I dont claim a religion.. I believe in god though, and heaven also, but I dont go to church, and I dont really believe in the bible, I try not to take sides with any religion, but from what the bible say's, It pradicly says be the best you can be and be nice, and kind, and love, and do not harm. Other words be the best person you can be.. I elieve if I be the best I can be and do not murder, or hurt people ir anything like that than god wil accept me.. The problem is that I have been told many times that I will go to hell becouse I dont go to church or claim a religion.. I was hopeing to get some mature thoughts about this.
2006-08-23 16:46:18 · 30 answers · asked by Bryan G 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Doing good works, going to church, or belonging to a religious sect will not save you. But you have to realize that claiming to believe in God but refusing to believe in His Word (the Bible) don't go hand in hand. How else can we know who God is, and what He wants of us if we don't read it?
John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
God gave the formula for salvation. It can only be found in His Son Jesus. There is no other way around it.
2006-08-23 16:54:13 · answer #1 · answered by TY 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, Bryan, it all depends on where you're looking at this from.
I'm a diehard Catholic, so I believe something different from a lot of the Christians out there. (Love and peace kids. Keep up the good fight.)
Catholic doctrine teaches that you can't enter the Kingdom of Heaven without being baptized. That's the first step. Without it, you got squat. After that...it really is leading a good life. Trying to stay holy, yadda yadda.
But...as I said, this all hinges on whatever religion you'd like to look at this from.
There are no absolutes with your question as you don't claim a religion.
So...basically...you need to resolve that first.
I'll say some prayers for you to come home to the true Faith.
Much Love In Christ.
Peace.
2006-08-23 17:00:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Choosing a religion" doesn't rescue a person from hell. What rescues us from hell is that we meet God's demand to be perfect. And that's nothing we can do on our own--the only way we can satisfy God is to choose to follow His Son Jesus, since Jesus has already satisfied God's demand. This has nothing to do with "church"--and I totally understand how people can see some of the news stories about scandals in various churches and denominations and think that it's all just a crock. But the problem isn't God, the problem is that anyone can claim to be a follower but not care about God. Anyone can just go through the motions. There are many, many Christians out there who are living their lives as examples of Christ's love, but it has nothing to do with themselves--it's not anything they've done or are trying to do, but that they are choosing to follow Him and make Him their Master and example, rather than trusting in their own deeds.
I've not had a typical Christian life even though I grew up going to church. Check out the links below and feel free to drop me a line at chad@jesusfreak.com if you want.
2006-08-23 21:08:12 · answer #3 · answered by Pastor Chad from JesusFreak.com 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Based upon your belief in god, heaven & living in a kind way, I would say that you've got a better chance than a hypocritical Christian.
There are so many versions of Christ-based religions that it would take a whole phone book to list them all! Some require attending services, others merely recommend them.
I think that if you are comfortable with your relationship with god, then it's as good as it needs to be.
One of the most important things a person can have in their life is faith. No matter what you believe in, so long as it's good and true, who's to judge you? I believe that's god's job, isn't it?
2006-08-23 16:52:39 · answer #4 · answered by kaylora 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am curious about why you don't believe in the Bible. It has the answers to all the questions that you have raised here!
Believing in God is not to make others happy. It is about getting in touch with your creator and understanding the purpose of your life in this world and after- only the one who made you will know that. Your going to church or what you call, "claim to religion" is just a natural fall out of this process of knowing and understanding God.
And living right is not just about being nice, it is about achieving a purpose while we live. I find that exciting.
Recommended read: " Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren- it is available in Amazon for 12 bucks and I loved it.
2006-08-23 17:04:20 · answer #5 · answered by commonsense 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Certainly the Bible suggests that we try to be the best human beings we can be. But, also according to the Bible, we must believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, as our savior.--it's a deal breaker.
The problem is that one can't take pieces of the Bible. It must be read and studied as a whole. Taking a part of it is in a very tiny way like putting together a detailed helicopter kit and only reading 1 step out of 100 for putting it together. No matter how hard you try, something is going to be missing--and I don't know about you, but I'm not getting in it to fly!! :-)
Please understand that from our point of view (Christians) we aren't putting judgment on you, we are telling you what we have learned in the Bible. Christ says, "I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by me"
Christ doesn't say - gosh if you are a good person, or an upright fellow, come on in. He is very specific. And from God's point of view--he sacrificed his son for us and so many spit on that and reject his sacrifice.
Not trying to preach but answer your question in a mature way.
best wishes......
2006-08-23 17:04:19 · answer #6 · answered by chris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry, you are not going to Hell, there is no such place. Pure mythology.
You are right though, there is nothing wrong with being honest, good, kind, harmless, and caring. It makes you feel good, it's the right thing to do, keeps you out of jail, and gains you the respect of others.
You did not mention which god you believe in. I wouldn't worry about the afterlife, worry about today. Be good today.
People who claim you will go to hell because you do not waste time on church or have a religion are narrow minded, scared, and dishonest.
Follow your heart.
2006-08-23 16:58:15 · answer #7 · answered by Mere Mortal 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dude, that's not what the Bible says. I don't know where you got those ideas. It doesn't say you should be a goody-two-shoes. You have to be a Crusader for your God. You really should read it, you know. The Western concept of God is based on this book, and if you believe in God without having understood the Bible, then you are worshipping a false god, which is a big no-no.
2006-08-23 16:55:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Umm everything you think the bible says... is not what it really says...
Yes, it has guidelines for which we as Christians must live...but the main theme is actually this:
No one can ever be good enough to enter into the kingdom of heaven. That is why we need to accept Jesus Christ as lord and savior. He has paid our punishment with his death. All we have to do is accept that and believe on him.
You say that you believe in God and heaven...how do think a person makes it there???
What do you think the standard is???
How will people know when the things they've done will prevent them from going to heaven???
2006-08-23 16:53:54 · answer #9 · answered by Kyle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nice try little guy. By not reading the bible you don't Gods word says the way into my Kingdom is through my Son Jesus Christ. Also , good works alone will not inherit the Kingdom of God. In other words, not accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, there's only on place you will end up in, and it's not Heaven.
2006-08-23 16:49:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋