Thou shalt have no other gods before me does this mean that the 4 billion nonChristians in the world.....?

Question

Are going to hell for all time no matter if they were good or not is that fair? if all thos nonchristens are going to hell than god isn’t very good more like dictator ( follow me or die) than a wonderful creator trying to help all his children, sending 2/3 of them to eternal torture pain and torment

"New Testament punishment - Mark 16:16 “He that believeth not, shall be damned”."

Answer 1

Thankfully, the same 2/3rds of us do not BELIEVE in hell - so we WON'T go there when we die ;);););)

Answer 2

Judgmental words are not descriptive ones and non scientific. Also the assumptions show no attempt to gather accurate information. I assume you are talking to those ignorant of their own religion. I think, in fact, that God decides if anything stated there relates to Him whatsoever. Religion doesn't get to decide reality as scientist can't speak for science reality unless they acknowledge that science is a method of inquiry and not a body of 'facts' as facts have a way of changing, pesky things. If on an outside chance you are talking about what the bible really teaches, that is arguable as everyone says something different. You would have to ask the individual. Are all atheists alike? That would be ignorant. If you really want to know, you only have to read what Jesus said. It's only forty pages and a lot of that is commentary by the writer. A red letter edition of the Bible shows only what Jesus said and that might be twenty pages. Then you would be an expert with little effort. It looks like both sides are doing a lot of damning. I guess that proves the scripture then, doesn't it?

Answer 3

If you want to find God, look under a rock or at a tree or at the ocean. For God is everywhere and in everything. You dont need a church or a title to believe in him.

The bible is nothing more than a fictional story written by scaremongers to scare little children into believing.

To say that those "non christians" will 'burn in hell for eternity' is a total contradiction to everything that God is.

Answer 4

Not neccasarilly, it does say that there should be no other Gods before that one but then it is saying there are others out there, its more of a control freak thing you know the divines at times can be picky with a bad temper. In christianity it says its easiest for people to get to heaven by being a christian but its not a requirement. Also keep in mind, Mark was a bit of a nutcase, he wasnt a very tolerant person and wrote his things to one audience. But if the christian god is truely a forgiving and merciful one then it will understand and allow other religions followers to get into their heaven.

Answer 5

Pretty much. Although "true" Christians don't really believe that good deeds make any difference in where you end up, it's the belief and acceptance that Christ died for your sins that gets you in, "once for all" as it says in the Bible. They don't see it as God sending you anywhere, but rather you making a choice to join him or face the inevitability of latching on to this existence [of sin].

Personally, I think it's just a control mechanism thrown in there by humans. Many other religions are similar in this respect (don't mean to offend anyone, just my view).

I also hold another view that is somewhat compatible with this statement from the Bible but unfortunately due to the contextual elements of the Bible and the language used in it, it's not a very good comparison and not worth getting into here.
My primary disagreement with Christianity and any similar belief system is that there is no tolerance for other beliefs. And I don't mean 'tolerance' in the goody-two-shoes sense of let's-all-be-friends (like in school), but in that it restricts you to viewing your faith in one specific way only (usually by employing fear tactics). Even if it works for them, they can't accept that someone else may realize their faith through a different belief. Faith and belief are two completely separate things though most don't see the distinction.

[EDIT]
After seeing Paganhonor's post above I thought I'd add something. When God says "thou shalt have no other gods before me", these 'gods' are a reference to things we humans worship, that is, he wants us to forget about earthly desires and turn to Him. It is not an admission that other gods similar to Him exist. See, I was paying attention in church even when I was a kid! lol

Answer 6

Timothy,
That was a misquote of Mark 16:16. In the KJV Bible, it actuall\y says "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." Our GOD sent out HIS APOSTLES and Christians so that you would be able to convert. If YOU choose not to do so, how can YOU blame anyone else? Those who have not heard HIS WORD will fall into a different category. They will not be judged in the same manner as those who refused to listen. Have a nice evening.
Thanks,
Eds


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Answer 7

this is not the best answer but......there are some things that we as finite creatures cannot understand about an infinite and all powerful God. God loves us, he forgives us of all our horrible sins except for one-rejection. He has blessed you so much and you dare say that you deserve more. You reject Him as Lord and Savior and you expect that with your mere "good works" that its enough. His mercy is the only way we go to Heaven. Christians don't go to Heaven because of all they do, but because He loves us and forgives us; that He is willing to save us and die for us.

"It is by the grace of God that we are saved, not by works"

If this is not enough to answer your question, go read I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist....its a good book that can answers most of your questions about God and why believe him. It provides more than just evidence from the Bible. It gives evidence from history and from a rational perspective.

Answer 8

If you read the Bible carefully you will learn that the Lord gives us the opportunity to choose him. He sends those of that already know of him to evangelize and give the new news. If you do not choose him then you are condemed. There is no one who does good, not even one. We all sin and we choose to, the Lord is not unfair, we are not saved by good acts, but by faith in the Lord Jesus. Its is as easy as that. I can only reccomend you read the Bible if you really want to know. Ask the Lord to open the eyes of your heart. Do not be fooled by those who do not have the Lord in their heart, they do not know him therefore they are empty and have no purpose in life.

Remember the bible was written by man inspired by the Holy Spirit, study about how the Bible came to be and you will see there are way too many coincedences for it to be man inspired. God is a JUST God therefore there will be punishment for those who do evil. Also there is forgiveness for those who repent.

Anyway, the Bible is one of the tools to find God.

You would have to imprison the wind in order to silence the word of God. It will remain forever even after you die.

Answer 9

Get knowledge and understanding.

Yes, you must put God first, not your money god, your house god, your possessions god.

Mark16:16 means, if you do not believe what God has done for you, you will be condemned to your own mind.

Hell is - an eternal separation from God

Answer 10

Why is this so hard for non-believers to understand. You think you have a better sense of judgment? I don't, I agree with God. If you don't accept the creator then you have a consequence for that. It's not like you are innocent. Oh, I suppose you do think that you are innocent.

Answer 11

Personally, I believe in a "higher power" because I can feel it within me and all around me.... but I REFUSE to assign that higher power to any man-made religion. Man is flawed, whereas the universe is not.... it's perfect and it's constantly being destroyed by man... why would I degrade this higher power that way?
No.... people who are nonChristian are not going to Hell, that's a nice little fairy tell bible bangers like to believe to frighten people into believing in "their" God instead of someone else... remember the bible was written by man. Take anything written in it with a grain of salt.