Why is belief in God worth more in getting to heaven than being a good person and doing right on Earth?

Question

2 examples:

If you have someone who helps everybody, gives freely of themself, makes daily commitments to be a better person and try and do the best they can without doing anything bad, yet they don't believe in God?

Or.... you have someone who believes in God, constantly makes mistakes, does not bother to help people but feels sorry about it later, hurts people by losing their temper, and repents later....

Now, according to what most people say the person that believes in God will go to heaven because they believe in God, while the other person who always does God will not because you must believe in God to go to heaven. ("Works alone are not enough")

Answer 1

Because religion makes people morally lazy. Religion spoon-feeds people their morality and gives them recipes for "repenting" so they can feel better about things they've done wrong. They never really have to think about why things are good or bad.

As an atheist, I have no such luxury. I have to actually think about what is good or bad in any given situation and come up with real reasons for doing what I do.

When I talk with religious people, I invariably come to a roadblock. Instead of talking about the underlying reasons for their moral judgements, they just stop at "God said so". They can't speak to the implications of what they do or how it affects others. They'll march on Washington to fight for various causes because their churches tell them to, but can't really speak to why they hold those beliefs. That's because there is no deep reason for them to hold those beliefs. They never had to think of any.

Answer 2

If someone beleives in God, they're supposed to be good here on earth too. What I've gathered from reading the bible (not often enough) is that even though we are to respect the laws of this land and treat people well, we must always put God first. This means that if there's a law that says that we must do something that goes against what we think God wants us to do, we shouldn't obey because His teachings come first.

Somewhere it says to respect the laws of the land. I can't remember where. But at the same time, we're supposed to love and obey him.

Basically we're supposed to be good people on earth too, but the whole idea if to put God before EVERYTHING. And the fact that we're all sinners and make mistakes (not walking a lady accross the road), is obviously wrong. But like you said, if we don't do it on purpose and repent, at the end of the day, it's all fresh and crispy.

You're not alone. I've asked these questions myself. When you o to church there's a lot of things they don't cover, you're questions are very practical and deserve answers. Unfortunately, any answer you get will be based on a person's beliefs and experiences and personal opinions. This was mine.

Answer 3

An excellent question, Selnyk.

And it gets worse. According to Christianity, there is no reason why nonbelievers should do -any- good at all, since the mere fact they do not believe means they share a cell with Hitler.

Seems God only cares about being worshipped, not in doing good.

Review my questions from last weekend where I asked Christians about the fate of Hitler and Gandhi. Be prepared for some surprising answers (seems Hitler could have gone to Heaven while the Jews he massacred are doomed for Hell).

Answer 4

You people need to read the question. He asked WHY is it like this? And I agree, it makes no sense.

Hitler goes to heaven, Gandhi goes to hell. I challenged God on this a long time ago. He told me that I shouldn't believe everything I read. So that's what I'll say to our good asker here..

"You shouldn't believe everything you read." In other words, believing in God is not more important than good works in getting ahead in the afterlife. I got the answer from God himself, which overrules everything, including the Bible. Feel better now? I'm even going against his wishes a little by writing this, because I'm not supposed to be telling you people all this stuff because it messes with your ability to hear God.

So I'll add this little disclaimer to make it somewhat OK. We're all supposed to believe what we want to. I urge you to not believe what I say simply because I am saying it. I do urge you to believe in what you feel is right regardless of what anyone else, or any book tells you what you should feel.

Answer 5

Sin, the knowledge of doing wrong or doing something wrong in ignorance brings death. I have lied in my life and cursed and cheated and envied and coveted and made someone else cry, among other things, that's sin, I deserve damnation. The Bible says that all of us have sinned. People: don't be deceived into believing that you are a good person. We all do sinful things, but we didn't know sin until we knew between wrong and right and still did wrong so no one on this Earth or who has ever been in this Earth could have gone to heaven based on righteousness without faith in Christ or faith in God (old testament people like Abraham). Our faith/belief on Christ, God's only begotten son, is the only way that we can receive righteousness. But that still does not release us from the duty of good will towards men.

Answer 6

Indeed when Cain and Abel were to sacrifice to God Abel brought the best lamb from his flock and it pleased God but Cain brought fruit and vegetables and God did not accept the sacrifice from Cain. And Abel was praised but Cain was mad. And God asked Cain why he was upset & Cain said unto the Father "Why did thou praise Abel and not me. I toil the ground all day long and Abel merley tends a flock of sheep all day." And the Father hath said unto Cain:"Thy brother Abel does more than attend sheep. He has to protect them from predators and keep careful watch over them. You Cain indeed toil the fields but you should try to offer more to me next time than fruit and vegetables." And Cain ended up killing his brother Abel out of jelasouy. My point here is good works alone do not count toward getting into Heaven. You must believe in God to secure your name is written in the book of life. God does not allow people into Heaven for good deeds only for even if you do not know it yourself you can still sin in fact you do still sin even while you do good deeds. Perhaps you told a lie or are too prideful. Pride is a serious sin whether you think that way or not.

Answer 7

It's how the most effective cults work. Blackmail. They say if you don't join their cult you won't go to heaven. It's how the cult grows relative to other cults that don't use blackmail. And it keeps the cults adherents self-satisfied, without an obligation to be that good. So it's "survival of the fittest" of a kind among cults. Sad but fortunately the world is seeing through it and growing out of it.

Answer 8

Because even the most righteous of man is as filthy rags in the eyes of man. The stain of sin forbids us from fellowshiping with the Most Holy.
Our works can not remove the stain of sin. It has to be done by a pure sacrifies.
That because the cost of sin is death or the seperation from God.
We are unable in our nature to be Holy as God is Holy.

Answer 9

The only way you will get to heaven is through Jesus Christ, if you don't repent and accept Jesus into your heart you're not getting into heaven no matter what kinda "works" you do here. I'll never understand why thats so hard to comprehend.

Answer 10

the pointis not in the comparing and figuring out who does what or which is which. The point is that GOD SAID you can't enter into the kingdom of heaven unless you are baptized/saved, believe in Him. So it is in the "commitment" that heaven becomes available to you. All religions have "commitment".