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Picture of TheGreatAmmiSan
Registered: July 14, 2003
Posts: 147
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To achieve entrance into heaven, Christians must accept the gospel for the truth, Jesus into their heart, etc. Correct?
Well, a common question is "what about the people who have never heard of Christianity". Usually this is answered by saying that they are part of the "innocents" who automatically go to heaven. But herein lies the question...
Think about this (hypothetical): you come upon someone who has never heard about Christianity, and who has a %50 chance of accepting it if they do hear about it from you, a Christian.
But wait. By default, because they do not know about Christianity, if they died while you were thinking of telling them about the Christian faith, they would automatically go to heaven.
So, does that not mean that by telling them about Christianity you are actually cutting their chances for going to heaven in half?
And what if they choose not to accept and died directly afterwards? Could you really live with the thought that your telling them about the Christian faith is ultimately what sent them to hell?

Just a question... from your Atheist friend.
Registered: October 27, 2003
Posts: 18
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Also, I have proof that this prophesy was made, and was made over 2000 years ago, as was the prophesy of cars and planes, and other forms of fast transportation.
Registered: October 27, 2003
Posts: 18
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Your right. You could tell me that. But, like I said before, Im telling you what I beleive in. You don't have to accept it. The guy who started this topic asked a question. I simply gave an answer.
Picture of Kharybdis
Registered: April 15, 2003
Posts: 1396
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quote:
So, right now, without knowing it, your fufilling Gods prophesy that was givin to John in a vision.
I could claim that by posting on this thread you're fulfilling a prophecy that was told to me by a magical kidney bean in which I have a burrito for dinner, but that doesn't mean the "prophecy" has any basis in reality.
Registered: October 27, 2003
Posts: 18
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Let me re phrase that; You will either hear about God or a Higher Being than yourself in your life, or You will ponder the question of who made you (besides your mom; I meen who created your soul). Anyway, you CANNOT tell me, without substantial evidence that there is no God, for a fact, unless you've searched every corner of the universe for him, anymore than I CAN tell you that there is a God, for a fact, without substantial evidence. Im not trying to tell you that I'm right, because I already know that I am. All Im doing is telling you my oppinion - or in my eyes - my fact. The Bible even prophisises people denying Gods word right before the Tribulation, and even more when the Tribulation does happen. So, right now, without knowing it, your fufilling Gods prophesy that was givin to John in a vision.
Picture of Kharybdis
Registered: April 15, 2003
Posts: 1396
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Convenient... "God exists because he says he does, and if you choose not to believe you're goin' to hell, sucka!"

quote:
Everyone, in their lifetime, thinks of the possibility of God.
You claim that everyone considers the existence of a god at some point, but unless you can honestly state that you know everything that everyone has ever thought in every point in time, you have no way to back up that statement.
Registered: October 27, 2003
Posts: 18
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Yes! Todays sunday, and somehow without me asking my pastor addressed the question of "what if someone had never heard of Jesus christ, or God?" The answer is in Romans 1:19;

"Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them."

This meens that the Knowladge of God has manifested in EVERYONES minds, because God told them. Everyone, in their lifetime, thinks of the possibility of God. Wheather they choose to accept that or not is their decision. Than as we move on to verse 20....

"Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: " So, this says that since God put that in your mind, you have no excuse to say that you should not go to Hell. Now, for curisoitys sake (you probally noticed the colin at the en colin at theend of that verse) I will post the next verse.

"Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
"
Picture of Kharybdis
Registered: April 15, 2003
Posts: 1396
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quote:
You can't find one person who has never at least heard about christianity, christ, or a christian.
That's an arrogant assumption. I think it's reasonable to believe that there are a few civilizations that are so isolated, no missionaries have ever reached them.

quote:
Now, lets say that there was someone who diden't know about christianity... Im sure God would give them some leeway and, just so long as they acknowlaged there was ONE God, he would probally let them into heaven.
And what if someone who has never heard anything about christianity was raised in a culture where polytheism was the prevalent religion? They automatically go to hell, simply because they never knew any other way? Nice guy, that Yawheh of yours...
Registered: October 27, 2003
Posts: 18
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As you said, "your christian God", you made a mistake in those three words. According to christianity, you don't have to accept the christian God, Yahweh. What you need to do is acknowladge that there is a God out there, and accept Jesus as your saviour. There are millions of missionaries out there - MILLIONS. Pleanty to be distrubituted throughout all the worlds countrys. As one guy said, show me someone who doesen't know about christ. You can't find one person who has never at least heard about christianity, christ, or a christian.

Now, lets say that there was someone who diden't know about christianity... Im sure God would give them some leeway and, just so long as they acknowlaged there was ONE God, he would probally let them into heaven.

And for the Guy who said if God was merciful, he would just let everyone into heaven... If God wanted to, he could just uise us as his play toys.. destroy our souls when we die. But he doesen't. He could send us ALL to Hell when we die. I think that he was NICE to give us a way out of this. Of course, you have the right to have your own oppinion so Ill let it go and not post anymore...
Picture of Kharybdis
Registered: April 15, 2003
Posts: 1396
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quote:
What there is mention of is global knowladge. Everyone has a chance to hear about the bible... Wheather on a commericial, seeing a church as you drive by, or a missionary.
Bull****... there are places where there are no commercials, there are no churches, and there are no missionaries. It's not realistically possible for missionaries to visit every single community on Earth, so you can safely assume that there are many who have no knowledge of your christian god.
Registered: October 27, 2003
Posts: 18
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Someone asked about before christ... Well, before Jesus was around, there was a waiting place for all of Gods followers... I think its called Abrahams Buzzem or something...

Fo your people who think Christianity doesen't exist... think about this: Like that one Guy said, the 60 (I think) Gospels were writen by 40 people - Now for my contributation to this statement - All from COMPLETELY different places - Most from COMPLETELY different time periods. How could this just so happen that all of these people wrote about One Particular subject - never making a flaw in the whole thing. Even with todays technology, you can barely ever find a book without any errors in it.
Registered: October 27, 2003
Posts: 18
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In the christian bible, there is no mention of the 'innosents'. What there is mention of is global knowladge. Everyone has a chance to hear about the bible... Wheather on a commericial, seeing a church as you drive by, or a missionary.
Picture of Lola87
Registered: January 17, 2003
Posts: 59
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throughout the ages, Christianity has worked-up this huge control and belief system... but did anyone ever stop to wonder if this was Jesus' original message? Maybe we humans, the evil, greedy creatures that we are, just morphed his message into a way of keeping some sort of control and power over people. Those of us who have love, kindness, and forgiveness in ourselves, Christian or not, perhaps have already allowed Jesus into our lives... or at least his message. This was what Jesus was all really concerned with, helping humankind mend our ways and start to love and appreciate each other. His spirit is in all of us, and perhaps those of us who can hear it are the ones who do promote love, peace and kindness. Maybe verbally saying that we have faith in Jesus isn't the determining factor to our afterlife despite what our churches tell us... it's accepting the message.
Registered: April 04, 2003
Posts: 173
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Ugh this is why Im not Christian. It's much easier just to wait and see what happens after death. But don't get me wrong... I'm not eager enough to commit suicide or anything!
Registered: October 21, 2003
Posts: 38
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I beleive that if you have never, ever, ever, ever, ever heard anything about God or anything then I think that you automatically go to heaven. If you have been witnessed to but decided NOT to get saved then it is not the christians fault. It was the person witnessed to that was at fault. He had free will to choose what he wanted, yes or no, and chose no. The christian was only doing the job asked of him by God, spread the His word.
Picture of letter11x
Registered: November 06, 2003
Posts: 219
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Well, I'm sure some denominations would disagree with me...but I think of accepting Jesus as...pardon my analogy...a get out of jail free card. If you believe he will save you and love him and try to avoid sin for him, he will save you. But if you don't believe in God, or haven't heard of him...then entrance into heaven or hell is based on your actions on earth and your sins...where if you believe in Jesus he will forgive you completely. Of course that brings up the question of why God enlightens some and lets some remain ignorant, and I honestly don't know how to answer that. Maybe He knows they wouldn't convert, anyway? You'd have to ask a theologian that question.
Picture of BillyBarrio
Registered: March 08, 2003
Posts: 2426
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oh no...another one that is "sure" Smile
Registered: August 24, 2003
Posts: 2
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I am a Christian. From my studies of the bible I am sure that God wants us to witness to others. Of that I am sure. I am not sure about what happens to people who never heard the "good news" God did not directly address that issue in the scripture, at least not that I have found yet.
I would never not tell someone about Christ because they might not accept it. First of all because God specifically told his followers to spread the gospel and because if I love this person, I WANT them to have the wonderful experience of having a relationship with Jesus Christ through out their life on earth.
I do not believe anyone can say "Yes, people who have not heard of Jesus go to heaven" or "No, they don't" because only God has the answers. There is no way of any human knowing who goes to heaven and who doesn't. You only know that for yourself. There is a reason we do not judge humanity, God does! We would make a mess of it. God can see into the hearts of everyone, and I trust him to figure it out.
Picture of depressedwavemaster
Registered: June 09, 2003
Posts: 5084
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Roll Eyes youre crazy, but you cant join my club, my club is for the gothic gay crazies... go make your own
Picture of noiseracket
Registered: September 23, 2003
Posts: 5
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first off, you said to "achieve" entrance into heaven. the word achieve means to "complete, effect, perform, to reach by ones own efforts"
now, as i recall, the Bible states in Ephesians 2:8-9"For by 'grace' you are saved through faith, and that not of 'yourselves' it is the gift of God, not of 'works' lest any man should boast." so, this means that you cant achieve entrance into heaven. its a free gift from God.

But, in regards to your question,"what about the people who have never heard of christianity?" In Romans 1:18-2:29 we read that no man has an excuse. that every man will be judged by God according to what they know and what they did about it. The answer to your question is in the Bible. read Romans 1:18-2:29 and you'll see.

AND JUST A NOTE TO THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE A PART OF THIS DISCUSSION. JUST BY THE VERY FACT THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT GOD SHOWS THAT YOU HAVE HEARD THIS. THEREFORE, YOU ARE NOW HELD ACCOUNTABLE. AND WHAT YOU DO, WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT GOD GIFT OF SALVATION OR REJECT IT IS UP TO YOU, BUT NOW YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE. THINK ABOUT IT. Confused
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