Isn't there a fundamental injustice in the Christian view of the afterlife?

Question

I have been taught all my life that "It is through your faith not your works that you will be judged". If this is true, this means that fundamentally good, moral people are sent to hell. Why would a just god perform such an unjust action on the vast bulk of the human population?

Sorry, just to clear up, I am an atheist. I am just curious about the philosophical implications of the question.

I see many people are asking how is it an injustice. I guess from some standpoints it isn't. that's why I am asking. But from what many of you are telling me, you are basically born with a strike against you. What is the point of eternal torment?

Answer 1

There are many different forms of Christian faith. You were taught one interpretation of Christianity with a harsh, judgmental view of the afterlife. It's a human teaching. You don't have to accept it. You're free to listen to your heart, and to read the Scriptures with your own mind.

MOST Christians -- it's the official teaching of the Catholic Church and the mainline Protestant churches -- believe that anyone can be saved. A lot of Christians have believed that EVERYONE will be saved (they're called Universalists). Be the kind of Christian your conscience tells you to be.

Answer 2

1) If you look at it from a justice, (originally Judaic) point of view, not necessarily. Both Christians and Jews believe God is just and loving.

2) Even those people who are moral and good have faults and failings, no matter what they claim. There is no "perfect" person on earth. The only one who can claim that title is "Jesus Christ"

3) Mankind being rewarded for his deeds - good or bad? What is unjust about that? That is one of the basic views of both the Christian and Jewish beliefs of the afterlife. This is because Christianity was an outgrowth of Judaism. Most people don't realize that Jesus Christ was Jewish.

4) Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Love your neighbor as yourself...What is unfair about these basic views of Christianity and Judaism???

5) Why did the "vast bulk of the human population" get washed away in a big flood in Noah's time? Do we see a pattern here????

And you really think this world's current population are largely good, moral people. Under what rock have you been hiding lately?

Answer 3

You have a fundamental misconception of the way things are.
First God created man to be his friends.

Second no one wants a friend who does not want to be your friend.

Third after one decides He wants to be Gods friend they get rewarded by getting a home in god's neighborhood.

Fourth. Those who choose not to live with God have been told in advance that the other available neighborhoods are pretty much ghettos. My guess is they are ghettos because the ones who live there are not too bright and can not think far enough ahead to maintain the plumbing in case there is a fire. Not smart enough to avoid spilling toxic flammable waste which runs off into pools which then catch on fire. Further the others in that neighborhood are not likely to be ones who would share, many of them would be sociopaths, and what you might expect but might not have been alerted to is that the inhabitants are continually harangued over the phone to purchase un needed products they can not even hold in their hand, and every single time they go for entertainment they will have bombarded by advertisements.

Remember that every one is invited to the party. How is that injustice?? Its not like the entrance fee is exorbitant

Answer 4

yes, that is a hangup for many isn't it...
Jesus Christ is the way to Salvation, through His grace.
I know it is quite a heavy concept.
That is why lately I have been asking all these questions about.."do you think we are here to learn and get as many chances as it takes to get it right?"...or like, "what if we are SPIRITUAL CREATURES( which I believe we are, just in the flesh for now", and this is all just like a SPIRITUAL DREAM experience...or something on those lines..."
I have Believed in Jesus most all of my life though. and I believe that He gave up His life freely to pay the penalty for all sins.
But then too I have wondered ,"how an all loving GOD could condemn the souls of those who are ULTIMATELY a part of HIM, considering we all come from GOD.
Yeah, it is tough.
You are right, there are many good people, and yet Christianity says or teaches that SALVATION ONLY COMES FROM BELIEVING IN THE MESSIAH...
There are a lot of myths and ideas, many believe all RELIGIONS are just man made.
I was brought up in the Catholic faith, and later I chose CHRISTIANITY.
I suppose they are about the same.
I do not know how to answer your question.
I do agree with you, good people should be allowed to go to Heaven.
But then I was not there when GOD laid the foundation of the earth, and created the heavens, Universe..etc.
The devil, Lucifer, chose to go against God and so there has been a spiritual battle ever since.
hard to understand all the RULES...
One GOD, one way into heaven, through Jesus Christ...
FATHER, SON AND HOLYGHOST equals ONE.
The Holy TRINITY...
All the answers will be given to us later, but we really need them now.
Then again you could always pray/ ask for WISDOM and read the BIBLE, for all the answers are supposed to lie within...
But not everyone believes that...
It all comes down to FAITH, and LOVING GOD I suppose.
DJ

Answer 5

I like the way you put that question "a just God".
He is just, that is why people end up in hell. It has nothing to do with their good works, it is their sin that is the problem.

In this world if you commit a crime and the sentence is jail, you go to jail for the crime. There are many good people who have done alot of good in their lives and are living in our prisons today. It was their crime that put them there.

God has a sentence for those who die and insist on paying for their own sin. The sentence is the same for all, it is eternal hell. On the up side, He provided a way out through His Son Jesus Christ. By trusting Him as your Savior from sin, you can escape the penalty for your own sin. This world will not let someone else take your place in prison, but God let Jesus take your place in suffering for your sin. He died on the cross out of His Love for you. Yes, He is a just God and He is also a merciful, loving, forgiving and graceful God. He loves you and wants to spend all eternity with you.

Answer 6

In life, the best rule is the golden rule and that is "do unto others as they would do unto you". We all know that what goes around, comes around. If you read the Lord's prayer, you will remember that it quotes "on earth as it is in heaven". We can all make our own heaven or hell on earth. God knows what we feel in our hearts and a lack of faith is sometimes normal in hard times. Why do you think he is called the forgiving Lord? How many people do you know who go to church every week and then treat others badly? If you know that you're a good person, God already knows it as well as you do. You will be as happy on earth as it will be in heaven.

Answer 7

Whoo! Good thing Gods I don't believe in have no influence over me. I'll never say a god doesn't exist, as long as it has one follower. But I don't believe a God someone does not follow can have influence over that person.

Why can't some people just leave others alone and understand that each person's path is the correct path for that person?

Answer 8

you most likely r only going to ignore anything I might say so cut the futility short and go on to the comments that support your lame question your ego needs all the help it can get with what's on your plate....ask for a pat on the back elsewhere ....
Peace out and enjoy life it's real!
ps if you r an atheist then why investigate false premises the faithful will lend a deaf ear 99% of the time anyway...

Answer 9

I have faith that god will take care of me even if I don't know what the truth is because there are too many sounding gongs.

Isn't the stipulation of a person accepting jesus as savior saying that faith alone won't do it?

Answer 10

There are a lot of religions that believe you stand a chance at heaven by the amount of works they do . T hey actually keep an accounting of their hours doing good deeds. This is very prideful. Only your faith in him pleases God. Not works.