This was bothering me for awhile and I really need some answers. If you were a good person but didn't believe in God, would you still go to Hell? I just hate the thought of someone dedicating themselves to helping others and in the end going to Hell as their reward. Any help is appreciated.
2007-05-31 21:00:26 · 32 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
What I guess I wanted to say is that I hate the thought of someone who believes in God who isn't all that moral being deemed better than a person who helps others. It doesn't seem right.
And though I believe in God, I'll never be apart of an organized religion. I just wanted to know other's opinions on this matter. So no 'repent now, sinner!' stuff, please. :]
2007-05-31 21:27:35 · update #1
Sorry to say, but I think there will be a lot of "good people" in hell. The Word of God says that Jesus is the only way. . . what's even worse is that there will be many people in hell that are sitting in church every Sunday, but still don't truly believe. . . . so sad.
2007-05-31 21:05:17 · answer #1 · answered by lady_blu_iz 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Early Jews did not believe in the eternal damnation into hell the way most Christians view it. They believed there was a term in hell for those who had committed wrongs when alive. But this was not a permanent situation, a person served a time commiserate with their crime, and then were allowed into the gates of heaven. Much like a prison/justice system, or a parent disciplining their child.
I can honestly say I have no answer to this beyond what I have stated above. I was raised Baptist, and once asked my Grandmother, when I was six, if the people who had never heard of God would go to hell. She told me that you must be born again to enter into heaven, and if you'd never heard of God you couldn't be 'born again', and so if you'd never heard of God, you were definately going to hell. I was so repulsed by this that I refused to go to church for several months (which seems a lifetime when your six). I finally went back, and throughout my life continued to find a multitude of hypocracies and unjustness in the Christianity to which I was exposed. When my five year old cousin died of brain cancer some six years ago this month, it was the last straw and I left Christianity for good. I no longer believe hell exists, and if you are 'good', you will receive good. If you are 'bad' you shall receive bad.
2007-05-31 21:27:26 · answer #2 · answered by Blue Scarrab 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hell is a general term used in some versions of the bible to replace places such as Sheol and Hades. Hell is mankind's common grave. It's not a scary place. Ecclesiastes 9:5 describes what it's like to die - no suffering. But John 5:28, 29 tells us that there is hope for a resurrection - for the righteous and unrighteous. Also, Psalms 37: 10, 11, 29 shows that the wicked will be destroyed and that if you are a "good" person, you will have the opportunity to live forever.
2007-05-31 21:10:46 · answer #3 · answered by Roxie J Squared 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'm not trying to mock religion but...Why did Jesus have to die for us if god is "ALL POWERFULL" ??? And why is there a devil or even a hell if god can snap his fingers and eliminate both? Wouldn't you kill a poisonous snake if it got near your children, so why would god allow the devil to poison his children? I'm in the same boat as you. I am a good person at heart and go out of my way to help people. Yet people tell me I'm going to hell because I don't feel like they do about their god. I do lean towards knowing that there is a higher power but which one is the real god? Jesus, Mohamed, Buhda? Where is the proof? I can't stand when people tell me.. "its in the Bible". You know, I may be wrong but wasn't "The Bible" written by man? Good luck!!! I'm sure everybody will revert back to it for a response.
2007-05-31 21:41:55 · answer #4 · answered by Haywood Jablomee 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I feel sad for this. No man can say what eternal judgement is for anyone. I believe God either gives us all a chance or will give us all a chance to serve him. Actually He has given me many and continues. BESIDES, there is no one way to interperet Revelations, so this is really murky territory for all of us. I am a little new at this so don't have scriptural basis, but God can see our hearts, He is merciful and loving, take comfort in that and PRAY to Him for the answers you are seeking. If you are genuinly sincere and open to whatever He shows you than He will guide you.
God Bless
2007-05-31 21:09:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
According to the Gospel... Jesus is quoted as saying there is no man who is good... only God is good. All others fall short of His perfection.
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Well, for sure I can guarantee that you are not perfect...
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Everything comes down to choices between 2 things.
Either there is a God, or there isn't.
If there isn't, then it doesn't matter what you believe.
If there is a God, there either is or isn't an afterlife.
If there isn't an afterlife... then once again... it doesn't really matter what you believe.
If there is an afterlife, either there is a hell, or there isn't.
If there isn't a hell... you can't go there.
If there is a hell... you certainly don't want to go there.
2007-05-31 21:10:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hey I know exactlly how you feel. I am Catholic, I went to a Cahtolic Shool, Catholic church, Had Chatholic Friends, if you talk to a Catholic they would answer your question yes....you will go to hell regardless on how good you are in less you are saved. Well although i was baptized as a cahtholic and raised as a catholic i guess i dont have the same beliefs. My answer is based on reading the bible. Not what some preist or nun says to me. I think that religion is man made. I think sprituality comes from the heart. I mean look how much trouble organized religion has caused. From the wars in the middle east right back to the cassades. All of these are because of peoples interpatations of the bible and gods word. I think that people need to stop reading into things, trying to read between the lines so to speak. I think you need to get the genereal idea and to me that is Be kind, be fair, do not hurt on purpose, dont be greedy, dont be vengful. I dont think god would expect everyone to follow this structual faith. From what I read God is a gentle being....he is not a comunist he wants you live your life on good termsl. I think if he wanted you to have more faith he would revale his self. Farther more in the bible it talks about why Jesus died on the cross(to forgive out sins) and I think that means just that...people are going to be sinful. As fare as we know he did away with hell. We really dont know but I honestly feel if anyone goes to hell its vicious murders, rapeist ect.. Someone who has lack of faith in my opion is not going to be sent to burn in hell. How many people do you see who go to church every sunday, every holiday, every bible study but then turns around and beats there children and wife. I am sure you have herd about the priest and the little boys. Obviouslly knowing about God and having faith doesnt mean you are good person and not having faith doesnt mean you are a bad person. People have basic morals instilled in them. As long as you follow your good morals and heart you should not have to worry about where you go after death. I hope i helped. Feel free to email me (lilstrwberygal277@yahoo.com)
-Bye
2007-05-31 21:14:46 · answer #7 · answered by smuttyxsmilez89 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you don't believe in God, why does it bother you?
Maybe you do believe there is a God but simply have a hard time with religion?
Merciful and gracious is God. I think he treats those who don't believe according to their conscience. However, if their denial of Him was due to an attachment to sin, I think that would mean they had the chance to believe but in their hard hearts rejected God.
2007-06-01 12:17:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've always battled with this mentally. Seems that religions rely on a totalitarian virtues to gain entry. Sort of like Glastonbury, only the hardocre party goers manage to get tickets....
I'm one of these people that doesn't discount an afterlife, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. If god really wants to heap people like me, Jo Average, who does an honest days work, look after their family and to all intents and purposes, try to lead a pretty decent life, and drop me in pit with Nazi Dictators, Genocidal Rulers and such like, then frankly, I'm a little concerned that his viewpoint is a bit clouded.
Now, I may be trying to rewrite the bible here but on the face of it, if the big guy does exist, I think he'll let people like you and me in, we just wont get reserve seating in the VIP lounge that the religious people do.
2007-05-31 21:26:23 · answer #9 · answered by Steven N 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
"Hell' is simply man's grave, the companion of death.
It is a false teaching that it is a place where 'souls' are tortured.
In the Bible, Hades=Hell.
And yet this is what it says about it.
(Revelation 20:14) And death and Ha′des were hurled into the lake of fire. This means the second death, the lake of fire.
Anything going into a fire is destroyed.
Tie this in with (Revelation 21:4) And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
A promise to do away with death.
No more death/ no more graves.
2007-05-31 21:42:47 · answer #10 · answered by pugjw9896 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have a very personal relationship with my God/creator and I usually try to ask Him how to answer questions like yours.
The concept of hell or punishment comes from the Bible...which was written by man even if they believed that God was inspiring them.
In my experience with God, He has never given me any indication of a specific punishment for people. I do know however that only those that believe in him and have a personal relationship with him will go on to live eternally in his presence.
2007-05-31 21:07:58 · answer #11 · answered by Poohcat1 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋