Christians, I realize I'm going to hell, but...?

Question

I try to be a good person. I volunteer to tutor disadvantaged kids. I try to treat my neighbors with respect. I stay politically active and engaged. I'm not expecting a gold star or anything, and I've certainly made mistakes, but I like to think I've made a few positive contribution to the world.

But I'm an atheist. I realize that according to most of you I'm going to hell, because I don't believe Jesus Christ is my personal savior. I can live with you thinking that. But does that also mean the good works I've done are somehow invalidated?

Is it impossible for an atheist (or a Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, or Hindu) to do anything good by definition? I get that sense from you guys sometimes that you think that.

dreamdress2, I don't follow Satan, and quite frankly, your arrogance strikes me as far more Satan-like than anything I've done in my life.

April, I do good because even though I don't believe in God, I do believe in forces greater than myself, the forces of society and community.

I don't do good so I can get into heaven. That's sort of a self-serving motivation, wouldn't you say?

Answer 1

Keep making the world a better place, only God Himself will judge whether you go to Hell. It is most certainly not for any human to say.

Answer 2

Whether you be atheist, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, or professed Christian, the bible has many correct answers to all your questions. The point being, you need to ask the right questions. What you do is commendable, however we should not try to please God by doing the things we think are right.
You grew up in this world we now live in and have accepted many things that are not in agreement with the writings of the God, which I realize you don't accept.
Just for a minute think about what he has to say, rather than assume that his book is just a good story book?
Your contribution to the world from his view point is making you an enemy.
(James 4:1-4) 4 From what source are there wars and from what source are there fights among YOU? Are they not from this source, namely, from YOUR cravings for sensual pleasure that carry on a conflict in YOUR members? 2 YOU desire, and yet YOU do not have. YOU go on murdering and coveting, and yet YOU are not able to obtain. YOU go on fighting and waging war. YOU do not have because of YOUR not asking. 3 YOU do ask, and yet YOU do not receive, because YOU are asking for a wrong purpose, that YOU may expend [it] upon YOUR cravings for sensual pleasure. 4 Adulteresses, do YOU not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God.

So the point here is what ever a person professes to be, his daily life will affect his long term opportunity to live.

Many of the people on this form have pre-conceived ideas that are not tested by God's all out authority, his holy writings.
Yes it is possible for all to do things that will give a honest reply to the ruler of this world, who has veiled the truth from them. ( who is the ruler of this world?) 1 John 5:19
The God of the bible says this.(Proverbs 27:11) . . .Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me.
The best way I know of finding truth in this world is to humbly ask questions, and allow The scriptures to answer for you. Man has never answered his fellow in truth, just look at what his ruler ship has done in the last six thousand years of recorded history.
You also might want to find out what Hell is?

Answer 3

All the good deeds and things we do in this life will not get us into heaven. We are born of sin. We have free will. Its up to us to decide on how we live. Whether you are atheist or not. When God sent his only begotten Son. Jesus. It was to save us from certain death. Because we could not be perfect as God is perfect. Jesus is our Savior and only hope to eternal life. Even the richest most powerful men will not enter heaven. It can be neither bought en or bribed. Its only by faith in Jesus alone. Be good all you want. Help your fellow man. If anything it will be something that will ease your thoughts. Life is pretty much what you make of it.

Answer 4

It is the height of arrogance, when a person or a faith,makes statements such as what you pose.. I believe that IF an almighty exists, and you practice good works, live an decent life, love your neighbor, and do no harm to anyone,,you will be granted eternal life, if it so exists!! If an All mighty exists surely this being will know each mans heart, and judge him on his true person.. At the end of our lives on this earth, if there is an after life, I believe, this Almighty will say to the just and good.. Come into eternity good and righteous being, your life and heart has made a place with me for all eternity. I also believe, that those who would dare to make a statement that theirs is the only true way to eternity, shall find this Almighty being,, less receptive to their conceit and arrogance.. Who of us,if there is an Almighty ,would dare to tell anyone what this Almighty can and will do??? SOLOMON

Answer 5

God says if we have broken any of the Ten Commandments and we all have then we are a sinner needing a Savior. It is not about how good you've been or how much you help your fellow man. The wages of sin is death. Adam and Eve brought sin and death into the world. Jesus came to take away sin and give us eternal life with Him. Sin doesn't make it to heaven. A believer is forgiven of sin, because he believes that Christ took His sin and gave Him eternal life in exchange. Salvation is a free gift from God. We can't earn it.

Answer 6

Er...you're not going to hell because hell doesn't exist.

Jesus, whether real or mythical, said the number one rule was treat others as you would like to be treated. I think if you're following his number one rule; then you'll be alright, no matter what you believe in.
After all, his number one rule wasn't believe me or burn.
You're making this world a better place. What can possible be wrong with that?

I'm not christian, but I think the ideal Christian would strongly adhere to that rule.

I like what someone else stated: "Actions speak louder than words."
I don't like the fact that someone said you believe in Satan. Not believing in god also means you don't believe in satan.

Answer 7

Everthing I have been taught states that good works without faith wont get you to heaven. Since you are a athiest why should you worry ....you can be a good person here on earth all you want and be recognized bu your peers as a good person.If you dont believe in a higher power why should you worry you are living as you please.

Answer 8

Most protestant Christians believe that if you do not accept Jesus as your Savior, you're going to hell. Most Catholics believe you go to hell only if you turn to evil from how you were raised.

Answer 9

So what? Cry me a river, already. They're going to Hades and couldn't be further from the path of breaking the cycle of death and rebirth. They're not going anywhere near Valhalla, or the Elysian fields, either. So why are you so concerned that they believe you're going to their bad place? They've got thousands of other religions' bad places to look forward, and you know better. You're not going anywhere.

Answer 10

Well it is simple You cannot avoid hell for your good works even me as a christian i cant do good alone and go to heaven. The only was is to accept jesus as your personal savior. It deos matter how good you are in the worlds image. Did you know god couts every sin the same as any other so it deosnt matter a lie in gods eye is the same and murder. And thats why we have jesus who took all our sins on the cross.