Assuming God exists, who's in more trouble? An atheist who leads a good life, or a Christian who doesn't?

Question

Is belief in God THAT important - or is it one's actions that matter?

Answer 1

Ha! Your question assumed the CHRISTIAN God exists.

In any event if the Xian god did exist, it would all depend which sect of Xianity you asked. Liberals would say the bad person, while fundies would have to say the atheist is hell-bound. And probably many shades of variation from sect to sect.

Answer 2

Depends on how you interpret Christianity.

If you interpret it in a traditional way, in other words, that belief is integral to Christianity, then even someone who's a good person is not entitled to the grace of god if they do not believe that Christ is god. If you don't interpret it that way, then you could assume anything of god - the New Testament is open to quite a lot of different interpretation, after all, that was what the Protestant Reformation was all about.

Many Christians, however, would probably say that a 'believer' who does not live a 'good' life is not really a true believer. Belief in god, for Christians, is not so simple as just knowing that he is there. Rather, it's faith and faith implies love. Love implies loyalty and, therefore, having faith in god means at least attempting to do as he asks.

So, I'd say, both have something to worry about it assuming the Christian god really exists, whatever that means.

Answer 3

If the 'trouble' is based on "leading a good life," then both the atheist and the Christian are equally in desperate trouble. The fact is that, if God exists and if He is holy, then neither the atheist nor the Christian have any hope of meeting a holy God's standard.

All of us tend to compare ourselves to those around us who are mostly just a little worse (in our view) than what we picture ourselves to be. That way we can always picture ourselves to be just about the middle of the pack, and maybe just little above the middle point of 'good and bad.' But is that how a holy God would see things?

I kind of picture it like this:
We build this very large 'scale' in our minds. We would put the very worst of the worst people down at the bottom of the deepest trench in the middle of the ocean. And we would elevate the very best of the best up to the heights of Mount Everest. And then we usually picture ourselves in between there, probably near an ocean shore somewhere; a little more good than bad. But if He exists, the standard of a Holy God would be out somewhere around Pluto. And if we were standing on Pluto and looking back at Earth, there would not be much difference between the person on Mount Everest and the person in the deepest ocean trench.

They would both be in dire trouble and the only hope for either of them would be forgiveness.

Answer 4

well, first part of the question: a Christian would be in more trouble because the Christian (again, assuming God exists) "knows" better than to commit sins. the Christian knows what is expected of him/her and "chooses" not to follow those principles.

The Atheist on the other hand, does not believe in God, but still follows a "good" life. assuming that God exists, we can say that a good life is one without sin. I seriously doubt that a loving God would punish a good person simply because they do not believe in God. in the Bible, it's clear that God punishes sins against Him and others, but does not punish good people simply because they do not believe in Him. Not believing in God does not make someone a sinner.

Also, if you buy into one single line of the entire Bible ("only through Jesus will anyone enter to heaven") then my suggestion is to revisit your studies and get a more objective understanding of the ENTIRE Bible.

Also, Christians are saved for accepting Jesus. However, this acceptance is not merely a declaration of "I accept Jesus" and therefore absolved of all sin. again, assuming that God exists, He knows your heart and if it is not a sincere acceptance of Jesus, then no dice... besides, if you call yourself a Christian but do not lead a good life (or try to) then you are a hypocrite... which is a sin.

Second question: It's both. Faith in God is THAT important, but again, you cannot claim to have faith in Him and not follow His teachings through Jesus... because that makes you a hypocrite.

Sin is Sin no matter what faith you are. think about it. we all have an internal moral compass of sorts and most religious have really the same basic moral values.

Answer 5

The Atheist, because he/she has not accepted the free gift of God which is salvation through Jesus Christ. That's God's will, and since He's God, He can set any condition for eternal life that He wants. The Christian who isn't living a *good* life is still saved. Because God said that all who are in Christ are no longer condemned, that they have already passed from death into life. The reason a Christian who is not living a *good* life is no different than anyone else. There is no one good except God. All have sinned, all have fallen short. The Christian's sins are forgiven. The Atheist's sins are not forgiven unless/until they accept Jesus Christ.

Isn't it strange that some people would rather try to live life on their own, when by simply asking for Christ's help they can have eternal life? Atheist's are getting the help of Christ whether they know it or not. If they weren't, they wouldn't wake up every morning to have that second, third.......one millionth chance to accept the fact that Jesus Christ is Lord. Every good gift comes from God. So, if you got to eat today, it's because God gave you access to food. If you think that you got to eat today because you work hard at your profession/job, it's God who gave you the job.

We should pray for Atheists everyday, that they would know and understand the love of Christ. Peace.

Answer 6

More trouble as in walking down the wrong path....to hell? If so, then both are equally in trouble. The atheist's good life, good works does earn his way to heaven (as no one can earn heaven). And the Christian who is not leading a good life is a hypocrite to his Faith and His heart is not right with God, therefore is not a true Christian, but a professing christian, wearing the christian label only. Belief in God is essential, but is not enough. Even satan believes and trembles. Our actions come from our Faith and walk with Jesus. God bless

Answer 7

Take your queue from the Ten Commandents. The first four are specific instructions on how to worship God. Must be pretty important, eh?

Although it may seem counterintuitive, I'd put my money on the atheist being sunk a little deeper into the proverbial lake of fire. It probably depends on how naughty the Christian was. Are we talking Jimmy Swaggert bad, or just Bart Simpson bad?

Begs the question: "If God is perfect, how can He be so vain as to dedicate 40% of His laws to worship instructions, then later demand the cruel and bloody death of His only Son as payment for the sins of mere mortals?

Jeez, I often wonder how modern people can still believe in this stuff.

Answer 8

I'd say the christian. Actions speak louder than words. But if it were the actual Christian God as described in the bible then the athiest would be in trouble because all the christian wouls have to do is say "hey I screwed up I'm sorry." and he'd be home free. Seems pretty messed up if you ask me. If this turns out to be the case then I would RATHER go to hell. How bad could eternal torment be when hell is full of good people who just didn't accept christ.

Answer 9

Both Athiests and Christians need to stop stressing God like he's some objective being. All religion is, is a social science by which Man abides by a general code of conduct and a habitual practice of bettering his/her community. Not finding scientific facts to rationalizing why He/She doesn't exist so you could convince people to kill senselessly and/or dismiss order and faith, so society can go crumbling down the tubes, because someone across the street doesnt feel the same way you do about seeking a higher consciousness.

Answer 10

Only God knows. (eg what's a 'good' life according, not to man and bystanders of the Atheist or the Christian, but according to God?...and who knows in truth in reality and in the heart, whether the Atheist or the Christian has lived a 'good' life, except God?)

...but the Christian stands a better chance, just like a trained fireman has a better chance of getting out of a burning house when he screws up, than an untrained person.

Beware, Christians, though - 'to he who is given more (ie for example, knows more, given grace), more is expected'.