I was led to believe that if you go to hell...?

Question

...you can still ask Jesus to forgive you and let you into Heaven. That is what I was told when I went to church. None of it is a lie, and this is a serious question I'm about to ask.

Logically, if you were told this, you would believe that there is no point to worship him until after your death. Then you would realize that can't be right, and that it had to be a lie. Finally realizing that this is ultimately wishful thinking on the part of that particular church, you would probably decide that it's possible other churches spread rumors of false hope as well.

My question is simple. How many false rumors like this have you encountered, and what are they?

To atheists, did you become atheist for similar reasons?

Answer 1

Yes, Firefox, some so-called Christian religions have altered biblical doctrine to suit themselves. One church claims, as you said, that hell can be escaped, or more specifically that there is a place between heaven and hell that is temporary and that you can "graduate" to heaven. That same religion also claims that certain dead people canonized by the church as "saints" (God describes all who repent and place their faith in Christ as saints) can intercede for you with God and that your prayers must go to God through these dead people. Another religion claims that God was once a man, and that men can earn the right to become gods of their own planets. This same religion also says that Satan and Jesus are brothers. Many relgions put forward the lie that heaven is something that can and must be earned by good works here on earth, where the bible makes it clear that forgiveness of sins, salvation and admission into eternal life in heaven is a free gift from God to those who repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus Chrsit and His attoning sacrifice which paid the price fror their sins.

Answer 2

Sounds like the Roman Church teaching on purgatory which is '... the state of those who die in God’s friendship, assured of their eternal salvation, but who still have need of purification to enter into the happiness of heaven'. Based mainly on a reading from 2 Maccabeus 12:45: ....therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin". This book is given little weight and the doctrine derived from it is not accepted by Protestants.

Answer 3

Well, I for one am a spiritual Christian just for that reason. I don't rely on anything but the Holy Bible and the Holy Spirit to reveal the meaning. I fellowship with other Christians but don't allow their thoughts to influence my thoughts without thorough examination of their thoughts. I read the Bible as much as daily as possible and through out the day I spend time thanking and worshiping God for what He has done in my life and who He is, an Awesome Creator. Take care and may God bless you spiritually.

Answer 4

After you die, your future is sealed. That is why the Bible says, "Today is the day of salvation". If you have not accepted Christ prior to death, as your payment for sin, hell is for eternity.If you have accepted Christ , heaven is for eternity. What church would teach the lie, that when you die and go to hell, you still have a chance of heaven? That is sad- that would make it sound like - go ahead and sin all you want, go to hell, and then repent. The hope is that Jesus died, rose again and wherever believes on Him shall have eternal life, any other teaching is false.

Answer 5

If you believe that Jesus, who is God, died for your sins and rose again, you'll never go to hell. But if you reject that to your dying breath, you will spend eternity in hell, and there is no second chance to get out.

Answer 6

Are you suggesting that in a world designed by a perfect, loving, all-powerful God something is "too good to be true"?