Why are my only two choices for the afterlife Heaven and Hell?

Question

I don't get it: your eternal merit is based on whether or not you believe in arcane stories, not how you live life. This seems like a collosal oversimplification by God (a supposedly omniscient being). Also it seems a bit harsh to torture people who have lived morally and honestly for an eternity simply because they didn't believe that Jesus was the son of God.

For the record purgatory doesn't exist; it was created by the Catholic Church to play on people's fears during the middle ages and get money.

It seems like an all-knowing being who had an eternity to think about this would at least go to the length to allow people like humanists to go to a seperate place where they 1) don't have to be burned forever and 2) don't have to believe in random stories that were probably translated poorly.

The whole thing doesn't make sense to me, can someone explain it to me?

Also please only post actual answers.

Finally I would like to say that as an Atheist, even if I were wrong, I would still prefer to go to Hell because I don't want to be in a place where you are rejected due to disbelief in something that is not rational, despite the fact that you may have devoted your life to others.

Answer 1

Actually, I think you have somewhat misunderstood these options; and I don't imagine Fundamentalist rhetoric has helped much.

Hell *is* the separate place as you describe it. We are simply warning you that this separate place is inherently awful and can be no other way. To be eternally separated from God is an absolutely horrific concept for which human language has no words--and yet, it is a state of being so horrible that the most genuine and truthful analogy possible, is to describe it as being in a fiery torment forever.

It is the very fact of being separated from God that is so terrible. You have that option, but we're trying to warn you of how much you'll regret it.

Remember that God created everything that is good. To be separated from God is to be separated from all goodness. Think about that.

Answer 2

It's pretty plain that you have not read the Bible, because the Bible nowhere supports the things you say about it. You're smart enough to know that purgatory doesn't exist, why don't you know that the hell where people are tortured for eternity doesn't exist either?

The Bible isn't random either -- more evidence that you haven't read it. The stories it contains are not only true, but they have a very important purpose -- and that is to teach us how to live good, wholesome, healthy, happy, rewarding lives. Those who can't learn that will not be allowed to torment themselves for all eternity; they will be DESTROYED, not tortured forever.

Matthew 10:28 -- And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to DESTROY both soul and body in hell.

God says he will put an end to suffering, not allow some little group to selfishly go off on their own an make themselves miserable.

I have a hearing deficiency. And a long time ago I heard what sounded to me like random noise. I investigated and found that it was music.

Read the Bible before you criticize it. Get your facts straight. Listen to the music.

Answer 3

I could give you reasons why I believe in God - simple proof that Bible prophecy has been and is being fulfilled, but time and space do not permit right now. Let me just say that I would rather live as though I believed in God, heaven, and hell, and find out they don't exist, than to ignore the teachings of the Bible and at the end of my life find out that they do exist. Whether people believe or not just think how much better this world would be if we just lived according to one teaching of the Bible - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". That would take care of a multitude of problems. God is not some killjoy, just waiting to reek punishment on us. All we have to do is ask for forgiveness when we sin, which we all do and will as long as we're in this fleshly body, though the closer we get to Him, the more we'll want to sin less. His laws and teachings are for our own good because He knows what will make the best life for us. As far as coming back into this world as another being, who would want to? Heaven is not just sitting around, singing and praising God, it is a meeting place with our loved ones, and there will be activity there, without greed, hate, prejudice, sickness, death, traffc jams, mosquitoes, all the other bad things that we endure in this progressively hellish environment--which according to prophecy is only going to get worse until God says enough. It is His time-table, His business, and the only choice we have is where we want to be for eternity. Didn't mean to preach a sermon and I sure don't know it all. The more I study and learn the more I realize how ignorant I really am. I only know without faith in God all is lost Why some can't see that more they try to take God out of the picture the worse things become. But this was prophecied in Matthew and believers must just 'hang tough' and keep the faith and try to warn others of what is to come.

Answer 4

First off, you sound like an open-minded individual - kudos. Second I am responding as an individual with a christian upbringing who has a distaste for organized religion. I would point out that God didn't oversimplify - man did. Everything screwed up about religion today is of human origin. I agree with the vast majority of what you've said and what I don't agree with is insignificant. I think you're definitely on to something when you mention the church playing on people's fears. I would highly recommend reading Neale Donald Walsh's trilogy "Conversations With God". In it he refutes the notion of hell. It ruffles the fundies feathers and if nothing else it's very entertaining reading.

Answer 5

Wow. . . well said. I am not an atheist, but I must admit I agree with some of what you say here. I have had what might be called a near-death experience and have come to know a power in my life that loves and takes care of me, I do call that power God. In my experience, belief in and reliance upon whatever it is that created us and put us here has brought me an almost indescribable peace of mind and I wouldn't trade that for anything. I don't worry about the rest of it. Much of what we call religion strikes me as silly and childish and it doesn't make sense to me either. But, my experience has proven (to me) that I am loved and cared for by something MUCH greater than human intelligence and I never feel judged or punished. . . just loved.

Answer 6

Because with God there is no gray area. You are either saved or lost. It makes perfect sense to anyone who will truly seek God out. Have you truly sought out God with all your heart? Obviously you have not. If you take the time to read the entire Bible with an open mind, and an open heart, the whole magnificence of God's eternal purpose and love for mankind will come into view. All things are humming along right on God's schedule. If you become one of God's children by believing in him , repenting of your sin , accepting the sacrifice Jesus made, and trusting & obeying him for the rest of your life the following scripture will apply to you as it does for millions throughout the ages.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

No one has lived "morally and honestly" except Jesus Christ. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That includes me and you. Humanists like yourself think that all things exist for the pleasure of men. Christians know that all things exist for the glory of God. Give it a try . Come to Christ. Jesus loves you as much as he loves any one, because God is not a respecter of persons.

Answer 7

Your eternal destination is not determined by believing arcane stories. It is determined by admitting that you have sinned and accepting Jesus Christ as your savior.

Why are there only heaven and hell? Because that is what God has decided. Those who repent and accept His son = saved. Those who will not = not saved.

Answer 8

Heaven and hell are not the only alternatives we have.

See "Kingdoms of Glory" on the LDS site:
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=bbd508f54922d010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=d1ef9daac5d98010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____

I suspect I'll get heaps of thumbs down for this.

Answer 9

There is reference to the concept of Purgatory on the bible, it's just not called Purgatory.

In answer to your question perhaps you could be a ghost for the rest of eternity if it's neither heaven or hell.

Answer 10

Believing in stories and going to heaven isn't a testament of your own merit or righteousness, but of god's mercy. But if you don't go to heaven, it's because you chose not to accept it, not because you were less deserving. That's because we've all done bad things and need to be forgiven, and no amount of good deeds can make us perfect or deserving of heaven.