Christians: If it turns out you're right...?

Question

...and at least two-thirds of humanity are condemned to eternal torture (for not believing in your particular religion), will you smugly say, "Serves them right!" as they're cast into the lake of fire? Or would you follow Jesus' earthly example and ask for leniency on their behalf? After all, if most of the 30 billion or so people throughout the history of humanity were indoctrinated from infancy in the religion of their native culture rather than yours, did they really have a reasonable chance to discover the truth? Do they really deserve to be tortured forEVER due to an accident of their birth?

And if it turned out that it was someone else's religion that was the One, True Path, would you hope that one of the Saved would plead for mercy on your behalf? Or would you walk into Hell with your head held high saying, "You know what? You're right -- I screwed up, and I deserve this..."?

EDIT: I know, Kaliko, because two-thirds of humanity worship a deity other than the Christian god. That alone disqualifies them for salvation, according to your bible.

And to Pirate AM -- Masochists are people who get off on having pain inflicted upon THEMSELVES. I think you mean "sadistic"...

Answer 1

Y'know, I am an atheist and I gotta say...
if I died and I was wrong and I was being judged and whatnot I would hope someone would ask for lieniency on MY behalf. I may not have asked for the lord to be my savior but I lead a well intentioned life. I don't lie, cheat or steal. I look out for the underdog and I try my best to be a good person. That's gotta count for something, right? Right?

Answer 2

Some people are so f*cking mean on this, namely the first two people to answer your question. I think is a great question, and don't have the answer. If i were a 'follower of Christ' i would ask that the people who never heard the Word (witch of course there are millions--NOT everyone has had the chance to hear the missioanarys) o be shown mercy.

if at the end of my life, hal a good faithfull Christian, and half what some would term Heathen, I acctually have to walk into the lake of fire (which i dont beleive i) then it will be, wel, guess i screwed up. But again, i reall dont think that will happen.

Great Question.

Answer 3

Why might i've got self assurance cheated? If the divine have been judgemental rather of possesing unconditional love then it would be a divine with traits and lines any individual must be better than. what's the factor of searching for coaching from a God that people already own better ranges of ethical evolution than? A God of "judgement" and "justice" is a few thing that mom Teresa and Gandhi have already shown themselves extra suitable to.

Answer 4

Yo Rev.Squirt -be-true.Hence my new name.Your question is valid,although most christians I know are so self-righteous they don't seem to care about their own family and friends,let alone 2/3 of the rest of humanity.Just check out that dude Isiah - revels in the fact he will be in heaven while his family will be in hell(obviously if he was right which thank god hes not).

Answer 5

A couple of things. First, you seem to consider God unjust and wanting people to end up in hell, nothing could be further from the truth. The God of heaven and earth, did NOT create mankind for fun, or pleasure, or need, he created man to love and to be loved. I for one do not have all the answers, however, God is just, there is no justice like that from God. No one will enter hell without knowing full well why they are there, and the only reason they will be there is an open rejection of God. Hell is not a place that God 'stores' bad peoples, it is a place where God is not. We can not at this time understand that, for at this time there is no place where God's presence is not. That will not be the case at that time. God will simply not be where they are, The ones who refuse to accept the love of God, will be left to their own. God will not force anyone to accept him. What occurs is kinda like this. I know you are into science, look at it like this. If you take a room, and put in a million-candle power light, the room will be flooded with light. Are their shadows? Yes, you just can not see them due to the fact that the light overwhelms them. When the light is removed, the shadows are not only still there but they now are the prominent force. When the presence of God leaves those who reject him, then the will be with what they accepted. That is their choice. They made it. I know you find it hard to understand, but anyone, who has a clear understanding of the concept of hell, will not gloat, or be smug, In fact I would not want the worst of mankind to be there. But be there they will. There are people in this life who love their children, love them more than anything, but sometimes these children reject them. Especially in their teenage years. They follow their friends, their boyfriend or girlfriend. Sometimes they follow some new ideal like ‘Goth’ the ‘rebel’ aginst everything their parents have taught them. The will even run away, have kids, do their own thing, and cut off all contact with those who love them the most. Do these parents stop loving their children? No, would they do anything to take them back? Yes. But you must remember God is just. If he says something he means it. He will not change his word. The punishment for rejection, is eternal separation. There will not be second chances for anyone who has heard his word. Those who came before had the opportunity, when Christ descended into Hades after the cross to preach the ‘good news’ to those who went before. He made a way that they might know, he will make a way that all will have a chance to know, but once again it was up to them to accept or deny him.

Answer 6

If I was left behind from the rapture, I would spend the seven years of tribulation trying to convince the rest of the population of the true path. During the seven years of tribulation, God will give the unworth so many obvious signs that they need to come to God that if even then he is ignored, than those people may deserve hell. If they take the sign of the beast so they can keep their worldly possessions, then so be it.
If it turns out another religion is correct, then i hope that their god would give non-believers as many chances as our God is going to do for non-believers.

Answer 7

We lost a good member last night. A person went to his my yahoo and threatened him, his kids and wife. This person sent mutilated animal pictures to him and his sister in law. Another member was emailed a rebuke in Jeses (their spelling) and called him satan. Zero and other regulars were set up by this vile, sick woman to turn everyone in for suspension. She deleted her questions so as to no evidence against her. Watch your tooshie. She asked the most disgusting, sick questions about Atheists and gays.

Answer 8

What do you mean? I AM right!

Well, it's our JOB to tell people about Jesus and His love. This is my way of doing it. So that doesn't happen. But I can lead a horse to water but I can't make it drink. All I can do it put the info out there. I Cant' make you believe it. The choice is entirely up to you. God is not going to punish for accidents of birth. He looks on the inside. He will ask one question. Have you met my Son?

If you say, "Yes, He's my best friend," and Jesus say, "Hey yeah, we talk often" you are in. If he says, "Who are you?" sorry, how you brought some sunscreen SPF 10,000.

God doesn't care where you were born and lived on Earth Christians are supposed be telling you about Him all over the world. It's the reason for missionaries.

There is no other religion that is the right way.

Answer 9

Do you ever wonder about God in this context? Think about it, he would have spent 6000+ years watching over the human race, knowingly ignoring the bulk of them, then sending the majority of them to Hell, and would not be able to forget about them for the "rest" of eternity.

Sounds fairly masochistic.

Answer 10

Good question.

This issue is one reason I left Christianity. I can't believe in a God that would create such a scenario.

Prirate: I'd call it sadistic, personally.