A) A just god would judge you by how you lived your life and treated others, not what you believed, felt or thought.
B) An unjust god isn't going to give you any slack either way, so religion really isn't going to help you. We're all screwed anyway.
C) If god(s) are not real then it doesn't matter.
In any scenario, is there a reason NOT to be a free thinking atheist?
2007-07-10 02:21:04 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
What do you mean, "If God is just and loving"?
The only way free-thinking atheists are NOT in the clear is if God is the petty, punishing God of the Abrahamic religions. Then we're REALLY screwed!
Otherwise, you've synopsized the options well.
2007-07-10 02:26:22 · answer #1 · answered by Seeker 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
To respond to "A," I guess God isn't just. The one rule in the Bible is love (Jesus reveals this when talking to a Teacher of the Law [He gives the parable of the hurt guy on the road who only one of the three people passing by cares for]). Part of that love is loving God. So strongly is this that Jesus forgave a man being killed for breaking the law who I doubt was baptized who was on a cross beside Jesus who repented when he could do no deeds for Jesus. The only thing this man had going for him was that he loved. Sry, looks like God is "unjust."
2007-07-10 09:34:51 · answer #2 · answered by Charlie 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
God clearly states that you must abide by his laws and believe in Christ to get to Heaven. If you do not abide by his requirements then you cannot enter Heaven. The thing is that you can't base you salvation on the way you live your life or how you treat others because by God's Standard no one is good. Paul tells us in Romans that "none are good, no not one," and "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." You have to put your life into Christ and Christ into your life and that is the only way to get to Heaven. Not by works. You must have Faith in Jesus to get to Heaven not by works alone.
And also you would have to see for who's glory are you doing these works. Are you doing them for your glory or the Father's? If it is for your glory then they are in VAIN and you will burn. But if they are for the Father's then you will have riches in Heaven.
And by the way there isn't a such thing as a true atheist. Because ALL atheist believe in a Higher Being which would negate them being an atheist.
2007-07-10 09:30:29 · answer #3 · answered by alack81 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
As you believe so it is! I am a spiritual atheist and I believe that as long as I have respect and love for all living things then I am free. How can any god punish a person for being a good and loving person. Be who you want and you are free.
2007-07-10 09:35:19 · answer #4 · answered by Foster B 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
God is both just and loving. In his justness he will judge sin and those who reject God's Son who was the payment for our sin these will pay the price for their own sin. Atheist will not be in the clear any more than anyone else who rejects God's Son Jesus Christ. It was in his love that God sent his Son to be sins payment when a person says well I don't believe that they may not understand believing it dosen't make it less or more the truth.
2007-07-10 09:30:08 · answer #5 · answered by Naomi 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If your an atheist God doesn't exist... so the question is moot.
We are all "in the clear".
Whatever you believe is right and correct for you. Don't let other's opinions sway your own beliefs. Don't allow other's judgments of you persuade your own opinions. Don't let people's beliefs cloud your judgement.
2007-07-10 09:38:47 · answer #6 · answered by TJ 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Nice try, but it would depend on what rules and morals the god wanted you to live by. So under A, the christian god would still judge you lacking.
Fortunately, C is true.
2007-07-10 09:26:00 · answer #7 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
In the Christian faith, it does not matter how good of a person you are. If you do not believe in God, then, according to them, you are condemned to a life in Hell unless you accept Him into your life, and follow his laws and live like a Christian. He is just, but only to His followers. So no, atheists and non-Christians are not "in the clear", but if you do not believe in Christianity, why should it matter either way?
2007-07-10 09:28:35 · answer #8 · answered by Niko? 5 · 2⤊ 3⤋
God is an atheist, and doesn't believe in God.
2007-07-10 09:28:51 · answer #9 · answered by Lukusmcain// 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
No, it doesn't mean that anyone is in the clear because God's perfect standard of justice demands payment for breaking even one of his laws. His penalty is eternal separation from Him. His love is demonstrated by sending his one and only son Jesus to pay our sin debt for us, but we have to accept that payment by faith.
If a person doesn't accept what Jesus did for them on the cross then it's like someone in a courtroom who has been found guilty and has to pay a million dollar fine or be executed. If the son of the judge steps forward and offers to pay their fine for them but they don't believe it then it's off to the chopping block with them because they didn't believe.
2007-07-10 09:25:31 · answer #10 · answered by Martin S 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋