Read this answer, this is exactly why I dislike the Christian view, will you agree?

Question

I asked:

"Isn't it cool to think that we have the ability to believe in whatever we want for our after-life or paradise?"

this was the Christian answer:


"Wrong. wrong. wrong.

It ain't speculation. Jesus Christ rose from the dead. There is an empty grave outside the city walls of Jerusalem. He is alive. He alone conquered death and He alone can show us the way to God.

You might enjoy your private fantasy and having your own personal belief about an after-life but when you die, you will stand before the throne of god and give an account of the deeds done in this life. Only those who have come into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ will be granted eternal life.

so I wouldn't daydream too much.....

god bless"

Answer 1

Very preachy, very condescending, very judgmental. And s/he thinks because it ends with "god bless" they are being "Christ like". I don't think Jesus would approve of that answer.

Answer 2

Yes, it's frustrating. Some people are so hauty about God and religion - it really drives a lot of folks away. It's so archaic and doom and gloom and capitalized pronouns like Him and He.

I believe in evolution and skeptical of the immaculate conception scenario without which Christianity doesn't hold much water. From a spiritual aspect, I believe Jesus was a great teacher and he's probably rolling over in his unmarked grave hearing all the crap that these fanatics have done in his name. Jesus spoke of love and people like the one that responded to your question are only promoting exclusion. And what's that "God Bless" at the end? A little sarcasm?

I do hope we go to our own version of the afterlife because I don't want to get stuck with these uptight bible thumpers for all eternity. I don't want clouds and harps, I want bottomless margaritas with my grandma and fishing with my grandpa. I've been a good girl, I do good deeds every day, why can't I have that?

Answer 3

Fundamentalism is a danger to any form of religion. Christian fundamentalists believe in a literal interpretation of the Old and New Testament. Some people believe that Jesus was simply an amazingly compassionate man, a wonderfully in-tuned mystic who saw all of life as a divine blessing. If you read the Thomas Gospel -- which is unrecognized by the Church -- you will be introduced to a man who employed poetic/metaphorical language to help individuals overcome a selfish mode of living and the only way to do that was to sacrifice yourself for the love of others. That's the true way to salvation. He willing sacrificed his life, not to erase man's sins, but to make us realize that we must not live egotistical, selfish lives. We need to open up to others with compassion, and maybe more importantly today, to understanding as well.

Answer 4

I personally liked the answer also...

I guess we could sugar coat it in such a way that...

"Well, it's ok if you believe that. Have a nice afterlife." - This is essentially what every non-Christian tells us [as Christians] to do.

Or we could do what we are commanded to do, which in this instance is to tell of the experiences we have had which brought us to a belief in Christ and to proclaim the gospel message. Maybe some of us can do it with a little more cander, or a little less agressiveness.

Our alternative we can simply agree with you, which in all honesty we can't do. By acknowledging and accepting that you are willing to accept whatever outcome you think happens in eternity would in our minds be condeming you.

Please understand that is why we are so emphatic about getting the message across. In hindsight, an Atheist on the other hand continually tells us that we are wrong and they are right. Their point though is to lift themselves up knowing that they have all the answers. Our concern is out of love; their concern is out of pride and ego.

Answer 5

Sorry if the truth hurts, but that is the way it is in the Bible. You don't get to pick what you think things will be like when it tells you what you have to do and how it will be. The person who sent you that message is correct. Tell me, would you rather know the truth and live by it and have everalsting life, or would you rather live by your own fantasy and end up in hell for eternity? I feel the person who sent you that should be a blessing to you for showing you the truth. Here is a website to tell you more if you will take a look at it.

http://www.jesus-is-savior.com

Answer 6

Not all Christians would have answered you that way. Let me put it this way. If you needed a doctor, and you ask the 5 year old who is playing doctor for an aswer to your problem what type of answer do you think you will get? If you ask a Medical Student what answer do you think you will get? And if you ask a Doctor will years of training and experience, what answer will you get then? Don't judge the religion by its youngest (in the faith) followers.

Answer 7

The person is honestly telling you what they believe. Perhaps the little "god bless" at the end was a bit over the top...me, I would have said, "I will pray that your eyes be opened, and that you might recieve the gift of eternal life"....

Answer 8

Bless those dear little Christians. You and I both know that what we believe in this world will have no bearing on our entry into the next. God (if you believe in him/her/it) will judge us on our actions towards others, not on any set of beliefs we might hold.

The afterlife is one thing, but I believe that paradise (heaven) is quite separate and is to be found in this life in this particular incarnation.

Answer 9

I presentlybelieve the two of you are talking about two different things. Technically speaking; one can believe whatever they want to. (Example; I can believe I am a better basketball player than Michael Jordon in his 'hey days').
That does not make it a reality if I play him one on one (for now; for sake of discussion). I think that is what the answerer was getting at with the response.

Answer 10

Well the answer wasn't to the question you asked, that's for sure. Your question was regarding the human ability of free will. The person's answer was about the unknown aftermath of dying. I don't see how the two are related.

Blessed Be.

Answer 11

Yeah, i agree with the Christian, if you dont give ur life to God or Jesus, (both) then u will go to hell and spend eternity there. Get saved and then you can dream about heaven, paradise, the perfect place, better than ANY mind can imagine.

"...For no eye has seen, no ear as heard, no mind has imagined what God has in store for those who love Him." i can't remember where in Corinthians it says that, but its true.