I do think that there may be God or a higher power, but I just don't get the whole damnation to hell or acceptance to heaven. I haven't read the Bible so I don't know that much about heaven/hell. But it seems to me that people shouldn't have to go to hell just because they're not a certain religion. How do they know to believe in that religion? How are they sure that's the right one? Like Christianity.. All you have to do is like, accept Jesus.. but who's to say that you shouldn't accept Muhammed too? There are lots of religious people like Buddhists and Muslims who are very good people, and I just don't see why they would have to suffer eternal damnation. It doesn't seem right to me. (And vice versa for other religions).
2007-03-26 18:36:28 · 23 answers · asked by regina 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
congrats for realizing all this.
2007-03-26 18:39:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Well all of these questions would very easily be answered if you DID read the Bible.
I do think that there may be God or a higher power, but I just don't get the whole damnation to hell or acceptance to heaven. I haven't read the Bible so I don't know that much about heaven/hell. But it seems to me that people shouldn't have to go to hell just because they're not a certain religion.
Well, it's not up to you. Humans are sinful, and deserve eternal damnation. God has provided a way out. Your natural condition is condemned.
How do they know to believe in that religion?
"For God has revealed himself. . ."
". . . that no man shall have excuse."
God has made Himself known to us (that's why you know that there's a "higher power"). God has placed an instinctual knowledge of Him in each person, but only you can decide to accept it or not.
How are they sure that's the right one? Like Christianity.. All you have to do is like, accept Jesus.. but who's to say that you shouldn't accept Muhammed too?
Again, that's God's call.
For one thing, all religions say that every other religion is wrong. If you shall accept Jesus, you therefore can't accept Mohammed. Jesus plainly stated that he was the Son of God, Mohammed said that he wasn't. How can you believe in both?
There are lots of religious people like Buddhists and Muslims who are very good people, and I just don't see why they would have to suffer eternal damnation. It doesn't seem right to me. (And vice versa for other religions).
Again, God's the boss. They don't "have to suffer". All you need to do is accept that Jesus was the Christ and ask him to forgive you for your sins. THAT'S IT! No one needs to suffer in hell, the pardon is free, you just need to take it.
2007-03-27 01:48:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christians do not and can not say that just because a person is not Christian makes them bad people. If judged only on deeds alone, many non christians are better people than some christians. Christians believe that a man called Jesus was born a little over two thousand years ago and that this man was the Son of the creator. No other religion makes this claim about their leader or their prophets. This man Jesus was observed and was known by thousands of people yet not one person has ever written anything or even passed down a story that made the statement that what we believe is not factual. Even the Jews themselves acknowledge his existance but not his diety (God). Yet Jesus claimed to be the very person their own prophecies foretold. (including the part about him being killed) The simple fact that there is not one shred of information anywhere that contradicts even one moment of Jesus life makes a pretty good case for the beliefs we have committed to.
2007-03-27 01:57:13 · answer #3 · answered by Poohcat1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find a copy of the Bible and read the second chapter of the book of Acts. Acts is the fifth book in the New Testament. Pay particular attention to those who received the Holy Spirit and what happened when they did. And then pay specific attention to verses 38 and 39 of chapter 2.
You will note that there is absolute proof when you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. We don't "accept" Jesus. Who are we to "accept" Him? That is not taught anywhere in the Bible. But you will find scripture after scripture that details proof of the power of the spirit in your life. Want something real from God? Read Acts 2 and see what you can have. Then read St. John 14 and see how He feels about you.
God is real. Receive the Holy Ghost and everything else falls into place. You won't have to worry about Heaven or Hell.
2007-03-27 01:50:14 · answer #4 · answered by AK 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you gather all the goodness of all humanity and place on
a balance. there is not enough goodness for one person to go to heaven. because the bible saids that there are no
good humans on this planet. we have all sinned and fall short
of the glory of God. Jesuschris never intended for the bible
to become a religious book. Jesus never told eneone follow
a certain religion or make a religion no..... he said ..repent
for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.... he does saids
be baptized be born again be congragated he said
i am the way the life and the resurrection...we must repent
and live a holy life in order to enter the kingdom of heaven
other wise there is a lake of fire. waiting
humans are just a creation not sons of God
in order to inherit the kindom you must be adopted=Gal4:4
please read john 1:12 gal 4:4
2007-03-27 02:27:45 · answer #5 · answered by jwlio008 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure what the question is...But I,like you, believe in a higher power. I am not sure of the heaven and hell thing just because it really makes no sense. I think that if there were one true God that he would appear to people in a way that would be familiar to them. Something that they would not fear and therefore he would be different to different cultures. I know the bible thumpers out there will have a field day with this one. I am a member of The Universal Life Ministries. Are core beliefs are basicallt to treat others as you would like to be treated. We believe that others have the right to believe what they want to believe and that all religions are equal.
2007-03-27 01:44:15 · answer #6 · answered by calired67 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Faith is quite a concept. It requires believing in something without seeing it. To believe in Christianity, or more exactly, in Jesus as the living Savior, requires Faith that Jesus existed and rose from the dead after being executed by the Jewish authorities. Yes, the Romans ruled, but the Pontiaus Governer found Him innocent of any crimes, it was the Jewish religious leaders that found much contempt about Christ. They convinced the ruler to let a convict go in order to crucify Jesus.
As far as which religion to pick? That is why God made us with free will. We can pick and choose to what fits our lifestyle all we want, but the truth is what God told people from day one, don't do this, or this will happen. As long as you are here on earth, no decision is a bad one as far as which religion to pick from. When Christ returns to earth is when you should panic, especially if you are not among those people taken to heaven.
A good point I have heard was "what about American Indians who had their own beliefs?" I'm not sure, I'm not full of answers about that but I would pray for all races, religions, countries so that they at least have a chance at hearing about Jesus.
BTW, if you hear about Jesus, then my job is done. I try not to argue with atheists about anything, my job is letting people know about Jesus.
2007-03-27 01:49:22 · answer #7 · answered by kaliroadrager 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
alot of those other religions have parts of the Bible mixed into them like Islam. And alot of religions were put in place because of the hatred towards the Bible. People who follow the Bible are told what will happen if you do not believe, so just because you dont believe in the Bible doesn't mean what is say isn't true. People have never died and come back, so no one has seen what will happen. What people chose to believe is what they believe, only in the end will an unbeliever know what will happen. But by faith the believer knows what will happens before it does, according to the Bible.
2007-03-27 01:43:15 · answer #8 · answered by A Gabbi 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The reason you don't believe in heaven or hell is because you don't want to. The idea that you have to choose one way, the idea that not everyone wins. That's scary. You don't want to think that maybe some of your friends or even you wouldn't get into heaven. You live in a fluffy world where everyone is right and happy, and nobody has to have anything bad happen to them. It's not like that. Do you want to find out the hard way, or be over prepared?
2007-03-27 01:42:35 · answer #9 · answered by DREADS 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
iany religeon that tells you that you will burn in hell just because you dont fallow thier rules is bogus crap. I dont know how you were raised as far as religious instillment at a early age,but any true version of modern christianity,is not that cut &dry .I am by far no saint but I have great faith in my lord &savior. If you want to read some bible thats easy to relate to get a version of the new world bible. Its writen in modern text &lingo easy to fallow. I believe you will find the answer you seek. Good luck on your quest for enlightment. you will find your way only because you seek it. kiloman
2007-03-27 01:56:03 · answer #10 · answered by the kilo man 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree. The only thing I disagree with is how we define "god." What exactly does that mean? Another way to express what you are saying, and saying it very well I might add, is that I find it troubling that good people, who by their own lights, can't believe in some stern paternal image of a creator, should be condemned to eternal suffering, according to some beliefs. Those beliefs, in my rational opinion, are sinister and despicable. In the big picture, when all is said and done, life goes on, and we evolve, and we learn. The universe is becoming self-aware through our eyes and thoughts, and this is an amazing thing. Would only that our thoughts are worthy of the phenomenon. Instead we conjure up sky fairies with a taste for vengeance. What a load of crap, to put it nicely.
2007-03-27 01:44:46 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋