What happens when a Christian faces reality?

Most Christians accept the belief that those who don't accept Jesus go to hell. (Some not-so-educated denominations even believe you will go to hell simply for sinning and not being forgiven before death. [Example: You commit suicide]) Once they become "born-again", they usually lead the expected egotistic lifestyle, judging others for their shortcomings, preaching the promise of hell to those who don't have the same belief as they do. Etc.

What happens when they face reality though?

Right now, think of the person closest to you in life.. whoever that may be, wife, daughter, son, mother, father, friend.. whoever it is, think of them. After you have that person in mind, imagine for a second that they are not a Christian (supposing that you ARE and have these beliefs). Your first response would be, "I'd do everything to lead that person to Jesus before they die".

Problem is, that person dies suddenly before you can even attempt this. Well, looks like the closest person to you in life is going straight to hell. Oh and let's not forget what hell is like.

Since there are clearly no gray areas considered in the Christian faith.. this is a very black and white issue. You are left with one of two beliefs after this event. You either..

A) Maintain your original belief and accept the fact that your loved one is burning for eternity in the fiery pits of hell.

or..

B) Change your beliefs and become a little more realistic.


Note that you can still be a Christian and not accept the belief in "hell". It is actually a more "Christian" thing to believe.

 

Who said that all christians believe that other people from other beliefs dont have a chance at making it to heaven?

 

Not all, there are some that don't believe this nonsense.

 

I've been "educated" Catholic and their reasons for going to hell are the most nonsense ever, which are categorized under "mortal sins". For example, voluntarily skipping masses one Sunday will get you a ticket to hell if you get caught by Death before you confess this horrible sin. Many other offenses of that sort like masturbating or even experiencing "dirty thoughts" will also doom your soul forever. Imagine the continuous psychological torture that means for 6-12 years old kids who see that most of their relatives and likely themselves qualify for hell.
But no, we must respect the right of the church to propagate its word and not criticize this (or any other stupid action by the religious)

 

I know pingpong isn't the only Christian on this forum, let alone the only one who fits the "minority" we've discussed. What happened to the guy from Toronto?

 

Heaven and Hell are both right here on Earth.

 

I've put much thought into our purpose in life and came to the exact same conclusion.

 

Alot of christians have forgotten one of the most important part of christianity and that is never to judge. I pray for everyone to go to heaven even my poodle

 

who are you to judge if that person is going to hell or heaven?

 

I am a Christian, I do believe that there is clearly a right and a wrong. I believe the bible to be the only infallible source available to us. And therefore, I do believe in a heaven and a hell. I would acknowledge that many Christians (some of which I attend church with) can be very dogmatic towards people who believe differently, but thats not the case with every Christian.

I'm perfectly fine with not discussing my beliefs, but just like anyone else, regardless of what faith (or absense of faith), i'll discuss what I believe (and why) what is right and what is wrong if I feel the need to.

 

Ok so after your loved one dies, which path are you going to take?

 

isn't that "very dogmatic"?

 

Luckily, Christians don't believe the way you are painting the picture if they read the bible. Refer to Revelation 21:4

clientificolo, not necessarily. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs, right? I'm stating my beliefs but not in the way that would make it dogmatic (hopefully). Here is the way I would consider it to be different.

Dogmatic way of saying it:

The Non-Dogmatic way of stating my beliefs:

 

Nate, weren't you a Christian, before discovering Ron Paul? I believe RP also proclaimed to be a Christian.

Just another interesting observation. Two successive posts regarding Christianity. No love for Israel or Jews in recent posts, and an alarming silence on another religious group. Have you noticed that "pattern" as well, or maybe it wasn't intended to be noticed?

 

My handy dandy library full of Bibles is in the other room so I used Google instead

You'll forget about the grief of your loved one in heaven? Good enough cop-out.

 

I was indeed a Christian GTech. I didn't question my faith much. In fact I didn't question much back then.. But I had a burning desire to know the truth about things. Ron Paul is not my personal savior, as you've portrayed him to be. But he did open doors for me to learn about things.

Paul is a Baptist. I disagree with Ron about many things, religion being one.

If Sally's a red head and does something wrong and I point it out to her, does not mean I both dislike red heads and also support brunettes and blonds. What you have forgotten is I've also shown no love for Muslims in this way at the same time. I've been just as inquisitive with the Muslims on this board, read some of my newer threads, addressing Muslims directly.

But if it helps, I love Christians just as much as everyone else.

 

Nor have I seen any scorn for them, despite there being an abundance of opportunity, if not more so than your former religion. Just being observant of patterns.

 

This is an interesting perspective you hold and I want to address it, I used to have the same view. "Why are there so many people in America that are always blaming Christians?" Or at least have them on their shit list..

You would think it's just a bunch of young brats mad at their parents for the way they'd been taught.. But it's quite obvious Christianity is the dominant religion in America, we see more of the Christian bullsh!t in our every day lives than we do of the Muslim bullsh!t (unless you have on Fox )

Fundamentalist Christians are known for their hypocritical, judgmental, and egotistic characteristics. It's always the fear mongering, it's always the threats of going to hell if you don't repent. That just bugs the living crap out of people. How could anyone be so stupid as to place fear as the motivational tool to believing their view of the world? To believe ANYTHING for that matter.

Fear is annoying, it's a psychological drain.. and it's quickly converted to anger. Their motivational tools backfire on them when people hear enough of it.

I deal with Christians usually, not Muslims. That's why I post questions to Christians on here. I'm sure if I lived in Iran it would be different.

 

I'm not sure that you are "blaming Christians" for anything, but rather testing the waters of new found atheism. Having been online for many years, I've seen a few "newbie" atheists and they sometimes need to be reminded that in order to come across as believable, they should hold scorn for all religions.

Take for example, gworld. gworld used to pretend to be an atheist, but he never had a bad word for islam or terrorists. In fact, he could most often be found defending them in every thread back in the old days, not unlike recent threads.

Now, he would have no problems unleashing scorn for Israel, Jews, USA or Christians. Often times in rather blunt terms that have yielded him some bans over the years. But not for islam. Not for terrorists.

So it really is quite obvious, in that light, that it's simply not possible for one to hold such bitter disregard for certain religions that have historically been the heel of islam, while never having a bad word to say about islam, while still pretending to be an atheist.

So it's worth pointing out, if for nothing more, than a good atheist will hold similar scorns for all religions, else they might not come across in the manner intended.

Not really. I can see where there might be some of that out there. I honestly believe it's people like alex jones, dawkins and other nuts out there who have acquired a medium through the internet over the last decade, that prey upon the weak minded to give them an alternate reality.

Make no mistake, they are good at what they do. I also believe those who didn't grow up with a father figure and a strong family foundation are more susceptible to be easily influenced by people like that. After all, they people represent themselves as an "authority" on the subjects and quite simply, young male youths that did not have such in their lives can very easily be drawn into them.

I'm not necessarily saying that is the case with you, because I don't know. Just saying that's what I believe to be the case more often than not, because we all have a need to look up to someone, especially in the absence of those role models in our own lives.

 

Nope, not athiest. I don't fit the description of any group really. I have my own beliefs, based on those unwritten rules of the universe. I know enough to know what my purpose is in life, we'll say that. And I'm more than comfortable with everyone else having their own belief. But what's the harm in questioning some, it's all in fun isn't it?

Christians have been the only target of my religious threads, because I live in a Christian environment and know more about them. I don't have "scorn" for Islam just as I don't have "scorn" for Judaism. Although I'll certainly question their beliefs from time to time.

Jones is a Christian. I don't listen to him. The only conspiracy/paranormal show I listen to, which I've said before, is Coast to Coast AM.

Can we stop assuming I listen to Alex Jones? Thanks.

I didn't think this would get that personal, I may surprise you but you sometimes surprise me.