Why would a loving God let anyone go to hell?

Question

Back in my days as a flight-deck firefighter, when our ship's helicopter was on rescue missions, we had to stand around in our gear in case of a crash. There was usually very little to do, so we told stories. One I heard was about a rescue swimmer. She had to pull a family out of the water from a capsized boat, but by the time the chopper got there, it appeared everyone had drowned except the mother, who was for that reason shedding her life vest and trying to drown herself. The swimmer dove in to rescue her, but she kicked and screamed and yelled to let her die. She even gave the swimmer a whopping black eye. But the swimmer said to hell with that, I'm bringing you in! And she did, enduring her curses and blows all the way.

Later, the woman who had beaten the crap out of her rescuer apologized and thanked her for saving her against her will. Everyone in my group agreed the rescue swimmer had done the right thing, and we all would have done the same--because that is what a loving, caring being does. It follows that if God is a loving being, he will do no less for us. In the real world, kind people don't act like some stubborn, pouting God who abandons the drowning simply because they don't want to be helped. They act like this rescue swimmer. They act like us.

Not of this world: you must not have read a word of what I said.

Even if we do send ourselves to hell (which we don't), why would God let us?

You don't get it Isaiah.

Jennifer: I didn't say God sends people to hell. Just LETS people go to hell. (even though he does SEND)

I see that no Christians even saw the point of the question.

Jennifer:

If you had a son who "chose" to do drugs, would you let him? Not if you're a loving mom. So God wouldn't let us, fallibal humans, make a choice that shall hurt us either.

Storm: that is Not how God is. You are very unclear. Because God lets us choose hell...knowing we'll regret it.

symplees: but we would not want to be in hell once we got there, and God knows it.

Child of God:

But if God did FORCE us to go to heaven, we would thank him. Unless hell is a place we will enjoy (and the Bible says it's not) we would be thankful that GOd didn't let us choose to go there.

Answer 1

I don't expect my answer to be embraced by you, but I'll put my 2 cents in on this one. Like others have said, God sent the ultimate life preserver when He sent His Son. That being said, we have to choose to be rescued. Many don't realize they need to be rescued and thrash against those who would try to save them.
On this planet, we as followers of Christ are His hands and feet and we should be acting as the rescue swimmer in your story did...persevere, persevere, persevere. However, when we do endure and continue to assist in rescuing people we're often told that we're imposing our beliefs etc. and that we should just mind our own business (or as in your story, allow them to perish) It can't be both ways.

The difference in my opinion is this: the woman in your story THOUGHT she had nothing to live for, hence her choice to die. We are told repeatedly that we can have everlasting life with Jesus. Thus, choose LIFE.
On the lighter side, be careful about introducing the concept of "force" when it comes to God and Christ. There are way too many people(using this forum) who scream at the thought of behaving as mindless robots worshipping God the Father.

Answer 2

I have several problems with the typical responses I hear to these questions

A) Many of the people in the history of the world have not heard of Christianity. This includes civilizations in BC times, as well as during the growth of it. The fact remains that the biggest reason why it is even so popular is because many many people were forcibly converted and killed and many cultures were destroyed and taken over in the name of "my god is holier than thous".
There are many people in past and present who either have not heard of it or only have heard "of" it. How can they be expected to "make their own destiny" if they do not know the choice.

B) There are literally hundreds of millions of people who are illiterate due to terrible economic conditions. Once again, how can they be expected to make the choice for them self if they are not given the info. The only exposure they get is from oral interpretation from visiting missionaries. It is no secret that many organizations often add their own beliefs, and omit others that they chose to not follow (One of the reasons why there are literally hundreds of Christian organizations). Put the imperfect oral interpretation of others combined with ulterior motives and you have yourself bad news. These organizations, in a hurry, will often try to use the fear tactic of hell, as seen throughout history when invading a new land.

C) Islam. It appears that some Christians believe they are worshiping the same God but it seems the majority of them on R&S see it as because they do not accept Christ as God, Muslims do not worship the same God. If you do not accept Christ/God, you go to hell . So between the two largest religions, either 1.5 billion people go to hell, or about 1.2 billion. I'm sorry, but that's just 100% BS.

I could go on, but really it'll be a boring rant

-Agnostic sick of people trying to judge him

Answer 3

Ok. im unclear, but this is a demonstration of how God is. he wants us to be saved, and he'll gladly pull us out of a drowning situation, just like this swimmer did. But more people are unwilling to come to God to be saved. So it IS by choice that people go to hell. unlike this swimmer, He wont force someone to do what they dont want to do. but no one wants to hear that.

Answer 4

And if God did that you would say, why did God force the mother to live in a world without her family instead of letting her join them in death? The next step is why did He even let them die? No. The line of logic you propose can only end up with robotic response void of will.
Why do you grieve the God who loves you and only wants you to freely love Him back? Why do you hate the One who will not force you to His side?

If you do not wish to be in hell, then choose to be with God. That is the best you will be offered.

Moo: Judgement belongs to God. We are to do as we have been told to do, that is preach the Gospel of truth to all nations. When others have produced error God is capable of correcting and He is justified in applying or withholding that correction. When we are led to reveal error that has been taught to others we must have a thorough understanding of what God's word says and be faithful to teaching that word. God's judgement will reveal all.

Answer 5

No offense, but this has been asked so many times on here! Our loving God is not sending anyone to hell! He gave you everything you needed and asked only that you believe on Him to be saved. If you choose not to believe then you are choosing to go to hell. It is that simple!! God could have made us like robots and told us that we had to worship Him and believe in Him but He gave us free will! It will deeply hurt Him if you choose hell but that is the beauty of a loving God because He let YOU choose instead of choosing for you!

Answer 6

I don't understand your question. that IS the way God is. He will hold on to us with everything He has. i think you're talking about the people who've already drowned...did your rescue swimmer jump back in after those who were already dead?

as long as we draw breath, God is working to save us...you have no idea...

Answer 7

Often we mistakenly divide up God's nature--that He is loving, that He is righteous, that He is all-powerful, that He is strong, etc. Those are separate things to us. But God's character cannot be divided up. God is loving, yes, VERY LOVING...He proved it by causing Jesus to die a horrible death on the cross for our sins and take all of every one's sins in the world past present and future. But this aspect of His character, loving, cannot be mutually exclusive from the fact that He is holy and has to judge. The two go along with each other....

Answer 8

i've had the crap beaten out of me, literally and figuratively, and have had a whopping black eye. imma rescue swimmer trying to rescue myself! its God's will.

Answer 9

God does not send anyone to hell! John 3:16 For God so loved the World that he gave Jesus! if you believe in Jesus you'll be fine! if not you'll miss a great thing!

then you send yourself to Hell! not God

why the thumbs down!

well I answered the question - I could not find any other questions

Answer 10

God sent His very own Life Preserver. His name is Jesus. Some people - out of pride, vanity, or perhaps fear, refuse that Life Preserver. They would rather drown. God wants people to love Him on their own - He will force no man to love Him (unlike the person in the rather clumsy comparison you provided).