see i dont believe in god . but if somehow god was real would my son have to pay the price for my mistakes . i would really like to know how christians feel about this .
2007-05-07 23:53:51 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
i guess i could be called an agonistic , if i dont become a believer am i destin for hell . is it possible to go to heven while not believing in it .
im sorry for asking difficult questions . .
2007-05-08 00:05:07 · update #1
i just want to say that i dont have second thoughts and have made my decision to be an athiest , but i could be wrong , we all could be wrong and i would just like to know how christians feel about this . thanks
2007-05-08 00:12:19 · update #2
one other thing , i have been an athiest for over 18 years
2007-05-08 00:35:25 · update #3
Your son has his own soul. My advice to you is dont oppress your son with your ideas. Allow him to formulate his own.
2007-05-08 00:00:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
I'm atheist and I've wondered the same thing. As it was explained to me, your son has free will, and at some point it's his choice whether to follow a religion or not. So no, he wouldn't be held accountable for your choices.
***As for your added details, we tend to think alike. I also feel (quite strongly) that if I'm wrong and there is a God, he's not going to punish me or anyone else for not believing. No divine being is going to be that petty, especially not one who is supposed to be loving and forgiving.
I think that if there is a heaven, we all get to go. Not the brutal dictators and rapists, the seriel killers and generally awful people-they're out. But I do think that if God's up there looking down, he's watching our deeds and he knows our hearts.
In my opinion, if you mean well, do well, and cause no one harm, you're in. I've even had a few Christians tell me something similar. Not everyone buys into this "believe or else" mentality.
***I don't understand all these answers saying that a true atheist would never question his beliefs. It's perfectly normal to question those things around us that we can't possibly understand and have all the answers to. In fact, it's preferable.
That's part of having an open mind, of seeing all sides of any argument, or at least trying to. When you stop questioning and become rigid in your beliefs, whether it be abortion, religion, or homosexuality, you shut the door on any possibility of growing as a person. Bitterness sets in-you can see it in some of the answers coming from all sides.
Keep questioning, it's a way to learn and grow. No one has all the answers, and never will.
2007-05-08 07:01:05 · answer #2 · answered by . 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
No one pays for another's sins except Jesus. Your son will have to make his own decision when he is old enough to know and understand right from wrong.
If you are worried that you could be wrong, then I can tell you for sure "without doubt" that the Spirit of God is working on you and it is still not "too late" for you.
A "true" Christian has no doubt and I think that maybe what upsets most non-believers.
We have no doubt at all that what we believe is right. There is no "well maybe" your right, or "it's Possible".
A True Christian will never doubt God, Christ, Holy Spirit or Salvation...
It just is not possible that we would ever say "we could be wrong".
I for one will pray for you and your son, that the Holy Spirit don't give up on you yet, and that your son will not make his choice on what he has seen in you thus far.
God Bless you both..
2007-05-08 09:18:42 · answer #3 · answered by Rev R 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If there was a god, would it be a petty, vain, vindictive god or a kind, loving compassionate god?
Answer that and you have the answer to your question!
There are Christians who believe in both kinds of god- some believe the sins of the father are passed to the son to the seventh generation.
Others believe we all have free will, so your deeds have nothing to do with your son's soul.
Others believe that right after death our soul sees god, and then has the ability to repent and be saved.
Others believe EVERYONE goes the heaven, and there is no hell.
2007-05-08 07:06:20 · answer #4 · answered by Magenta 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I'm not one, but I think a true athiest would not even worry about it. You may not be a Athiest if you are worried that your son may go to eiether Heaven or Hell. In my opinion the fact that you ask shows that you do believe that there is a Heaven and Hell, and therefor are not very Athiest. I am a believer in reincarnation- hoping to come back as a fat happy house cat lol. I personally believe that heaven and hell is a brain wash used by the church to try to keep people on the straight and narrow. My answer- I wouldn't worry about it
2007-05-08 07:22:20 · answer #5 · answered by majikdandilion05 1 · 1⤊ 3⤋
If you're honestly an atheist, then you won't care about any of the Christian answers since you don't believe in God. It's all rubbish to you. You will raise your son accordingly, and you will discourage any belief in God. I'm not slamming you, because I would have YOUR beliefs if not for God's intervention in my life. And salvation will happen in yours or your son's life if God so chooses.
So no, your son would not go to hell because you are an atheist. Your son would go to hell because he is a sinner, and God would have simply left him -- and you, for that matter -- in your sins. If that makes sense to you, then it's time for a change...
2007-05-08 09:03:31 · answer #6 · answered by ccrider 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No , I think the concept of hell at least in the Christian church has long since gone . The idea is that you are seperated from unconditional the greatest love it is possible to recieve that is the Heelm, but i think that the normal person with their noemal day to day trial and tribulations would not incur so much disfavour with God that he would deprive his love .
I like you did not belive in God till I had some readings at the spiritualist church where my relations were naqmed in spirit no one culd have known thier names as I'm from the nort and i'm in the suth now and it was a differnt generation , very differnt names . So after having thaty proff I think why should there be an after life if there is not a god .
I'm sure you will be united with God in the Spirit world
Incedentally you may think I'm niave , actually generally I'm one of the biggest cynics yoyu could meet I have to be very convinced of something
2007-05-08 07:11:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Of course not! If you're wrong, you are the only person that's going to have to pay for it. Note, I did say IF you're wrong. I don't think any of us will know for sure either way until we die.
Edit: As for your added details, there's no way to know for sure. Are you actively trying to find out whether there's a God or not? And IF there is a God, are you willing to love Him, serve Him, and change your life (if necessary) for Him? If you answered yes to those questions, then keep searching! God knows our hearts, and IF He exists, He will not judge anyone unfairly. If you have any questions about God's existence, or the evidence that is out there to support the Bible, please feel free to contact me. The choice is yours.
But I digress, I guess I can't help but proselytize a little bit. I don't know how God will judge you or anyone else. Only God knows that.
2007-05-08 07:03:35 · answer #8 · answered by The_Cricket: Thinking Pink! 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You shouldn't be worrying. First it is the Christain belief that each is his own man. Second I'm athiest and I'm sorry but you can't be very dedicated to your beliefs if you're asking this question. I'm not attacking you! I'm just saying if you feel in your heart a different way then explore that troubled emotion. You shouldn't chose one side because you fear damnation. Religion is about what you believe no matter what. According the Christainity he himself would have to acknowledge God to go to heaven and even then he would have to be judged a morally right person. Don't feel quilty.
2007-05-08 07:09:04 · answer #9 · answered by redpanda 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I believe in an individual having something of a life review when they die, this meaning that they experience all the emotions wether that be positive or negative they have induced in others throughout their years on Earth. I certainly don't think your son will be punished just because you don't believe in God, and I don't think you will be either. If your coping mechanism has chosen to exclude having a belief in God that is not a bad thing nor a sin, I'm just presuming you will have a change of heart about the whole thing either later in life or when you pass over. All the best.
2007-05-08 07:05:52 · answer #10 · answered by really sodding nice r 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
No, definitely not.
God doesnt afflict people for other peoples mistakes, but still that doesnt mean that you dont have the responsibility in giving him a chance to know Jesus.
But then that would be hard because you are not a christian.
Your sons own decisions will decide where he will go, God gives us a choice..we either say yes or no.
2007-05-08 07:01:38 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋