Regarding people who have never heard of the Christian religion?

Question

I'm talking about people such as the Native Americans, ancient Mayans, ancient Aztecs, and anyone people today who reside in remote parts of the globe where they have likely never heard of Christianity. Just wondering what everything thinks happened/ will happen to them when they die.

Now, I'm asking this because, in the Christian churches I have been to, it has been taught that only those who have gone through the ritual of getting saved can go to Heaven. So...what happens to these people? They haven't been saved, nor have they submitted to the Christian church. In fact, they worshiped a variety of deities other than the Christian God. Did they go to Hell for that?

Respectful answers only, please. Thank you.

Answer 1

The quick answer: All people are accountable to God whether they have “heard about Him” or not. The Bible tells us that God has clearly revealed Himself in nature (Romans 1:20) and in the hearts of people (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The problem is that the human race is sinful; we all reject this knowledge of God and rebel against Him (Romans 1:21-23). Apart from God's grace, God would give us over to the sinful desires of our hearts, allowing us to discover how useless and miserable life is apart from Him. This He does for those who reject Him (Romans 1:24-32).

The long answer would take about two weeks in my Dogmatic Theology Class.

Answer 2

If you go back and study some of the ancient races which did not know Christianity, you will discover that they had another name for the God we worship, especially in Native American culture. Since, I am part Native American, I am familiar with the "Great God" who was the God above all gods in Native American culture. They might not have known all the facts about God at that time, but here's how God connects things. They had some knowledge of Him prior to meeting any Christians, but then here come the pilgrims who introduce them to the teachings of Christ. At that point, the Native Americans are able to identify that this "Great God" is the same God the pilgrims worship. So, at that point, they either except it or reject it. Even in remote cultures, God reveals Himself to those cultures in dreams, visions, or nature and then validates His existence through missionaries preaching the gospel. So, when missionaries do come preaching the gospels those who except it, except it by "faith", which is what God wants.

Answer 3

God didn't create the world and forget where everybody was. (LOL) This question comes up a lot. God knows where everybody is, they will hear the gospel. Christian churhes have been witnessing all across the world for years. Also, read these verses from the Book of Acts, especially the LAST VERSE.

"Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
17:25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
"

Answer 4

You asked about Christianity, which means the state of being followers of Christ. All these people quote you a book... Christ did not read the Gospel, he lived it. In the New Testament Christ did not quote scripture to just anyone. He only discussed "scripture," with Pharisees and Saducees, or people who thought memorizing books would help you be closer to God. To the common every day person he related in terms that were common every day: farming, life, death, the meal they were eating and the wine they were drinking. When asked to sum up the old Hebrew Laws, written down because the Hebrews refused to deal directly with God, Christ said, "Love your God with all your heart and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself." Fact is people have always known what is safe, respectful and responsible. Christ knew this and told them to look inside to where God's voice remains. God made each us with this knowledge and placed it close by- in our hearts. People choose not to behave safe, respectful and responsible. In Indian Country we call this sickness or illness. Christ was sent to the Hebrews, and the people of that area, because they were no longer listening to the rules written on their heart. God sent Deganawitha to the Iroquois, Google him. God has sent and continues to send spirits to people all the time. All people know the rules. History is incident after incident of people doing wrong to each other; yet, I am unaware of any, entire, culture where disrespect, irresponsibility and danger to fellow humans is acceptable. The people God made- no matter where they are, either seek God or they don't; and, the rules are written in a place where they can't miss them.

Answer 5

That should tell you how flawed religion is. How can all those millions of people go to hell when they haven't even heard of Christianity. In fact, most people aren't Christians. It's really arrogant for one religion to claim that they are the chosen people and they know what happens to everyone when they die. The truth is that there is no heaven or hell. Heaven and hell exist only in our brains......

Answer 6

According to the Catholic Church, "Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience. Nor does Divine Providence deny the helps necessary for salvation to those who, without blame on their part, have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and with His grace strive to live a good life." (Lumen Gentium 16)
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html

Answer 7

There is a Scripture which speaks of the likes of all men who know not this Christian faith......

It says......

"Romans 2:14
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

That speaks volumes..... It means, that God does not throw away the good in men because they have no knowledge of Him..... if you read it futher, it speaks of how they must also follow the laws because they are written on their hearts.... accusing and excusing one another according to those things.....

There is a law which is written on their hearts.... and they go by this..... It is given men of God... to know even the law they did not know was His......

So... who are we to judge men by their faith?..... God knows His own.... and in the end..... We shall all know better.....

your sister,
Ginger

Answer 8

Fair question.

The bible teaches accountability. We will be judged according to what we know.

Romans 14:12 says, "So then each of us shall give account of himself to God."

(Psalms 116:5 NIV) The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.

Answer 9

We never truly know who goes to hell and who does not that is up to God, but for those people if they lived up to good moral standards and they did not DENY God, like present atheists do. In my opinion, they still had a chance for heaven.

Answer 10

God doesn't judge you for what you don't know, but for what you do with what you DO know.
God knows the hearts of everyone who ever lived. Even Noah and Abraham, although they lived before the time of Christ "had faith in God, and it was credited to them as righteousness."