What I am asking is, if children are spared b/c they are ignorant innocent but adults go to hell if they don't believe, even though theyare just as innocent/ignorant, what is the cut off age for using ignorance as an excuse to be spared?
2007-05-23 17:40:59 · 15 answers · asked by Lady Morgana 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Great... I'm old enough to die in an oil war or burn in Hell for eternity... but I can't even have a beer!!!
2007-05-23 17:46:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Realize, that ignorant and innocent are not the same thing.
Innocent means that a person is truly unable to understand right and wrong. Some adults (the mentally ill, or profoundly developmentally disabled) may fall into that category; most children are no longer innocent by the time they're seven or eight. They may not understand the deeper matters of the Christian faith, but they certainly can tell right from wrong.
I believe that eight is the youngest age at which churches of Christ will accept someone for baptism... generally kids should be at least ten or so, just to be sure they understand what it's all about.
Ignorant is quite another matter. There are, thanks to mass communication, very few adults who have in fact never heard the gospel, or never heard about Jesus. If there are people who really have never heard, or have only heard a twisted or inaccurate version, God promises that that is taken into account.
2007-05-24 00:55:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is an age of accountability; which is different for each person. When a person has had God and Christ presented to him/her, then that person is no longer ignorant of God (given the person is old enough to understand/comprehend and mentally competent). Usually the people (adults) that would be considered innocent/ignorant live in third world countries in the bush/jungles/mountains where no one can find them. That's why there are missionaries all over the world, to teach people the gospel. It's not just about going to heaven when we die, but about having a relationship with God and having his blessings while we are on earth also.
2007-05-24 00:50:13 · answer #3 · answered by Running_with_scissors 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The bible gives no age but 13 is the most common number given for the age of accountability based on the Jewish custom that a child becomes an adult then.
2007-05-24 00:54:06 · answer #4 · answered by me 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is an age of accountability where a person knows the difference between right and wrong. (Although there hasn't been a specific age given, it is generally believed that it is somewhere around 7 years old.) That said, there are those of diminished capacity who are not capable of understanding such differences. I believe they will be welcomed in Heaven because of their situation. On the other hand, those who have their full mental capacity only choose to remain ignorant because they don't want to be told they are not acceptable in the sight of God.
2007-05-24 00:51:49 · answer #5 · answered by Sykopup 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Are you referring to mentally challenged people? I believe if you are innocent or too ignorant to understand the concept then you will go to heaven. There is no cut off age.
2007-05-24 00:48:19 · answer #6 · answered by ChiTownSmarty 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Psalm 19:1 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork." You can't see all that God has made and not conclude someone made it. Design implies a designer. In Romans 1 the apostle Paul expands that concept. Verses 18-20 say, "The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness, because that which may be known of God is manifest in them [a reference to conscience]; for God hath shown it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." So, both the created world and man's conscience tell him that someone made it.
http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/sg1341.htm
if you are interested in an answer to your question check this out.
2007-05-24 00:48:29 · answer #7 · answered by lizardman 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If a person is a ignorant adult and does not know the truth, God will not condemn them to hell. It is those who know the truth, reject it and continue to work in sin, that will condemn themselves. Once you come into the full understanding and knowledge of the truth about God, you become accountable from that point on. It depends on at what point in your life you become fully aware of who God is and His desire in everyman's life.
2007-05-24 00:52:33 · answer #8 · answered by super saiyan 3 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the only truely innocent adults are one with a mental incapibility to understand right from wrong,.When you understand right from wrong your responsible for your actions and believing is one.everyone from a certain age knows what a church is has hear of GOD even if its in a derogitory way so. they are aware.Dont you think its funny when people get mad and swear its usually taking Gods or Jesus name in vain. Hummmm innocent i dont think so.
2007-05-24 00:48:35 · answer #9 · answered by soeur_deux_de_ny2005 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The ones who told you this were in no position to make such claims to begin with.
Hypothetically though, those who are ignorant are tolerated.
(Even more hypothetically, if you believe gnostic texts than we all get into heaven anyway.)
2007-05-24 00:45:18 · answer #10 · answered by sunscour 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋