2007-06-08 16:41:04 · 17 answers · asked by WWTSD? 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hey squirrel!!! The answer would be yes. A person is not accountable until such time (if ever) that he or she understands what God is, and what God wants and expects.
P.S. thought I had better put a disclaimer on this one to avoid further weird questions.
We are talking about understanding what God is and wants...not simply choosing to not follow him.
2007-06-08 16:44:34 · answer #1 · answered by Poohcat1 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe the "age of accountability" is not a specific age, but rather a level of understanding and maturity. If a person is chronologically an adult but developmentally like a child, then I believe they are not accountable in terms of decisions made or not made concerning a relationship with God. Let's say a person is an adult and is not developmentally disabled. My brother was almost 46 when he died. He had Down's Syndrome. He knew of God, but lacked the full comprehension of who God is and lacked the mental ability to be able to make a conscious choice to have a relationship with God. He was waaayyyy past any chronological age of accountability, yet I believe He is in Heaven because his heart was pure and innocent and he lacked the understanding from which to be held accountable.
If someone is from a remote area where they have never even been exposed to the Word of God, I believe they can't be responsible/accountable to having a relationship with Christ if Christ has never been presented to them. Still, God equips each human being with the ability to understand right from wrong, and if a person is a well-functioning adult who knows right from wrong, then I believe they are past the age of accountability, whether or not they have been exposed to hearing about Christ. I believe God will take whether or not they have heard of Christ into account. If on the other hand, a person lacks the understanding to make a conscious choice to have a relationship with God and/or they lack the ability to fully be held accountable for right and wrong, then no matter what their age, they are not held to the "age of accountability". At least this is what I personally believe.
2007-06-08 23:53:39 · answer #2 · answered by Chimichanga to go please!! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most Christian denominations hold that the age of accountability is either delayed for the mentally disabled or unapplicable. Depending on the degree of the disability, some denominations hold that severely disabled people are not accountable at all, and therefore go to heaven automatically when they die.
2007-06-08 23:57:14 · answer #3 · answered by Conrad 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The age of accountability is an old testament concept, not a new testament concept. No one here can give a verse in the new testament that will verify their position because it does not exist.
Having said that, yes a developmentally disabled person will go to heaven just like a child. I wouldn't serve a God who would punish them. Christ died for all, therefore all died, and when he rose, all rose with Him.
Bo
2007-06-09 00:49:33 · answer #4 · answered by bo1401@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if there's an actual doctrine about this, but I've always thought that "accountability" just means that the person has to have the ability to understand his sinful condition and that they need a Savior. If someone is not old enough to understand, or someone does not have the mental capacity for whatever reason, it seems that he should not be held "accountable."
2007-06-08 23:48:31 · answer #5 · answered by CertainlyShirley 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't pretend to speak for God, but I would think that the developmentally disabled would be held accountable to the extent that they are only able to accept.
2007-06-08 23:46:27 · answer #6 · answered by conni 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is truly a question many would like answered. You will be judged upon your ability to understand right from wrong no matter your age. The LDS church the age to baptize children is 8 years old so you would have to have at least that mentally developed to be held accountable.
2007-06-08 23:51:03 · answer #7 · answered by saintrose 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm still looking for it in the Bible I've read 20 times.Who went into the Promised land.Those who were 20 and under.So to me ,20 and over are accountable.The disabled are innocent as babies .Leave them alone.
2007-06-08 23:52:10 · answer #8 · answered by AngelsFan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The "age of accountability" is determined by God who bases it on whether or not a person knows the difference between good and evil.
Deuteronomy 1:35 'Not one of these men of this evil generation shall see the good land that I swore to give to your fathers, 36 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh. He shall see it, and to him and to his children I will give the land on which he has trodden, because he has wholly followed the LORD!'
37 Even with me the LORD was angry on your account and said, 'You also shall not go in there. 38 Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall enter. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.
39 And as for your little ones, who you said would become a prey, and your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall go in there. And to them I will give it, and they shall possess it.
2007-06-08 23:44:53 · answer #9 · answered by Martin S 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes , God defends the defenseless and judges the heart of a person and not the condition of their being.
2007-06-08 23:46:34 · answer #10 · answered by Dennis James 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋