Do you honestly feel that if someone does not find god, or trust what a bunch of christians say, they should be tortured for the rest of eternity? Is that what you feel is right in your heart?
Please do not answer with anything other than your opinion. I dont want to hear a bible quote, or how great god is or anything like that. I am asking a specific question; looking for a specific answer. Please show me you are normal enough to address a question with an actual answer.
2006-10-22 14:17:55 · 32 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
it is not my opinion that matters, I am not hard hearted or uncaring,
if i had a choice none would suffer,
God gave Adam and eve a choice, he is also giving you a choice, but do not chose out of fear, chose life because you want life instead of death.
let us quit concentrating on hell and start concentrating on heaven instead.
I never became a christian for fear of hell, i became a christian because of the love of God and his son Jesus.
2006-10-22 14:30:36 · answer #1 · answered by Hannah's Grandpa 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋
First, I think it is a good question.
Remember that Christians believe the Bible to be an authority, so it is normal we take our answers from the Scriptures.
As far as torture for eternity, Christians have varying views about hell. the descriptions are taken mainly from visions with symbolic language. It has been said though that the reality is always greater than the symbol Frankly, I do not know what to think about Hell - I just leave that to God's justice. Everybody deserves it whatever it is, and any of us who do not go, it is entirely by the grace of God, not because anyone is good enough or smart enough.
Now that might not be "an actual answer", but I'm afraid it's the best I can do for you.
It has nothing to do with "trustingwhat a bunch of Christians say" though. It has to do with believing what God says.
2006-10-22 14:25:02 · answer #2 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I do not believe that such a person deserves to be tortured for the rest of eternity. The problem is, is that there is a big misconception about a 'big bad god' who cannot wait to toss nonbelievers into the torture chamber- this is not the case.
First of all, everyone will have the opportunity to accept the truth, and I believe that the truth will be made clear to each and every person. Unfortunately, for some people, there is such a strong, rebellious and unteachable attitude that no matter how clear the truth is, they will still not receive it. The torture is not a torture imposed upon them by God, but god is a gentleman and will force no one- when His presence, His love, and His grace is not received and the doors are no longer opened, that person will live torture they have imposed upon themselves.
In simplest terms
It would be as if it was freezing cold outside my house, and I called for you to ocme in, but you did not trust that I had a warm fire or that I would be able to take care of you any better than your meager little coat- maybe you are angry at me and just refuse to come in out of pride, whatever the reason, you refuse to receive the comfort offered to you. At some point I am going to have to close the door and it is possible it wont be opened again- I dont want you to have to suffer the cold, but the misery you would suffer as a result of not coming in would be because of the choice you made- not because I devised that suffering for you.
Hell and eternal damnation were not devised for us, but some will suffer it because pride, anger, hate, etc will drive them to refuse the refuge God has prepared for us.
2006-10-22 14:37:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi.
You ask a question that bothers me to the core. I am a Christian and have been a very devoted one for a very long time. I've mellowed considerably over the years. I was once very zealous and way too quick to preach a "turn or burn" theology. I must confess that I struggle with the issue you bring up. I struggle deeply with it. In fact, I've come to doubt that aspect of my faith anymore- the eternal "torture" part of it.
Here's how I've come to view "hell". I ask the question "will there ever be justice for all of the horrific crimes committed by mankind- all of the selfish hording, betrayal, hurt, violence, etc.???" The answer to that will determine whether or not you believe there will be justice served someday in eternity. It's hard to imagine a God who is not just and fair (because we have an instinctive quest for justice). It's also hard not to imagine a God who is not kind, merciful and compassionate (because we ourselves value those traits- I guess you can see that I do believe we ARE created in the image of our maker).
So, the whole eternal justice thing is something to think about. There is an awesome Christian musician named Randy Stonehill. He's actually really cool. He wrote a song called "Can Hell Burn Hot Enough?" In the song he speaks of the incredible inequities and inhumaine cruelties found throughout the world. And asks the question found in the song title. So, the questions are: Is there a God who created everything we see? Is He (She, It, Whatever) a God of justice and fairness? God has given us free will obviously. We've abused it obviously, some horrifically so. Will there be justice?
Love, joy and peace,
Hesed
2006-10-22 14:41:29 · answer #4 · answered by Hesed 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If what you are asking is "is it fair?" then by man's standards - no. how can a christian answer this question without quoting a verse, otherwise i would be giving you my opinion and not backing it up with anything, everyone has an opinion about everything, that does not make it truth. God's ways are higher then our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts (sorry had to throw a verse in) so if we know God has a plan but rebel against that plan simply because we don't think it's "fair" the problem lies with us, not God. Think of it like this: if you make a clay pot and spend time lovingly making it just right but in the firing a small imperfection arises and you destroy it, we think that is ok, its your freaking pot and you can do whatever the hell you want to with it. It's the same way with God. He created the universe and it's up to Him to decide what elements of His creation shall live on forever with Him, or live forever without Him. If a spouse goes a'whoring and rejects you how would you feel? You have a choice, forgive or reject that person in return. God has forgiven only those who meet His conditions in the form of His Son Jesus Christ. If you reject Him, He will reject you. Simple as that.
2006-10-22 14:36:40 · answer #5 · answered by prismcat38 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Here's what I think. If an individual does not live a life pleasing to God, then they are basically not prepared to experience an eternity with God. I once read a question where an atheist jokingly said he thought he would get bored living in heaven for an eternity. Without knowing it, he really answered your question. By living a life unpleasing to God you are basically telling Him that you are not interested in having a relationship with Him. Remember, a person CHOICE as to there eternal destiny is exactly that -- the PERSON'S choice. God is just responding to the choice you have made to not accept Him nor seek a realtionship with Him.
2006-10-22 14:24:53 · answer #6 · answered by yagman 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Eternity issues have nothing to do with what I think or feel, they have all to do with who God is. He is the Supreme Creator, and has wisdom alot higher than ours. He has made things this way and He is fair. He has reasons for everything that He does, and we don't always know what they are. I trust Him, and I know this is right because of who He is, not what I think or feel.
If you're really searching for an answer to this one, this would be a good time for you to ask God, why not? I ask Him about all kinds of things.
2006-10-22 14:28:56 · answer #7 · answered by trainer53 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If God is love then why would he want you to be tortured for the rest of eternity? This is not what God represents at all and is what the religions have stated in order to frighten people into believing in their way of worship.
2006-10-22 15:46:11 · answer #8 · answered by stasha_duricic2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe everyone of us deserves to be tortured for eternity because of our sin. However, because of God's grace and mercy, we each have the opportunity to escape that fate simply by putting our trust in Christ.
And the whole bit on that fiery hell thing, I 100% believe in that and actually do understand what the Bible says, a. b/c it blatently says "a lake of fire," and b. because I have done an in-depth study on Revelation. It's some REALLLLLLY scary stuff in my opinion...
2006-10-22 14:31:46 · answer #9 · answered by Courtney B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The state of "hell" is a state of mind, apart from God. To each their own. If they don't believe they can be with God, they most likely will just be stuck in a dream state where no God exists, wandering aimlessly, alone for eternity. Christians have a mindset that helps them understand that when they die, Jesus is the door through which they can cross over into the spiritual oneness of God.
2006-10-22 14:22:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
God is love, he is not going to torture anybody. If you do not accept Jesus as your savior and do God's will you will just be put out of existence. Would you punish your child by putting their hand in a fire for wrong doing?, of course not and neither would God as he is far more loving than we could ever be as imperfect humans. People who believe in a fiery hell to punish people make God look wicked and unjust. They really do not understand what the Bible teaches.
2006-10-22 14:26:10 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋