Question for Christians: Would you martyr yourself to hell to save another?

Question

It seems fairly standard among christians to believe in some alternate after-death concept of eternal torture as punishment for something or other....

... But here is an interesting question, and it does depend ENTIRELY on what you believe constitutes a hell-worthy crime and what doesn't.... and its ENTIRELY THEORETICAL....

But if someone you cared for was essentially going to go to hell when they died.... and the only way you could save them was to take their place and go to hell yourself....

.... Would you do it?

... Really?

[And I don't want any dimwitted responses involving saving them AND yourself, or claiming that the situation isn't valid. I've already said its theoretical and thus in assumption of circumstances that make it valid. Its a simple question: Would you or wouldn't you... and perhaps why?]

Note to funnana: It might have escaped your notice... but if Jesus was supposed to be god then he clearly isn't suffering for all eternity in hell.... so no... he definitely didn't do it for you.

... Yeah... hypothetical... thats the word I meant to use... *slaps his forehead*.

Incidentally... those who insisted on being difficult when posting despite my warning are getting reported for not giving an answer. ^_^

Answer 1

The Apostle Paul said in the Bible that he would, but I honestly have never thought that one through.
Romans 9:3 "For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,"

Answer 2

What do they all mean, "the question is not valid?" It's clearly spelled out for the ignorant, but unfortunately this kind of question confuses them because there is no answer in the Bible for it. Of course a Christian should give up their life in heaven and 'swap' with someone who is going to hell - therefore saving them. This is what Christians are supposed to do, isn't it, rather than take the pompous high-ground? But what the answers enforce is that Christians are utterly focused on heaven - it seems to be the main reason they spend their lives worshipping a God who does nothing practical here on earth. (Apart from taking credit for all the good stuff). If it wasn't for heaven, there would be no Christianity - and THAT is why no Christian would give up their place for ANYONE else, whether that person was going to hell or any other mythical place.
But wow, great question!

Answer 3

I am a Christian and I do believe in hell but my perspective may be different from everyone else. I truly believe we are living in hell... so would I stay behind for an eternity, and allow someone who has chosen the wrong path, or someone who has chose not to believe in the name Jesus..... I would have to endure the suffering, I think the opportunity to give a non-believer or a sinner the chance to know it would have been worth it to walk the straight and narrow would be worth it because I know if it was God's will and that was the only way I could truly say I saved a soul, pleasing God would be more important.

Answer 4

Wow that’s a tough one........but I’m certain I would not do it even though I consider myself a serious Catholic Christian. In the real world though, I hope I'd have to courage to sacrifice myself for someone else. To be a martyr like Jesus is truly the most glorious and noble of things you can do with the gift of life. Sometimes I pray to have the strength to be a martyr if God ever calls me, but I’m sure not even the Saints themselves would likely take someone's place in hell for them. Hell is Hell, to imagine the real suffering there, no one can grasp. Even all the understandings in the world about the pains of Hell are worth almost nothing. Thankfully God isn’t cruel, and He doesn’t send people to Hell just because they are not Catholic or were ignorant. People that go to Hell, really do deserve that eternal separation from God.

Answer 5

You are right sir, this is a valid question that requires a decent answer so I will answer it because I am a Christian and I have pondered it much because although it has not "happened" yet, it still may.

Imagine you standing at the "Gates" and your loved one is about to be cast into everlasting Hell. You say to St Peter, "Yo , Pete, whats up?" And he sayet onto you," Cut the C**p, son, this person was a secret rapist, a child molester extraordinary, a swindler and responsible for countless acts of deprivation that you know nil about."

Do you still offer to take their place? The moral is that each is responsible for their own salvation and if someone is cavalier about their salvation, then that is their own business.

Remember also, that in the good book, it does say that ONLY the evil will be cast into Hell. So if your loved one is being cast in, there will be no mistake in the records.

Answer 6

I don't think it can be done.

God doesn't barter.

God's word is final.

What you CAN do is martyr yourself in Hell along with someone else they isn't allowed into heaven.

God will NOT let you give up your seat.

GOD made the choices.

Here is the way I view it as working, based on the Bible, but put into REAL WORLD TERMS.

Nuclear war happens.

There are shelters and you go there with your family and get tested.

You have to have BELOW a level of 666 REMs to get inside, otherwise you are not admited.

You have 500 REMS, you wife and kids have over 700 each.

666 is the LEVEL at which a person dies from radiation sickeness.

YOu can't say, I'LL STAY, let them in.

They will tell you, THEY ARE TOO HOT, the can't come in.

SO all you can do is STAY outside with them, even though you are under the limit.

God has critera. You can tell God till you are blue in the face what a Good Jew or Perfect Christains you are, but if you are NOT in the BOOK of Life you don't get in!

YOu can't say, I'll give my seat up for him. It don't work like that. You CAN give your seat up, but NO ONE ELSE will fill it!

Answer 7

The short answer is no and I say that as someone with no interest in religion at all although interested that in the 21st Century religion, it is still as divisive as it is a unifying force in the world. I have a much refined code of personal responsibility that makes even theoretical consideration of paying the price for someone else's badly lived life a non-starter.

Answer 8

Okay, (attempting HARD to suspend reality in order to answer the question)...let's say that (as a Christian) I loved someone VERY much and that I would be willing to exchange paths with them.

The very BASIS of Christianity is the salvation of the eternal soul by accepting Jesus, Son of God and Savior.

1) I do NOT believe that God would allow a saved soul to enter hell. But, for the sake of your question, let's say the saved soul DID go to hell. That person would still know the love and mercy of God. That being the case, I don't believe that "hell" would be hell for him/her, as hell is the separation between souls and God. So, no matter where the saved soul ends up, it's still heaven.

2) I don't believe that trading places would matter at all for the other person (who didn't accept salvation). Can an UNSAVED soul be in heaven...and what would it be like? My answer would have to be that it would not be heaven (to them) even if they were there because they still would not know the love and mercy of God. So, no matter WHERE they ended up, it would still be "hell" for them.

Hmm. So, after thinking about it, I'd have to say that, willing or not, it wouldn't really make any difference.

Good question, tho.

Answer 9

Hi,
The bases of Christianity is that we cannot save ourselves without the creator/God/Jesus that is.
so......the question AS A CHRISTIAN-would not be possible(the square/circle thing) not the same.
**However since you asked...the bible even directly speaks of "such thing" IF...IT WERE POSSIBLE.
GOD DECLARES IT IS NOT, through Paul(wrote 1/2 the new testament)
He wanted to be accursed from the Lord for his fellow people(Jewish nation) but HE COULD NOT TAKE THEIR PLACE.
**CHRIST/ianty = freewill. 100%
That is to say reject or accept and live by the way the truth and the life. (good stuff ya know) not wickedness etc REVELATION 21:8 is a good place to reference tonight.
**anyways, take care. You are on the right tract of at least asking.
cya. -LIVE4TRUTH=]

Answer 10

Nope! I can't suffer forever for some ones actions! It would be like if someone in a gym class didn't follow directions and the teacher made everyone run 7 laps because of the dood that didn't follow directions! I wouldn't be fair!