Do you really want to believe in a God that cruel? Isn't that very sadist?
Don't say there is no such thing as a good atheist. By all social norms, I am a good person. But for me, believing in God and the Bible/Koran/Torah is as impossible as to molest an innocent child. I can't respect and accept a faith that prescribes such ridiculous punishment for not believing, it is barbaric.
2006-10-23 11:54:52 · 17 answers · asked by Thou Shalt Not Think 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well said my friend. The Bible, Torah, and Qur'an are all full of barbarism. The God of the bible and Torah is attributed to hundreds of thousands, if not millions of murders in the holy texts of the Judeo-christian religions. Contrast this with the murders their Satan commits in the same books... Satan is only responsible for the murder of Job's family, and this is only with God's permission. Just read Leviticus to find out what barbaric acts the Bible condones and sometimes requests or even requires.
People will rationalize this by citing that these works were the result of bronze age man's beliefs and works... That we are more civilized now. Guess what, we're too civilized for the Bible. Many believe the Bible to be the word of God himself. Is this true? Or was it the work of man? I tend to believe the latter as i believe we are much too civilized and advanced for belief in God or any other superstition. It's time to get past our emotional hangup on this age old myth and start looking to reality to govern our daily lives.
2006-10-23 12:08:52 · answer #1 · answered by ChooseRealityPLEASE 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
God is not cruel. He is just. And HE says that, 'The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus the LORD. "There is NO other name given under heaven by which we must be saved."
God has already provided a way for you to escape damnation. Are you saying that it's not good enough?
A good person? By that, do you mean by human standards? If so, God's standard is much higher. The Bible says God's ways are higher than our ways and HIS thoughts are higher than our thoughts.
I can understand your reluctance to believe. But God says the way out of eternal punishment is believing in the saving work of Jesus on the cross. Is that really so hard? Or are you just letting pride get in the way?
2006-10-23 12:08:13 · answer #2 · answered by mikey 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Jesus spoke about the reality of hell more often than He did heaven. There are two ways to merit heaven. Keep the Ten Commandments perfectly, or be pardoned through Christ's atonement.
Even though you told me not to say it, none of us are "good." We are all deplorable in God's sight. And societal norms change with the passing wind. Here's an example: Thirty years ago, homosexuality was considered a perversion. Now it is applauded as an "alternative lifestyle." Therefore, you cannot use society as the norm. God's Word doesn't change, and it says,
"Not even one person is righteous. No one understands. No one searches for God. All have turned away. Together they have become worthless. No one shows kindness, not even one person! Their throats are open graves. With their tongues they practice deception. The venom of poisonous snakes is under their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood. Ruin and misery mark their ways. They have not learned the path to peace. There is no fear of God before their eyes." (Romans 3:10-18)
Since you cannot keep the Ten Commandments, the only way left is for Christ to save you. If you end up in hell, you must step over Christ's dead body to get there.
2006-10-23 12:03:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Why do you call them good? No one is good, but God alone.
No one zippo is good. Not even Christians are considered good . Its called grace, getting something that you do not deserve.
"There is no one righteous, no not one," Romans 3:23
I don't know why people can't see the love in God even letting us get to heaven because we merely believe and he having to DIE on a cross in order for that to happen. He would've have said you must follow the whole law of moses which I'm such none of us could do ...and its not like we can't help whether or not we believe.
2006-10-23 12:02:41 · answer #4 · answered by JumpingJoy 2 · 2⤊ 5⤋
They say Gandhi is in hell, and people like Hitler are in heaven because they repent. I could do a better job with admission to heaven than god. That is more proof that he does not exist.
2006-10-23 12:03:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
I am like you then, unable to believe in a god, and unable to accept that any god would punish me for a belief I neither chose to believe nor one I can change.
2006-10-23 12:02:27 · answer #6 · answered by reverenceofme 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
I don't believe that not believing will send a person to hell. But I believe that Atheists that actively try to prevent the faithful from practicing their faith are headed there. AND I'm sure that those that try to ban things like Christmas trees and Santa Claus, which have nothing to do with religion, are certainly headed in that direction because they are trying to spoil other people's fun, and I think that is a terrible sin.
2006-10-23 12:01:29 · answer #7 · answered by Yo it's Me 7 · 1⤊ 6⤋
I agree. That is barbaric. Thankfully the Bible doesn't teach about a fiery hell. That concept was borrowed from other faiths and has been around much longer than Christianity or the Muslim faith.
2006-10-23 11:59:18 · answer #8 · answered by Epitome_inc 4 · 2⤊ 5⤋
I do not believe eternal suffering is a just punishment for any crime. And neither do I believe using one's brain and refraining from believing unbelievable things is a crime.
2006-10-23 12:05:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
i agree with you. how can a just god forgive a man you tortured, raped and murdered a 3 year old child but wouldn't forgive me for not being sure he existed
also if that man can get into heaven why would you want to go there?
2006-10-23 11:59:50 · answer #10 · answered by staci m 4 · 5⤊ 2⤋