What if an atheist is a good person who helps humanity and tries to be better as a human being everyday But he does not follow the laws imposed by God such as the first commandment etc... For he does not believe in GOD obviously, would he go to hell even though he is a good person? If so, do you think that is fair?
2007-01-23 17:48:57 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
First of all, no Christian has the right to judge who is going to hell. That is the domain of God.
I think the bigger issue is the question of what is really "good?" I mean, we know that ALL people have issues and imperfections. And, we know that an atheist can do good deeds. And many atheists do. But the difference between Christianity and "religion" is that Christians don't believe that doing "good" can save us. Life isn't about racking up bonus points by doing good deeds. Good deeds are simply done because they're the right thing to do, and not to earn tickets to heaven.
Christians are NOT saved by doing good, and an atheist wouldn't be either. The purpose of life is to seek God, and from that we will do good deeds. But seeking God is the main point. To miss God is to miss the point, even if good deeds are done along the way.
Besides, the number of actual, true atheists in human history is very low. Personally, I am skeptical by nature, but it's almost inconceivable to think that there is no "God" in this universe. It doesn't make sense, logically, or scientifically. So I have sought God, and found him through Christ. I can't impose that on anyone, but I'd ask you, or anyone, to consider if atheism really makes sense.
Does it make sense that we have self-awareness and intelligence, but no other being greater than us does? Does it make sense that a universe with no higher power could accidentally create beings with intelligence and creative ability?
When you think about DNA- how each cell has a little instruction booklet, telling it what to do... it's hard not to believe in God. I could go on...
Anyway take care, and thanks for the thoughtful question.
2007-01-23 18:03:24 · answer #1 · answered by generalchris7 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
We do not go to heaven by being "good". I am sure there are many atheists that are good people, some may be even more of an example than Christians in cases, but the moral standard is not how we match up compared to other people; it is how we match up to God, and all of us fail that miserably and thus all need salvation. Everyone from Hitler to Martin Luther King needs salvation just as much as you and I.
I think hell is not a place of torture or whatever, it is a place of emptiness, and there will be different degrees of emptiness. For example people who do very evil things will feel the most empty and in personal anguish, but people who did some good things but just chose not to find atonement will feel less emptiness in some degree maybe.
In heaven though, we are all equal, the only distinction is that some of us may have given more glory to God while others perhaps just were saved at the last moment, but all receive the same paradise.
Concerning whether or not it is fair......... Well if it was not the way I believe it is, then there is absolutely no need for God or salvation, and we could get into heaven just by being good - good compared to who, I don't know. Would the moral standard be Hitler or would it be Mother Teresa? Thats why only Grace can save. We all deserve hell - period, but God has given us a way out so that we may be sanctified and receive the blessings, joy, and salvation that come with it.
Pause and reflect.
2007-01-23 18:05:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
yes of course he would go to hell. because no one is saved because of his own good deeds. All human whether atheist or not are born in sin let me illustrate no one tells a baby to lie when you ask it if it had mud but it would readily shake its head saying no. no one need teach a small child to be jealous. so everyone is born a sinner and there is only one way out of ones sin through the shedding of blood. And Jesus Christ Sacrificed himself on the cross shedding his blood that all sinner may be saved . He did not come for Christians but for sinners like me.
As for whether it is far let me ask can there be a book without an author, and in the same way behind this intricate life is such a unmatched designer cause in each cell and chromosome there is so much structure and design. and behind every design there has to be designer. And if the Atheist doest not believe in the designer it is his way of a rebellion and rejection of the God plan of salvation for him so don't blame god blame the Atheist for his disbelief.
2007-01-23 18:31:04 · answer #3 · answered by fatherseyes_777 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
According to Catholic teaching, "Nor does Divine Providence deny the helps necessary for salvation to those who, without blame on their part, have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and with His grace strive to live a good life."
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html
2007-01-23 18:00:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Strangely, some Christians imagine that the situation you suggest is somehow "fair" or "just". Never mind that such a proclamation displays extreme conciet and egomania, or how it suggests that the proclaimer is far less interested in "justice" or "fairness" and more interested in ego-stroking. Not to mention the high levels of misanthropy that their faith insists upon.
The truth is, naturally, that NO ONE knows what--if anything--happens after death. Anyone who says otherwise is either selling something or trying to scare you.
2007-01-23 18:01:16 · answer #5 · answered by Scott M 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
This question is intended to prove that God is evil because he sends good people to hell, isn't it?
(Yah, you can't fool me!)
What will you do when you find out that God actually does exist but Hell does not? You won't because you'll be dead. It will be too late for you because you used flawed logic to teach yourself to hate God and avoid him and his gift of eternity.
Personally, I think anyone who turns away from an offer of eternity is a raving idiot. How can anyone be worse, unless they try to concoct a way to justify their turning away?
2007-01-23 18:01:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I just gave my time to answer your question you gave me a thumbs down with out reading it all. So I deleted it and here I am saying, I will not cast my pearls before swine. Sorry find another religion to hate. May you repent.
Yes YES YES your going to HELL is that what you wanted to hear?
Much better answer then what I had before ...right!
Enjoy!
2007-01-23 18:11:18 · answer #7 · answered by Mijoecha 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
In the end times this Atheist will be approached by two figures. Will he recognize Jesus Christ and choose the path to salvation? Or will he be tricked into following the lie? The choice is up to him.
2007-01-23 17:57:25 · answer #8 · answered by Darktania 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Okay, let's see, to begin with, there are no "good" people in the world.
Second, read the story of the "good Samaritan" in the Bible. You can do God's work whether you are saved or not. Take another example of Pharaoh and Moses. Pharaoh's heart was hardened by the Lord after he hardened his own heart. In effect, God was using him for an ultimate good work. Yet Pharaoh was not saved, he didn't make it to Heaven.
Third, you have probably broken all 10 commandments in your lifetime, not just the first four the Bible lists. (Note that if you hate someone, you have murdered them, book of Matthew). We all have broken them. So how can you claim to be a good person?
Fourth, really examine the word "fair." God's system IS fair, in fact it is the very definition of the word "fair."
One standard (Jesus Christ)
One Punishment (Eternal Damnation)
One Way out of it (Jesus Christ)
There are no "passes" or exceptions for race, color, gender, age, culture, etc. etc. Now that is FAIR, it's universally fair.
Fourth, I find it a little funny that an "atheist" would wonder if he is getting to Heaven or not by living a "good" life. I thought atheists didn't believe in Heaven. I hope you continue down this path of wondering and I hope it leads you to the Truth. God bless!
EDIT- lastly, I find it laughably sad that I received 5 "thumbs down" before I even posted the rest of my answer. People don't like to hear the truth, that there is no one good, no not one, for we have all fallen short. You may not like it, but it is the TRUTH. Please believe it, for your own sake.
2007-01-23 17:54:42 · answer #9 · answered by Last Ent Wife (RCIA) 7 · 3⤊ 7⤋
God isn't "fair" He's just. Nothing you and I can do can get us into heaven. I don't care what it is. The only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ. If you don't believe in Him, you won't be going. Sorry.
2007-01-23 17:58:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋