirit; know life is a spiritual school; know life cannot be distroyed,only the body;know you lived before this body and you will live after it is gone;know you create your on circumstances,good and bad;know that what you put out is what you get back;you keep your own record,there is a price,plus or minus for everything you do.you will require that all is paid or collected in one lifetime or another.jonny in the end you will rest in the heart of GOD in unconditional love. read ephsians 2-22 &4-6 LOVE whistle BritchesPS the Q'S multiply
Kenneth;doesn't understand christ consciousness,call them child of GOD;
Geepee,only one GOD called by many names;
Jesus is not the only way,this is very misunderstood;With so many children do you think god would build a house with just ONE door???
2006-08-23 00:24:05 · answer #3 · answered by Weldon 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Certainly, "they," (you) have choices. You may grab the knife at either end. Didn't you ever notice that He will let you do either? But please, also note that He tells you, in advance, which end to grasp.
Examples are plentiful, in the Bible. Genesis; after hearing the Laws, statutes, and judgements: "I call heaven and earth as witness before you, this day (this is an agreement, a covenant), going on to say, after presenting choices, one tragic, the other, splendid, "...therefor, CHOOSE LIFE, that you and your children may live..." Have you ever had a professor who just GAVE the answers to you? Can you ask more?
You won't find too many Christians willing to "give" you the answeres to your questions. (hint: the Book says you're supposed to study, and get them for yourself, unless, of course, "answers from a bunch of total strangers can hold much significance to one who is intellegent enough to, at least, ask the question) Besides, WE don't have answers, certainly not in any absolute sense. He does! (How do we know the answers are valid?) If He says, do this, and when you do, the result is as He told you, in advance (sometimes, centuries in advance), it IS the way that it IS.
2006-08-23 00:22:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
What makes you think that God exists only for Christians? There is a God for Muslims, another for Buddhists, yet another for Hindus and so on. Every religion has its own God. Christian God does not decide destiny of children of other religion and vice versa.
2006-08-23 00:02:08 · answer #5 · answered by Geepee 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You know- I'm so glad GOD is NOT fair!! You know why??? Because we ALL deserve to go to HELL. Because of our sin nature, Jesus came and took our place on that cross, and He had mercy on us, and we can accept the gift of salvation/heaven if we choose to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who reject Him, will be cast into the Lake of Fire. Including all the buddist and muslims. They reject my God at some point in their life- no matter what they have been taught, and some have come out of that religion, but they might choose to reject Him sometime in their life. Let me put it this way- If 2 non-belivers in America get married, and have children, and they tell their children that God doesn't exist, and we don't ever go to church for anything, and walking in the way of the world is just fine, will God have mercy on those poor children when they grow up and die one day and let them come into heaven because of their parents teachings? No, God doesn't operate that way. He can't. Yes, He loves everyone, and His will is for everyone to get saved- but they don't. At some point in one's life, they will reject God. He said Himself He has manifest His works to us. Even if a missionary never goes to tell them about Jesus ( which is sad of course), God says they will know He exists- just by His creation, and great works. Bottom line- God isn't fair, and I'm most happy about that. Accept that gift today. Reach out to Jesus, He's reaching out to you.
p.s. it doens't matter what one "feels"- of course he would feel awful, but my answer still stands firm. I did read your question, and I gave you my answer. Yes, it is really the case that everyone has a choice.
2006-08-23 00:15:45 · answer #6 · answered by Miss America 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
God has placed inside every human being a thing that we call a conscience. You instinctively know, for instance, that if you kill someone for know good reason that this is murder and wrong. Also we know that if you steal something that does not belong to you that is also wrong. The thing that we call a conscience is our soul talking to us. The bible says that as a man thinketh so is he. If you are always thinking negative bad thought that is what you are.
2006-08-23 00:03:47 · answer #7 · answered by artgophknight 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well since Jesus DIED to attone sin and there is an obvious way to not be "banished" to hell - there is nothing unfair about it. What wasn't fair was that I sinned and caused Jesus the pain on the cross. What is amazing is that if I was the only person He still would have gone to save me.
2006-08-23 01:22:29 · answer #8 · answered by sfinva 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
God is a just judge and will likely take into account all the circumstances, but there's no guarantee of salvation for non-Christians.
It's even possible for Christians to lose their salvation.
God sent his son to allow us to be saved, but if we don't specifically choose to follow God, we're already pledged to Satan (due to the sin of our first parents) and that's with whom we will spend eternity.
2006-08-23 04:32:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Were your parents fair ,when you did something wrong and they punished you?Did they love you any less, but had to discipline you? That's the same with God. and that's God in the uppercase. If you choose to make a conscious decision to discredit the Son Of God Jesus, you are discrediting God the Almighty Creator. If you CHOOSE to turn your back on Him, then He doesn't consider you a "child of God". If you have not confessed and believed in Him then, regardless of what you do, God has extended his mercy time and time again, after a while, it's time for discipline and God doesn't have to be fair, Who is man that God is mindful of Him? Meaning, who are you to set God's rules? God is sovereign, regardless of what you were told, what you think or what you believe. May you come to the true knowledge love and mercy of Jesus Christ ,the Son of the Living God!!!!!
Amen!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-08-23 00:03:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋