How can Christianity be so harsh?

Question

I was reading some of the Q&As about atheists and where they go after death. The answer was basically hell. I'm Catholic, but I still find that to be really depressing if it's true :( I mean, a lot of times, people hold their religious or lack of religious beliefs because of how they were raised, so how can something like that really be judged so harshly in the afterlife? And what about Buddhists? They believe in reincarnation, but do you think it actually happens? I want to believe that everyone's religion is true. Yes, I have my own religious beliefs, even though I don't want to believe in all aspects of it, but I really want everyone else's religion to be valid as well. I really dislike the "fact" that my religion is so one-sided; it completely debunks all other religions and says that they are the only valid one. It's very depressing, in my opinon :( There are a lot of people I care about who are not Christian/religious, and I worry about them. :(

Answer 1

i have never found any harshness within Christianity...only people

Answer 2

Sounds like you're sitting on the fence. You call yourself a Catholic ... either you do or don't believe what your bible says, read the verses regarding hell;
Matthew 13:42 Mark 9:43-48
Luke 16:24 Revelations 20:13-15

You may want to believe everybodys religion is true but that's not possible. I agee with your statement about your religion being one-sided and thinking it's the only valid one. Sounds like you need to decide where you stand. Peace :-)

Answer 3

Good news! The Pope just issued a statement that un-baptised babies might go to heaven, rather than stay in limbo, out of God's presence!

That's great news for anyone with an infant who died!

Oh, and John Paul admitted that it was wrong to excommunicate Copernicus (especially since he was right) so he can get into heaven now, too.

Okay, sorry, Had to get that off my chest.

Sorry, that's a little off-point. When the Children of Israel were lost in the desert for forty years, Moses, disgusted with his people, went up the mountain (as many holy men have). He came down with a basic set of laws to be followed (under pain of eternal damnation). When the Children of Israel were able to get it together and stop killing, stealing, diddling each other's wives, etc. they finally made it out of the desert into Jericho. Too bad ole Moses didn't live long enough to see the day!

A set of laws (any laws) must be harsh enough make us stubborn, argumentative human beings obey them. When law becomes sin, the weight becomes even stronger. I'm pretty sure that that is the basis of Abrahamic law, or any religious code, really.

Have the wherewithal to realize that the principle of all religious law is the same: be good to your peers, and respect their rights, or you will be cast out for all time, so we can get out of this damn desert!

Admit to yourself that there may be some musty old crud left in your religions' ideology. Take heart and comfort in your faith, but don't sweat the hateful parts. The American fathers, when they said "all men are created equal," they meant white men of a particular income level. In modern days, we take that ethic to another level (at least, we are working on it!) Do the same with your faith. Let it come into the 21st century with the rest of us.

Answer 4

It might be reassuring to think that all religions teach only the truth, but that isn't the case. While I believe most religions teach some truth, they also teach some contradictory doctrine. It can't all be true.

Truth is independent of whether anybody knows about it or teaches it.

It's clear from your question that your feelings are telling you there's something wrong with the concept that all atheists will go to hell. Your feelings are absolutely correct. Atheists will be judged according to how well their lives matched up with their understanding of right and wrong. They will also get a full opportunity either before or after death to be taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to accept its teachings.

God wants us to understand the principles of happiness and He won't give up on anyone. He also won't force us to do what's right.

Answer 5

Religion is no different from any other organization. Each religion, and each denomination wants as many members as it can round up.
There are two ways of increasing membership. The first is by building yourself up by showing how great you are. The other is by pulling the opposition down by false claims, even lies.
These tactics are used by the Christian church, and to a greater extent by Islam. If you're not a Christian - - - down you go. If you're not a Muslim - - - down you go.
Don't worry about your non-Christian friends going to hell. If hell did exist, there is only one chance in a dozen that the Chtistians have the answer.
The above tactics are not only used by the church, think politics. Everything about us is the best, everything about them is crooked and illegal.

Answer 6

All religions cannot be true. They contradict one another. And, well, basically, Christianity says that if you don't believe in God, and believe Jesus is the son of God, and take him as your savior, then you will not spend eternity in heaven, but in hell.
Everyone can believe what they want to believe...If Buddhists believe that if they are not good people, they will be reincarnated as a...beetle, or something, that doesn't make it true. They can think that, but when they die, they will be judged by whatever religion is true.

Just because I think that it will rain, it doesn't mean it will. It either will, or it won't, and I will have to face what happens, regardless of what I thought would happen.

Answer 7

why worry? your faith should be important to you. i think when people need help with in their faith, that is only natural. i would give the same advise as i would anyone , ask people that you trust , ask people that have different views and believe in what makes you a happy and hopefully agood person that you yourself like,

I am not Catholic although i was raised in a household that was, so i can understand somewhat of what your saying . the point is why worry, no matter what your belief are in as long as your happy with the individual that you are ( and i do not mean success) i mean you as a person. have great day

Answer 8

It doesn't mean that when one is religious then he can live in Heaven or that he loves the Lord. Sometimes it's just a show or maybe he thinks this is the way to Heaven. But it isn't. Christianity is not harsh. That's the way it has to be. God is Holy. Man is not. But God sent a Savior for us and if we believe in Him we're saved. But many don't. That's why they suffer a blank life.

Answer 9

Jesus said the same thing. "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father, but by me." And the same thing happened, multitudes of people turned away, and multitudes continued to follow.

You can't be expected to want to believe everything. I hate the idea that everyone's fate is sealed by God. I know there are the "elect," but for those not elect, I can't believe the idea that God "chose" those people to go to hell. It's a controversy, and one to be debated.

What will be will be, regardless of yours or my belief. You can't state your opinion as a fact. It's merely your opinion. So is mine. Are you willing to say that what you "want" to believe is what's true? Are you willing to take responsibility for someone else's afterlife by saying "oh, I'm sure you'll go to heaven too because you believe your opinion enough." I won't. I can't. I'm given God's message that tells everyone to come to Him or perish. What do I do with it? Hold it and wait for my own salvation while I let everyone go to hell and say "well, you wouldn't have listened to me anyway."

The choice is yours, but the end is always final. Once what happens happens, you can't erase it.

Answer 10

Christianity is what you make of it, just like any other Faith! If one is to read the Scriptures just like they are written, not distorting interpretation, it is a beautiful thing ! God gave common men the ability to put on paper what God wanted us to know. John was a fisherman, uneducated, but was able to write such scripture, it inspires all of us to achieve better things in His name. The only educated of the disciples was Saul ( Paul ) who originally killed Christians ! The Holy Bible was written for everyday people, rich or poor, to understand. The only problem today is that each faith has aligned themselves with those who believe like they do, not what Jesus said.......!! Jesus is Love, plain and simple....

Answer 11

U said u are a christian and want to believe that everyone's religion is true?.Nope hun its not depressing that there is only one religion.The truth is there only one GOD and only GOD.u seem to be misunderstanding the truth of gospel.Man is lost without a saviour.It is good to care about others but wrong to mislead them.JESUS is the only saviour.The answer to everyone.

Also christianity is more a relationship with GOD.a wonderful loving relationship with GOD

Yes sometimes christians hurt.If u know Joyce meyer she said she was thrown out of chruch i think not sure.If u remember the religious leaders of JESUS time they dont want someone to be healed on sunday.Sadly some do hurt.Maybe because they are hurt themselves or they went to hurt in they young age or they are just blinded to somethings.

It was very nice that u care for people who arnt christians and other religions.Because thats what JESUS wants u to be to show the world what his love is like.When we hate others just like everyone does what difference do we have in saying in we are christians.But remember u reach out to others about JESUS and tell them about his wonderful love.JESUS is love and full of love and when u get the glimpse of his love and u are touched by it u would want to share it.People are hurt and desperate for GOD love and answer to there problems.JESUS is everyone answer and its people like u who must tell the world about it.

GOD loves u so much that he sent his son JESUS to die for u to reconcile u back.

John 3:16 says "For GOD so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoso ever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life".Ask JESUS to come into your heart and forgive ur sins and cleanse ur past with his blood.

With a simple prayer like above u can be saved.