The only reason why i am trying to believe in jesus is because i'm afraid of hell... christians are always saying that i'm going to hell if i don't believe so i am really trying to believe... i just can't help thinking it's a load of crap... but i recently noticed... i am being bullied into it, SURELY god wouldn't approve of it! I can't believe that, i can't help not believing, i don't want to be in denial anymore about it, i just really don't want to go to hell... and please don't answer saying "i'll pray for you" or "open your heart" because it's just not working. I am afraid of god, that he will send me to hell, surely this isn;t right, he is supposed to be perfect and fair.
2007-05-15 08:19:06 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jesus spoke of hell more than anyone in the Bible. You should be afraid of going there it is definitely a place to be feared. Jesus also provided the way to avoid going there out of his love for you. As far as being bullied; nobody can make you believe. Christians can tell you the consequences of rejecting God but we believe we all make our choice to accept God's gift based upon free will. Keep searching and you will find God, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
2007-05-15 10:31:38 · answer #1 · answered by William R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Faith is something that cannot be faked. It can be doubted, tested, strengthened, lost, regained, sought, found... but all of that means that something from deep within you says "yes, I do believe this, even if I can't quite understand yet why." What I'm saying is that in matters of belief, you have to search yourself and do what clicks for you because you want it.
For your comfort, let me offer you another vision of "hell." Take away religions for a second and think about God as being the source of what's good and right and true. Now imagine making ongoing, conscious choices to reject goodnees and truth. Dying in that state of totally rejection leaves you in a state where you have alienated yourself from the source. That is hell, and to we get there by our own thoughts and actions. So in my opinion, living a good life and trying your best to be a "good" person while not believing in God as religions put God forth is NOT a ticket to hell.
2007-05-15 08:37:25 · answer #2 · answered by Church Music Girl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All Christians don't believe this. I know I don't. Who are we to say who will go to hell and who will not? Who are we even to say there is one? That seems to be very low on the priority list of messages being conveyed in the Bible. Who is to say that hell is not just a symbol or parable that represents the consequences of our actions? Regardless, Christian or not, fear of hell is not a good reason to become religious. I, for one, do not approve of Christian "fire and brimstone" speeches and excuses to motivate people. It is wrong on so many levels that I could write a book on it, but in a nutshell, belief in God due to fear of hell is not a true belief in God at all. Either you believe in a greater power of one sort or another, you do not believe, or you are unsure. If you DID believe in God merely to protect yourself from hell, then that would be selfish act, which may arguably work against you, eh? The very act of preaching fire and brimstone is selfish and inherently evil. Threatening someone to become Christian? How sad is that?
That said, your fear of hell suggests either a weak mind (and I am sure that is not the case!), or at least a basic belief in your own spiritual existence. Otherwise, why would you not just think this was funny, and not be scared? (I am sure a lot of atheists are having a pretty good laugh over this!) If there is no spirit, then there is no hell to be afraid of. If you do believe in your spirit, however, then work at cultivating that spirit in whatever way you can. Meditate. Pray. Think about what you believe and don't believe. This should lead you to doing good deeds and trying to be the best person that you can be, because that is ultimately the reason you are here, spiritually and physically. Then you will become spiritual for the right reasons, and it will simply be a bonus that through your good will you will not be subject to eternal retribution, should such retribution even exist.
Ultimately, as I already said, you either believe in a greater being or you do not. Perhaps you are unsure, but even then you probably lean one way or another. You seem to suggest here that you DO believe in God, and that he is supposed to be perfect and fair. Do you really believe that? I, for one, do. If that is the case, then you needn't worry about hell, you only need to worry about being the best person you can be. You should be doing that regardless of whether or not you believe in God. Long story short: I wouldn't worry about this.
2007-05-15 08:33:41 · answer #3 · answered by Mr. Taco 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
God is fair. He gave us the freedom to do what we want. Unfortunately, we (the human race) choose to sin. Why would a perfect, holy God even send His son to die for us? We have really messed things up, but God gave us a chance to live with Him forever! Do you think that is fair that He died for us? After people whipped, cursed, and killed him? On the cross He said, ""Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Jesus forgives! So if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, then you WILL be saved. And once you are saved God says, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)
2007-05-15 08:37:48 · answer #4 · answered by Jayaar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's very sad that you were indoctrinated by such an awful mind virus as christianity.
you don't need to fear the christian hell any more than you fear the muslim hell or hades or valhalla. this may be hard for you to see at first because you've been indoctrinated so badly., but i assure you that the more time you spend away from christianity, the easier it will be for you to dismiss the story of hell as a fairytale rather than something to take seriously. hell can't hurt anymore than a monster who lives in your closet.
2007-05-15 08:27:29 · answer #5 · answered by tobykeogh 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good grief. If you're not sure you believe in Jesus, how come you're so sure that hell exists??
Use your head and decide for yourself. Besides, from what I know of Jesus, he was a very forgiving kind. And God is also, as far as I know, not into bartering His love only when we deserve or earn it.
I find it incredibly stupid when someone stubs their toe or something and people say, Oh God punished you .. surely God is not so petty. Let's credit Him with that Infinite Wisdom He has, and not reduce him to our petty human standards.
P.S. Practically every religion and sub-sect insists that only their followers will go to heaven. Everyone else will go to hell. Er .. I guess that means hell is going to be one crowded place. Come to think of it, Earth is pretty crowded. Maybe we're already IN hell. Wooooo ...
2007-05-15 08:27:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I guess my answer would start with a question...
are you attending church any where?
A personal relationship with Christ is truly by faith, a personal experience. There are many days that I feel miles away from his presence, but he is always there.
I have been to many different denominations and would
have to say that the truly bible based churches are the way
to go. There are many Christian churches that have super
worship bands and options for teens - thirty something...
that reach into the places that relate to many who are seeking.
You could call and ask to talk to the young adult leader, youth pastor, etc. to find out if they have outreach that would
fit your needs to draw you closer to Christ.
It takes a committment and reaching out on your part to
grow and learn.
God is perfect and fair, but he also left us with the choice to serve him, or not.
2007-05-15 08:31:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you think it is a load of crap, then don't believe.
I don't think you can be bullied into anything. If you could, you are one weak sister who will buy anything and cannot think for herself.
You make a choice. The pathway to heaven is open FOR EVERYBODY!!! It is an invitation; you are not brow beaten or pushed into anything. Show some balls and stand up for yourself. Take some responsibility for your life! God made you to be WHO YOU ARE! Not who you are supposed to be.
If you don't want to accept salvation and a personal life with Christ, then don't. It almost sounds like you want to, but you are too chicken and afraid to admit it.
Take a stand, one way or the other.
2007-05-15 08:26:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Without Hell how would they keep the flock in line. Don't believe the hell crap. Be a free thinker and do whats in your heart and God will take care of the rest.
Be weary of people who quote"the good book." Remember it was written by men all seeking power. They did so by scaring the crap out of people with doom and gloom if they didn't goose step in line (pun intended!)
2007-05-15 08:22:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
This sounds like a fake question, but if it's not...
You only get bullied into what you let yourself get buillied into. If you really think Hell is real, then it's not like the Christians telling you about it made it, or are going to send you there themselves. If you don't think Hell is real, then what's the problem?
Grow a backbone.
2007-05-15 08:31:17 · answer #10 · answered by The Ry-Guy 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋