What about those children in Africa or Asia who have never heard of Jesus? Will they go to hell even though they never had a chance to believe? Would somebody go to hell if they were looking for the truth and died before they found it? These are my problems I have with Christianity
2007-09-21 14:42:44 · 11 answers · asked by Spades 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There are 2,000,000,000 Christians, so you are bound to get a whack-job in there now and then (most of whom tend to show up on R&S). But looking at the doctrines espoused by the major denominations of Christianity, here are a few considerations:
1) Even those who believe that God sends people to hell do not believe that non-Christians automatically go to hell. The few who believe that salvation depends on faith in Jesus alone usually maintain that non-Christians who have never heard the Gospel will be offered an opportunity o believe in the afterlife, or will be judged by other criteria. The many Christians who believe in salvation by faith and works usually believe that those who have never heard the Gospel will be judged by their thoughts, deeds, intentions, and consciences, just like everyone else.
2) Christianity has always had many theologians who adhered to Universalism, or the idea that all people will be saved. This is the dominant view among the Eastern Churches, who (collectively) make up the second largest body of Christians on earth. Even in western denominations, there are a large number of universalists among denominations that are not traditionally universalist.
2007-09-21 14:56:32 · answer #1 · answered by NONAME 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, that does seem ludicrous. I'd like to think that if there is a higher power, it/he/she isn't some catty deity with a you can't come into my heaven attitude. I would think that such a being's intelligence would be far too great to be petty and irrational. If life is truly a test, I believe that our ultimate goal is to overcome our many differences, and come together. Right now we're like scattered puzzle pieces.
Maybe all of the obstacles are there to make us think and grow as a species, or maybe it's all random. Either way I definitely don't think that we are here on this earth merely to prepare for whatever awaits us after we die. And how are we ever going to grow as a species if all of the major religions are preaching conservatism and divisiveness? Stagnation never equals progress. Life is more than just the important yet simplistic battle between good and evil.
I don't see an end to humanities fighting and divisive ways until we abandon or alter all of the major organized religions. Condemning people and fighting over a god that none of us have ever seen doesn't make any sense. People are what's important to me. Imagine what a wonderful world this earth that we all share would be, if we all converted exclusively to humanitarianism.
2007-09-21 16:05:49 · answer #2 · answered by p c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is your idea of hell? Have you ever looked into what hell is exactly? I did a study and was shocked to realize there isn't an eternal BBQ pit for humans. Once you pass through the so called fire you cease to exist. Hell aka hades is a place called Gehenna and was the local dump where dead carcasses and trash was thrown and burned until it was consumed. the Messiah referred to this as an example of death. The word in Hebrew is sheol and means the grave. When we die and we do not have forgiveness of our sins, we CEASE TO EXIST. This truth is plainly in our scriptures and has been there for 2000 years. Unfortunately though there may not be a famine of the word, there is a famine of hearing and understanding the word as it really is. I assure you the G-d is not a mean nor is He a corrupt Creator. He is loving, kind and merciful. All things will be done according to His will and done His way for He has control. Sadly today's organized religions have removed truth and replaced it with doctrines of devils and hell fire and lies. Amazingly they try to win people by scaring them to death and if our hearts are not seeking G-d for the correct reasons then our worship is in vain. The Messiah even gave those that died prior to His resurrection a chance to serve Him so what does that say about your questions. We must trust our LOVING Father and remember to seek Him and not let man mislead us. You said it all by saying you have problems with Christianity and you are not alone. The creator Yahweh himself has a problem with it also. I hope I helped.
2007-09-21 15:50:31 · answer #3 · answered by poohrona 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible says that all have some knowledge of what is right and wrong. Some have a lot, some have little. God holds us accountable for all the knowledge that we have, and can have. If we refuse to study, learn, and listen we will be held responsible for the neglect as well. However, the knowledge that we do not have, God does not hold us accountable for because that contradicts His justice. See John 9:41; James 4:17; Hosea 4:6; Matthew 7:7
2007-09-21 15:05:15 · answer #4 · answered by Vilaro 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hell is an invention of Christianity and nothing more. It serves to instill fear and influence behavior, that's the only purpose.. aside from possibly providing a theme for Halloween.. lol! All religions, including Christianity, are inventions of man. God.. in whatever form there might be such a thing, had nothing to do with it! Point well taken, but not likely to ever happen. In this country, Christianity and religion is part of our culture. I expect it will be around causing mischief for some centuries yet!
2016-05-20 06:34:03 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has long been the belief of the Catholic Church that those - who by no fault of their own - are not followers of Christ may be brought into Heaven by the mercy of God. Those who haven't heard are not automatically condemned to Hell.
The Church has nothing to say on the details because none of us know. But we do know that God is both merciful and loving, and basically fair.
2007-09-21 18:24:26 · answer #6 · answered by SigGirl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is addressed in the bible. It says something like we are born with a sense of right or wrong and this is a law to themselves. This will be the law on which they are judged who have never heard. It's in the book of Romans somewhere. I want to say 6 but not sure.
God is a just and fair person!!
†
2007-09-21 14:50:15 · answer #7 · answered by Jeanmarie 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Not so,God said his word would be heard in every part of the world before he comes back.
2007-09-21 14:49:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
I had the same question; thanks for asking.
Also: what about the people before Christ? They were certainly "sinners", so they all went to hell?
2007-09-21 14:50:19 · answer #9 · answered by Maria - Godmother II of the AM 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
IS THIS A DRINKING QUESTION YET?
i hear it like, 5 times a day..
2007-09-21 14:53:20 · answer #10 · answered by :) 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋