Are you sure about me going to Hell?

Question

I used to be a Christian. I haven't been for 5 1/2 years.

I smoke marijuana as a sacrament (and as legal medication, so don't report me!)

I use sage and other herbs to cleanse my spirit and my home

I believe animals are equal in status with humans. I do not think that animals were put on Earth for our use and consumption.

I have studied and accepted evolution.

I have studied and accepted the Big Bang, and the continuing expansion of the universe

I believe everything is really connected.

I sometimes cast "spells", though not of any harm

I believe the "primitive" religions were way more right on than the modern ones.

I am a pacifist.

I think gay people were born that way.

I am happily married.

Although I admire Jesus' teachings, I do not think he was the only "son of God". I think many people have acheived this great union with the divine, and we are all capable of it. Jesus' teachings are universal with those who have had this experience.

---So, hell for me, or what??

I'm told constantly that if I don't change my ways and accept Jesus into my life as my lord and savior and the only son of God (which I'm sorry, I just don't believe) that I will indeed go to hell.

Poseiden, I'm actually a pretty active stoner. You'd be suprised how much people get accomplished stoned.

Answer 1

Sounds like Native American spirituality to me. Hell is a place in the christian imagination.....

Answer 2

No - it's not Hell for you, as that time is not yet come.
To take a couple of your points:
Plants and their essences were put here by God for our "judicious" use.
Animals cannot be equal in status as they are not equal in perception or ability.
You do not cast spells: rather - you become a conduit for God's power by His will (not ever your own). And if these spells/miracles are not done in God's name, then you are getting the power from another source, and I would respectfully suggest that that is a problem.
Gay people were born that way, as are people of all sexual persuasions. If you are happily married (as I am too after many a painful struggle), that is because you have answered the call to chastity (no sex outside of marriage). Gay people should be held to the same standard. (I also do not kill - though the urge may strike. Does this mean I am being "untrue to my God-given nature?" BAH!!)
The Big Bang and species adaptation are very much true and real, and a part of God's plan. As a trained anthropologist, I have never had any reason to accept evolution as other than a theory (so far, no species has become another species, though all species have adapted to their environments - or died trying).
Your mind and ability to understand are human - be kind to yourself. You are not going to Hell, as God loves you too much to ever allow Himself to be separated from you. He will give you EVERY CHANCE right up to the end - even after your death. When Christ returns, whether you are alive or dead, He will find you and ask you again......
See you in Paradise!

Answer 3

Alot of conservative Christians are great at telling other people they're going to hell. I'm not going to join them, i think as many other people have stated that's up to God not people.

I am curious about your question. Faith in Christianity or any major religion is not about conformity to a certain set of values, i.e. you shouldn't feel like you have to throw out your individuality to beleive (although alot of people will tell you that). Nor is it about choosing what religion is right for you based on your own preconceived ideas as if you were shopping at a mall (i'll have a little paganism and throw in some of Jesus' trendier teachings and top it off with Wiccan spells).

Faith is about encountering Truth (God, Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, take your pick) and having it impact you so much that your life is changed. It's not that you HAVE TO conform - you just naturally do because you've found in that Truth something that's so valuable that you make room for it.

But remember as well that Truth is Truth. You can't bargain with truth or reason with it it's just Truth. We'll all find out what ultimate truth is one day and on that day, i beleive, we'll be judged more by the good we do than the things we beleive.

Answer 4

Let me say that we are no one to judge you, you will be judged fairly on the date in which the Lord has designated for you.
Let me correct some of your misconceptions.
Marijuana is not a sacrament, Sacraments are those things, actions, that fill our lives with the Grace of Jesus Christ.
And unless you are one of the twelve that can legally use Marijuana in the US, yes the whole US, then your use of it is illegal.
There is no such thing as spell casting, if you are a pacifist, that is an oxymoron and it can not be done, you either are a pacifist and dont "cast spells" or you are not a pacifist and "cast spells", not both.
Primitive religions believed that people should be sacrificed, that people of lesser than human abilities, in other words mental handicaps, physical handicaps, should be destroyed or left to die, gays were not accepted at all in primitive religions because of it being considered an abomination to the norm. Even the notions you present now, would be considered evil and would get you eithr sacrificed or killed. But you consider this better than religions based on love, forgiveness and peace. Mind you the basis of religion, I am not speaking of people who make of things as they wish.
Then my favorite, the final paragraph in which you state it would be easy, for anyone to achieve what Christ did, in a sociological study in Harvard performed just recently, no human, man or woman, has been so instrumental in the changing of humanity as Jesus Christ, without mention to the religious questions, just speaking on the point of the man. No human has ever moved a total of 2 millenia, and counting, of humanity to view things differently, and finally no human has ever moved so many people in the history of mankind towards one single religious belief. Again not taking into account biblical text. They studied Roman and Greek writings of the day.
To be the son of God, is only attributed to Him because he is, no one has ever or will ever be as He was. Willing to put everything to include their life for your or my salvation.
That is it for now, truth is decieving because we as humans think that truth is what we want it to be, but in reality truth is what it is.

The last question I definately leave up to you and your God, because the God of justice and mercy that I believe in is just that. And only He and you know the truth that lies behind who you really are, thanks for the question and may God bless and keep you always.

Answer 5

I think all the stuff you listed is irrelevant to the fact that if you do not accept Jesus as the only way to spend eternal life in heaven, you are not going there. The Bible speaks of salvation as a point when the believer is filled with the hol spirit. Its like a conscience in a sense but if you do not feel convicted about what you are doing (sinning as far as the Bible is concerned) then I highly doubt you were "saved" before you left the church.
I know that is blunt but i believe it is the truth.

Answer 6

Youve studied evolution, then maybe you can tell all the scientists in the world where all the fossils are that show evolution instead of them just appearing.

It would clearly clean up this whole mess and make everything a lot clearer! Might even make those bible thumpers change their tune

Answer 7

Are you welcoming the possibility? Is this a rebellious streak going through you or are you really seeking answers? It seems that you would prefer hell than conformity?

The only one who will decide if you will go to heaven or hell is God, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. The question is, where do you want to go?

Answer 8

properly, on account that devil is the daddy of all lies. i might wager which ability they are perplexed/undecided. EDIT: Its a humorous tale. i'm no longer a christian. Do I heavily might desire to label myself for you ignorant people? How bigoted are you men?

Answer 9

Hell- no. Unless you consider the potential lung cancer caused by smoking ANYTHING hell.

LabGrrrrrrrrrrrrl, Cancer Researcher.

Answer 10

Only God can judge you and whats in your heart