Christians say that if you do not believe in Jesus, you are going to hell- no questions asked. This presents a huge problem. People Cannot DECIDE what they believe in. A Christian cannot help it that they believe, and an atheist cannot help it that they don't believe. This is why it is IMPOSSIBLE to change someone's beliefs.
Whether or not you SAY or ACT like you believe in something does not mean you TRULY believe it.
As an atheist, I could start praying and going to church and doing all the things Christians want me to do to get into "heaven".... but that does NOT change how I truly feel in my heart. Don't Christians think that their God can tell how they REALLY feel deep down? Is it enough to just fake it? Of course not- the Bible says so!
With that in mind, Christians- does it even make sense that God would "create" non-believers in the first place? Appearently, they don't have a chance in heaven anyway!
2007-02-23 02:41:27 · 28 answers · asked by maggielynn 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Actually, religious beliefs are NOT a choice. I could open my mind to Christianity for the rest of my life and never truly believe in it.
There are TONS of things I would LOVE to believe in! For example- that when I die I get to be reincarnated, that would be awesome! However, as much as I would like to believe this- I still don't. Same as Christianity.
2007-02-23 02:57:22 · update #1
An excellent question. First though lets put some "urban legends" to bed. ALL Christians do not say you are going to hell if you do not believe in Jesus. That is a position of radical right or fundamentalist church as well as some minor beliefs.
A Christian (if they have been saved, they are saved) or an atheist can change their mind. Faith, belief, whatever you choose to call it, is something that grows over time.
God has a plan for everyone...but alas, he did not tell me what it is, lol. But, I do believe there are plans in the works for giving people more than one chance to choose God and heaven...even in the very end. psst
2007-02-23 02:50:41 · answer #1 · answered by Just My Two Cents 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God is our only judge and He is the only one that knows what is in a person's heart. If some Christians are saying that you go to hell for non belief, they are WRONG. Iam a Christian and that teaching is entirely WRONG. Only God knows, that and the individual person. God allows you the choice of which path in life you take. The path to life everlasting or the path to eternal death. If you as an atheist just decided to believe and pray just because it would be wrong and God would see that you truly dont mean it. Faking it gets you nowhere but more lost. Everyone has the chance at heaven, believers as well as non believers. Only God knows whats in your heart.
2007-02-23 10:51:26 · answer #2 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, your question is completely backward. God does not send anyone to hell. That is like blaming the lifeboat because you decided to stick with the Titanic.
An atheist believes what he believes by choice. There is a huge amount of evidence to prove that there is a God. However, when you decide to pick and choose your evidence, you have basically made up your mind already. You speak as if it some sort of genetic thing.
Now, you are very off if you think that going to church and acting like a Christian makes you a Christian. If you don't believe, you ain't. All you are fooling is yourself. You are correct that God knows how you really feel. He is also able to convince you that He exists if you ask Him. But if you do not care, and do not ask, He will leave you to your own decision. God will not interrupt your free will to choose.
Jesus said, "Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you." But you need to ask, you need to seek, and you need to knock FIRST.
2007-02-23 10:46:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course He knows what we think deep down, but God is love and when you love someone you overlook these things right? Most people deep down are struggling to do what's right and that's what matters to Him. Also, once you believe and accept Jesus you're saved already.
Of course you might think "sure, I'm saved so I can go on throwing havoc and destruction in the world because I'm saved." That's not the case though, because if one truly accepts Jesus we subconsciously try to do good.
I get what you mean by being "plastic" and all, but God knows we have our doubts. Religion is such a mystery that a person would have doubts and God understands that. But just try to see God's love and not His wrath then stuff will clear up eventually.:)
2007-02-23 11:03:59 · answer #4 · answered by Ness 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally I think your deluding yourself. First of all everyone can help what they believe. What do you mean by "...they can't..."? You have made a choice to not believe, so accept it. I believe that if you truly seek God with an open mind, you'll find Him. You were not "created a non-believer", again you chose that course. God created all of us equal, with the same choices. Don't blame God for making poor choices. The only "thing" you have to do to get into heaven is accept that Jesus died for your sins, in other words... accept a free gift and spend the rest of your days thanking God that he gives you the oppurtunity to go to Heaven. I don't know what's in store for the non-believer, but serperation from God would be the ultimate "hell" for me. Reconsider your choices, God is there, you just haven't truly sought Him out.
2007-02-23 10:49:14 · answer #5 · answered by Scott B 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well you should try to believe it is not impossible to change someones mind about a topic. Try living like a Christian and ask God to help you in a time of need and see what happens put all faith in him and once he fixes your situation you will have no choice but to believe. But if your are an atheist it is pretty much written in the bible that if you don't believe in him that you are going to hell. God did not create non believers but you chose not to believe he gives us free will to do what we please whether it is right or wrong.
2007-02-23 10:50:26 · answer #6 · answered by Knowitall 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually, People can decide what they believe in. That is the freedom God gave us upon birth. He would like us to look to Him for comfort and advice and look to His Word, however, there are people that do not. That is their choice. You can help what you believe in..if you choose to consider all the sources and ideas around you.
You are right just going through the motions does not make you something. You have to truly believe in what you are doing. Everyone has a chance to be in heaven. As I said in the beginning, God allows us the freedom to choose. He would like all of us to be believers in Him. But He will not force us, He wants us to coming willingly and in good spirit to Him. God does know what we feel, think, want and desire. However sometimes what we desire is not what is good for us and though we may ask Him in prayer for these desires, it is not granted to us, He will give us what we need and it may take time for us to realize it.
2007-02-23 10:57:20 · answer #7 · answered by jillann1204 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't entirely agree with you. Whereas you cannot force yourself to believe in anything you don't, you can open your mind to options. Some people spend the majority of their lives following one religion and then switch, why? Because, at some point, they allowed themselves to look into other options. And found those options better for them. Many people do not allow for other ideas and ideals. In this way, they are deciding and making a discernable choice.
It is NOT impossible to change someone's beliefs. It is impossible to MAKE someone listen to altenate options if they don't want to. There's a difference. Have you ever believed wholeheartedly in something, only to discuss it with someone who completely changed your perspective? This happens all the time. Again, this happened because you were willing to listen and what they said, made sense to you.
I'm not christian. And I don't believe in hell or heaven or God. However, your logic to me, is still flawed here.
2007-02-23 10:48:32 · answer #8 · answered by froggypjs 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What a person believes is a choice that person made. God gave all humans free will-He has a plan for each and every person born- but it is up to each person to accept or reject that plan. God didn't create non-believers, but He will not force His will on anyone. It is the choice each person makes for themselves. He stands at the door and knocks, but you have to open the door to let Him in. He won't break it down and force His way in.
2007-02-23 10:57:38 · answer #9 · answered by Country girl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes God knows how you truly feel, and what you truly believe that is why there are a lot of so called saved Christian who will join the Atheist in Hell. And I am hate to tell you this but if you don't turn to Jesus and repent of your sins then you will be spending eternity in Hell.
If you want to talk further I would be glad to. Just send me an email.
I'll be praying for you and your salvation.
2007-02-23 10:51:17 · answer #10 · answered by Lacksnothing 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋