Christians: Do you believe that non-Christians are going to hell when they die, even if they are good people?

Question

C'mon. Do you really think Ghandi is in hell? Or if the Dali Lama died today he'd face eternal damnation?

What about a muslim child who dies of a cancer?

Or an African non-Christian adolescent who dies of AIDS?

How about the countless millions of jews, buddhists, and hindus who have led good lives, and tried to follow the teachings of their religion and their God? Do you really think those folks are in Hell?

I have serious doubts that any of the above mentioned are there.

God probably has all sorts of plans for people to get to heaven.

Aren't good jews, muslims, and buddhists following Christ in a round about way? Most of the world's religions do preach the same basic moral teachings.

I am a Christian. But I just have a really hard time with the idea that only Christians go to Heaven.

What do you think?

If it is true that only those who accept Christ have salvation, then maybe God has a process for non Christians to meet and be reconciled with Christ after they die?

Answer 1

i agree with you

Answer 2

Jesus already went to those who "went before him" he went to hell and preached the good news and took the keys, however you must also realize that even Christ was HUMBLE when someone called him "good teacher" he said "Only God is good" and this is true Christ without Sin did not boast of "goodness" and the bible is pretty clear we may do "good things" but there is no one good..no one righteous, not even one...without the righteousness of Christ no one makes it. Sorry if that seems harsh but it is reality because we are ALL sinners and it is impossible for a Holy God to dwell with sinners, notice when Jesus was on the cross and at that moment became sin God turned away, and Jesus for the first time felt separated from God and cried out "My God Why have you forsaken me" God can not even look on sin. All have sinned and fall short of the glory and if they have not received atonement by the blood of the Lamb ( Christ) they are not going to see God. Hope this helps Peace.

Answer 3

Some Christians believe in "All Paths to God", which means that anyone who worships a God, whether it be through Islam or Buddhism or anything else will enter the kingdom of heaven. And some Christians believe that good people go to heaven regardless too. The Bible doesn't follow these thoughts and says that the only way to get to heaven is by the forgiveness of the Savior Jesus Christ.

Answer 4

It does not depend on religious affiliation, it only depends on whether or not a person has truly come to Christ Jesus in faith. The Gospel is for everyone, no group has claim to it.
Gods message of salvation is for People, not organizations.
Believe what the Old and New Testaments say about Christ Jesus and by Gods Grace you will be saved. The Bible is very clear, believe in Christ Jesus or perish. We are commanded to preach Gods Word in holiness and truth. We are commanded to speak with love and understanding, yet we are to preach Gods Words, not our own feelings, not a watered down version. And Gods Word says: Jesus is the 'only' way to the Father. God Bless You...Peace.

Answer 5

God gave us the easiest way to heaven. And, as a Christian you should know the Bible says "no one is righteous, not one." None of us are "good" people. We all have qualities that are better than others, but true "good" in the world comes from God. Given, that the way to Heaven is as simple as accepting a gift... I don't know what there is apart from Heaven for those who aren't saved, I just know that any seperation from God is Hell. If your a Christian, stand for your faith, you can't be wishy-washy, pick up your Bible and actually read it. If you claim Christ then act like it.

Answer 6

I struggle with some of the same questions...God is so big and so mysterious that who knows what ways He has for people of other faiths, like Ghandi, etc. So I won't comment on that.

I firmly do not believe that any babies, children, people who have not been exposed to Christ and salvation are in hell.

Answer 7

1. - You are talking about a lot of children here. I believe that until the age of accountability all will go to heaven.

2. - All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

3. - But If thou shall confess with you mouth, the Lord Jesus and believe in you heart the God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. This is the only way into Heaven after the age of accountability.

4. - What good are your works compared to those of Christs'?

Answer 8

God judges us according to what we know. If someone is never exposed to Christ's teachings and God's law, then they aren't as liable as someone who rejects them. Most Christian denominations believe this, as it is clearly stated in the Bible.

Also, in my church, we believe that a child is accountable for his/her own salvation at the age of 8, when they are actually old enough to know right from wrong. You must be able to make a conscious decision whether or not to follow Christ and choose to be baptized (born again) as a follower of Christ.

Answer 9

If a person does not receive Jesus Christ into their heart yes, it is a awful thing BUT God provided the way to heaven, Men have always struggled with this question, its easy but yet so difficult to receive. As far as Babies and children, if they haven't reached accountability age then no.

Answer 10

I have struggled with this question too.

The short answer is, is that I believe that those who have heard the gospel of Christ and rejected it, have chosen hell, regardless of their deeds in life. This is because they have scorned the grace of God, showing contempt for the One who established all good things, thereby making their good works void and empty.

I believe that those who died never having heard the gospel are judged in accordance with their beliefs--Christianity teaches that God's existence and His basic commandments (love one another, don't steal, etc.) are self-evident through His creation, therefore, did these people honor God and follow His commandments in life? St. Paul writes in Romans 10:4, "For Christ is the end of the law, that every one who has faith may be justified." In essence, I believe Paul is saying that Christ is the fulfillment of the law, and that all those who obeyed the law out of faithfulness towards God (in other words, obeying the law because they wanted to honor God), were inherently followers of Christ (who is God), even if they were not aware (in life) of His crucifixition and resurrection.

Hope this helps!
In Christ,
Christine

Answer 11

Like you, I am also a Christian who has a problem believing that all non-Christians will be damned to Hell regardless if they had a)lived very good lives and/or b)endured hardships during this life.

This doesn't mean that I don't believe that Christianity is the only right religion. I do believe that. But, I believe where we will all spend our Eternity is based upon the kind of lives we have led.