Drop some knowledge

[ATrain]

I have a question I was looking to get answered. From what I understand of the Christian faith, those that aren't apart of the flock are in for an eternity of harsh times. What happens though to people that haven't had access to that religion? If they have never been exposed to it how can God expect certain things from them and punish them accordingly?

Make any sense? Like the way I hear it is that the good people of North America have been exposed to the faith and have chosen our path of acceptance or not, and because we've at least been given the option and chosen for ourselves we are in line for punishment if we die and it turns out Christianity was the smart money.

Seems pretty shitty to me to penalize someone when they didn't even know they were playing.

Thoughts?

ATrain Reviewed by ATrain on 07-07-2008. Drop some knowledge I have a question I was looking to get answered. From what I understand of the Christian faith, those that aren't apart of the flock are in for an eternity of harsh times. What happens though to people that haven't had access to that religion? If they have never been exposed to it how can God expect certain things from them and punish them accordingly? Make any sense? Like the way I hear it is that the good people of North America have been exposed to the faith and have chosen our path of Rating: 5

[GreenDestiny]

Well, according to the Book.... after Jesus died he went into hell (maybe purgatory too?) and saved the souls that had all died and gone there before having the chance to be saved... I'm guessing only the ones that were willing to confess their sins, ask for forgiveness, all that jazz. Or the "good ones" got a free pass, I dunno, I'm not gonna bother to search for the passages.

As for people never being taught it, I'm sure that same thing would apply to them..... or hell would be full of stillborns and abortions.

I had some friends that were Mormon and they said they believed that there's like this "waiting room" of sorts after we die that is like a second chance for us to confess and ask the lord to forgive us, and that some of them (Mormons) will be in that place to teach us and help convince us to do the right thing.

I don't believe in any of what I just said, I'm just sharing what little I know of christianity.

[Priincesss]

I see what your saying and I was wondering about that too..

I think that as long as a person is loving and caring throughout life and shows compassion towards others, is willing to sacrafice for those they love etc. They get marked as a good person because they generally are and I think they'd get kind of like a free pass into heaven. I don't think God would punish them for 'not having faith' when first of all they've never had the oportunity to learn about the Lord and accept his love and 2: they were a good person on Earth to begin with , which says more about their character.

Some people are only kind to others because they are trying to buy their way into heaven and will over God, but these other people who aren't aware of religion and are sill kind, are overall good people because they're showing compassion because they want to, to help others, not to achieve something for themselves

~sorry if thats a little confusing and dragging on, hopefully I somewhat made my thoughts clear

[ATrain]

I had some friends that were Mormon and they said they believed that there's like this "waiting room" of sorts after we die that is like a second chance for us to confess and ask the lord to forgive us, and that some of them (Mormons) will be in that place to teach us and help convince us to do the right thing.

Huh, I've never heard that before. I kinda like it. I mean I wish it wouldn't come down to choosing one religion or that is it but it is still pretty cool. But does that mean that the Mormons are stuck in the waiting room too, forever preaching to nonbelievers? :wtf:

I see what your saying and I was wondering about that too..

I think that as long as a person is loving and caring throughout life and shows compassion towards others, is willing to sacrafice for those they love etc. They get marked as a good person because they generally are and I think they'd get kind of like a free pass into heaven. I don't think God would punish them for 'not having faith' when first of all they've never had the oportunity to learn about the Lord and accept his love and 2: they were a good person on Earth to begin with , which says more about their character.

Some people are only kind to others because they are trying to buy their way into heaven and will over God, but these other people who aren't aware of religion and are sill kind, are overall good people because they're showing compassion because they want to, to help others, not to achieve something for themselves

~sorry if thats a little confusing and dragging on, hopefully I somewhat made my thoughts clear

I totally get what you mean. I've always wondered what would be better in Gods eyes, a truly good person that isn't apart of their religion, or a follower who has strayed from the path and is no longer fulfilling religious obligations. People have told me that if you are not apart of the faith then that is that. No matter how good you are or whatever other intangibles you need, the door is closed.

[GreenDestiny]

I'm guessing the Mormon's would have the opportunity to go in and out of the Gates as they choose to recruit lost souls wandering around...?

[RAINHAZE]

I have a question I was looking to get answered. From what I understand of the Christian faith, those that aren't apart of the flock are in for an eternity of harsh times. What happens though to people that haven't had access to that religion? If they have never been exposed to it how can God expect certain things from them and punish them accordingly?

Make any sense? Like the way I hear it is that the good people of North America have been exposed to the faith and have chosen our path of acceptance or not, and because we've at least been given the option and chosen for ourselves we are in line for punishment if we die and it turns out Christianity was the smart money.

Seems pretty shitty to me to penalize someone when they didn't even know they were playing.

Thoughts?

Good point! I wondered the same thing when I was a child. But as I grew older I started to realize that even though Jesus was (and is) right in ALL that he said while he was on earth, Man has buggered it all up and created a religion that is a money grubbing crock of shit.
They have used and instilled guilt on many people thru the years to stuff their pockets.
I read a book awhile back about a girl that was an orphan and raised in catholic orphanages went to their schools etc and had the wrath of God beaten into her mind so much that she was actually scared to death of God. The same God they in the church preach as a loving God!
Well, later in life she had a medical emergency and died in a hospital. She was revived and came back to life because she had a near death experience and she later went on to describe what she experienced during this time of NDE.
She initally was scared. She had been taught that God was a harsh wrathful being and she thought she was surely going to be punished. But instaed she was met with a very bright light that emanated the most intence love that she had ever felt. She felt that this light was the essence of God and felt complete and utter love so much so that she said that mere words were not enough to explain it.
She was told that she needed to go back into her body because there was something important that she still needed to do in her life, so she woke up in the hospital and not long after gave birth to a daughter.

I have always felt even as a child that God is not going to put you into this world just to punish you. We are here to learn and learning from mistakes is part of it.
I dont go to church. And I dont follow any religion. I used to....but I found that MY God is a lot more than what religions preach.
Religions especially the baptists completly cheapen the whole idea of religions and all they do in my opinion is try to instill guilt on people.
How in the world can you have a powerfull & rich religion that makes you feel guilty and will excomunicate you for things like adultery etc,...yet their own priests are busy in the back rooms fondling young boys?? Religion is a crock!

[PureEvil760]

They got you caught up in it, thats somthing that they believe and got you believing it aswell. It doesnt matter what religion you are, we're all equal.

[chris62008]

Good question! I know that is on the minds of alot of christians and I'm glad you asked it and we can adress it. OK. Let's take a look at Romans 2:12 "For all who have sinned without the law, will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law."

I believe this is your answer. It states that anybody who has never heard the word of GOD will not be held under the law. They will perish "without the law" meaning no heaven or hell. simply they "perish" after death and are not held accountable for their sins nor can they enter heaven.

[MTbudman]

Afterlife is just something made up to give hope to the ones scared of living and dieing.
The concept of a "soul" has been invented by religion because many people have trouble facing their own mortality. It makes people feel better, but the concept is a complete fabrication.
Today's "God" is just as fictional as were the gods of the Egyptians, the Romans and the Aztecs.
We are all just chemical reactions, when they cease, you die...
Simple...
Just enjoy life and help others. We don't need fictional books to tell us this..

[BlueBlazer]

Just enjoy life and help others. We don't need fictional books to tell us this..

Amen :thumbsup: