According to the Bible, or at least according to the Christians I have encountered and their interpretation, you have to accept Jesus as your saviour to get to heaven. So what of those who never have the chance to? What of those who never heard of Christianity? Or the newborns who die before having either knowledge or exposure?
Does God allow the ignorant into heaven, if their ignorance is through no fault of their own? Or is it strictly affirmed Christians only?
This may well be a drinking question, but I was just curious as to how this problem is dealt with by Christians and Him on high.
2007-11-04 07:56:08 · 34 answers · asked by Rafael 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Just to clarify.....I'm an agnostic, and am cursed with an insatiable urge to explore the complexities of theology before making any descision. When you're so skeptical that you doubt your own existance on a regular basis, logical incinsistencies are all you have to go by.
And Laura, I think that any God worth believing in would make allowances for such things. Thank you for your answer.
2007-11-04 08:23:13 · update #1
Micheal c, as mentioned above I am not a Christian. Faith is something I greatly admire but unfortunately seem incapable of. Thank you for the kindness and wisdom of your answer, and I am sorry if I gave a misleading impression.
2007-11-04 08:26:44 · update #2
God gives everyone a knowledge of Him in their hearts. Even if someone has never heard of Jesus Christ, they still know in their hearts that there is a God, and the difference between good and evil. All humans were given that when Eve ate the forbidden fruit. If a person then follows what they know, and ask God to show them the Truth, God will send them someone to teach them. That is why there have been Christian missionaries in remote areas for centuries. God doesn't judge you for what you don't know; He only judges you for what you do with what you DO know.
As far as small children go, children belong to the Lord. They are innocent and are not old enough to make a conscious decision for or against God. That is why you don't need to baptize babies; children should be baptized when they are old enough to know what they're doing, to make a conscious choice to live for God. This may be anywhere from 7 years old up to 13 or so, depending upon the maturity of the child.
2007-11-04 08:10:10 · answer #1 · answered by FUNdie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi Good Question,Matthew 28.19&20 in the Bible anwer's this.The system of things here may end as we know it. I am not saying the earth will come to an end. Just the system, After all look at what man kind is doing to It. Even Sientist's themselves have wrote a Book on It. They say in 2012. But no one really know's Only God himselve No Man. Anyways no mercafuly God, Would make someone suffer by for never knowing something they never knew, Or even had a chance to learn about. At least that would not be a God I would want to worship. For Those who have heard or understand the Lords prayer. What does it tell us. Bring your Kingdom on Earth. AS it is In Heaven.. That was What does that mean to you? And others. He only lived on this Earth for 33 years. Matt 6 ;9,10 And lived and suffered as a Man would.
In stort my Answer is No. Everyone will be given a chance
to follow Gods way of life. Without the influ of Evil as we have today. Then we will be given the final chance for ourselves.
We will always have free will. We are not Robots.
2007-11-05 00:56:51 · answer #2 · answered by Susieq 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible talks about the age of accountability. This is the fact that a person (child) must grow to the age where they understand that they are a sinner in need of Jesus Christ.
As for people who are past that age, but never have had anyone tell them about Jesus...
The Bible says that all of Creation reveals the majesty of God. Even people who never have heard about Jesus can know that there is a Creator and seek Him. At judgement, it will be between God and each person.
As a side note, your question points to why Christians are eager to send missionaries into all parts of the world.
2007-11-04 08:03:34 · answer #3 · answered by RedThread 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes because God undertstands if there only children.I actually have a prayer at home about how much god loves children and babbies.In the prayer it says god knows children and new born babbies dont know about faith so he lets them into heaven anyway.God also loves each and everyone of us equally no matter what religion we are but I think he just apreciates it more when his people and creations are Christians and spare 1/2 an hour in church on sundays which I do.
2007-11-04 08:09:37 · answer #4 · answered by michael c 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a Christan woman, I feel God is merciful and just. Therefore, why would he condemn someone who has no knowledge of Christianity?
Young children are innocent and free of sin. God welcomes them with open arms.
Heaven's gates will be open to all people that lead wholesome, productive lives.
It is my opinion we will all be judged according to the deeds we and done and by the deeds we have left undone.
Mankind would be much better off seeking our individual redemption instead of passing judgment on others.
Rafael, You are doing the right thing, Finding faith is a personal journey. Keep searching, asking questions. Hopefully you will find the answers you are looking for.
2007-11-04 08:17:43 · answer #5 · answered by KyLoveChick 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To Those who never Heard the Gospell: The Holy Spirit has been on This Earth for a long Time. People have made it Their Right to go to Heaven Through The Holy Spirit for a Long Time.
For Babys, etc.---if you Never come to The Mental Age where you can Decide for YourSelf (FreeWill) and Die (leave the Earth for Good) you get a Free Ticket to Heaven---Thanky Jesus!
When I got Saved, I wanted to Know "What GOD Said".
There ain't much about NOT Drinking Alcohol in there, cept' for some Priestly Things in the Old Testament, they weren't suppose to drink wine.
BUT there is ALOT about ABUSING Alcohol.
Be Diligent, ALCOHOL is EASY to ABUSE!
(bout' killed me, one Time!)
2007-11-04 08:06:13 · answer #6 · answered by maguyver727 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I truly feel that we have no right to say who will go to heaven and who will not. I am a Christian and do have my beliefs but who am I to say that you will not get into heaven. I do not have the right to say that because of your sins you won't go heaven. And what gives others to say that someone will go to Hell? Everyone sins. I don't care if your the pope. Sin is sin no matter how you look at it. Only God has the right to decide what sin is worse than the other. And just because someone is a Christian doesn't mean that it's a get into to Heaven free card.
2007-11-04 08:07:04 · answer #7 · answered by booellis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, Children. Children below the age of accountability(which varies depending on the maturity level of each individual child) get into Heaven. That is a given and there is no judgment passed upon them to get into the gates of Heaven.
Now those who are ignorant to Jesus. I do believe that it is true that they are treated like children below the age of accountability but they must be truly ignorant of Jesus and His teachings. Those that choose to ignore Him are not including in that category.
2007-11-04 08:52:50 · answer #8 · answered by christina h 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well i have heard the pope actualy has said that children who die early can go to heaven and baptism is used for children who ask to baptize a child early on. Im not too sure if this carries to christianity because of the rule that when you are born you are asinner and baptism takes it away.
2007-11-04 08:02:10 · answer #9 · answered by Scream Bloody Gore anti jonas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Newborns or babies, even kids would not be forbidden to go to heaven either not having lived long enough to be aware of Christianity, but for kids, they aren't held reliable for their actions, but parents are. Kids will automatically make it to heaven. But for adults, because we are given opportunities to come to know Christ, if don't choose to accept him and gain the knowledge, we get punished for sin; it doesn't matter if we have the knowledge or not. We are held accountable if we choose to come to know the Lord and if we choose to have Christ as our Savior.
What do God do with those people, I won't pretend that I know, for I am not the Judge, but I'm giving you knowledge I have.
2007-11-04 08:02:25 · answer #10 · answered by Яɑɩɳɓɵw 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋