Are you sickened by people who say you're going to hell if you don't believe in god?

Question

I can tell you right now I am. And I'm continuously perplexed how seemingly loving, decent Christian people would ever stoop so low as to "accept" that that's a reasonable punishment.

I'll go a step further. I think it's inhumane, selfish, and vicious to think that's a reasonable punishment. If god is so selfish that he needs me to acknowledge him as existing, or else I'm going to roast on Satan's BBQ for all eternity, then I must say, I'm glad I'm not religious.

Maybe I'll be lucky enough to share a cell with Gandhi in Hell, because he's going to hell for the same reason I am right? All I'm trying to say is that reason and compassion seem to go RIGHT out the window with Christians when gauging what's important in life, and folks, that is, and is only, being a kind loving decent human being.

Let me say, I'm touched at the wonderful comments from the compassionate Christians posting responses to my admittedly controversial question. And boy am I glad that you outnumber the postings from the vicious -- the ones that say I deserve to burn forever (only a few luckily). I'm touched at your intelligence, candor, respect and sympathy. Thank you :)

To the haters of non-believers, please read the uncommonly intelligent and wonderful comments of good Christian people here, because I'm seeing compassion and intelligence that transcends my "belief" concerning religion. I can't stress enough how much I respect that.

Answer 1

So sorry about that, I apologize for the judgmental fundie that condemned you.

A true Christian would never condemn you to hell for Christ said so Himself not judge to others.

Hey any of you fundies reading this, KNOCK IT OFF ALREADY!?

Edit: You're welcome man, now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to give these fundies a piece of my mind. I've always feared that their judgemental behaviour would result in something like this...

Bible-thumpers make Christianity look bad!

Answer 2

No I am not sickened by such people. I believe in TRUTH and I believe what the Bible teaches about Heaven and Hell. However, ultimately it doesn't matter what you, or I, or anyone else believes.... a belief in something doesn't make it true. You can believe all you like that Hell doesn't exist, or wish that it's going to be a party, but the FACT of the matter is that Hell is very real. Your choosing (or not) to believe it doesn't change the fact of its existence.

If you look more closely at the God of the Bible, you will find Him to be 100% just, holy and loving. Justice on its own would produce a harsh God; love on its own would produce a God lacking a moral compass; holiness alone would be far too legalistic. The God of the Bible is a God of balance and unity. Read for yourself and don't listen to what others around you say. Find out the TRUTH for yourself.

Answer 3

I keep hearing this compliant about Christians that are always saying that a person will go to hell if they don't believe. in God. To be truthful about it, I seldom see that line posted on this site. If the Christian didn't care where you spent eternity, why would he/she make such a remark? Could it be that it's out care for you that they say this? Although their manner of speech and wording may be lacking, their intent is for your good. Why ridicule someone that is concerned about you and your eternal wellbeing? A person can't be argued into Heaven. The cards are on the table, it's up to you how you play them. Should God say that EVERYBODY is going to go to Heaven no matter how they feel about me (God) or what they do. Should sin have no punishment? In our society, should breaking the law have no condequences and punishment? If I don't believe in, or agree with, the laws about not speeding and I drive 100 miles an hour in a 45 mile per hour speed zone, should I expect the police to do nothing about it? Our rules and laws carry punishment when not obeyed. Why shouldn't Gods? If a person doesn't believe in God means they don't believe in Jesus and what He did for us. We are unworthy of going to Heaven on our own accord. But Jesus changed that. Jesus made the way to Heaven possible for us. Not accepting, not believing in God, isn't the one and only reason a person might go to hell. Sin, all sin, is the reason. Unfortionatly, we all sin and the wadges of sin is death...eternal death. Just like the breaking of mans laws carries punishment, sin carries punishment. Don't look at it like God is vain, un-caring and without compassion. God cares, loves, and has so much compassion for us that He sent Jesus, His own Son, to die for us thus taking our sins away. God is love and caring. He offers us rescue, a way out of our sin, forgiveness. He gives us yet another chance to not go to hell. All we need do is accept it.

Answer 4

Let me just say that people who tell you that nowadays need to change. Let me start out by saying yes, I am a Christian. I'm proud too, but some things Christians do are just human. I bet you've heard this a million times but nobody is perfect. I'm sorry you feel sickened by what you heard, and you may believe whatever you choose to believe. I chose to be a Christian because I felt empty. Do you feel like you have a purpose? I didn't know at the time. When I accepting Jesus as my savior my life changed. I know you probably don't want to hear this and I just wanna tell you that I'm here to tell you that I'm not here trying to convert you, but to help you. Most Christians are good people, but a lot of us aren't. We sin everyday and do bad things. The truth of it is, is that it doesn't matter if you believe me. I myself am tried of the hypocrisy. I hope you can understand that honestly you only have one life. How do you want to live it?

Answer 5

I dont beleive in the traditional concept of hell and so I dont think anyone will really be suffering an eternity of misery and torture. People say on here all the time, and out in the "real world" that I am going to hell because I am mormon and you know what, if their God is so cruel that he would condemn a good person sincerly trying to live a christ like life to hell, then I dont want any part of that Gods heaven anyways.

What is getting really really old are people like that, I am guessing, atheist, that insist on answering questions like these with, well its all a myth so blah blah blah.

We get it, You dont believe in God. Ok already. Dont you see how incredibly condescending and pretentious these answers start to get after a while? Just answer the dang question already.

Answer 6

I will tell you now, that although there are quite a few Christians who will shout it out loud that you will go to hell for not believing in Christ (or their particular beliefs about Christ), I think you might be interested in knowing that many of my Christian friends and I DO have trouble believing this doctrine. It is a struggle to comprehend how God can be loving and yet send people who have lived a good life to hell. I personally struggle with it, and my only explanation is that we are sinful creatures, and we too often follow our own desires. We DESERVE hell. Thankfully, Christ came down and sacrificed himself for those who would call upon his name. Therein lies the problem...one is not going to call upon Christ for help if he a) does not believe in God b) does not believe s/he is a sinful creature and/or c) does not acknowledge Christ as the Son of God. God is not sending people to hell. We choose it, in our thoughts, actions, and deeds, and we must ask Christ for help if we seek eternal life with Him in Heaven. I hope this helps you come to grips with this.

Feel free to contact me further if you would like to at [e-mail], and put something in the subject line of the e-mail about this question so that I will see it.

Answer 7

I don't believe in sin or hell.

I've been told by quite a few Christians that I am going to burn in hell.

I was also told by one (a guy on here named CJ) that my Catholic Mom who does volunteer work almost daily - is going to hell because "good works" won't get her into heaven.

I told him that I would let my Mom know - and then we would laugh. And I did - and we did.

I just laugh now. It's so bizarre - and predictable. Almost every conversation I've had with Christians on Y! Answers - has ended with them telling me I'm going to hell. And me laughing. In all fairness - sometimes they are very nice about it - and they seem genuinely concerned and sad as they inform me that I'm going to hell - and it won't be pleasant.

Don't be sickened. That gives them way too much power. Just enjoy it like I do. LAUGH!!

Namaste!!

Answer 8

1 - No , I'm sickened by people who impose their thoughts not those whom give us their position or views ... And another thing please don't generalize Christians , some of them give Christianity a bad name , not all

2 - God , not god , isn't selfish or immature , we are

3 - If you seriously want to go to Hell than frankly that's your choice but don't go around saying , if you go there , that people over here on earth didn't warn you

Answer 9

I usually roll my eyes (like i am doin now) and get on with my work.
( Iwould like to send the busybodies to iraq or iran so they can spread the light there.)

And as far as God bein jealous is concerned, thats just a ploy by the authors to maximize their earnings. A jealous or vengeful God is not divine enough for me to bother with. As far as Gandhi is concerned, "his" god won't send him to hell. I hope.

Answer 10

Yeah... there's a certain nausea that goes with coming in contact with that sort of thinking. I mostly just feel sorry for them, though; it must be a miserable way to live your life if you believe that.

Edit: And here we see a few more examples as they (supposedly) answer your question. I don't know whether to laugh or cry - do you? :-)

Make room in that cell for me, will ya? ;-)

Shalom