Why should I suffer even though I'm a good person?

Question

I am an atheist. I have never done anything wrong in my life, but a Christian friend of mine told me that I will burn in hell. None of that bothers me at all, because I know that one day she will open her eyes and see the real world, but I have a question for the Christians: Hypothetically, if there is God and judgement and all that, why should I go to hell just for being an atheist? That seems cruel and unfair.

Many people have answered that I will go to hell because I haven't accepted Jesus or Christianity: consider a child in some isolated area, like an African village that missionaries had never visited. Never having heard of God, Jesus or Christianity, would that child suffer and be punished? Also, I consider myslef a somewhat blank slate: Unlike many people, religion was never placed in my head when I was young. I asked the Christian friend that I mentioned earlier this question: You say that Jesus is the only way to salvation. Then that guy is telling me the Judaism is the only way, and then that woman is telling me that Mormonism is the only way to be welcomed in God's graces. As a blank slate, how am I supposed to know who to believe? And would I burn in hell if I made the wrong choice? This question stumped my friend. Do you guys have any answers?

Answer 1

You are an atheist and are therefore not burdened by the power trips of people who have created a god to punish those who do not do as these people tell them. Enjoy life, be the best person you can and try not to harm anything.

Answer 2

As an answer to your "added details" on those who never hear of God: While some Christians would say that those who never hear the Gospel would go to heaven, there are many who would say the exact opposite. However, we believe that our Heavenly Father deals with each individual in a just and compassionate manner. He understands every heart completely, and we have confidence in saying that we can trust God to remain true to His character as He deals with the eternal destiny of each of us. The second thought we'd like to share is that all of humanity, even those who haven't heard the Gospel, can see evidence of God's existence by simply looking at the amazing works of His hands. Romans 1:19-20 tells us this: "...that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power, and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." Both of these thoughts seem important as we try to gain insight on the issue of salvation for those who, through no fault of their own, have never had an opportunity to receive Jesus as their personal Savior.

Answer 3

if you have a test on monday and you have all week to study. and you decide not to and get an f. is it fair. If your an athiest. why do you believ in heaven. Anyways God gave you freee will. you have millions of choices. being good will not get you to heaven. as you are well aware. why should i be poor. i did not choose to be poor. i did not get to choose my parnets. or be half as smart as everyone else. or be ugly. life is not fair. but you got to make the best with what you have,what i am saying is this if you are worried that there might be a little chance you will go to hell and there is a god when you die. Why not try and find god, and be saved. and recieve all the good blessings god has instore for you. why not give it a try to be better. to be holy and strive to be great. lay your riches in heaven. where no thiefs. or moths will steal or destroy it. and will it will last forever

Answer 4

Your right and I am a Christian and was raised one. Christian = Christ Like and Christ NEVER EVER threatened anyone with burning in hell, EVER! Not ONCE, yet that's all Christians seem to do these days. Weird. WWJD? Not that! Be a real Christian and Live your LIFE BY EXAMPLE!

However, the Bible uses 4 words in its original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek scriptures and those words are Tartarus, Hades, Sheol and Gehenna, not ONE of these denotes a burning hell. Not one. The Christian idea of a burning hell was borrowed to frighten poor ignorant peasants who knew no better and kept them in line with Church Doctrine.

Yet another reason for the term "dark ages."

Answer 5

Your friend is wrong. Hell is a Christian after-life. Only Christians, the ones who are 'bad' or failed Christ, go to Hell. They try to say that I'll go to Hell for being a pagan, but I have my own after-lives that have nothing to do with their Middle Eastern death cult. They cannot rule your fate if you do not let them. Have a firm belief in what you expect to happen after death and that is what you will experience. She is using the Threat of Divine Punishment to try to convert you. Converting others is what Christianity is all about. They are a cult and are intent upon global conquest. Have you ever read about the teachings of the Buddha? He is no god and only moron actually worship Him. His teachings have wisdom on how a person can improve themselves and Buddha himself, raised Hindu, doubted that any gods existed. Tell you friend that she cannot be your friend if she continues to threaten you. What kind of friend is that? If there is a mystical quality to the human existance, could only a single belief system be the only group to have the One True Path? It's gibberish and don't let these fanatic cultists get you down. All faiths and paths, or none, are valid and 'true'.

Answer 6

Do you ask seeking Truth? Or do you ask to start a debate? No one in this world is "good". We can try and do good things which is great, but our deeds are like "fifthly rags" in comparison to Jesus. Hopefully one day you do find Truth before you have no choice, "Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess, Jesus Christ is Lord".

The Son of God won't return until everyone has had the chance to give their life to God. Little babies, children that can't comprehend what and who God is won't be held accountable. God says you have no reason to not believe. Look around you. The beautiful plants, trees, waterfalls, even nature gives God praise when we won't. Everything points up. Even if you couldn't speak he hears the groanings of your heart.

If you diligently seek the Truth, you'll definitely find it.

Answer 7

You are breaking the 1st commandment by denying his existence as well as trying to teach other people to do likewise. Atheists like you are a cancer in gods eyes to creation because you work against the will of God, which is to see everyone saved.

You may think youre good by the worlds standards; listening to your parents, paying your taxes, not torturing or mudering anyone. If everyone were judged by your standards most people would be rewarded int he afterlife. However, God has a different set of standards and he is in control, not you. Some verses to ponder....

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God -Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 6:23

You have said harsh things against me," says the LORD.
"Yet you ask, 'What have we said against you?'

"You have said, 'It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape. -Malachi 3:13

Its amazing how something written thousnads of years ago can still refute any argument.

Answer 8

the God is a loveing father, and if your father told you that robbing a bank was wrong but you did it anyway, would he not punish you, BECAUSE he is a good and loveing father. More logic points to the science of theology that the science of mainstreamism (made up word, I know) Now if you were to convert and ask for forgiveness, than all would be foregiven, or had you not known that it was wrong all would be forgiven. However your friend will also be held acountable as it is her Job to convert you.

I pray that someday you will "open " your "eyes and see the real world"

Answer 9

In your further details you included Mormonism as saying that is the only way to get in God's graces. This is not a precise teaching of the Church. You may get near to God on this path, but no one gets condemned if they have a different belief.

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

Answer 10

Your Christian friend is at a point of where she is, you are at a point of where you are, certainly the God of us all, will not punish us for the good to which we do. After all, the first martyrs of Christ where not considered Christa ins then, and certainly all those that came and have gone before Christ where not Christians, like, Abram, Jacob, Issac, David, Solomon, Daniel, and on and on.

Having said this, you will most likely have to come to terms with your belief or non belief, and that is the only punishment I can see you inflicting upon yourself.