Christians- Do people who don't believe in God really go to hell?

Question

I am a Christian, but I question a lot. At this point, I belive in God and I believe in Jesus, but I don't believe a lot of the stuff in the Bible, because God Himself didn't actually pen it and send it down on a cloud. It was penned by men who could have misunderstood the prophecies, exaggerated them or simply used the opportunity to write about them for selfish purposes. Therefore, I disregard a lot of the "rules" we're supposed to live by according to that book. I do believe in the basics: We should love one another and not be deceitful or hurtful toward one another. We should also repsect the life we and others have been given.
All they ever talk about is how "God is love." That's why I have trouble believing that He would send people who don't believe in Him to Hell- a torturous place that God left to Lucifer and his minions. People may have many different reasons for not believing in God, but it does not mean that they are "bad people."

I have met many people who believe that when Jesus died for our sins, we were ALL saved, from that day forward. No matter what. That's what I would like to believe, but just because I want it to be true doesn't make it so. I have many pagan/atheist/agnostic friends. Will we really have to part company when we die? Then, will it really be "Heaven" when I get there?
I just can't believe that a Creator who is supposed to be the embodiment of love would be that cruel- to all of us, not just those who are damned.

Sorry if it was wordy or preachy or whatever. I don't mean to come off as telling people what to think. I'm just conflicted. The love of my life- possibly my soul mate doesn't want anything to do with God and I tell him I don't think there's anything to worry about, but it still scares me that I might not see him and that he could be tortured for eternity... I'm not going to try and convert him just because of my own beliefs, though. I'm willing to admit that it's just a belief and not fact and we could all be wrong... Oh wow, I'm rambling again...

Some parting notes: Thanks so much to all who took the time to answer me. I have a few things to say, though:
First let me clarify. I never said there was no Hell. If I believed there was no Hell, I wouldn't have asked the question in the first place.
Second: Here's my belief thus far: God is perfect. The Bible is not. My opinion. Not gonna apologize for it. Reason being I interpret it in the context of the time it was written and who it was written by, especially when I read what is supposedly God's plan for women who have been raped and therefore had their virginity taken from them, and yet they are worth nothing and, at the worst, must be killed along with their rapist. See Deuteronomy 22:23-27 and Leviticus 19:20.
That said, I am willing to admit that this is my opinion, so I am not saying that those who live every aspect of their life by the Bible are necessarily wrong (though the prospect seems frightening to me). --continued below--

I think a lot of problems people have with Christianity is that we’re so damn sure of ourselves that we confuse believing something with knowing it, and that anyone who has doubts is raked over the coals and “schooled” on what they should or should not believe. I do not feel this way and I appreciate those who encouraged me to find my own answers.
Also, I would like to say that I do not subscribe to the arrogance that has been expressed by some people that I am somehow better than those who do not believe or have different beliefs because they pray to a different invisible man (or woman! Egad!) than I do.
Thank you all for your time. It’s been a lovely convention of ideas, and I am officially more confused than when I first asked the question, but I believe I am better armed to find the answers.
Bless y’allz. I’m outta here.

Answer 1

Hell is not Biblically supported even the term is used liberally throughout...the original word Sheol has been mistranslated and means literally "to be covered over". Hell is death. The lake of fire is a consuming place that will destroy. No one suffers there for eternity. Essentially this is what happens...when you begin to earnestly study the Bible...one truth is revealed at a time until it all comes together and you are able to see that it was written as it was so that line upon line, precept upon precept, men of knowledge and great understanding would fail to grasp the mystery...and that mystery is..there is none. There is nothing really obscure about the Word of God. I know. I've been diligently studying it for the last 11 years and these are the common misconceptions that have been passed down from men's traditions...brace yourself...you've been lied to.

1. Immediate dispensation - when you die..you go to heaven or hell. Not true. When you die..you are dead. Dispensation will be to a second and final death or to the New Earth to live eternally with God on that final day of judgement.

2. Jesus is new having just popped onto the scene around 2000 years ago having been hanging out in heaven until He was chosen...wrong. Jesus is the God of the OT. No one has seen the Father except Him and so that means that all those peoples who spent time with God in Biblical times was with the Son.

3. Eternal torment in Hell...nope. The Bible repeatedly, many times over and over describes what the wages of sin is...death. Simple.

4. That the OT is null. Wrong...the New Testament had not been written when Christ directed His disciples toward the scriptures and to Gods Laws...not to be confused with men's laws, Jewish laws, which were burdonsome..but with the Commandments.

5. Condoning permissive implication - this means that if it was given an account of occuring in the Bible right under Gods nose then He must think its okay. Not so...many acts even by men who walked with God, God found utterly sinful but yet by grace, these men weren't wiped out of existance. In fact these accounts are used to teach us and would be conspicuous by their absense.

6. There is no way to understand the Bible conclusively. No so..the Bible is its own interpretor. Everything means something and that meaning is found within the passages either directly or indirectly connected to the scripture in question.

7. Immortality of the soul - means you have a little tiny spirit of your own incased in a mortal body. Nope. You are a physical being created from componants of the earth and unless compelled by God to be otherwise, go elsewhere and or become so...you are human and when you die..you are dead.

8. The Bible is full of error and cannot be trusted for its integrity. Again...not so...The KJV as written in 1611 to include the Apocryphal books was predicted in the Book of Revelation 11. The Two Witnesses clothed in sackcloth that come to life after being trampledon for 1260 years...that was scripture oppressed from the people by the Roman Catholic Church, also prophesied of in Revelations.

There is so much that I wish I could convey to you in this post but not nearly enough room. I can only say that to understand the Bible's construction you have to understand that there are but few minor errors, mostly having to do with the counting of people which God punished David for doing. Elsewise there are a handful of language instances...like candlestick for lampstand and etc. However, these are all solid food before the milk so take it one slice of scriptural bread at a time but consume as much as you like everyday. Its the only thing that God tells us we can never get enough of and with it..there is no need for moderation. I shouldn't say trust me...but still I would like to say to you that I have been to many atheist websites and have looked at the so called conflicting evidence and as well can tell you that after investigation...the Bible doesn't contradict but is perfectly cohesive in unity and consistancy and there are thousands upon thousands of pieces of text, ancient documents, historical writings, non-biblical scholarship, archaeological evidence, artifacts, locations and cultural indicators that the Bible is at least as accurate as it needs to be plus alot more. The more you seek the more you will find and the more you find the more your faith will increase. This has been my experience because about 13 years ago..I was exactly where you are at now. Yet, I felt lost cuz how could I ever think to figure it all out on my own and what other source could provide me the answers...so I began a journey and that precious book has never let me down since. Love in Christ, ~J~

Answer 2

I am not a follower but those I know that do follow various religions would appear to believe out of fear of punishment they might receive should they quit. also they follow out of hoping to go on to heaven or whatever they believe in. So I'd say it is because they are scared of burning or just not existing when they die and also because they think they will get something good out of it if they believe,they want to be chosen as being better then everyone who doesn't believe ,most managing to do so without much thought for there close friends and relatives who are none believers and who won't be coming along in the next life with them according to the rules .... I think thats pretty heartless. if I was a believer and knew someone who wasn't butthe none believer was still a pretty decent person all the same I think I would reason-'whats so wrong with my friend that they can't live after death and I can' and i'd be pretty angry at who made the rules and stick by my friend rather then bend over backwards to please some dogmatic higher being! end of rant!

Answer 3

Many Christians believe that anybody who has not accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior - in just the right way - will go to hell. A guy named CJ - who is on here frequently - has assured me that my 80 year old Catholic mother is going to hell. Just makes you wanna hug him - doesn't it!?!?!?!?

I believe that God is LOVE. Knowing that - I've decided that there is no hell. God doesn't work that way. I'm also not sure about heaven. I have no idea what happens after this. I do know I'm here now and the love of God works through me every day. If this is "all there is" - it's still pretty darn miraculous and I'm grateful.

Namaste!

Answer 4

I suppose it's "convenient" to pick and choose what to follow...and what to ignore...from the Word of God.

But, aside from that. The covenant of the New Testament for the salvation of the eternal soul thru Jesus, Son of the one true God is freely available to any person.

All a person has to do is sincerely enter into (accept) this covenant with a repentant heart out of their own free will. This assures that person the kingdom of heaven.

However, a person may instead decide NOT to accept this covenant. The consequences of this decision is clear in God's Word.

There ARE things in the Holy Bible which are very clearly stated. This is one.

And, it really IS this simple.

Answer 5

God sent down four books-- the gospel, the Torah, The psalm, and the Quran. over time the gospel, Torah and psalm were not perseved but the Quran which has been sent for mankind until the end of last day was perserved because Allah swt (The God) guaranteed for its preservence.

“No doubt we have sent down the Qur’an and surely we will guard it (from corruption)”{Al Hijr:9}

Read the Quran and it will answer all your questions.

God is merciful but he is also just. It wouldn't be fair to treat two people one who believed in him and did good things the same as the one who did not. Belief in God is a must for anyone to enter paradise. You could do so much for his creation but if you deny God, then you have forgotten the one who deserves more than his creation. You have forgotten your purpose in life. How can you seek reward with God when you never intented to seek reward with him?
visit this website for more info and questions http://www.islamreligion.com/?ref=chat or http://www.shareislam.com/

Answer 6

I understand what you are saying but you have missed the point.

You are not God. You can not take the truth and twist it to fit what makes you comfortable. Just because you have trouble believing that God would send anyone to hell is pointless. You do not make God who he is.

What we know is that God is perfect. He is love. We also know that Jesus told us there is a hell. Jesus actually mentions hell more than heaven.

Faith is that part in which we trust completely in the God we know to be perfect. We are not perfect, so our judgment, compassion. love, and mercy are all flawed in some way. God, on the other hand, is perfect in all things. Therefore, no one will be in hell who does not deserve to be there. I trust him in this.

You cannot make yourself more compassionate or merciful than God. Just because the scriptures to not "appeal" to your sense of love does not make them less true. All you have to worry about is trusting God in all things. He loves each of us more than we could ever love another.

Answer 7

Having faith in a man made religion, do you really need to have faith in a man made hell? A better question would be is there really even a hell? OR was hell created by those that needed to fear the non-believers into their beliefs? History's actions speak in louder volumes then modern day words of drama.

Answer 8

OK so you have doubts about some of the letters in the bible.....are you perfect...can you live,write,sing,speak with perfection even though you are a believer....the Bible is a recorded account of God love and his salvation for us... you will not find perfection in anything man will have his hands on...so don't loose site of what is important here...

Answer 9

Matthew 7:14
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Romans 10:13
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Matthew 23:33
Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Luke 12:5
But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.



If you are a Christian you don't need to have anything to do with atheist.

2 Corinthians 6:14
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?



This is the most important thing for anyone to know:
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Hebrews 4:3
3For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

We must believe in God, accept Jesus Christ and repent of our sins or we are not saved from anything.

Answer 10

There are 162 references to HELL in the New Testament alone, over 70 of those spoken by Jesus Himself.

" He that believes (the gospel) and is baptized SHALL BE SAVED; he that believes not SHALL BE DAMNED ". - Jesus

"So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth". - Jesus (Matt. 13:49)

Jesus called it a literal place of REAL torment.

The truth about hell: http://www.av1611.org/hell.html
Scriptures about hell: http://www.rapturealert.com/ishellarealplace.html
" For the wages of sin is death, but the Gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ Our Lord". - (Romans 6:23)