So rapists and murders can go to heaven if they repent?

Question

Never MIND the fact that they've broken one of the ten commandments or commited a horrible crime, no, so long as they repented, 'all is right in the eyes of god'

But a person who does good, donates to charity, helps out the homeless and orphans yet just so HAPPENS to be an atheist, goes to HELL?

HOW is that fair? Don't tell me 'only god knows'. You can speak for god about everything else, such as sin and homosexuality yet you can speak for him when it comes to something like this?

THAT is one of the main reasons why the christian religion sickens me. Because it's full of hypocrisy.

One person does evil and sin all their life but repent like two hours before they die, and get into heaven, yet an atheist does good all their life yet goes to hell because they 'don't believe in god'.

Nevermind that the killer/rapist caused many people pain and misery. No, instead you all focus on the person who doesn't believe in god.

So, I ask you, how can I believe in a god, in a religion, that is so full of hatred and scorn?

I know its not everybody or every church. And maybe I am being a ***** about this. But these are my beliefs. I don't hate all christians, just the religion. I don't care what they do, so long as they don't go around pushing their beliefs down my throat.

I just had a bad week, and a horrible day, concerning a christian and this debate here. So I'm sorry if I offend anyone, but this is how I feel.

Answer 1

Well said! I can't stand the hypocrisy of the christian religion either.


Spartan Warrior - Obviously you don't understand "the point to this question thou" When did she say SHE was the one choosing?! She said your god was the one! Do us all a favor and don't push your religion on others, you only show your ignorance.

Answer 2

"So rapists and murders can go to heaven if they repent?"
If they repent to God. (He knows if they are faking it.) So yes.

"Never MIND the fact that they've broken one of the ten commandments or commited a horrible crime, no, so long as they repented, 'all is right in the eyes of god'"
We all break the Ten commandments daily. ALL of us. It's inportant to get that part. ( ;

"But a person who does good, donates to charity, helps out the homeless and orphans yet just so HAPPENS to be an atheist, goes to HELL? "
Be cause the person is relying on their works to get into heaven. They think that they are 'good enough' and none of us are. Jesus provided the 'covering' for sins. Without accepting Him, God wont accept us.

"HOW is that fair? "
If fairness was applied, we'd all be dead or in Hell. What god did was to give us a chance. We are down here stinking up the earth and He is patient until He gets as many of us that He wants. So it's not about 'fairness', it's about whether to trust Him or not.

"Don't tell me 'only god knows'."
Only God knows some things. But so far I knew the answers and didn't have to write that.

"You can speak for god about everything else, such as sin and homosexuality yet you can speak for him when it comes to something like this?"
It sounds to me that you don't really spend much time in the Bible. So I could turn that around on you and say, "You'll listen to what I have to say and you wont read it from the source I get it from? By the way, I'm Bisexual.

"THAT is one of the main reasons why the christian religion sickens me. Because it's full of hypocrisy. "
Yeah well, point to anyone in the world and you are pointing at someone who's been hypocritical. You and I have to talk. You sound like someone who's only spoken to the Fundies.

"One person does evil and sin all their life but repent like two hours before they die, and get into heaven, yet an atheist does good all their life yet goes to hell because they 'don't believe in god'. "
I don't know if I've ever met anyone that has done a "Deathbed Conversion." It sounds interesting though. Why do you have a problem with that? How did it affect you? And Atheists don't have anything to worry about, right? Hmmm?

"Nevermind that the killer/rapist caused many people pain and misery. No, instead you all focus on the person who doesn't believe in god."
If you read Matthew 5, we are all murderers. All we have to do is really hate someone, and we are guilty of murder. I am guilty of murder therefore, because I have hated. That's why we shouldn't look at ourselves as being more than someone else.

Did that clear anything up for you, I hope?

Answer 3

Bit of a long post, I beg your indulgence.

That's exactly the way it works. Jesus even had a parable for it (the workers in the vineyard, Matt 20:1-16 if you're the Bible reading type). No one ever said that God was fair.

The atheist has chosen to turn away from God, so when they die they go to the one place that is completely without God's presence (Biblically 'hell' is just void of God. The lakes of fire and flesh-ripping demons with pitchforks were added later to make it scarier). They decided to have nothing to do with God and he let's us make that choice. (Which I think is terrible enough, hence why I am happy to answer atheists' questions in my 'low-key' form of ministry)

It's not 'fair' but God is merciful, willing to forgive the horrible and reprehensible if asked (It does require a repentance, you can't just mouth the words. It's not a magic spell.) It is said specifically in the Bible that earthly good is something we should all strive for and do, but it is not what grants us access into heaven. The killer/rapist will still have to answer to God for his crimes (which will not be a comfortable process) and still has to face the earthly consequences of his crime (which is why I think it is ridiculous to commute a sentence because of an inmate's conversion).

I don't think this is hypocritical at all. In my mind it is very consistent. I don't think it is fair, but 'fair' is largely a matter of perspective. What looks unfair to us may look different when viewed from another perspective.

Historically this is an issue that even Christians have struggled with. All sorts of things have been tacked on to theology to make it 'fair.' Everything from 'well I have been a good person and they haven't so their heaven isn't going to be as good' to a ranking system within heaven (okay, if you've committed ten sins or less you get to sit in the front row. Anyone who's committed murder you get to spend eternity next to heaven's paper mill) to the concept of Purgatory where we all spend a time proportionate to our earthly sins. None of this stuff is found in the Bible (even though it does have that attractive quality of 'fair.')

Anyway, a bit of a long post like I said, but there's my $0.02. Hope it helps.

EDIT
It's okay, we all have bad days and everyone just needs to let their inner a**hole out once in a while. If this is the worst you do when you're in a mood than that's okay with me. I completely understand.

Answer 4

I don't think you're being a ***** about it at all. I happen to agree completely! I've never understood how one can say that God is Loving, JUST, Merciful, etc.... yet would send someone who is actually a good person to hell simply for not believing in him. Talk about Egotistic! And oddly enough, their God is VERY VERY human in ALL aspects. To me, a "God" would be above such petty things as revenge, hatred to the point that he would want to torment someone for eternity. "God" would also be above wanting or needing Worship, Praise, etc.... If someone is Perfect they don't have Needs and Wants.... that's part of being Perfect.

Excellent point! You're right, they do often speak for God and it's usually when they have no authority to do so. Quoting the Bible is still THEM choosing the verses... not God. It is still their opinion that those verses fit the person they are speaking to.... which is a lot of BS. And most know it, but they still play that game in hopes of finding someone who will give them that kind of authority over them. Sometimes I think these people worship their own Ego and then tell others it's God.

Answer 5

That is how the cookie crumbles with the Christian belief system. It is positioned as a good thing though. You should get responses that state that Sin is Sin and seeing as we are all sinners we require the blood of Jesus to enter heaven.

I have a problem with this as it means that one's life on earth has little to no meaning other than striving for heaven. Striving for Grace alone would cause anarchy.

Answer 6

A Person that Dontates to Charity, and is overall a Good person Will be admitted into Heaven...
God Knows all, and he knows if you are a good person and if you TRULY feel sorry for what you have done.
God will not forgive those who do not feel sorry for what they have done.
If you still do good things and help others God will help you out and EVENTUALLY allow you into Heaven.
Everyone will get what they deserve by God, whether it be now or on The Judgement Day...

Answer 7

Why are you so angry, little one? Let's sit down and reason together. The Ten Commandments were the Law. No man could ever keep them all. Jesus came to fulfill the Law, and by placing our faith in Him and Him alone, to save us, we can be forgiven of anything. Charity work, kindness, even church attendance are just that....."good works," but neither of them will get us to Heaven. The Bible states that all our good works are as "filthy rags" before a Holy God. When we come to Him, through the spotless blood of Jesus, we are made righteous and acceptable. God no longer then sees even our blackest sins, ones like rape and murder; He sees His Son who has paid for them...saving our lives and our very souls from the judgment we deserve. We, as frail human beings with limited knowledge, like to categorize sin, and of course, when we do, we all feel better, knowing we would never murder or rape. God, however, sees sin as sin, and that is just what it is. We'll never be "good" enough to enter Heaven on our own merit. Only placing our faith in the finished work of Jesus on the Cross makes us clean and acceptable and Heaven bound. The Ten Commandments are wonderful guidelines for living: Who likes a liar? Who likes a thief? Isn't it wise to honor your parents? And so on, but the key to Heaven is Christ Jesus.

Answer 8

Only if they are sincere in their seeking forgiveness from not only the Lord but also the victim (family) and repentance and to turn from sin and then to accept the Lord as their Savior. We are not judged on our sins we are judged on our fruits(works) committing a crime such as that as murder would not be good fruits. Only God knows whats in ones heart. I dont believe in death bed repentance, one has their whole life to change if waiting til death it may be to late. There is no hypocrisy in Christianity. You have the choice to follow God or not. You have the choice of how you will lead your life and you have the choice of which path you take. The path to God or the path away from God. He forces no one to follow Him, He leaves that all up to you.

Answer 9

I understand your anger. Just ignore the people that upset you this way. I believe in God personally. But you also have a right to your opinions and beliefs and I have no right to tell you how to feel even if I disagree with you on God.

Answer 10

I understand your frustration. This is a question that I have had myself but really it isn't up to me to judge anyone. I am not the one to make the rules. Only God can decide who goes to heaven or hell. I know that is not the answer you are looking for but unfortunately it just is.