Religious people?

Question

I'm kind, I help others, I listen, I work, I go to school so that my son will have a secure and good life, I spend time with him, I have volunteered, I care...

But yet, because I am an athiest, I'm a heathen in most religous people's eyes. I'm given the cold shoulder because of my non-belief, and that I am quite verbal in my opinions and debates. Given that I am a good person, in your opinion, will I still go to "hell"? Hrmmmm....

HAHA, Megahebrew, I'm not worried about going to "hell", to me, this place is meant to scare people. I do not believe in any such place. I'm just curious, is there any room left for empathy when it comes to religion vs. non-religion.

A pixie! hehe, that would be interesting.

Answer 1

If it were up to me, I would say no.

Answer 2

I'm not your target audience, as I'm an atheist myself.

I wonder, though, why you're so vocal about it, and what, exactly, you mean when you say you're "quite verbal".

If you run around trying to convince others, then people will find that obnoxious, just as I get sick to death of the believers who keep pestering me with their believiness.

If others want to believe insane things, let them; you do no good trying to get them to give it up.

On this site it comes up all the time, as this is a question and answer site, and people ask questions of others.

So,when I see questions, I answer them.

But in the non-virtual world, it doesn't often come up.

Why would it?

Maybe it's because of where I live, but I don't often get people condemning me for my lack of belief.

Now and then I find myself arguing with a believer, but that's more for fun.

I certainly don't start such arguments, and only argue because I like arguing, and don't really care much what they think of me (of course they think I'm going to burn; I KNOW that).

I don't think I've ever been given the cold sholder over the issue, as I recall.

This is what makes me wonder if you're going out of your way to alientate people who are otherwise just going about their business, not bothering others.

Or, as I say, it may be a matter of geography; if you live in a really churchy place, then people may find you really strange for not believing.

Answer 3

Speaking as a Christian, no.

I have different beliefs than a lot of the bible-thumpers that give our religion such a bad name. I think what's important is that you do good things in this life.

Nobody, no matter how much they would like to think it, truly knows for sure what happens after death.

If people are treating you that way and telling you you'll go to Hell, ignore them and don't worry about it. Judging your fellow man is warned against in the Bible, anyway!

Answer 4

I do not know whether you are serious about your question or just take everybody for a "Ride"--Your Action and action alone(KARMA) will decide the issue.Since you are kind(Karuna),help others(Upakaari),care your Child and if you lead an honest life etc your Non-belief in GOD will not be a hindrance to your path to Heaven-You will definitely go to heaven,when the time comes,according to Saankya Pholosophy of Hindu Religion.They substantiate this pholosophy with a story.A cobbler ,totally un-educated, knows nothing about GOD,Religion,leading a poor un-hygenic life-but very,very sincerly doing all routine services to his very aged ,blind parents,on one side---on the other side -An ascetic highly educated, observing strict celebacy,thorough in Religious Texts--have done penance for many years and have attained some super-naural powers(capable of doing "miracles", because of his penance-like burning a crane to ashes with his "Eye" power) was asked to go to the Cobbler,who made the Ascetic to wait a few hours till he finished all his routine"Service" to his parents.The Ascetic was upset and used the same "Eye" power on the Cobbler-it did not work.The cobler told the Ascetic "I am not that Crane".

Answer 5

You sound like a wonderful person, assuming you don't have any antagonism to people simply because they are religious. You mentioned you are quite verbal in your beliefs, and there is nothing wrong with that as long as you present yourself in a civil manner.

Some people however (I'm sure you've met Christians like this, but atheists and others also act this way sometimes) are very belligerent and self-righteous with their attitude. People who think they have something to prove and just like to argue with people and try to prove them wrong. How could anyone take a person like that seriously? You don't sound like you are one of those people, but just in case that sounds familiar, remember we can disagree with each other, but we should all present our views in a civil and educated manner.

As for your hell question, I have no authority to answer that. Sorry, I know that probably sounds like a cop out, but that would be judging (aren't we Christians infamous for that?)and I believe only God has the authority to do that. Hope this helped.

Answer 6

Who's giving you the cold shoulder? Not Jesus. He ate and drank with sinners, something that was only done with very close friends in Jewish culture. If any Christians are giving you the cold shoulder it's because they don't know how to be like him. They're not the ones whose opinions you should care about. But if you keep pushing God away, your final decision to reject him will carry on into eternity. You'll be forever separated from God, who is the source of all comforts. Hell is the absence of God. You choose it.

Answer 7

Tell your son that although you do not follow any of the human rules used to form a path to GOD, as others do - he and you very much good people. A free thinking person, that cares for others is every bit as valuable to a community as a "religious" person.
Having people give you a hard time does not affect you - it affects the people who are supposed to be "good". Good people do not cause pain in others - they are supposed to heal, and have compassion.
You are taking the high, hard, path and your son will see this one day and be very happy - as you are not two faced or shallow, or false.
Just find people to recharge as you know humanity will wear you down.
Lastly ONLY GOD (as I believe) (and luckily only GOD) assigns rewards or punishment to souls. Humans have no say.
Humans may think with their curses and prayers they are affecting souls - but how? GOD is GOD.
If I person assigns you to hell, don't give it a thought as they just marked their soul, not yours.
Somewhere in the bible it says to NOT judge - so try and brush off the extremist bothering you.

Answer 8

Jesus said no one is good we all fall short of the glory of God. No matter what you do you can not be perfect you have sinned. Think of it as a court of law you have been found guilty but wait Jesus walks into the court room and pays your fine. I believe he paid that fine for me on the cross. Christians believe that we must accept thatJesus died to pay for our sins. After accepting this we must try to live our lives the best we can when we sin again, we must mortify the sin not justify or condone the sin. we must confess it and try not to do it again. I am not telling anyone to believe this I am just saying this is an example of Christian belief.

Answer 9

God makes The Rules... if you choose not to play by God's Rules then you lose.... but... no one of my Faith is going to give you "the cold shoulder" just beause you are an atheist... unless you are going around badmouthing us and telling lies about us and such... as many who claim to be atheists do on this forum... you seem to be a good person otherwise so why should I shun you.... if you are as vocal as you state I might not invite you to certain gatherings...but they are gatherings that you would not be interested in anyway... as they are in support of the God stuff.... unless you could come and behave yourself :-)

Answer 10

No. I'm religious and I don't believe in hell. You need to be more specific. You are a good person, so my opinion is that you will be rewarded, either in this life or future lives. All paths lead to the same place as long as you are a good person. Since no one can prove or disprove the divine, you have as much right to not believe as I have to believe.

Answer 11

KiKi-la, God tells us that it is not by works that a person will enter His Kingdom. Being nice and kind are wonderful attributes to have. It means that you are indeed a great parent and good samaritan. God knows our hearts. Yours and mine. No one is promised a free ride. Jesus Is the Way and the Light. No man goes to the Father except by the Son. Still in all God Is Merciful and it is entirely up to Him who He lets enter into His paradise.