When religious people say they're fine w/ their friends not believing as they do, does anyone else...?

Question

...find that strange? It seems like those that really believe in a path to Heaven and not Hell shouldn't be okay with their loved ones not being on that path.

Sure, some don't REALLY believe in Heaven and Hell, but it seems many do, and yet many of THEM are live-and-let-live types (the coolest among them IMO).

But it's crazy to me that they are just fine with the idea (in their minds) that their nonbelieving friends will burn in hellfire literally forever, while they envision themselves living in perfect bliss.

FYI: This does NOT mean you should start proselytizing - that is definitely much more annoying, (but at least it shows some empathy, however patronizing...)

Answer 1

So, roughly, my options are

1. proselytize, which means i'm annoying and patronizing
2. not proselytize, which means i lack empathy

Answer 2

Hope I can help without being preachy. I think it all depends. You bet that it bothers me that some of my friends don't believe as I do (I am a born again Christian) HOWEVER, we were created with free will and really all we can do is plant the seed. We are supposed to live in the world, but not of the world. I have friends of all faiths and even a Wiccan is in the mix-and we do discuss our views. Discuss-not argue. Alienation of anyone about anything generally isn't too healthy.

I just lost someone close to me who was an agnostic. We occassionally would have some great discussions-not arguments. Sometimes I think just knowing why the other person feels the way they do and hearing them out by being a friend can be a way of planting a seed too-by example. I have had numerous associates of this person ask if he ever "got over the agnostic thing". I would like to know too, but what it comes down to is no one knows what goes on in those final moments-so we don't ultimately know. Forcing my beliefs down someone's throat or acting holier than thou is more of a turn off that a great example-but I also know everyone is made differently and responds to different styles. I can't force anyone's path-and if I did-chances are it may possibly shut off from any further discussion. Does it bother me some of my friends may be going to Hell-yes. Remember, not all Christians are the same and not all non beleivers are athiests. We were all given free will and we have to deal with the fact that not everyone goes to Heaven. It's a tough one for us too. Trust me.

Think I answered more than you wanted. Hope it helped anyway. If those three wishes that we read about were real I would wish for the cure to all illness, peace, and that everyone would go to Heaven-but I know it won't happen that way and it does make me sad-but I still try to do the best I can,

Answer 3

You're right, it does seem a bit strange, and there may be a number of reasons that 'religious' people say it is okay that others don't believe as they do. I can't answer for anyone else, but the main reason I do not pressure anyone else is that I believe passionately in free will.
While it is my duty to live out my faith, it is not my job to second-guess God. I will explain my beiefs to anyone who really wants to know, but at the same time, I am acutely aware that I am placing upon them the urgent need to accept or reject what I believe to be the Truth. That's a big responsibility, and one that {as a Christian} I leave to the Holy Spirit.
I don't think that my non-believing friends will go to Hell. That also is not for me to judge. And I don't see how using fear of damnation brings about love for God. I am convinced that free will is key to the teachings of Christ and that requires of the believer a great deal of discipline ["...judge not, that ye be not judged..."] and tolerance.
Experience tells me that when the student is ready, the teacher will be there. But that in no way guarantees that the student will enroll, study, or graduate. It's all up to the individual to decide.

Answer 4

Can not have it both was here....... that is what annoys me about this kind of thing...... You may be saying it all in a more polite way, (thank you) but it still amounts to the same thing... We get knocked because we say one thing, and we get knocked if we say the other..... Let me make MY stance VERY clear here, and I speak ONLY for ME !!! I care about all my friends and loved ones paths'.... I pray for all of them and even strangers nightly.... I pray that each and all become my sister or brother in Christ...... the subject and talk of faith is like anything else people talk of, no talking, NO understanding..... How will you understand my faith if I do not talk about it ?? How will I know what you want to hear about if I do not listen to you ?? or ask questions to each other about who and what we are ?? It is our job to spread the Word of God...... Do you understand that ? Do you understand that a Christian has it IN their hearts to love and care and have compassion about just where a non-believer ends up ?? as we know it anyway !!! You are free to choose how you live your life just as we are........ When most say they are fine with it, I *think* they are meaning they will not stop being friends with those who are not of Christian Faith, they care, but it does not interfere with the friendship, at least not at that point....... *sigh*, ..... I do not know how else to answer all this.... but I did the best I could.... go in peace....... God bless

Answer 5

I don;t know. When I was younger I used to worry about it quite a bit. especially, you know worried about your Mom and Dad. But the truth is that in the bible it says that you should tell people about God and give them a chance to be receptive and to give support if they need it, but if the person isn't interested in hearing your words or hears what you have to say and pretends to believe, not to worry about it, because in the end God will take care of them and yes ultimately send them to Hell. In the end as long as people believe in God and are not totally an atheist, and they have still lived a good life with good morals, than they will go to heaven. It is the ones that do not believe or that do believe and are terrible sinners anyway.

Answer 6

I am that way with my friends. Though in the beginning and to this day, i show them what God has done in my life. I come on Mondays to school all happy because of i had a good time at church. I usually tell my friends what happen, but they just put me down by saying how the christian church is corrupt. So i know that i am not over the top with my beliefs and their beliefs. I think that most religious people, especially chrisitans, don't, and shouldn't, force anyone to converting. That is why i and very passive on converting my friends constantly. I don't force anyone or condem anyone in order for them to convert. When my friends are having a bad time at work, school, or at home, i tell them that God is calling them to Him. That is the only time that i preach to the them the Truth.

Answer 7

I may not believe in the same things as some of my friends, but religion is a preference. Besides, no one knows for sure what happens after death; not to say that I don't believe in heaven or anything.

Answer 8

I find it funny that you assume that everyone that isn't of your religion will burn in hell. What if your friend doesn't believe in a Heaven and Hell. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs. You should love a person, not their religion.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

Perhaps religious people who are okay with another not being religious believe that we are all God's children. Hell? People live in hell on earth every day. Do you think many peoples' lives are "heavenly"?

Answer 11

I am not comfortable with the idea, but I cannot impose my own religion on others who have other beliefs or have none. You should respect which path they choose and I am sure that they know the risks they may or may not be taking. Hope this answers your question!