One of those Christianity questions?

Question

Why are so many Christian vs Atheism debates so focused on what will happen to us after we die? Like "when you die and don't go to heaven then u will know god iz real. lol". Is that really why you are Christian? Because you're afraid of going to hell? It seems alot of people say they have Faith but it's more of a "just-in-case" kind of thing. I would think that learning our lesson in THIS life and THIS place is a bit more important than what happens later. Everybody, Christian or not, can do that.

bring on the stupid answers and scriptures quotes

WOW.. these are some really good answers so far. You guys rock, I was expecting alot more people to miss the point of the question.

Thanks for all the thoughtful answers, guys. To those of you who took this question as a personal attack or call for spiritual guidance: Congratulations, you missed the point.
I can't really pick a best answer, there were quite a few good ones. I'll leave it open for voting... hopefully one of the good ones wins.

Answer 1

I think an eteranl life is more important than one which averages 71.4 years.

Blessings
David

Answer 2

Well, what happens after we die is certainly an important part of Christianity - after all, it is eternity.

But there are really two main concepts behind Christianity (Protestantism, I assume)

1. First, when we read the bible, the ten commandments, and many of the rules thad God has set out for people to follow, we realize that we are sinners, and according to the bible we deserve to go to hell for that. Most of us have sinned an innumerable amount of times, and you'll have a hard time finding anyone who would deny that they were a sinner, based on the bible.

2. Secondly, after realizing that we deserve to go to such a horrible place for our sins, it's natural to become frightened. And then, low and behold, we discover that God, the creator of our world, loved us so terribly much that he sent his one and only son, Jesus, completely free of sin, to die on the cross. Jesus paid the price for our sins by essentially taking our place on the cross. Because of that, we needn't go to hell, but rather we can spend eternity in heaven. ("No eye has seen, nor mind comprehended what I have prepared for those who love me").

Imagine you're sitting on death row. The moment before they strap you into the electric chair, someone comes running up and takes your place, letting you off scott free. Would you not be eternally grateful to that person?

That's what Jesus has done for us, and should leave no doubt as to why we love Jesus as we do.

The Christianity vs. Atheism 'debates' often center around this topic because it's what atheists most often try to disagree with. They will often say that there is no heaven or hell, or when we die we just decompose. You can't understand Christianity if you don't even believe in a person's eternal soul.

Answer 3

Well lets see.

I could say simply the key to this is "man"

The experience of being human is a lesson in one. Only those with greatness and the complete desire for the truth will learn what "it" is that they are seeking for.

Remember everything is the way it should be, for if it were not the law would fail the truth, and that is something we need to know.

You can not do bad things and expect no result. Likewise the good.

Answer 4

I'm with you on this one. It seems to me like whether you believe in Heaven or not, or even if you just don't know...or even if you think you just die and decompose and that's it... it should be that what we do in this life matters, because either a) we are judged on it b) we're not sure what happens/maybe we get reincarnated based upon how we led this life or c) we just die and we don't get another chance.

I was just laughing towards the end of the book "Lion of Ireland," because in it, the Norsemen are very devoted to Thor, but when the Irish start to win against them, many of them wear Thor's hammer as well as a cross, just in case--and they even say that's why!

Answer 5

i dont have ne fancy smancy scriptures 2 attack u with.
i agree with u. im a christian & i think it's wrong 2 just b a christian out of fear. i think that if u decide 2 blv in God one must not do it just because ur afraid of going 2 hell.
the question is: if there was NOTHING after we die. no heaven&no hell then would u still believe & love God?
i think that's the way 2 really tell if som1's a christian or not. people who just believe out of fear is not a real christian.

Answer 6

Well, probably because this life is short compared to the eternal one. But the discussion should never end there, because this life IS very important, as you have correctly mentioned.

My question is, how can one truthfully be an athiest, because who can REALLY say that he has enough facts to prove his case? A truthful person would have to be rather, an agnostic; just admitting that they "do not know". That would be far more honest.

Answer 7

Personally, I refrain from talking about hell unless someone else brings it up. You're right, this life is more important...a person should come to Christ out of a love for God, with a heart of service and not because of some fear of hell. Though in reality, I think the "fire & brimstone" preachers are the vocal minority.

Answer 8

If eternal life is the sole reason for being a Christian the best thing to do is to save the person and put him to death immediately. But this not God's plan for salvation. Yes God wants to give us eternal life after we die but while we live God wants us to express His character and His power through our lives to help and minister to others to live better lives and make this world a better place because we are around. When people enjoy the goodness of God impacting their lives through us they will gladly come to accept Jesus as their Savior. The challenge for Christians in this life is to demonstrate the reality, love and power of God to this dying world. God saves us to be like Him to touch and transforms lives, our own and others!

Answer 9

The prospect of death awaits us all - it is a common denominator that everyone can identify with - so to bring it to someone's attention, that they, too, are going to die and face the judgment of God - can be a very good way to, hopefully, stir their hearts towards God.

The bible also teaches, though, that what we do with these bodies of ours, what deeds we do, etc is very important- it actually influences our eternity. so dealing with THIS life and THIS place is very important to every Christian - it has eternal consequences!

But, no, we do not serve God because of the possibility of hell - which , of course, is indeed a real place of torment for those who deny Him. We serve Him because we love Him.

If someone is doing it just as "life insurance", then they do not understand the message at all - the message of faith, of love, of sacrifice, of devotion, etc. A "life insurance" type Christianity is inherently weak and shows immaturity if not ignorance.

god bless!!

Answer 10

Very very good point. There are some good Christians indeed, who act as Jesus preached, and they do it 'cause they believe that's the purpose of life and are not focused on the heavenly reward. However there are also many, too many Christians, who don't act like Jesus preached, yet go to church, talk big, accuse non-Christians of being doomed, and call themselves Christians only for that 'just-in-case' thing. Quite opportunistic, isn't it? I believe that our purpose in life is to be good, help and respect other people, about the so-called after-life? I couldn't care less: I just need to be able to face myself in the mirror knowing that I hurt noone at the end of my every day, in THIS life. Peace.

Answer 11

I am not a Christian out of fear, and I never became one out of fear. I became a Christian because I was confronted with Truth.

The thing is, when you become a born again Christian, you begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of the only living God.

I walk with Him everyday, all day. I do not know how I could have lived my life without Him for so long, as He becomes strong in my weakness. He gives me peace and joy and strength my friend, and this kind only is given when you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

I am so pleased I will be going to heaven one day, but I am not a Christian solely for that purpose. I live to woship and walk with my Lord Jesus Christ.