Do you believe?

Question

This question is primarily directed toward Christians, but please, anybody, feel free to answer.

The number one problem I have with religion (Christianity) is that it is a requirement for someone to believe in something to go to heaven.

Honestly, how can that be a standard? How can one be punished for what they believe? What I'm saying here is that maybe there are those out there that appreciate your values and even share them, but they cannot bring themselves to believe that Jesus was the son of god, that he was born of a virgin, that two people populated the entire planet, etc..

If I asked you to believe something that you didn't, could you? You could say, "okay Alex, I believe" but would you? Is believing really an option? Does anyone choose to believe one thing over another or is it within themselves they find what they believe? Is your intuition an option? Are feelings optional? Is skepticism optional? How can I accept Christ if I don't believe in him? Could anyone?

This was an attempt to get people to consider the contradiction of an all knowing (and thus understanding) god blaming and punishing someone for a lack of faith. While the seat belt law and jumping from building analogies seem appropriate, they aren't entirely. Seat belt laws have proven their existence, as have the consequences of jumping from buildings. Nor do these analogies entail the issue at question, the rule, as being some conscious, let alone all knowing being, but only as a simple law of political bureacracy or physics.

The undeniable truth is that one cannot accept Christ without believing in him. I'm sure no shortage of christians pretend to believe, out of fear, as a last grasp at false hope, or simply because they're placing a bet on their fate.

For those of you that do believe in such tales, congratulations. Just please try to understand that it isn't so easy for some of us to ignore every unpleasant indicator of god's nonexistence.

Answer 1

You are being a bit careless with your terminology. First you equate christianity with religion? Christianity is only one of many possible options, yes? You ask how can someone be punished for what they believe? Who do you think is responsible for what you believe? That would be you, right? If something is true, it is true wether we believe it or not, right? If something is false, it is false regardless of what we believe, right? If you believe that you can fly and leap off a tall building will reality not win out over your opinion and you will suffer the consequences of your action? Believing truth and rejecting untruth are important to our well-being, yes? Your intuition, feelings, and skepticism are not only important, they are critical. Is it possible that in rejecting the bible and christianity that you are making false assumptions about Jesus? Be careful not to make the mistake of Judging Jesus based on what christians say about Him. They could be wrong.

Answer 2

The way it was explained to me

Use civil laws as an example, you may not agree with or believe in the mandatory seat belt laws, for example, but it is the law and if you get caught not obeying the law, you get punished.

The religious laws work pretty much the same way, although there are differing opinions on which set of laws are >the< "right" set to obey. Each religion believe their tenets are the "right" ones.

Unlike, civil laws, religious laws are open to personal interpretation. And people are free to choose which religious laws they want to believe. Some choose to believe in none of them. This is where the schizm and religious "battles" start.

Your beliefs and values are personal issues, no one knows (I didn't say believes they know) beyond a shadow of doubt what the absolute truth is on this; believeing is one thing, knowing is another. Most people will close their minds to any alternative options that are not in agreement with their own. This will be witnessed by the negative responses, although my words and statments may be true, if the concept doesn't agree with their beliefs, they thumb down.

Answer 3

I dont use believe system in my life. I use understanding, deep reflextion and contemplation. Believe means you rely on something that you dont know. Or you want to happen the way you want.
So, in reality i would rather say ' i understand' why i understand of something or accept something, rather i believe you dont do that or you do that.
Believing is not an option. In its high state, believe is a refinement of an intuition. But should through a higher cultivation which, it doesnt name as believe anymore ( but reflection or contemplation). In lowest level, simply say i believe to this or that, due to no cultivation of the ( more than just feeling, but instink). So, the sed of the truth is covered with false matters.

Answer 4

the bible states that you cant reach God unless He draws you i dont believe in a religion either although i am a Christian a follower of Christ,you know that feeling in your gut that tells you if something is right or wrong or your conscience telling you if you did something you shouldn't have that is the Spirit guiding you when listening and obeying your faith increases,God gave everyone a measure of faith build on that feeling ,faith comes by hearing the word of God you will soon realize the truth

Answer 5

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.(Genesis 1:1)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.(Proverbs 1:7)
The fool has said in his heart,“There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1)
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 14:12)
“The heart is deceitful above all things,And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings.(Jeremiah 17:9-10)
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans (6:23)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6)
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)

Answer 6

Telling someone that they *ought* to believe something, simply because of the supposed consequences of disbelief, is wrong. Ideas and beliefs should be adopted on their merits, not because of promises of reward or threats of punishment.

Answer 7

Whatever, you're just going to waste your life away believeing in something so silly.

Answer 8

there is no heaven. If you can think of a way for our mind to go to heaven but not our bodie

Answer 9

Give Him a chance...get to know Him. He is loving and accepting of you as you are right now.