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But, no, I don't believe that people who never even hear of God or Jesus Christ are going to Hell. That's not fair. They are good, decent people who live good lives but, just because no one has ever handed them a Bible, they're going to Hell? How is that fair, at all? I just don't believe a just and merciful God would do that to his people.

Romans 1:19-21 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 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: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.

The unsaved are without excuse.

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But, no, I don't believe that people who never even hear of God or Jesus Christ are going to Hell. That's not fair. They are good, decent people who live good lives but, just because no one has ever handed them a Bible, they're going to Hell? How is that fair, at all? I just don't believe a just and merciful God would do that to his people.

I think I agree with you on that. I'm not really sure. But I do know that babies and little children who have not come to understand the concept and can't exaclty believe or not beileve yet are going to Heaven. It seems to me that the peple that have not learned of God yet either will go to Heaven as well, but i'm not sure, it can be so confusing sometimes.

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Well, I see it differently... I have friends who tell me that they wish I believed in hell so I would be 'humbled' into 'coming to christ'. But really, they want me to be scared of hell and the devil and want me to live a life of fear...

Well I'm not trying to get you to believe in Hell more so than God. I didn't become a Christian because I was scared of going to Hell nor have I been living my life in fear. I became a Christian because I love God and all that He has done for me, not out of fear of going to Hell.

I'm Christian and...well, I'm not sure of the whole Hell thing. I think it's a good teaching tool and can be used like monsters in a sense (don't go out alone or Big Foot might get you...). It can teach you not to do things that are wrong.

But, just in case there is a Hell as my religion teaches, I think I'll stick with Heaven.

But, no, I don't believe that people who never even hear of God or Jesus Christ are going to Hell. That's not fair. They are good, decent people who live good lives but, just because no one has ever handed them a Bible, they're going to Hell? How is that fair, at all? I just don't believe a just and merciful God would do that to his people.

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Nick--> I don't see it as changing who they are. It's becoming a better person and being saved. There are good people in the world who are still lost and its up to the Christians to lead them to Christ so that they may be saved.

Well, I see it differently... I have friends who tell me that they wish I believed in hell so I would be 'humbled' into 'coming to christ'. But really, they want me to be scared of hell and the devil and want me to live a life of fear...

Nick--> I don't see it as changing who they are. It's becoming a better person and being saved. There are good people in the world who are still lost and its up to the Christians to lead them to Christ so that they may be saved.

Clpo-->Like I said, if you don't accept the gift of Salvation you're not saved. Being apathetic about the whole situation does not change the situation at all. The gift is still there. You can still accept the gift. And if you don't accept the gift it means you aren't saved. Believe me I'd rather just die and have no afterlife too. But I believe there is a Heaven and Hell and I'd much rather be in Heaven then burn forever in Hell.

Try non-existant. When I die, I'd rather be gone forever--as in no more consciousness--than have to live forever. It sounds incredibly boring.

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What if you take the road of apathy? You've said that those who want to be with God will and those who don't go to hell. But what of those who don't care? The people who don't want to spend eternity in paradise nor do they want to be punished forever in hell? I'm one of those people. I just want to be left alone if there's an afterlife.

Left alone in what way? Do you mean like all by yourself in a big nothingness? And if so, why?

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Nick, as I stated in another thread the reason God sends people to Hell is because they choose to not be with Him. God gave us all a choice. The choice was to either accept His gift of salvation or to not accept it. The people that accept His gift believe in Him, love him, and want to do what is right. The people that don't accept His gift either do not believe in Him or just don't want to "be good."

SO he sends people to Hell if they don't want Him. I mean really, would you want people with you that didn't believe you existed and/or didn't like you? I think not.

You see, I've accepted God, but it's sure not the christian god... but, although I respect your opinion in this matter, I highly disagree... I think that if there was a hell that we would be judged based on our actions, not our beliefs... like I've said, (maybe it wasn't on this post..) why would someone change WHO THEY ARE because they fear going to hell (a ficticious place...)??

to tell u the truth i dont know but to me it's all about faith and i believe in God no matter wut people say... how do u know that budda is real... i dont believe in budda at all but u do so i guess we all believe in different things.



R.I.P
SAMMY N JACOB

LATINOS STAND UP!!!

I've never been to this thread before.

In answer to the original question: I just know. I don't know how. I just do. To me, I can't comprehend that God isn't real.

Sure, I know there is a possibility, but I just don't forsee that. God just is. That's the best I can do for ya.

What if you take the road of apathy? You've said that those who want to be with God will and those who don't go to hell. But what of those who don't care? The people who don't want to spend eternity in paradise nor do they want to be punished forever in hell? I'm one of those people. I just want to be left alone if there's an afterlife.

Nick, as I stated in another thread the reason God sends people to Hell is because they choose to not be with Him. God gave us all a choice. The choice was to either accept His gift of salvation or to not accept it. The people that accept His gift believe in Him, love him, and want to do what is right. The people that don't accept His gift either do not believe in Him or just don't want to "be good."

SO he sends people to Hell if they don't want Him. I mean really, would you want people with you that didn't believe you existed and/or didn't like you? I think not.

I know that he exists, because he interacts with people constantly, on a daily basis. I have seen and experienced the mighty miracles that He does. I will not go into detail on a public thread, so if you would like to hear more about it contact me with an e-mail or on my myspace.

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Well yea...i mean it's great to be a good person and all...but if you don't believe in God...then yea...you go to Hell. Every sinlge religion other than Christianity believes that you get to Heaven by works. As in being a good person. Christianity is the only religion that believes you get to Heaven by Salvation. Like, you can believe you have a million dollars. But...you don't. You can not believe that you have finger...but...you do..otherwise yoy wouldn't be typing. Whether you believe in God or not...he's real. Just like whether or not you believe you have fingers...they're there. Sure, you can see your fingers and you can't see God. But that doesn't mean he doens't exist.

See, this is one of the BIGGEST reasons why I am NOT a christian... if the only way you can go to heaven is by believing some man was our savior, and not by your works, then most of the world is going to hell... what if you lived in some third world country and never learned of christianity... well, then i guess they are going to hell... by your logic, I could be a murderer, murdering all those who disagreed with my religion and I could be christian, and yet I'd go to heaven... that's just insane...

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Science cannot comprehend anything that is infinte. God is infinite. Science is finite. Science is based on what you can see, hear, smell, touch, and taste. It's based on your senses. Tell me, have you ever touched your brain? Smelt it? Heard it? Tasted it? Saw it? I don't think so. Then how do you know it's there? it works in your life. that might be how you know it's there.

I know my brain is there because I am a human and for the past 1000 years at least, doctors have been opening people up to see what is there and not after someone dies, and a brain has always been there... though there are certain white house officials that I question...

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But what would it hurt to believe?

Well, I don't know about the rest of ya'll, but I don't want to live a life in fear... But also, isn't the devil just like the boogeyman, there to make you stay 'good'? And what about Santa Claus???

And, if god loves us unconditionally, why would (your god would be a he) it condemn us to an eternity of damnation. (I'm not swearing, just referring to what happens if you go to 'hell')..

Uh, the whole thing with, 'the only way to heaven is to believe in jesus' just makes me ill... i just can not see people like ghandi going to hell... i just can't...

GL and clpo, i think us three are going to get along famously! We're kind of like 3 peas in a pod (sorry for that analogy, I couldn't think of a better one...). You guys rock!

Thank you very much for that in depth explanation. I tried to explain that in not so many words on another board like this. It didn't come out as eloquently as you put it, though.

Bauhaus: it worked for Constantine. The guy was baptized mere days before he died.

I believe I've said this before, but it bears repeating. I believe in a God of sorts. A Creator, if you will. But I don't believe he really gives a crap about our lives as humans. So what if we have an affair with our best friend's wife? So what if we ice the convenience store clerk because he shortchanged us for our KitKat bar? So what if we run around in public cursing out everyone we see? The Creator doesn't care. He created the Universe, and then walked off to do whatever it is almighty energy beings do in their free time.

In other words, the Bible is a human creation. Sin is a human creation. This being that we all call God who has a white beard and sits on a big shiny throne and condemns "sinners" to a fictitious hell is a human creation. Incidentally, did you know that all of Christian symbolism isn't unique? This picture of God (almighty old guy) is taken from Greek mythology. Zeus, anyone? Hell was taken from other religions. Heck, Christmas was originally a pagan sun worshipping day.

This was enough to show me that Christianity is a sham, made up only to provide everyone with some sense of security that a higher power really cares about them. The truth? He doesn't. Yes, it's hard to believe, but take a look around you. People are dying of the common cold in remote places of Earth. Wars are a fact of life in other places. Yes, we learn from our mistakes, but how is smallpox a human mistake? How are limited resources our mistake? If God really cared about what happens on Earth, there would not be rampant suffering and death, but just enough to make us do what's right.

That isn't the case.

Look at the facts. Do what I did. Research your religion. It's not all it's cracked up to be. Yes, there is a God. No, he isn't the God of the Bible. I'd go more in depth, but I sense I've said enough.

Right.

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Originally posted by Greenleaf771:

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Why would he want people who hate him with him in Heaven?

That's what you said. What did you mean, then?

Oh. Oops. Well some people do hate him. I meant like, don't want to be with him.

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Why would he want people who hate him with him in Heaven?

That's what you said. What did you mean, then?