All Christians, and Atheists can throw in their two cents as well.?

Question

I am an Atheist (As I hope some would know by now) but I was first raised as a Christian...I was baptised, saved (once), had my holy communion, and got the body and soul of Christ every Sunday until my parents got a divorce, I now only get the tasty little wafer and wine when I go to my dads church (he thinks I'm a closet Christian...-_- ew) So the question is for the Christians...even though I do NOT beleive in God, Jesus is Son of God, etc...do I still get into your Heaven since I got all the prerequistives for going? Also, if you need to be saved, baptised, etc. to get into Heaven, what about all the kids who died before they could? Like the stillborns, the ones who died during the hospital, or between birth and baptising, etc., do THEY go to Heaven, even though they were not washed by original sin, or do they go to Hell? And since I was baptised, etc. do I go to Heaven when I die or something? I don't know what happens after I die, but I know Christians do, so I was just wondering

You're right people, I AM an Atheist, and the question for me is moot, but I was just wondering what Christians would think, since I got all the stuff done, ya know? Also, if God is really up there and judging our heart of hearts, and if Atheists have a good reason TO BE Atheists, then why would He send us to Hell? And for the ones who say that babies go to Heaven when they die, then why is it that us Atheists and non-believers go to Hell, us and babies are similar because we both do not belive, so why do they go up while we go down? Remember fellow Atheists, I am only asking these sort of questions (in a way, walking in both worlds) to ty and make them think, something some do not like to do....I know I'm not going to Heaven since I don't believe it exists, but if it does, then ah well...and if something else exists...wahoo...hope you understand my friends (for eveyone)

Ah...this is so interesting....ok,I am not a closet Christian no matter what my dad says, also, I am 17 so it's a little bit more than 12, so it looks like to you I'm going down, I didn't get bored of Christianity, I stopped believing because of a personal experience and when I was an actual Agnostic, people kept calling me Atheist, evil, immoral, and whatever else Christians can think up to ridicule those who do no believe the same that they do...so I then wondered how is it that any god can have believers like that, so I finally said, "There is no god." and poof, here I am. I am thankful for the ones who say that I'm goin' to Heaven for whatever reason, as well as those who say I'm not for whatever reason, and for those who say that it shouldn't bother me, it doesn't, it just occured to me, so I would want to know what people think. Anyways, I hope that this keeps up, good luck!

Answer 1

I guess it depends on the Christian. The born-again type would probably claim you were never a "true" Christian, whatever that means, and that you're going to Hell. From my understanding, Catholics would say you are going to heaven because you were baptised.

Answer 2

Unfortunately you will not be allowed into heaven. The bible tells us that if you put your hand on the plowshare and look back that you are not worthy of the kingdom of heaven. You can repent the atheism and still get in. The bible also says that no man shall enter in except by the son, so you can't enter in without Jesus in your heart. The communion and baptisms are a public statement but they don't necessarily reflect your heart. Jesus told the thief on the cross that he would be with him in paradise that day, and I'm pretty sure he hadn't taken a communion ceremony or been baptized. It's all about your heart and recognizing Jesus as your savior and recognizing his love and what he has done for you.
As for all of the children who die, they are not responsible for sins, of course they go to heaven.
I'm sorry that something like a divorce would make you turn from God. He still loves you even though you are being misled. You really shouldn't hope for others to become atheists either, because I feel in my heart God will make you answer, at least partially for their souls as well as your own since you are assisting to persuade them away. Maybe if you think of it this way.....If you are right and I am wrong in the end nothing is hurt, but if I am right and you are wrong you have a problem.

Answer 3

When you read my answer please know that is out of love that I write it... I'm going to let you judge everything for yourself... That's between you and God, but I will give my opinion. I don't believe that just because people were raised in church, were baptised, took communion and did all of the "religious" stuff that it means they are going to Heaven... I believe there are probably quite a few lost people that are sitting in churches today. I do believe that it's all about your heart and the relationship that you have with God that gets you into Heaven... Baptism is important it shows and tells everyone there decision you made and i think it has a lot to do with the gifts of the Spirit, communion is important but i think that it's just another way of worshiping God, but what matters is your heart! I believe that there is an age (which may be different for everyone) that you are held accountable for your beliefs... I don't believe babies and children are going to go to Hell just because they haven't made a decision... They can't they aren't capable. I believe that children hold a special place in the heart of God. I think christians (and i am one) get so caught up in rules and guidelines and this and that... that they forget about the most important thing their relationship with the Father!

Answer 4

You are not saved. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to the garage makes you a car.
To be a Christian, there needs to be a change of heart. That has not occurred with you. You are still an atheist in "Christian's" clothing. You still reject God as much as any atheist who never attended church. "He who hath the Son hath life, and he who hath not the Son hath not life."
I think that you need to start by examining the reasons why you hate or reject God, and go from there. If it's because you were taught to believe in evolution, try reading "The Evolution Cruncher" by Vance Ferrell. It will make you a creationist by the time you finish reading it.
If you were baptized as a baby (I assume you were raised Catholic), you did not have an opportunity to accept or reject Christ, so the baptism is invalid. In the NT, the only people who are baptized are adults, or children old enough to make that decision. Innocent children who die belong to the Lord. This is why Christ Himself was baptized, even though he had no sins to be baptized for. It was for all the people who cannot be baptized, like people on their deathbed, the thief on the cross, aborted babies, etc. "for the fulfillment of all righteousness".

Answer 5

Wow a lot of questions there. First I believe only in those being baptized who are at an age or reasoning or "accountability".

I believe children are born perfect in God's sight and have a place in heaven. Sin becomes a problem only when one knowingly commits a sin. And knows what it means to sin.

And going through the motions doesn't save you. A steadfast faith is the important part. I do not know for sure what is going to happen when we die. Yet I believe there is a heaven and hell. I believe that only those who are in Christ will be going to Heaven. And if you are in atheist then sadly you are not in Christ.

I really hope you will go to Heaven. But according to the Bible you need to have faith in order to be a child of God. I hope you will soon come back to your faith! I want you to be in Heaven!

Answer 6

Well, there's the saying 'once saved, always saved'. The gates for being saved are, as you know...

that if you accept with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

The question is, did you really believe in your heart?

I'm really sorry about your folks.

Regarding kids...I've been told by folks alot smarter than me on the topic, that once a child gets to the age of making a knowledgeable decision regarding their faith, that's the turning point for them between heaven/hell. If they've made the decision to believe, and took the appropriate steps, then they're saved. If not, then not.

Do you know where you'll spend eternity?

Read Romans.

In Christ,

Dennis

Answer 7

Christ said for all those "closet Christians" on the day of judgement he will comand "Depart from me, for I never knew you" because you deny Christ now, why would he acknowledge you then. But he also said, "come unto me, you children of God", Little ones, and ones who never made it into this world will make it to heaven, because Christ said clearly there was an age of decission, anyone under that age would go to heaven without a decission. The catholic's believe that age is around 10-12, I think the jews believe it is around 13-14, but know one actually knows.
But beinging an Atheist why the question, if you don't believe in God then why would you believe in heaven. Are you sinical because your parents got divorced?

Answer 8

I'm an atheist in the Army, and I am currently in Iraq. I didn't get any grief for being an atheist until people found my Satanic Bible amongst my personal things. I haven't been threatened or anything, but I was told from an officer in my unit (who is Satanic) that I should do my best to hide things like that because "people will freak". I cant believe people are so uptight about these things...especially when my NCO brings his bible into the office everyday. I mean, I don't go around telling everyone, but the fact that I have to hide these things is crazy.

Answer 9

you can't just get to heaven because you believed and then got bored of it. you have to be faithful when you die.
and i would think being faithful the whole time is worth some extra points. faith is more important than prerequistives.
i'm not sure what happens to still borns but i'm positive they don't go to hell. remember we have a merciful God and he would condemn someone if they never got a chance.
yes you've been baptised but that dosn't mean you go to heaven. you've only been washed of original sin.
you still have the sins you have commited.

Answer 10

Babies who die go to Heaven. They have not sinned or done any wrong and have not had a chance to accept Christ. God will not send them to Hell.

As to you. If you no longer believe it does not matter what you did earlier in your life. You will not go to Heaven. Also you should not be taking communion if you do not believe. The Bible warns of taking communion unworthily.

1Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
1Co 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
1Co 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.