As I get older...the whole heaven/hell thing sounds a bit fairy-tailish. Why do I feel like this?

Question

I was raised in a Christian home. I strayed once before...and lived a destructive lifestyle for a while...and I felt that God is the reason why I was able to get my life back on track. But now....I don't know...I'm not saying that God is not real...but the whole "be good and you go to heaven...or if you're bad you will go to hell" thing sounds like something to tell kids so they won't do anything wrong. Does anyone understand how I feel?

Answer 1

It's called a reality check sweetheart.

Answer 2

Because as you grew up do did bad or naughty things and you were never punished for it, at times you may even have been rewarded for it. On the other hand when you did good or nice things you got nothing, at times not even a simple "thank you" or "good job". So suddenly you develop the feeling that you get more from doing bad things and get less for good things. Suddenly your asking, why should I do good things when I don't get anything for it, not even recognition. Plus the fact that you see all the evil around you that are left unpunished. This therefore leads to the feeling that maybe heaven and hell were just made up.

I think a lot of people develop this mentality and feeling. And i think it's normal. Only thing I can advice is, maybe we can look at it this way: When we do bad things we harm ourselves and others, but when we do good things, though we don't get rewards and recognitions for it we don't hurt others and ourselves. Therefore live a good life, because at the end of the day it feels and it is better to say that though you got little for it you lived a good life.

Answer 3

God, more than anyone, understands how you feel. He did not teach this in the Bible. He teaches that the earth was made for man and man for the earth and the meek will inherit the earth and they will live forever upon it. While it is true that a very few people have been bought from the earth to reign as kings and priests with Christ, most of us will get the earthly paradise that God intended for those who are willing to listen and obey. As far as hell, read Jeremiah 7:31 and you will see how God feels about burning children alive in fire. He is loving and forgiving and while he will not tolerate wickedness forever, he will not practice wickedness himself either. Perhaps you need to find a religion that agrees with the Bible rather than teaching fairy tales.

Answer 4

Yup..know zactly what you're saying. I was raised in a Christian environment as well. You are getting older, becoming more mature. You are beginning to question your reality and your place on this planet.
I walked away from Christianity because of all the hypocrisy I saw going on in the lives of church-goers. I also left because of all the fear and guilt that was being pushed onto me. No matter what you do, you will always be a sinner and not worthy of the glory of heaven. Bah! I didn't need that. And the whole "devil made me do it" thing...sounds like people didn't want to take the responsibility of their own actions and mistakes so they create a scape-goat. It's Satan's fault I slept with my neighbor's wife! It's Satan's fault that I gambled the family paycheck away this week! I would see these people go out and literally commit some of these "sins" each and every week and be hell-raisers. Then, come Sunday, they put on their finery and smile and pat each other on the back and act like their halo was shinier than their neighbor's. Made me sick!

Answer 5

Yes, i think as a child, children see things as either black or white- right or wrong, i think as you get older you realize there are a lot of gray areas. For example, divorce is prohibited in some faiths, but would it be wrong if a spouse had to get a divorce to get away from an abusive husband or wife. Especially now there is a lot of discrimination against homosexuality- especially in christianity, does a gay person who spent their whole life doing good to others and being a person, deserve hell? i don't think so. I think hell was invented by man, to control the masses to conform to certain societal ideas.
Like the saying, if God wanted us to be the same, why did he make us all different? If everyone is God's children, why would he throw them in "fiery pit"? As a mother, no matter what my children do, i would always love them no matter what-i would never abandon them just because they are different or make different choices in life. No loving parent would ever throw their kid in a "fiery pit" so why would God?

Answer 6

Mostly the church in America has cooled down, compromised and is getting more politically correct. This is the opposite of being on fire, sold out and in revival. When the people seek God and pray and revival comes, miracles happen and people get saved and some rededicate their lives to God. When you are in a service like that, you will never doubt God, Jesus, Heaven, and all the bible tells us. I would say look for a church that is a live and experiencing a move of God. There are some out there, but its not the norm.

Answer 7

Take this with a grain of salt , but it really seems like you don't understand Christianity at all. Jesus died for you because you can't save yourself. If you think you can get to heaven by being good than why did Jesus die on the cross. You may have believed in the existence of God but it seems like you don't have a relationship with Him. That's why it seems like a fairy tale to you. There's is a difference between agreeing with doctrine and actually having Christ in your life. blessings.

Answer 8

what you are feeling is a totally natural thing. we all question what we cant see, in sometime in our lives. just because u cant see it, doesnt mean it isnt there. we cant see the wind, but we do see the things it moves. heaven and hell, God and the devil, its the same result. you must look in your heart and see God. there is know proof or disproof of God, only faith. majority of all religions have writings of a heaven and hell. even people who believe in reincarnation say there is a end to there on going cycle. maybe its not a heaven, but it is a destination. so sweetie, this is your quest to maybe find your faith. life can be horrible, cruel... God doesnt do these things to us, we do and well sometimes sh** happens :). IT isnt a fairytale like, santa claus, easter bunny, or the toothfairy.
i hope this helped, maybe a lil. there is nothing wrong in a lil faith.

Answer 9

i do, ive always questioned the whole heaven and hell thing. im not saying dont stray from your path, but its good to question things and idea's. im not a religious person, im far from that. but i believe if god is up there somewhere, he or she will understand that you want to think about the wrongs and the rights god wont stop you from that.

Answer 10

Now that you are getting older (your words, not mine), could it be that you are sensing mortality, and just want to deny the whole heaven/hell issue due to your own guilt?

But the telltale problem really is that you are not a Christian.
good = heaven / bad = he|| ???
What's up with that?
Those are NOT the criteria for gaining either heaven or he||.
Forgiveness is available, but belief is required.
Ask. Jesus can supply you with faith.

Answer 11

I understand well enough. But to doubt is the beginning of wisdom. Every theory, before being used, and even during use, should be tested in the most severe way possible, for only a theory that survives such tests can be considered reliable enough to be useful. No religion can survive ANY such test.