All have had the opportunity to accept Him, yet some choose to reject Him. We have all sinned, and are all deserving of eternal punishment in hell, except for His saving grace.
God gives enough signs to people for them to believe in him. It’s almost like it’s programmed into us being humans. It may in fact be in our DNA but who knows. I also agree with Lattany in the fact that God is just and holy.
~Pesky
i hope not!
mmm hehe what lattany said.
5th! No… I don’t think so.
I think it would depend on what kind of life they led. Good question.
RYC: LOL… I’m not going to ask who you think the ugliest is. Don’t answer. LOL
I dont believe in god and it blows my mind that catholics/christians have told me im “going to hell” b/c I dont believe in him…………. <<~~~ there are so many things wrong with that
I dont think he sends ppl to hell. period
All we know is that He is the way, the Truth and the Light and nobody goes to the Father except through the Son. Does this necessitate that one who has never heard of the son goes to Hell? We really don’t know and scripture only tells us a little. I know that God is Just and we will see that whatever the answer is, we will see and know that God is just in it. We all deserve death and Grace is getting something we don’t deserve.
I don’t think he would.
Amanda
Depends on how merciful. And he can’t just take us up to heaven. The devil wants us too. So it’s like choosing an alliance. I think we send ourselves to hell more than God does. There’s no middle ground in the end.
No. Absolutely not.
Depends what your definition of hell is.
no i think the ignorant and innocent are spared
This is a very good question. This is one reason why I am ‘beefing’ with God right now. (That means I am agnostic/atheist) I would like to know once and for all.
In my opinion though, he shouldnt do that. Personally, I think that that is wrong to do.
no
A merciful God wouldn’t have hell.
welll..if dante’s circles of hell actually existed, they wold be sent to the first level, no punishment there, but no paradise either
Paul says in Romans that no one has an excuse – looking around in nature, we know in our souls that there is God. I think the greater issue is whether or not he sends people to hell who have never heard of, nor had the opportunity to accept, Jesus. That’s why it’s our responsibility as Christians to get the gospel out to the entire world. For those who are missed, though, I think God deals with them the same way he dealt with Abraham and the folks in the OT before the coming of Jesus – do they have faith? He will be the judge of that.
“A merciful God wouldn’t have hell.” — by Obl1v1onSecond that.
don’t they say that dying pays for the sins anyway its the ones left behind still alive upon his return that need to have been living by godly ways I’ve heard that somewhere So if you died not knowing you still wont be going to hell
would a merciful president send our troops back? =p
I don’t really believe in God, but if He’s everything people make him out to be, He should have enough heart to understand the situation.
Why be punished for what you don’t know, right? It’s not your fault.
A lot of people think its wrong to send us to hell. We’re only human. He is divine. Much of our judgement is defined by what society deems right and natural. Ever watch national geographic on Taboo and what not? We can’t pass judgement on God like this. We can believe or disbelieve, be we cannot pass judgement because our judgement is not divine.
That’s my theory.
ryc: Those headstones are so close to one another because of limited land in Hong Kong! Also due to the same reason, many prefer to be cremated. The urns are then put into holes and covered with a marble plaque with the photos on. (See where my family was standing?) By the way that was a Catholic cemetry!
That’s what I’d like to know.
i really dont know.. we’re not supposed to know everything.. i would hope not, but i guess we’ll have to wait and see, now wont we?
No, that doesn’t seem too fair.
Yep.
“A merciful God wouldn’t have hell.” — by Obl1v1on.
Third that.
We’d like to think he wouldn’t. From the little bit I’ve learned on this subject, and what I feel and believe by the faith I have in Christ… Anyone that believes in Jesus as God’s son, who was sent on this earth and died, raised and ascended into Heaven…will go to Heaven.
But, the question is for those that have never heard of Him, and who do not have access to such truth. The answer is no. How can he punish those who have never once heard or learned about Him? But, then you have to think of why we, Christians, are to minister to others. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” (Matt 28: 19-20)
“Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”(Matt 18:14)
Those of us that make it, shall know then.
no
rcy: I forgot to mention that there actually ARE bodies under the headstones! This is Hong Kong! *LOL*
Or maybe the question whose answer I’m looking for would be better put with “Why” at the beginning.
No.
I’m going to argue this from a Christian’s standpoint (I’m agnostic, but I’m also a missionary kid and I know what I’m talking about).
God transcends what we can’t even begin to imagine and works in so many different ways, and on so many different levels. I think that He, in His mercy, has shown himself to people who otherwise would have never heard about Him.
I think if the person in question had a genuine thirst for truth, then there is no way the Christian God would send hm/her to Hell. “His ways are not our ways”, yadda yadda.
Christian viewpoint done. My actual opinion:: I don’t believe in Hell.
Not that this question applies to me. I don’t believe there is a Hell.
yess because no one’s ever not heard of him
We don’t know what God will or will not do. We can only think of what he should, or what he shouldn’t do. Judgement on his decisions seems almost meaningless at some points.
I also have to agree with Lattany. While He is definitely merciful, He is also a justifiable God. Then again, I’m only a mere human and it is not my place to judge-only the Lord of Lords judgement shall reign.
The question needs rephrasing, as it impossible not to see and/or hear the testimony of God–i.e., God’s natural revelation, as compared to his revelation in Scripture. While some might not have heard the words “Jesus Christ,” nature and creation, God’s natural revelation, are undeniable testimonies to a supreme being, the One God. Any rational, thoughtful, intellectually honest person must reach that conclusion, as “the Heavens declare the Glories of God.” (Psalms)
That said, God is perfectly justified in sending anyone to Hell–sin is an exercise of free will, and hell is a just punishment.
Sam
Speaking of Hell, you get a HELL of a lotta comments.
Condemnation is not the consequence of not hearing the gospel. It’s the result of sin.
I have read before that the rapture will not occur until everybody has heard the word of God and had the chance to make their choice.
God doesn’t send people to hell, people choose between heaven and hell.
I don’t understand why people would not choose to believe in God. If you look at it logically, if there is a God and you don’t believe, you are going to hell. If there isn’t a God and you don’t believe, than nothing happens. The choice is clear to me! I did alot of soul searching and research, at one point, questioning the existence of God. I have concluded that there definately is!
No, but a lot of extremist Christians say that he will. :/
No. I believe that everyone in some way, will have a chance to either believe in Jesus or reject Him.
larry
yes
No. And Lattany is wrong.
I would be willing to bet that there is some little kid in Africa who will die before ever hearing about the God we’re talking about here. So we cannot say that literally “All have had the opportunity to accept Him”
no
RYC: I would love to have a party at Charmians. I can’t tonight though. I’ve got to get to bed early. Plan it for tomorrow evening, and I’m there!
we actually had a conversation over this in sunday school…about the random guy in the forest who never had a chance. our sunday school teacher discussed with us this idea that there is an innate instinct in every person to know that there is something bigger out there, where they direct their attention in this matter determines their fate, as some would call it. If this random guy decides to worship a rock, then that’s his deal, he has chosen to give praise to a rock for being the higher power, but if he acknowledges a higher power outside of the earth, than God will call and send someone to go and tell him. Just a thought.
i dont believe in hell peace max
no
my idea is that not as many pple get sent to hell as said by many religions. Scare tactic maybe of religions? iono
No, I dont believe so at all. Im sorry if that offends anyone, but that is the only problem that I have with the Christian religion.
I have had many discussions on the signs thing with many people, and I come down to the same conclusion everytime.
You know maybe EVERYONE gets a sign, but you account for the fact that the sign was there, instead, how it was presented. Kinda like my drum instructor always says “its not what you say its how you say it.” To demonstrate, the first path in this story will symbolize Christianity, and the second path will symbolize non-Christianity:
Your walking down a road and the path diverges, each path with a sign in the front. Just like the many crossroads of life and decison making processes, you have to choose where to go. At one sign, it says “this path is pretty decent” and behind it you see a nice little trodden path, but very few people are walking down it. Now at the other path it says “the other path is terrible, it will only kill you in the long run, go this way or you will die and burn in hell.” And the whole community is taking that second path, they say its awesome, and that beyond the path, there is rainbow skies, flowery meadows, and rivers made of chocolate where the children dance and laugh and play with gumdrop smiles. Even more so, your family and loved ones are taking that second path.
And then when you go to the gates of heaven god says “well Jimbo, you should have taken that second path. Im so sorry, I really am, but the devil got the best of you on that one.” How can you fault someone for that?
One of my good friends is a devout Christian, and I respect her so much for that. Her path to enlightenment was encouraged by the good people around her, the American setting, the good church, loving parents, and the whole shebang. Any other religious way was quickly shot down (politely, of course), by those around her. She didnt know any better. But look at the second case.
Little Akbar from Afghanistan, born into a Muslim family, raised Muslim, went to the Mosque every day, prayed and did all the traditions like he was told to his mother. If you were to ask him about Christianity (or his ‘sign’), he would probably recall some memory about the village nut who flashed the Bible and religious “dogma” around, and was probably gunned down in no time.
In conclusion: Now yes, little Akbar did get a sign. But are you to say that his ’sign’ was as powerful as the ones here in America and Christian settings? It certainly cannot be. BECAUSE, if it were truly as a powerful sign as the ones we recieve here, than Im sure little Akbar and his entire village would be Christians, and probably even all of Afghanistan and the Middle East. But they are not.
How could God punish little Akbar for making what he thought was the better decision, just like my friend here in America did? Both decisions were just as well thought out and inspired, with the other path (‘sign’) still as an option. Only both had different names, and one is punished, but the other is not?
God is both merciful and righteous. A righteous God could not allow anyone who has not been justified into His presence, which means there has to be a hell. The bible is clear on how we who have heard the gospel can be justified, but what about those who have not heard?? If someone has not heard of God, I think there are other ways for God to judge whether someone is justified or not…just like in the OT…people demonstrated faith…they didn’t have Jesus yet.
I don’t think so, not unless they lead a very immoral life.
-Hil
hmm this is the hardest question i’ve ever thought in my llife
i thought about it for years and still no answer Erica
i do believe the bible suggests that
That’s one I’ve always struggled with. I guess we have to consider that while God is a God of love, he is also a “just” God…he gives everyone the opportunity to choose Heaven or Hell.
Who IS God? He is so different even throughout each Christian faith. Which sect or group or whatever your choice of word…is to say which personality encompasses what is their God, everyone’s God?
-Hil
No.
Oops, forgot to say that the Norwegian did NOT say ‘Dan is great’-hehehe. It meant ‘I love you,’ which I do, but it was specifically meant for another man, who might not be ready to hear that!?!
In the bible, it says that God loves EVERY HUMAN BEING IN THIS WORLD. Why would he create them? But he says they are welcome to come to him UNTIL Judgement Day. Then your fate is sealed. He isn’t a cruel, stern god. But he isn’t very flexible.
If God exists, forgive me I’m aetheist, then I believe that I, having rejected his authority and care, would not go to Hell. It is not that I openly object Christianity, or all of the religions that worship Him, it is that I, as a human being, am unable to pour my faith into someone intangible, someone who has never been visible to my soul and eye.
God to me, is more of a inner portrayal of an ideal self. As a more scientific person, I do question faith and religions, but I also respect and care for the beliefs of other people. For this, I believe God would be tolerant of my own beliefs, as I am tolerant and accepting of others’.
Jesus Christ said, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”
I respect God but I keep my distance. Should he exist I might not ascend to heaven, but I am faithful that I will not be punished for my actions.
people send themselves to hell.
and a merciful President would take care of the nation in need and finish the job he said he would.
I’m not sure
no
Yes, it says in the Bible those who have never heard of God are innocent and will be sent to Heaven. Just like unborn babies and young children.
I believe so, but I’m not positive.
I meant no, not yes.
The Bible says that all creation testifies to God. We are made to relate to Him, and we instinctively seek something to fill the void in our lives where He should reside. No one can say that they are unaware of God. Hell is God’s ultimate gesture of respect for the free will of mankind. If we refuse to reconcile to Him in this life on His terms, then we are rejecting Him. He is a gentleman; He will not force us to spend eternity with Him in heaven if we have demonstrated our rejection of Him. Hell is the only place where God withholds his presence, so that is the only logical place for us to go. Essentially, we chose to go to hell when we reject the free gift of Jesus’ sacrifice and payment for our sins.
supposedly everybody gets a chance of one form or another to know who he is before they die…
not my God.
Hell was not created for people, but for the devil and his demons.
God is holy. The word says that the creations speak of the glory to God so that man is without excuse.
There is NO excuse.
((( GRANDMA HUGS )))
Lori
Hello—-and this is what a Merciful Father showed me——I am an older woman that has many yrs to ask Him for the —TRUTH—I do not claim to know much, and till i leave this world, i will continue to —ASK The One and Only True Teacher, and the More He reveals to me ,,,,,the more i see how much more i need , and it will always be that way…. First of all —–NO He don’t send no one to Hell{they choose thier own god and follow him and they will end up there one day by thier by thier choosing the wrong god{the -god of This world—satan himself….the evil one who —Kills, and Steals and Destroys—-ST John 10;10—it is the thief who does all of this evil and always has, But our God has been blamed for these things and always will be until someone wants the TRUTH—- God is not allowing or sending anyone to hell—He has no part with –EVIL… and as far as someone who don’t KNOW——He said I have GIVEN to Everyone THE MEASURE OF FAITH and the Grace of God HAS appeared to all{so sooner or later each one of us has a chance and a choice to make——He died for the whole world{it is up to each one of us who we follow..———A Good Tree can not BRING FORTH EVIL ——-Either Make the Tree GOOD or Make It Evil {does anyone out there Know what that really means? Please come by and reply if you want and give me what you believe this to mean{It Is Vitally Important to understand this and it will clear up many things about Our Loving All Good Father…————Thank you for the nice comment you left on my site my dear brother—–Hope this was not too long, and i would like to sub to your site{OK?}———–simply me——-marie
Would a just God allow any sinners to live?
I don’t know.
my belief system supports the idea that we create our own hell. that God is merciful and forgiving. heaven and hell are here on Earth. As literally as you care to believe.
yes. that’s why we need missions.
Ok so what your not thinking about is that in the bible it says that NO ONE dies without the opportunity to accept him. If the people have the oppottunity to accept him then they must hear about him. And in today’s world there is no one that has not heard of God. If you can tell me one country that we have not reached out to, I will be verry shocked. Even in China, where no one is allowed to believe in a ”higher being” there are missionarys spreading the word. I’m sorry sir, you do have a point here, but God has already soved that problem. With all do respect I’d like it if you did not question the power of my God.
Sarah
Wait…i’m re-reading this…never heard of him…no.
1 Peter 3:18-22 18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also– not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand– with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. (NIV)
This Scripture tells us that Christ spoke to the spirits who died during the great flood never hearing of God.
All will hear the truth before the final judgement.
-Wes
All have had the opportunity to accept Him, yet some choose to reject Him. We have all sinned, and are all deserving of eternal punishment in hell, except for His saving grace.-Lattany
He is merciful, but also just and holy.- Lattany
I agree
Oh – I also believe that God would NEVER abandon one of His children … but that doesn’t mean that His children won’t abandon Him.
Heaven or hell is a choice that every individual makes. All in all, you will all bow before God. The choice you have to make is this – will you bow now, or will you bow later? Regardless, every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is LORD.
no.
I don’t think so. If a person’s never heard of God, it’s probably because they belong to a different religion. And to send someone to hell just because they’ve never heard of God is ridiculous.
I am not sure
Romans 1:19-20, “Since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
This verse clearly states that there will be no room for excuses. Even if someone has not heard the Gospel through preaching or missionaries, Habakkuk says that “the rocks will testify of His glory” and the above verse declares that creation tells of Him.
It is completely illogical to say that God is loving and merciful and, therefore, would not allow anyone to go to hell. How can you emphasize two attributes of God, while ignoring many others? He IS loving and merciful, but He is also holy and just. He cannot allow sin into heaven, He has said the only way to heaven is through faith in Christ, and He will make no exceptions.
if you don’t know him, is he still your God?
theirs a lot of articles on this at http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/hell.html Some things to think about: Is true love permissive? I.E. Would a “loving” parent let their child do whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted, even against the parent’s will? Could God FORCE everyone to go to heaven? People always agree that we have free will – you can decide to do what you want right now – that proves you have it. Could you keep that free will and be FORCED to go to heaven with God? – If he did, he’d violate your free will, and plus heaven would be hell for you. So some people actually prefer hell.
About the people going to hell who have never heard. I believe God will judge them justly, and we can count on him to do so. I believe we will be judged on the basis of what we knew and how we reacted to it. I.E an athiest in America who has had the gospel of Jesus Christ preached to him who rejects it isn’t on the same playing field with God as a 9 year old Buddhist little girl who never has.
No he would not, they choose to go willingly
It doesn’t matter who it is, where they live; in a 2×4 with no TV, or a mansion with everything you could think of, everyone will “hear” of God. I honestly believe that …Besides we arn’t the ones to be judging other people, you are entitled to your own opinion, but God’s opinion is the altimate.
Yes he would send those people who have not heard of him to Hell.
God chooses who he wants saved in my opinion…..
I believe God chooses people and then works in their hearts for them to see. We do not actually Choose God per se, as many believe we do. Then that would say God is not sovereign as WE have the control to Choose God. So God has to wait for us and see whether or not we will choose him or not? No….God chooses and whom he chooses that is something we do not know why or how…..
kinda went off topic huh..sorry dan
hope you had a Good Christmas.
I don’t really believe in God, but if He’s everything people make him out to be, He should have enough heart to understand the situation.
Why be punished for what you don’t know, right? It’s not your fault.
i agree, except i believe in a god, maybe not just one, maybe just one. don’t know. there’s something, though.
Sorry, but this chain letter is for real. When Anne Wichert got it for the first time, she ignored it and a week later the love of her life dumped her for no good reason so BEWARE, and just send the stupid letter!!!!!!
The Lovers of the Heart
In order to form a more perfect kiss, enable the mighty hug to promote to whom we please but one kiss.
Article 1:
Statement of Love: The Kiss
1. Kiss on the hand I adore you 2. Kiss on the cheek I just want to be friends 3. Kiss on the neck I want you 4. Kiss on the lips I love you 5. Kiss on the ears I am just playing 6. Kiss anywhere else lets not get carried away 7. Look in your eyes kiss me 8. Playing with your hair I can’t live without you 9. Hand on your waist I love you to much to let you go
Article 2: The Three Steps
1. Girls: If any guys gets fresh with you, slap him. 2. Guys If any girl slaps you, her intentions are still good. 3. Guys & Girls Close your eyes when kissing, it is rude to stare.
Article 3: The Commandments
1. Thou shall not squeeze too hard. 2. Thou shall not ask for a kiss, but take one. 3. Thou shall kiss at every opportunity.
* Remember *
A peach is a peach A plum is a plum, A kiss isn’t a kiss Without some tongue. So open up your mouth close your eyes, and give your tongue some exercise!!!
Here are a few reasons why guys like girls:
1. They will always smell good even if its just shampoo 2. The way their heads always find the right spot on our shoulder 3. How cute they look when they sleep 4. The ease in which they fit into our arms 5. The way they kiss you and all of a sudden everything is right in the world 6. How cute they are when they eat 7. The way they take hours to get dressed but in the end it makes it all worth while 8. Because they are always warm even when its minus 30 outside 9. The way they look good no matter what they wear 10. The way they fish for compliments even though you both know that you think she’s the most beautiful thing on this earth 11. How cute they are when they argue 12. The way her hand always finds yours 13. The way they smile 14. The way you feel when you see their name on the call ID after you just had a big fight 15. The way she says “lets not fight anymore” even though you know that an hour later…. 16. The way they kiss when you do something nice for them 17. The way they kiss you when you say “I love you” 18. Actually … just the way they kiss you… 19. The way they fall into your arms when they cry 20. Then the way they apologize for crying over something that silly 21. The way they hit you and expect it to hurt 22. Then the way they apologize when it does hurt. (even though we don’t admit it)! 23. The way they say “I miss you” 24. The way you miss them 25. The way their tears make you want to change the world so that it doesn’t hurt her anymore….. Yet regardless if you love them, hate them, wish they would die or know that you would die without them … it matters not. Because once in your life, whatever they were to the world they become everything to you. When you look them in the eyes, traveling to the depths of their souls and you say a million things without trace of a sound, you know that your own life is inevitable consumed within the rhythmic beatings of her very heart. We love them for a million reasons, No paper would do it justice. It is a thing not of the mind but of the heart. A feeling. Only felt.
This chain started in 1887. It is a love chain letter. In an hour you are supposed to send it to 25 people. It is easy, just look into chat rooms and find them. Anyway, send it to 25 people in 1 hour. Now here comes the fun part. You then say the name of the person you like or love and then the person will say “I love you,” or “Will you go out with me?” NO JOKE!!!!!
NOW THE CONSEQUENCES
The consequences are: If you break the chain letter, you will have bad luck in future relationships. If you don’t break the chain, then you will be a happy camper!!!
CoNgRatULaTioNs!!
You have been chosen to participate in the LONGEST and the LUCKIEST chain letter on the Internet! Once you read, this letter you must IMMEDIATELY (meaning within the hour) be sent to 25 people After you send it, make a wish and it will come TRUE
YOU MAY NOT WAIT FOR A CERTAIN TIME TO SEND IT…….. REMEMBER, IT MUST BE SENT TO 25 PEOPLE WITHIN 1 HOUR, OR YOUR WISH WILL NOT COME TRUE! If THIS CHAIN LETTER IS CONTINUED UNTIL THE YEAR 2001, IT WILL BE PLACED IN THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS!
PLEASE CONTINUE IT NOW!!!
*WARNING*
IF YOU DO NOT PASS THIS ON, SOMETHING BAD OR WORSE WILL HAPPEN TO YOU:
NOTE* THE MORE PEOPLE YOU SEND THIS TO THE MORE LUCK YOU WILL HAVE IN YOUR LOVE LIFE. IF YOU BREAK THE CHAIN LETTER
(IT HAS BEEN GOING SINCE 1887)
YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK WITH YOUR LOVE LIFE FOR SEVEN YEARS. THIS IS NO JOKE. GOOD LUCK
God speaks to all. If no one is there to tell of them, then the bible says, “the heavens declare the glory of God.” Nature is capable of communicating God to man, as God is capable of communicating in whatever means he chooses. So, He has revealed Himself in one way or another to everyone. God ENSURES motivation for all. It is built in to us and the whole of creation. He doesnt make our decision for us though. and that is where hell and heaven come in. choose wisely.
You’re good.
Hell is Hell because it’s eternal seperation from God. If you don’t have a relationship with Him, how can you expect to go to Heaven and be with Him there?
Others have already said it: Sin is what deems us all to Hell. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The only thing to get rid of that sin is by accepting Jesus’s sacrifice for us on the cross. We should be pursuing a relationship with God (not trying to get a “get out of Hell free pass”).
Yes, mercy is just one of God’s many attributes. Among others: holiness, righteousness, wrath, love, justice, patience (which He’s given to a lot of us to accept His gift of salvation), etc.
I’m still in between the whole Calvinist/Armeniest debate and haven’t decided which side. I think God does have some part in calling us to Him, but at the same time, we have the free will to accept it or not. I cannot deny that there is predestination in the Bible, but I cannot also deny the free will of man.
Just to show how merciful God is: Even after the rapture happens, the people on Earth will still get a 2nd chance to receive Him. Not all will, eventhough everyone will know what has happened and that was the work of God.
Also, God is perfect and He can do whatever He pleases and He will still hold all of his attributes.
So this was a hodgepodge, so sorry that it skipped around a lot! To answer your question: Yes.
If someone has never heard of him they will have a chance to learn of him after death. That is what I believe.
Personally I think that everyone has heard of God…whether through tradition or through the Bible. I think that we will be held to what we know. If it is a pure faith in Him that is taught by your elders but not studied in the Word, then why would He send you to hell? All it takes is belief and faith in Him…
I don’t believe God sends anyone to hell.
“For the lord is not slow as some count slownesss, but he is patient, not willing that any should perish (go to hell) but that all should come to repentence”
I know that is in the Bible somewhere, and we don’t know what happens in those moments between the last earthly breath, and the first eternal step, do we? Only God can know that. Who is to say one won’t have an encounter with Him in those moments?
no. he is cool like that. comment back -cyn
who’s god?
God would forgive them. Especially if they didn’t get the oppritunity to embrace God. God is a loving God. He loves everyone. He would accept anyone who is willing to go to heaven.
No. Nor do I believe would a just God give us such incredible cognitive capabilites and then demand blind faith for salvation.
God sends no one to hell. If he did his grace would be limited. So to answer the question, those who don’t know God would not be sent to hell.
a merciful god would help people to think for themselves so they can find true happiness instead of telling them to worship him or go to hell.
“If God exists, forgive me I’m aetheist, then I believe that I, having rejected his authority and care, would not go to Hell. It is not that I openly object Christianity, or all of the religions that worship Him, it is that I, as a human being, am unable to pour my faith into someone intangible, someone who has never been visible to my soul and eye.
God to me, is more of a inner portrayal of an ideal self. As a more scientific person, I do question faith and religions, but I also respect and care for the beliefs of other people. For this, I believe God would be tolerant of my own beliefs, as I am tolerant and accepting of others’.
Jesus Christ said, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”
I respect God but I keep my distance. Should he exist I might not ascend to heaven, but I am faithful that I will not be punished for my actions.”
…what he/she said.
that’s not very merciful
The answer to that, according to the Roman Catholic Church at least, is “No.”
Either way, God doesn’t send people to Hell anyway. Hell is defined as “being without God.” So, Hell is more or less something we create for ourselves by turning away from God.
Yes, but God has expressed clearly in the bible in the great commission (matt 28:18-20) how he wants his disciples to spread the word.
of course she wouldn’t
i think pretty much everyone is exposed to the concept of a god in one way or another. it’s whether or not they choose to look further into god that matters. babies, on the other hand, and little kids are an exception.
So many people get confused. God is not only a god of mercy, but he is just and holy. I saw one person qoute the Bible about God not wanting anyone to go to Hell. That’s true, but God can not allow sin to enter heaven. He is a just God. You sin, you go to Hell. It’s cut and dry. There is no black and white with God.
Acts 17, Paul talks about people who have never heard of God…namely those who existed before Christ…and that God had revealed Himself to them. I think it is the responsibiilty of humans who are shown God through Jesus Christ to accept Him as such…however, in the rarity that someone does not ever “know” God, I do believe that God in His mercy and righteousness does reveal Himself to them. The Lord works in mysterious ways. His ways are not our ways, and they are definitely higher than ours. It would be presumptuous and idiotic for us, especially Christians, to limit God in any way to say that our way is the only way because honestly…it’s not about what we know. It’s not about what we believe. It’s about who we believe, and that is Jesus Christ, and He is the one thing that we have right as Christians.
On that note: I will say that because of this day and age, Jesus Christ is the only Way, Truth and the Life and it has fallen upon us the responsibility to accept or reject. Another poster mentioned that since he/she does not believe in God, that it doesn’t matter. 1) That is a foolish statement in that his/her belief…key word being “belief”…is the defining factor of whether or not He exists. 2.) If one is to be truly open-minded, than they must give into account both yes and no, and entertain the thought of maybe especially towards an area of debate for both sides of the argument.
eh..god..if he was merciful, he wouldn’t..
I don’t believe so. If you are a Christian, and accept the New Testament as Scriptural truth, in the 1st chapter of Romans, Paul says that there are Gentiles who follow the law of God present in nature.
I believe, henceforth, that morality and kindness have a great deal to do with how God will ultimately judge people. Individuals and groups who are detrimental to the existence of humankind are not people who would desire to live with God forever.
I think we have to believe He will. The same question could apply to aborted or newborn babies; if they die, will they go to heaven?
I dont believe God sends anyone to hell unless that persons desires it, and even then I’m not into the whole fire and brimstone devil thing. If a hell does exist, it is merely a place without God.
God is more just than people. If people could decide, way way way more people would end up in hell, just ask any member of the 700 club, they’ll send most of humanity direct to hell. Thank God that is not the case.
I don’t think that God would send someone to hell if they were never given the opportunity to know him. How many people can honestly say they never knew him though?
I don’t think so.
As Christians it is our job to spread the Gospel so that everyone gets a chance to hear it.
Then whoever hears it and is convicted of the truth can accept Christ as God’s son and Savior of the world.
Those who reject it have had the seeds planted and hopefully before they die will come to believe and receive.
But I think that special allowances are made for those who never get to hear and make the choice. I think that there may also be allowances made for those who have heard but have never been convicted of the truth (if that is possible).
L,r
If the person was evil, I would say yes. I think we all are given a conscience by God. We have an intrisic knowledge of good and evil even without any direct instruction from God. I think less is expected of those who have no knowledge of God. To those whom much is given, much is expected.
Interesting that you ask this today. Please read this and let me know what you think! I would love to have your take on this questions!
First of, I wonder, is there actually anyone on the planet who hasn’t heard of God in one form or the other? Every culture has a deity as the cornerstone of their religion. It is my belief that all “higher powers” are God.
That would make him an unholy god, then, wouldn’t it?
Punishing a person for not doing something they didn’t know they were supposed to be doing would not make much sense would it? Especially not a punishment like being in a fiery eternity of torture and torment.
I don’t believe anyone goes to hell. Not the traditional brimstone, etc, hell that I’ve had shoved down my throat since birth, anyhow.
The people who say “the devil wants us too” seem to be putting the devil on equal footing with God. I don’t think that is true either.
The devil, ultimately, I think, is like an annoying mosquito that buzzes around God’s head when his hands are full doing something else and so does not take the time to swat him.
Eventually, the devil will be squashed, just like an annoying mosquito.
people are not going to hell because they didn’t hear of Jesus or God there going to hell because they sinned!
God is just and you people need to read the bible more! Some of the comments make you think if you stole something and didn’t think stealing was a crime and you went in front of a judge that you should be innocent of your crime. yes God is merciful but only to those who seek him. sin is sin and just because you don’t know there is a god doesn’t mean your exempt from facing punishment from breaking the law of god.
Romans 6:23 for the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
the real question is should the gift of God being eternal life be given to people who serve false Idols who don’t care to live for God, who live careless life in sin ? NO!
No, God doesnt just send people to hell without giving them opportunity to know him. The bible says (I think in John-I should go look it up) that God is known by his creation and when you read the bible cover to cover you understand that God speaks to different people in ways they can understand and sometimes that means that he sends a real live person with literature to fully explain the way to heaven and sometimes it means that God himself speaks to the heart and soul of an individual and an array of other ways that only God knows. NO ONE goes to hell without having made the decision to reject their maker, my God.
I like how several people have just quoted the Bible, or spouted more scripture-related rhetoric. They don’t seem to be understanding: the people whose fate is in question have never heard of the Bible. Quoting scripture means nothing in this case… gah, people are dumb.
But no, it doesn’t make any sense to send people to hell if they’ve never known about the Christian God. Police Officers give you warnings if you don’t know of the law against doing whatever they pulled you over for (unless it’s something really obvious, like you decided to play Bowling for Humans with your SUV).
Good question. There are plenty of viewpoints on the subject.
1) The naïve did not have the chance to know God and did not have a chance to live in His glory, thus they will be spared.
2) The naïve should feel the presence of God even if they know nothing of Him, thus they will not reach the light of heaven.
3) The naïve will be judged by there actions in life and not by there beliefs, thus it depends on the individual.
4) God does not exist, thus we should not worry.
There are plenty more, but these are the first that came to mind. Personally, I believe the third statement is closest. Of course, what does an agnostic know?
A merciful and righteous God does… they know he’s there through Creation (Romans 1), we just need to go tell them about Jesus!
Whoa whoa.
People need to understand the principles of Holiness AND Mercy. God’s holiness is preminent. For God to be holy, he can’t just “let things go”. That would make him more like … a cosmic Mr. Rodgers or something…God’s mercy is shown just by letting us be here and have the opportunity to hear his word, or see proof of his existence.
I’m stopping here.
He has given them the same chance He gave everyone else. If they reject Him, that’s their fault, not His. He shows mercy where He can. He can’t deny a contrite heart, but He has no choice but to condemn a heart that isn’t His.
Summer
Mercy is only one of God’s attributes. In order to really answer the question, you have to understand God as a total being. I don’t think I’m really up to doing this….
God has reveiled himself through creation. ” the heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the works of his hands”. thats in Psalms. but yes, even if God wasn’t proclaimed in creation, he would still send people the hell who havn’t heard of him. “I am the way, the truth and the life. no one comes to the father but by me.” there is no other way to get to heaven, and there is a life after death. so you’e either in heaven of hell. if God hasn’t called you to be saved, I’m sorry but you’ll burn. (by you i don’t mean you personally, of course).
have a great day Dan!
I hope not. I remember asking my mom this when I was a kid. I don’t remember what she said.
Erika
no
I agree with the first comment…we all have an oppurtunity to know him…whether small or great….He loves us and doesnt want us to go to hell…breaks his heart,,,,,but he leaves the choice up to us….all he asks is for you to love and believe in him..and you have eternal life in heaven,,,,refusing him is the greatest sin and its a one way ticket to hell
that’s what missionaries are for!!!!!!!!
no, i don’t believe in God, but i figure that if he is there, i have a lot of good reasons why i dont believe in him, therefore, i won’t go to hell, because i wasn’t ignorant. just skeptical.
No. Would a God that wanted people to love him simply because he exists create heaven and hell? By offering negative incentive toward non-belief and positive incentive toward belief, doesn’t he encourage selfishness instead of love of God? If I worship God because I want to go to heaven and not go to hell, will I be saved? Do I have true faith, or am I just operating on my own self-interest?
I’m not altogether sure I believe in Hell. It seems too cruel a place for any mortal to deserve.
God made it very clear that the only way to Him is through Jesus. He cannot let people who are stained with sin into a perfect Heaven. But He’s not happy when He does it; it hurts Him to see His children in pain more than it hurts anyone else. Also, Satan is the one who accuses us to God, not God Himself.
It’s the responsibility of everyone who knows God to tell those who don’t know about it. So the only reason people won’t enter Heaven is peoples’ unwillingness to step outside their comfort zones and share the faith.
Yeah.
No, that is why we have to do ordinances for those who have passed on.
In temples, members [of the Church or Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] provide ordinances such as baptism for those who have died without the opportunity to receive the gospel (1 Peter 4:6; 1 Corinthians 15:29). Mormon.org – Temples.
i dont think he would , there is alot people dont know about God.me personally i believe he is all love and no anger.
From what I have heard, they say everyone gets at least one shot but I am not for sure.
Effie
no he would not….
it would depend on the quality of the life they lead
He’s just, merciful. If they hadn’t yet heard, I wouldn’t think he would. But I ain’t Him, so I haven’t a clue. Personally, I’m just making sure my relationship with Him is good, and to encourage others to do likewise.
No because if u read thats part of revelation, that once all have herd the word and chose to accept of deny then we all get judged
i guess thats whats supposed to happen
I choose not to believe in a God who would.
It would really have to be an extraordinarly case to not have heard of God today, even so…I believe that if someone had never heard of God then he/she would be seen as an innocent, child-like. God loves & brings all children to him.
Grace would allow even those who didn’t accept God on earth to be with him/her in heaven. I believe that the acceptance of grace is the only thing between an afterlife with or one without God. It is not dependant on sin or even on the acceptance of Jesus Christ. Although the Bible does state that such dependances exist, it does contradict itself and the different scriptures in the Bible need to be weighed. God is a god of love. No God of love would send any of his children to hell. He would stand as the father of the prodical son stood, with open arms watching at the door for his child to return home and he will stand there always. As for God being a just God…yes he is a very just God, but not just in the terms of earth, but in heavenly terms. Justice doesn’t have to mean that people will be sent to hell if they don’t follow God on earth. A God of love would not be a wrathful God, besides an eternity in hell for a lifetime of unjust acts seems hardly just. That is even more severe than the eye for an eye punishment, which Jesus was quick to reject and replace with love.
If G-d is just and Holy, absoulutly not, and don’t even get me started on the rejection thing. That will NEVER be what I believe, I would never punish my kids even if they rejected me, or did not ” understand” something how unjust is that!!!!!!
It’s like this
He gives you the air to breathe, your soght, your sense, and anything else you want as long as you do what is right. How hard is that. Yes he does because he gives you the world and if you can’t even thank him with praise why should he give you a mansion and eternal life?
i beleive GOD deals with those situations fairly because he is just
well god is merciful & it our our duty 2 tell people about him so that they may have eternal life. (i also agree with lattany)
Oh man oh man, First of all, if you do not believe in Hell, what is the alternative….no hell, no heaven…then what happens…Also, you cannot be a professing Christian and say no to this question. God is JUST and HOLY and PERFECT nothing unclean or impure or not holy can enter HIS presence (heaven) ao if you do not believe in Him and turn from your ways and cling to his perfectness you are going to Hell, that is the biblical truth of it all. It is not our sin that leads us to hell, we were all born sinful and bound for hell, what calls us out of the pitt, is the glorious gift of GRACE that I nor anyone else deserve, it is a free gift offered sto all and it is your choice on excepting it. So God does not send you to hell, you walk in all by yourself by refusing to live under HIS authority. I agree with the bible, that non are with out reson, God will make himself known, if you haave any questions post on my sight.
NO
I’d say no just because they didn’t know of him and maybe if they knew of him they could have changed there life and therefore not deserve to go to hell.
I think that is a question for God to answer.
this xanga is stupid. anyone who’s on the internet long enough every day to have a xanga doesn’t usually have any religious beliefs, and if they DO claim to have religious beliefs, they really don’t know anything about their religion. -_-
and quit trying to capitalize on people’s weak religious beliefs man. get a life
Did you watch the thing on the History Channel about this?
Cause I did.
It kinda freaked me out…
Uh, hell no. (If you’ll pardon the expression.)
“A merciful God wouldn’t have hell.” — by Obl1v1onSecond that.
oh, wait, I guess I “third” that…
I think you may have hit one of this guys nerves >>>White_Youth
Let’s see… Um…I’m not God. I don’t know. But who sends whom to Hell? God or Man?
no, it depends on the actions of that person there life time… thats like saying a baby only living 3 days should go to because they did not believe in god
I don’t understand how someone can say that you can’t not have heard of God. You can’t just look at the ground and say, “God made that” if you’ve never read a Bible, logged on the internet, or talked to a Christian person. Which is precisely the case with a lot of people in say, Africa. Or the tundra part of Russia, Alaska, et al. Believe it or not, there are still lots of places without missionaries. If no one has ever put a Christian thought into your brain before, how can a merciful God say that you have rejected Him? How can you even know there was a Jesus? It is NOT just “programmed into your DNA”.
I think God looks at each person as a separate judgment and takes ALL factors into consideration.
NO, the bible stated that everyone will hear his words before end time.
I was taught that no, all who hear of Him have the choice to accept/reject Him, but those who have not heard of him do not have that choice and therefore God takes care of them.
God sends atheists to hell. If you haven’t heard of God, that’s a different story, but do you know anyone that hasn’t heard about God? If you are reading this and have never heard of God, please comment back.
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
Romans 1:20
Seems pretty simple to me. Maybe a bit harsh, but only untill you consider what man has done to God.
No. The Bible says that he has been revealed to us in our hearts, at the very least, if not through nature, his WORD, people, etc… etc… God doesn’t SEND anyone to hell either. You’re question is wrong. People rejecting God puts people in hell, therefor God can not possibly send anyone to hell. If a indivudual has never rejected God OR had the chance to accept him, I’d call that individual an infant.
The Lord loves everyone. So i guess that He wouldn’t send anyone to Hell.
i think he would.. but maybe not as many people as most christians really think of are going to hell.. and maybe hell isnt what kind of place we think it is… maybe hell is just eternity with god, and maybe those going are only those who have outrightly defied him or his will…
god wouldnt be very merciful if he did that now would he?
Being a straightedge christian…
I hope not
Some people never have a chance
God is just and holy
how about we leave it up to God to decide who goes to heaven and to hell, for i certainly would not like to be the person who has to judge others, and send them to one place or the other…. God is the judge, and he is just, and true.
let God, and the bible answer your question.
it’s ridiculous to think that an unbaptized baby would go to hell, or someone who has never heard of the religion would. i mean, even mormons don’t believe in that. they believe more of a dante’s inferno type thing, i don’t remember the specifics because, hell, I’m not mormon!
But, as a reasonable answer to the question if God is made out to be how he is in the bible, then, yes, he would send them to hell just for not knowing about him because they are sinners. God is a hypocrite in the bible, really. If he’s so ‘merciful’ then why did he drown the whole world to rid of the disgusting humans in the case of Noah and the Ark? And then he sent Jesus down to Earth to be like, Hey Guys, God said he’s sorry, I’ll try to set it straight for you from now on, sorry about the people born before me, oh and the Jews, too, you are pretty fucked as well. From what I’ve read in the bible, ‘God’ is pretty fucked up.
and ModernMusicMagicMen , we are what you might call “modern people” who have “computers” and “internet” and “ready access to information such as religions i.e. christianity” which implies that anyone on a xanga will have heard about God by now.
random props::::::
whoa…u gotza-lotza comments…
<3 natalie
i don’t think a merciful god would fall into a human’s trap of creating a hell, just because we decide to believe in it…
hey the last comment is actually from joe, i didn’t realize my friend was still signed in…
Do you think a just God will allow a sinful, depraved man to come to His presence?
The answer to your question and mine are both yes.
I second snagbert’s comment. The question is irrelevant. It is simply not our job to talk about heaven or hell. God is the judge and we can speculate all we want, but the final authority comes from God. So let God be God and humans be humans.
As Christians, we are to make disciples, NOT converts. We are to love and give life (John 10:10) to others, not scare them into believing God. When I say give life, it doesn’t just mean telling them about “eternal life in heaven” exclusively. Rather, to be able to give humanity to the person, free of oppression, exploitation and hate. Thus, we must engage and struggle in destroying the structures that sought to disenfrenchise others (such as globalization or an economic system that exploits Latin American farmers or sweatshop workers). Anything else besides loving and giving life to others is not what we are called to do.
yes, he if you read the bible, he is a vengful and angry god, I mean, he did supposably flood the entire world.
No, but it says that when he returns all will have heard his name and have been minstered too, i think it sayds that.. he’s not coming back until all have heard his word.. but no, I say he would not.
Peace and Love:)
Assuming this is the Christian God we’re discussing I will do my best to answer this question.
“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” “For the wages of sin is death” Two passages from the Bible. All have sinned, and sin is punishable by death. It seems quite just to send someone to hell (or the lake of fire) being that that is the means of death. That is how justice is achieved.
Mercy comes in when God sent His Son to die on a cross for our sins. If it weren’t for the atoning sacrifice of Jesus we would all be subject to eternal death.
So so far we have death as a result of justice. Mercy comes in with a means to escape. As for sending people who have never heard of God to hell, people can find whats right. When Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil that meant that all the decendents of them (or all humans) know instinctively what is good and what is evil. Even without being preached to gospel of Christ people know that things are right or wrong. And I think that if someone is considering God will cause someone to cross their path to share the Good News with them.
Also I believe that asking this question is a bit of a question of the character of the Christian God. The Christian God certainly is merciful in that there is a means to escape eternal death.
Just a few thoughts. If you have any questions or comments feel free to comment me back.
God makes a plan that all people will know about Him. same way like people in africa or america has heard about the gospel, whether by language, an event, or whatever, everyone hears the gospel. what about babies who die right after they’re born?
He lets the sun shine down on both righteous and un-righteous…so he has a fair way of dealing even with people that don’t know him
No
Creation is enough to condem (Romans), but only through Jesus can we be saved. It may not seem fair, but the Bible seems clear on this. This should bring a sense of urgency to tell others of Christ both in our culture and cross-culturally. Maybe a disbelief/unclear understanding about this topic is why many Christians today do not share their faith.?
The Bible doesn’t seem to think so.
no… he would punish the christians who shunned them?
No, I believe that if someone had never— ever heard of God , then when they die, He will judge them on their heart. Were they a kind person, did they show love, or were they selfish, did they show hate all the time.Were they only out for them selfs. I believe this is what God spoke in my spirit one time when I asked. Also I think many should know that there is no such thing a luck, or coincidence. It’s God, all God.
Have a good day Dan.
For those who don’t think God sends people to Hell at all, you need to read your Bible more. You can’t seperate one aspect of God from Him and keep only what you like. That is creating a god in your mind different from the God who is. You can do that, and you can believe it with all your heart, but that doesn’t make it right. Abraham Lincoln once said something that is the same concept: “how many legs does a dog have if you count his tail as a leg? Four. Just because you call a tail a leg, it doesn’t make it a leg!”
For those who figure you will passively not take a side, you already have. If you know about God, and you think you can live in the universe He created and simply ignore Him, you are doing the same as those who reject Him altogether! You must serve a master. Either you serve God, or you serve Satan, and there is no in between.
I am not an authority on the scriptures, but I know what I read. The Bible says that the wages of sin is death. period. There is no other way. It also says that “all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.”
Jesus deciples asked Him this same question once, and His response was(Steven’s paraphrase) It is none of you buisness what I do with them. Your job is to go and tell the whole world!
Would God send people who have never heard of Him and His saving Grace to Hell? From all that I’ve read, the answer, though I don’t like it, is yes. “Nature renders man without excuse…” But it is not my buisness to wander about that, it is my buisness to tell those who don’t know so there will be that much less to be worried about.
no?
most definitely.
he is also just.
well, i would say yes… cuz one of the first commentors said that all can look around and see that SOMETHING had to have created this all… so yes. i would say He does send people to hell who have never HEARD his name, because they have opportunities elsewhere.
Comments (204)
He is merciful, but also just and holy.
All have had the opportunity to accept Him, yet some choose to reject Him. We have all sinned, and are all deserving of eternal punishment in hell, except for His saving grace.
God gives enough signs to people for them to believe in him. It’s almost like it’s programmed into us being humans. It may in fact be in our DNA but who knows. I also agree with Lattany in the fact that God is just and holy.
~Pesky
i hope not!
mmm hehe what lattany said.
5th! No… I don’t think so.
I think it would depend on what kind of life they led. Good question.
RYC: LOL… I’m not going to ask who you think the ugliest is. Don’t answer. LOL
I dont believe in god and it blows my mind that catholics/christians have told me im “going to hell” b/c I dont believe in him…………. <<~~~ there are so many things wrong with that
I dont think he sends ppl to hell. period
All we know is that He is the way, the Truth and the Light and nobody goes to the Father except through the Son. Does this necessitate that one who has never heard of the son goes to Hell? We really don’t know and scripture only tells us a little. I know that God is Just and we will see that whatever the answer is, we will see and know that God is just in it. We all deserve death and Grace is getting something we don’t deserve.
I don’t think he would.
Amanda
Depends on how merciful.
And he can’t just take us up to heaven. The devil wants us too. So it’s like choosing an alliance. I think we send ourselves to hell more than God does. There’s no middle ground in the end.
No. Absolutely not.
Depends what your definition of hell is.
no i think the ignorant and innocent are spared
This is a very good question. This is one reason why I am ‘beefing’ with God right now. (That means I am agnostic/atheist) I would like to know once and for all.
In my opinion though, he shouldnt do that. Personally, I think that that is wrong to do.
no
A merciful God wouldn’t have hell.
welll..if dante’s circles of hell actually existed, they wold be sent to the first level, no punishment there, but no paradise either
Paul says in Romans that no one has an excuse – looking around in nature, we know in our souls that there is God. I think the greater issue is whether or not he sends people to hell who have never heard of, nor had the opportunity to accept, Jesus. That’s why it’s our responsibility as Christians to get the gospel out to the entire world. For those who are missed, though, I think God deals with them the same way he dealt with Abraham and the folks in the OT before the coming of Jesus – do they have faith? He will be the judge of that.
“A merciful God wouldn’t have hell.” — by Obl1v1onSecond that.
don’t they say that dying pays for the sins anyway its the ones left behind still alive upon his return that need to have been living by godly ways I’ve heard that somewhere So if you died not knowing you still wont be going to hell
would a merciful president send our troops back? =p
I don’t really believe in God, but if He’s everything people make him out to be, He should have enough heart to understand the situation.
Why be punished for what you don’t know, right? It’s not your fault.
A lot of people think its wrong to send us to hell.
We’re only human. He is divine. Much of our judgement is defined by what society deems right and natural.
Ever watch national geographic on Taboo and what not? We can’t pass judgement on God like this.
We can believe or disbelieve, be we cannot pass judgement because our judgement is not divine.
That’s my theory.
ryc: Those headstones are so close to one another because of limited land in Hong Kong! Also due to the same reason, many prefer to be cremated. The urns are then put into holes and covered with a marble plaque with the photos on. (See where my family was standing?) By the way that was a Catholic cemetry!
That’s what I’d like to know.
i really dont know.. we’re not supposed to know everything.. i would hope not, but i guess we’ll have to wait and see, now wont we?
No, that doesn’t seem too fair.
Yep.
“A merciful God wouldn’t have hell.” — by Obl1v1on.
Third that.
We’d like to think he wouldn’t. From the little bit I’ve learned on this subject, and what I feel and believe by the faith I have in Christ… Anyone that believes in Jesus as God’s son, who was sent on this earth and died, raised and ascended into Heaven…will go to Heaven.
But, the question is for those that have never heard of Him, and who do not have access to such truth. The answer is no. How can he punish those who have never once heard or learned about Him? But, then you have to think of why we, Christians, are to minister to others. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” (Matt 28: 19-20)
“Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”(Matt 18:14)
Those of us that make it, shall know then.
no
rcy: I forgot to mention that there actually ARE bodies under the headstones! This is Hong Kong! *LOL*
Or maybe the question whose answer I’m looking for would be better put with “Why” at the beginning.
No.
I’m going to argue this from a Christian’s standpoint (I’m agnostic, but I’m also a missionary kid and I know what I’m talking about).
God transcends what we can’t even begin to imagine and works in so many different ways, and on so many different levels. I think that He, in His mercy, has shown himself to people who otherwise would have never heard about Him.
I think if the person in question had a genuine thirst for truth, then there is no way the Christian God would send hm/her to Hell. “His ways are not our ways”, yadda yadda.
Christian viewpoint done. My actual opinion:: I don’t believe in Hell.
Not that this question applies to me. I don’t believe there is a Hell.
yess
because no one’s ever not heard of him
We don’t know what God will or will not do. We can only think of what he should, or what he shouldn’t do. Judgement on his decisions seems almost meaningless at some points.
I also have to agree with Lattany. While He is definitely merciful, He is also a justifiable God. Then again, I’m only a mere human and it is not my place to judge-only the Lord of Lords judgement shall reign.
The question needs rephrasing, as it impossible not to see and/or hear the testimony of God–i.e., God’s natural revelation, as compared to his revelation in Scripture. While some might not have heard the words “Jesus Christ,” nature and creation, God’s natural revelation, are undeniable testimonies to a supreme being, the One God. Any rational, thoughtful, intellectually honest person must reach that conclusion, as “the Heavens declare the Glories of God.” (Psalms)
That said, God is perfectly justified in sending anyone to Hell–sin is an exercise of free will, and hell is a just punishment.
Sam
Speaking of Hell, you get a HELL of a lotta comments.
Condemnation is not the consequence of not hearing the gospel. It’s the result of sin.
I have read before that the rapture will not occur until everybody has heard the word of God and had the chance to make their choice.
God doesn’t send people to hell, people choose between heaven and hell.
I don’t understand why people would not choose to believe in God. If you look at it logically, if there is a God and you don’t believe, you are going to hell. If there isn’t a God and you don’t believe, than nothing happens. The choice is clear to me! I did alot of soul searching and research, at one point, questioning the existence of God. I have concluded that there definately is!
No, but a lot of extremist Christians say that he will. :/
No. I believe that everyone in some way, will have a chance to either believe in Jesus or reject Him.
larry
yes
No. And Lattany is wrong.
I would be willing to bet that there is some little kid in Africa who will die before ever hearing about the God we’re talking about here. So we cannot say that literally “All have had the opportunity to accept Him”
no
RYC: I would love to have a party at Charmians. I can’t tonight though. I’ve got to get to bed early. Plan it for tomorrow evening, and I’m there!
we actually had a conversation over this in sunday school…about the random guy in the forest who never had a chance.
our sunday school teacher discussed with us this idea that there is an innate instinct in every person to know that there is something bigger out there, where they direct their attention in this matter determines their fate, as some would call it. If this random guy decides to worship a rock, then that’s his deal, he has chosen to give praise to a rock for being the higher power, but if he acknowledges a higher power outside of the earth, than God will call and send someone to go and tell him. Just a thought.
i dont believe in hell
peace max
no
my idea is that not as many pple get sent to hell as said by many religions. Scare tactic maybe of religions? iono
No, I dont believe so at all. Im sorry if that offends anyone, but that is the only problem that I have with the Christian religion.
I have had many discussions on the signs thing with many people, and I come down to the same conclusion everytime.
You know maybe EVERYONE gets a sign, but you account for the fact that the sign was there, instead, how it was presented. Kinda like my drum instructor always says “its not what you say its how you say it.” To demonstrate, the first path in this story will symbolize Christianity, and the second path will symbolize non-Christianity:
Your walking down a road and the path diverges, each path with a sign in the front. Just like the many crossroads of life and decison making processes, you have to choose where to go. At one sign, it says “this path is pretty decent” and behind it you see a nice little trodden path, but very few people are walking down it. Now at the other path it says “the other path is terrible, it will only kill you in the long run, go this way or you will die and burn in hell.” And the whole community is taking that second path, they say its awesome, and that beyond the path, there is rainbow skies, flowery meadows, and rivers made of chocolate where the children dance and laugh and play with gumdrop smiles. Even more so, your family and loved ones are taking that second path.
And then when you go to the gates of heaven god says “well Jimbo, you should have taken that second path. Im so sorry, I really am, but the devil got the best of you on that one.” How can you fault someone for that?
One of my good friends is a devout Christian, and I respect her so much for that. Her path to enlightenment was encouraged by the good people around her, the American setting, the good church, loving parents, and the whole shebang. Any other religious way was quickly shot down (politely, of course), by those around her. She didnt know any better. But look at the second case.
Little Akbar from Afghanistan, born into a Muslim family, raised Muslim, went to the Mosque every day, prayed and did all the traditions like he was told to his mother. If you were to ask him about Christianity (or his ‘sign’), he would probably recall some memory about the village nut who flashed the Bible and religious “dogma” around, and was probably gunned down in no time.
In conclusion: Now yes, little Akbar did get a sign. But are you to say that his ’sign’ was as powerful as the ones here in America and Christian settings? It certainly cannot be. BECAUSE, if it were truly as a powerful sign as the ones we recieve here, than Im sure little Akbar and his entire village would be Christians, and probably even all of Afghanistan and the Middle East. But they are not.
How could God punish little Akbar for making what he thought was the better decision, just like my friend here in America did? Both decisions were just as well thought out and inspired, with the other path (‘sign’) still as an option. Only both had different names, and one is punished, but the other is not?
God is both merciful and righteous. A righteous God could not allow anyone who has not been justified into His presence, which means there has to be a hell. The bible is clear on how we who have heard the gospel can be justified, but what about those who have not heard?? If someone has not heard of God, I think there are other ways for God to judge whether someone is justified or not…just like in the OT…people demonstrated faith…they didn’t have Jesus yet.
I don’t think so, not unless they lead a very immoral life.
-Hil
hmm this is the hardest question i’ve ever thought in my llife
i thought about it for years
and still no answer
Erica
i do believe the bible suggests that
That’s one I’ve always struggled with. I guess we have to consider that while God is a God of love, he is also a “just” God…he gives everyone the opportunity to choose Heaven or Hell.
Who IS God? He is so different even throughout each Christian faith. Which sect or group or whatever your choice of word…is to say which personality encompasses what is their God, everyone’s God?
-Hil
No.
Oops, forgot to say that the Norwegian did NOT say ‘Dan is great’-hehehe. It meant ‘I love you,’ which I do, but it was specifically meant for another man, who might not be ready to hear that!?!
In the bible, it says that God loves EVERY HUMAN BEING IN THIS WORLD. Why would he create them? But he says they are welcome to come to him UNTIL Judgement Day. Then your fate is sealed. He isn’t a cruel, stern god. But he isn’t very flexible.
If God exists, forgive me I’m aetheist, then I believe that I, having rejected his authority and care, would not go to Hell. It is not that I openly object Christianity, or all of the religions that worship Him, it is that I, as a human being, am unable to pour my faith into someone intangible, someone who has never been visible to my soul and eye.
God to me, is more of a inner portrayal of an ideal self. As a more scientific person, I do question faith and religions, but I also respect and care for the beliefs of other people. For this, I believe God would be tolerant of my own beliefs, as I am tolerant and accepting of others’.
Jesus Christ said, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”
I respect God but I keep my distance. Should he exist I might not ascend to heaven, but I am faithful that I will not be punished for my actions.
people send themselves to hell.
and a merciful President would take care of the nation in need and finish the job he said he would.
I’m not sure
no
Yes, it says in the Bible those who have never heard of God are innocent and will be sent to Heaven. Just like unborn babies and young children.
I believe so, but I’m not positive.
I meant no, not yes.
The Bible says that all creation testifies to God. We are made to relate to Him, and we instinctively seek something to fill the void in our lives where He should reside. No one can say that they are unaware of God. Hell is God’s ultimate gesture of respect for the free will of mankind. If we refuse to reconcile to Him in this life on His terms, then we are rejecting Him. He is a gentleman; He will not force us to spend eternity with Him in heaven if we have demonstrated our rejection of Him. Hell is the only place where God withholds his presence, so that is the only logical place for us to go. Essentially, we chose to go to hell when we reject the free gift of Jesus’ sacrifice and payment for our sins.
supposedly everybody gets a chance of one form or another to know who he is before they die…
not my God.
Hell was not created for people, but for the devil and his demons.
God is holy. The word says that the creations speak of the glory to God so that man is without excuse.
There is NO excuse.
((( GRANDMA HUGS )))
Lori
Hello—-and this is what a Merciful Father showed me——I am an older woman that has many yrs to ask Him for the —TRUTH—I do not claim to know much, and till i leave this world, i will continue to —ASK The One and Only True Teacher, and the More He reveals to me ,,,,,the more i see how much more i need , and it will always be that way…. First of all —–NO He don’t send no one to Hell{they choose thier own god and follow him and they will end up there one day by thier by thier choosing the wrong god{the -god of This world—satan himself….the evil one who —Kills, and Steals and Destroys—-ST John 10;10—it is the thief who does all of this evil and always has, But our God has been blamed for these things and always will be until someone wants the TRUTH—- God is not allowing or sending anyone to hell—He has no part with –EVIL… and as far as someone who don’t KNOW——He said I have GIVEN to Everyone THE MEASURE OF FAITH and the Grace of God HAS appeared to all{so sooner or later each one of us has a chance and a choice to make——He died for the whole world{it is up to each one of us who we follow..———A Good Tree can not BRING FORTH EVIL ——-Either Make the Tree GOOD or Make It Evil {does anyone out there Know what that really means? Please come by and reply if you want and give me what you believe this to mean{It Is Vitally Important to understand this and it will clear up many things about Our Loving All Good Father…————Thank you for the nice comment you left on my site my dear brother—–Hope this was not too long, and i would like to sub to your site{OK?}———–simply me——-marie
Would a just God allow any sinners to live?
I don’t know.
my belief system supports the idea that we create our own hell. that God is merciful and forgiving. heaven and hell are here on Earth. As literally as you care to believe.
yes. that’s why we need missions.
Ok so what your not thinking about is that in the bible it says that NO ONE dies without the opportunity to accept him. If the people have the oppottunity to accept him then they must hear about him. And in today’s world there is no one that has not heard of God. If you can tell me one country that we have not reached out to, I will be verry shocked. Even in China, where no one is allowed to believe in a ”higher being” there are missionarys spreading the word. I’m sorry sir, you do have a point here, but God has already soved that problem. With all do respect I’d like it if you did not question the power of my God.
Sarah
Wait…i’m re-reading this…never heard of him…no.
1 Peter 3:18-22
18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,
19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison
20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,
21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also– not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand– with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
(NIV)
This Scripture tells us that Christ spoke to the spirits who died during the great flood never hearing of God.
All will hear the truth before the final judgement.
-Wes
All have had the opportunity to accept Him, yet some choose to reject Him. We have all sinned, and are all deserving of eternal punishment in hell, except for His saving grace.-Lattany
He is merciful, but also just and holy.- Lattany
I agree
Oh – I also believe that God would NEVER abandon one of His children … but that doesn’t mean that His children won’t abandon Him.
Heaven or hell is a choice that every individual makes. All in all, you will all bow before God. The choice you have to make is this – will you bow now, or will you bow later? Regardless, every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is LORD.
no.
I don’t think so. If a person’s never heard of God, it’s probably because they belong to a different religion. And to send someone to hell just because they’ve never heard of God is ridiculous.
I am not sure
Romans 1:19-20, “Since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
This verse clearly states that there will be no room for excuses. Even if someone has not heard the Gospel through preaching or missionaries, Habakkuk says that “the rocks will testify of His glory” and the above verse declares that creation tells of Him.
It is completely illogical to say that God is loving and merciful and, therefore, would not allow anyone to go to hell. How can you emphasize two attributes of God, while ignoring many others? He IS loving and merciful, but He is also holy and just. He cannot allow sin into heaven, He has said the only way to heaven is through faith in Christ, and He will make no exceptions.
if you don’t know him, is he still your God?
theirs a lot of articles on this at http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/hell.html
Some things to think about:
Is true love permissive? I.E. Would a “loving” parent let their child do whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted, even against the parent’s will?
Could God FORCE everyone to go to heaven? People always agree that we have free will – you can decide to do what you want right now – that proves you have it. Could you keep that free will and be FORCED to go to heaven with God? – If he did, he’d violate your free will, and plus heaven would be hell for you. So some people actually prefer hell.
About the people going to hell who have never heard. I believe God will judge them justly, and we can count on him to do so. I believe we will be judged on the basis of what we knew and how we reacted to it. I.E an athiest in America who has had the gospel of Jesus Christ preached to him who rejects it isn’t on the same playing field with God as a 9 year old Buddhist little girl who never has.
No he would not, they choose to go willingly
It doesn’t matter who it is, where they live; in a 2×4 with no TV, or a mansion with everything you could think of, everyone will “hear” of God. I honestly believe that …Besides we arn’t the ones to be judging other people, you are entitled to your own opinion, but God’s opinion is the altimate.
Yes he would send those people who have not heard of him to Hell.
God chooses who he wants saved in my opinion…..
I believe God chooses people and then works in their hearts for them to see. We do not actually Choose God per se, as many believe we do. Then that would say God is not sovereign as WE have the control to Choose God. So God has to wait for us and see whether or not we will choose him or not? No….God chooses and whom he chooses that is something we do not know why or how…..
kinda went off topic huh..sorry dan
hope you had a Good Christmas.
I don’t really believe in God, but if He’s everything people make him out to be, He should have enough heart to understand the situation.
Why be punished for what you don’t know, right? It’s not your fault.
Posted 12/27/2005 at 10:03 PM by Melody_Of_Your_Demise
i agree, except i believe in a god, maybe not just one, maybe just one. don’t know. there’s something, though.
Sorry, but this chain letter is for real. When Anne Wichert got it for the first time, she ignored it and a week later the love of her life dumped her for no good reason so BEWARE, and just send the stupid letter!!!!!!
The Lovers of the Heart
In order to form a more perfect kiss, enable the mighty hug to promote to whom we please but one kiss.
Article 1:
Statement of Love: The Kiss
1. Kiss on the hand I adore you
2. Kiss on the cheek I just want to be friends
3. Kiss on the neck I want you
4. Kiss on the lips I love you
5. Kiss on the ears I am just playing
6. Kiss anywhere else lets not get carried away
7. Look in your eyes kiss me
8. Playing with your hair I can’t live without you
9. Hand on your waist I love you to much to let you go
Article 2: The Three Steps
1. Girls: If any guys gets fresh with you, slap him.
2. Guys If any girl slaps you, her intentions are still good.
3. Guys & Girls Close your eyes when kissing, it is rude to stare.
Article 3: The Commandments
1. Thou shall not squeeze too hard.
2. Thou shall not ask for a kiss, but take one.
3. Thou shall kiss at every opportunity.
* Remember *
A peach is a peach
A plum is a plum,
A kiss isn’t a kiss
Without some tongue.
So open up your mouth
close your eyes,
and give your tongue
some exercise!!!
Here are a few reasons why guys like girls:
1. They will always smell good even if its just shampoo
2. The way their heads always find the right spot on our shoulder
3. How cute they look when they sleep
4. The ease in which they fit into our arms
5. The way they kiss you and all of a sudden everything is right in the world
6. How cute they are when they eat
7. The way they take hours to get dressed but in the end it makes it all worth while
8. Because they are always warm even when its minus 30 outside
9. The way they look good no matter what they wear
10. The way they fish for compliments even though you both know that you think she’s the most beautiful thing on this earth
11. How cute they are when they argue
12. The way her hand always finds yours
13. The way they smile
14. The way you feel when you see their name on the call ID after you just had a big fight
15. The way she says “lets not fight anymore” even though you know that an hour later….
16. The way they kiss when you do something nice for them
17. The way they kiss you when you say “I love you”
18. Actually … just the way they kiss you…
19. The way they fall into your arms when they cry
20. Then the way they apologize for crying over something that silly
21. The way they hit you and expect it to hurt
22. Then the way they apologize when it does hurt. (even though we don’t admit it)!
23. The way they say “I miss you”
24. The way you miss them
25. The way their tears make you want to change the world so that it doesn’t hurt her anymore….. Yet regardless if you love them, hate them, wish they would die or know that you would die without them … it matters not. Because once in your life, whatever they were to the world they become everything to you. When you look them in the eyes, traveling to the depths of their souls and you say a million things without trace of a sound, you know that your own life is inevitable consumed within the rhythmic beatings of her very heart. We love them for a million reasons, No paper would do it justice. It is a thing not of the mind but of the heart. A feeling. Only felt.
This chain started in 1887. It is a love chain letter. In an hour you are supposed to send it to 25 people. It is easy, just look into chat rooms and find them. Anyway, send it to 25 people in 1 hour. Now here comes the fun part. You then say the name of the person you like or love and then the person will say “I love you,” or “Will you go out with me?” NO JOKE!!!!!
NOW THE CONSEQUENCES
The consequences are: If you break the chain letter, you will have bad luck in future relationships. If you don’t break the chain, then you will be a happy camper!!!
CoNgRatULaTioNs!!
You have been chosen to participate in the LONGEST and the LUCKIEST chain letter on the Internet! Once you read, this letter you must IMMEDIATELY (meaning within the hour) be sent to 25 people After you send it, make a wish and it will come TRUE
YOU MAY NOT WAIT FOR A CERTAIN TIME TO SEND IT…….. REMEMBER, IT MUST BE SENT TO 25 PEOPLE WITHIN 1 HOUR, OR YOUR WISH WILL NOT COME TRUE! If THIS CHAIN LETTER IS CONTINUED UNTIL THE YEAR 2001, IT WILL BE PLACED IN THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS!
PLEASE CONTINUE IT NOW!!!
*WARNING*
IF YOU DO NOT PASS THIS ON, SOMETHING BAD OR WORSE WILL HAPPEN TO YOU:
NOTE* THE MORE PEOPLE YOU SEND THIS TO THE MORE LUCK YOU WILL HAVE IN YOUR LOVE LIFE. IF YOU BREAK THE CHAIN LETTER
(IT HAS BEEN GOING SINCE 1887)
YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK WITH YOUR LOVE LIFE FOR SEVEN YEARS. THIS IS NO JOKE. GOOD LUCK
God speaks to all. If no one is there to tell of them, then the bible says, “the heavens declare the glory of God.” Nature is capable of communicating God to man, as God is capable of communicating in whatever means he chooses. So, He has revealed Himself in one way or another to everyone. God ENSURES motivation for all. It is built in to us and the whole of creation. He doesnt make our decision for us though. and that is where hell and heaven come in. choose wisely.
You’re good.
Hell is Hell because it’s eternal seperation from God. If you don’t have a relationship with Him, how can you expect to go to Heaven and be with Him there?
Others have already said it: Sin is what deems us all to Hell. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The only thing to get rid of that sin is by accepting Jesus’s sacrifice for us on the cross. We should be pursuing a relationship with God (not trying to get a “get out of Hell free pass”).
Yes, mercy is just one of God’s many attributes. Among others: holiness, righteousness, wrath, love, justice, patience (which He’s given to a lot of us to accept His gift of salvation), etc.
I’m still in between the whole Calvinist/Armeniest debate and haven’t decided which side. I think God does have some part in calling us to Him, but at the same time, we have the free will to accept it or not. I cannot deny that there is predestination in the Bible, but I cannot also deny the free will of man.
Just to show how merciful God is: Even after the rapture happens, the people on Earth will still get a 2nd chance to receive Him. Not all will, eventhough everyone will know what has happened and that was the work of God.
Also, God is perfect and He can do whatever He pleases and He will still hold all of his attributes.
So this was a hodgepodge, so sorry that it skipped around a lot! To answer your question: Yes.
If someone has never heard of him they will have a chance to learn of him after death. That is what I believe.
Personally I think that everyone has heard of God…whether through tradition or through the Bible. I think that we will be held to what we know. If it is a pure faith in Him that is taught by your elders but not studied in the Word, then why would He send you to hell? All it takes is belief and faith in Him…
I don’t believe God sends anyone to hell.
“For the lord is not slow as some count slownesss, but he is patient, not willing that any should perish (go to hell) but that all should come to repentence”
I know that is in the Bible somewhere, and we don’t know what happens in those moments between the last earthly breath, and the first eternal step, do we? Only God can know that. Who is to say one won’t have an encounter with Him in those moments?
no. he is cool like that. comment back
-cyn
who’s god?
God would forgive them. Especially if they didn’t get the oppritunity to embrace God. God is a loving God. He loves everyone. He would accept anyone who is willing to go to heaven.
No. Nor do I believe would a just God give us such incredible cognitive capabilites and then demand blind faith for salvation.
God sends no one to hell. If he did his grace would be limited. So to answer the question, those who don’t know God would not be sent to hell.
a merciful god would help people to think for themselves so they can find true happiness instead of telling them to worship him or go to hell.
“If God exists, forgive me I’m aetheist, then I believe that I, having rejected his authority and care, would not go to Hell. It is not that I openly object Christianity, or all of the religions that worship Him, it is that I, as a human being, am unable to pour my faith into someone intangible, someone who has never been visible to my soul and eye.
God to me, is more of a inner portrayal of an ideal self. As a more scientific person, I do question faith and religions, but I also respect and care for the beliefs of other people. For this, I believe God would be tolerant of my own beliefs, as I am tolerant and accepting of others’.
Jesus Christ said, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”
I respect God but I keep my distance. Should he exist I might not ascend to heaven, but I am faithful that I will not be punished for my actions.”
…what he/she said.
that’s not very merciful
The answer to that, according to the Roman Catholic Church at least, is “No.”
Either way, God doesn’t send people to Hell anyway. Hell is defined as “being without God.” So, Hell is more or less something we create for ourselves by turning away from God.
Yes, but God has expressed clearly in the bible in the great commission (matt 28:18-20) how he wants his disciples to spread the word.
of course she wouldn’t
i think pretty much everyone is exposed to the concept of a god in one way or another. it’s whether or not they choose to look further into god that matters. babies, on the other hand, and little kids are an exception.
So many people get confused. God is not only a god of mercy, but he is just and holy. I saw one person qoute the Bible about God not wanting anyone to go to Hell. That’s true, but God can not allow sin to enter heaven. He is a just God. You sin, you go to Hell. It’s cut and dry. There is no black and white with God.
Acts 17, Paul talks about people who have never heard of God…namely those who existed before Christ…and that God had revealed Himself to them. I think it is the responsibiilty of humans who are shown God through Jesus Christ to accept Him as such…however, in the rarity that someone does not ever “know” God, I do believe that God in His mercy and righteousness does reveal Himself to them. The Lord works in mysterious ways. His ways are not our ways, and they are definitely higher than ours. It would be presumptuous and idiotic for us, especially Christians, to limit God in any way to say that our way is the only way because honestly…it’s not about what we know. It’s not about what we believe. It’s about who we believe, and that is Jesus Christ, and He is the one thing that we have right as Christians.
On that note: I will say that because of this day and age, Jesus Christ is the only Way, Truth and the Life and it has fallen upon us the responsibility to accept or reject. Another poster mentioned that since he/she does not believe in God, that it doesn’t matter. 1) That is a foolish statement in that his/her belief…key word being “belief”…is the defining factor of whether or not He exists. 2.) If one is to be truly open-minded, than they must give into account both yes and no, and entertain the thought of maybe especially towards an area of debate for both sides of the argument.
eh..god..if he was merciful, he wouldn’t..
I don’t believe so. If you are a Christian, and accept the New Testament as Scriptural truth, in the 1st chapter of Romans, Paul says that there are Gentiles who follow the law of God present in nature.
I believe, henceforth, that morality and kindness have a great deal to do with how God will ultimately judge people. Individuals and groups who are detrimental to the existence of humankind are not people who would desire to live with God forever.
I think we have to believe He will. The same question could apply to aborted or newborn babies; if they die, will they go to heaven?
I dont believe God sends anyone to hell unless that persons desires it, and even then I’m not into the whole fire and brimstone devil thing. If a hell does exist, it is merely a place without God.
God is more just than people. If people could decide, way way way more people would end up in hell, just ask any member of the 700 club, they’ll send most of humanity direct to hell. Thank God that is not the case.
I don’t think that God would send someone to hell if they were never given the opportunity to know him. How many people can honestly say they never knew him though?
I don’t think so.
As Christians it is our job to spread the Gospel so that everyone gets a chance to hear it.
Then whoever hears it and is convicted of the truth can accept Christ as God’s son and Savior of the world.
Those who reject it have had the seeds planted and hopefully before they die will come to believe and receive.
But I think that special allowances are made for those who never get to hear and make the choice. I think that there may also be allowances made for those who have heard but have never been convicted of the truth (if that is possible).
L,r
If the person was evil, I would say yes. I think we all are given a conscience by God. We have an intrisic knowledge of good and evil even without any direct instruction from God. I think less is expected of those who have no knowledge of God. To those whom much is given, much is expected.
Interesting that you ask this today. Please read this and let me know what you think! I would love to have your take on this questions!
First of, I wonder, is there actually anyone on the planet who hasn’t heard of God in one form or the other? Every culture has a deity as the cornerstone of their religion. It is my belief that all “higher powers” are God.
That would make him an unholy god, then, wouldn’t it?
Punishing a person for not doing something they didn’t know they were supposed to be doing would not make much sense would it? Especially not a punishment like being in a fiery eternity of torture and torment.
I don’t believe anyone goes to hell. Not the traditional brimstone, etc, hell that I’ve had shoved down my throat since birth, anyhow.
The people who say “the devil wants us too” seem to be putting the devil on equal footing with God. I don’t think that is true either.
The devil, ultimately, I think, is like an annoying mosquito that buzzes around God’s head when his hands are full doing something else and so does not take the time to swat him.
Eventually, the devil will be squashed, just like an annoying mosquito.
people are not going to hell because they didn’t hear of Jesus or God there going to hell because they sinned!
God is just and you people need to read the bible more! Some of the comments make you think if you stole something and didn’t think stealing was a crime and you went in front of a judge that you should be innocent of your crime. yes God is merciful but only to those who seek him. sin is sin and just because you don’t know there is a god doesn’t mean your exempt from facing punishment from breaking the law of god.
Romans 6:23 for the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
the real question is should the gift of God being eternal life be given to people who serve false Idols who don’t care to live for God, who live careless life in sin ? NO!
No, God doesnt just send people to hell without giving them opportunity to know him. The bible says (I think in John-I should go look it up) that God is known by his creation and when you read the bible cover to cover you understand that God speaks to different people in ways they can understand and sometimes that means that he sends a real live person with literature to fully explain the way to heaven and sometimes it means that God himself speaks to the heart and soul of an individual and an array of other ways that only God knows. NO ONE goes to hell without having made the decision to reject their maker, my God.
I like how several people have just quoted the Bible, or spouted more scripture-related rhetoric. They don’t seem to be understanding: the people whose fate is in question have never heard of the Bible. Quoting scripture means nothing in this case… gah, people are dumb.
But no, it doesn’t make any sense to send people to hell if they’ve never known about the Christian God. Police Officers give you warnings if you don’t know of the law against doing whatever they pulled you over for (unless it’s something really obvious, like you decided to play Bowling for Humans with your SUV).
Good question. There are plenty of viewpoints on the subject.
1) The naïve did not have the chance to know God and did not have a chance to live in His glory, thus they will be spared.
2) The naïve should feel the presence of God even if they know nothing of Him, thus they will not reach the light of heaven.
3) The naïve will be judged by there actions in life and not by there beliefs, thus it depends on the individual.
4) God does not exist, thus we should not worry.
There are plenty more, but these are the first that came to mind. Personally, I believe the third statement is closest. Of course, what does an agnostic know?
A merciful and righteous God does… they know he’s there through Creation (Romans 1), we just need to go tell them about Jesus!
Whoa whoa.
People need to understand the principles of Holiness AND Mercy. God’s holiness is preminent. For God to be holy, he can’t just “let things go”. That would make him more like … a cosmic Mr. Rodgers or something…God’s mercy is shown just by letting us be here and have the opportunity to hear his word, or see proof of his existence.
I’m stopping here.
He has given them the same chance He gave everyone else. If they reject Him, that’s their fault, not His. He shows mercy where He can. He can’t deny a contrite heart, but He has no choice but to condemn a heart that isn’t His.
Summer
Mercy is only one of God’s attributes. In order to really answer the question, you have to understand God as a total being. I don’t think I’m really up to doing this….
God has reveiled himself through creation. ” the heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the works of his hands”. thats in Psalms. but yes, even if God wasn’t proclaimed in creation, he would still send people the hell who havn’t heard of him. “I am the way, the truth and the life. no one comes to the father but by me.” there is no other way to get to heaven, and there is a life after death. so you’e either in heaven of hell. if God hasn’t called you to be saved, I’m sorry but you’ll burn. (by you i don’t mean you personally, of course).
have a great day Dan!
I hope not. I remember asking my mom this when I was a kid. I don’t remember what she said.
Erika
no
I agree with the first comment…we all have an oppurtunity to know him…whether small or great….He loves us and doesnt want us to go to hell…breaks his heart,,,,,but he leaves the choice up to us….all he asks is for you to love and believe in him..and you have eternal life in heaven,,,,refusing him is the greatest sin and its a one way ticket to hell
that’s what missionaries are for!!!!!!!!
no, i don’t believe in God, but i figure that if he is there, i have a lot of good reasons why i dont believe in him, therefore, i won’t go to hell, because i wasn’t ignorant. just skeptical.
No. Would a God that wanted people to love him simply because he exists create heaven and hell? By offering negative incentive toward non-belief and positive incentive toward belief, doesn’t he encourage selfishness instead of love of God? If I worship God because I want to go to heaven and not go to hell, will I be saved? Do I have true faith, or am I just operating on my own self-interest?
I’m not altogether sure I believe in Hell. It seems too cruel a place for any mortal to deserve.
God made it very clear that the only way to Him is through Jesus. He cannot let people who are stained with sin into a perfect Heaven. But He’s not happy when He does it; it hurts Him to see His children in pain more than it hurts anyone else. Also, Satan is the one who accuses us to God, not God Himself.
It’s the responsibility of everyone who knows God to tell those who don’t know about it. So the only reason people won’t enter Heaven is peoples’ unwillingness to step outside their comfort zones and share the faith.
Yeah.
No, that is why we have to do ordinances for those who have passed on.
In temples, members [of the Church or Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] provide ordinances such as baptism for those who have died without the opportunity to receive the gospel (1 Peter 4:6; 1 Corinthians 15:29). Mormon.org – Temples.
i dont think he would , there is alot people dont know about God.me personally i believe he is all love and no anger.
From what I have heard, they say everyone gets at least one shot but I am not for sure.
Effie
no he would not….
it would depend on the quality of the life they lead
He’s just, merciful. If they hadn’t yet heard, I wouldn’t think he would. But I ain’t Him, so I haven’t a clue. Personally, I’m just making sure my relationship with Him is good, and to encourage others to do likewise.
No because if u read thats part of revelation, that once all have herd the word and chose to accept of deny then we all get judged
i guess thats whats supposed to happen
I choose not to believe in a God who would.
It would really have to be an extraordinarly case to not have heard of God today, even so…I believe that if someone had never heard of God then he/she would be seen as an innocent, child-like. God loves & brings all children to him.
Grace would allow even those who didn’t accept God on earth to be with him/her in heaven. I believe that the acceptance of grace is the only thing between an afterlife with or one without God. It is not dependant on sin or even on the acceptance of Jesus Christ. Although the Bible does state that such dependances exist, it does contradict itself and the different scriptures in the Bible need to be weighed. God is a god of love. No God of love would send any of his children to hell. He would stand as the father of the prodical son stood, with open arms watching at the door for his child to return home and he will stand there always. As for God being a just God…yes he is a very just God, but not just in the terms of earth, but in heavenly terms. Justice doesn’t have to mean that people will be sent to hell if they don’t follow God on earth. A God of love would not be a wrathful God, besides an eternity in hell for a lifetime of unjust acts seems hardly just. That is even more severe than the eye for an eye punishment, which Jesus was quick to reject and replace with love.
If G-d is just and Holy, absoulutly not, and don’t even get me started on the rejection thing. That will NEVER be what I believe, I would never punish my kids even if they rejected me, or did not ” understand” something how unjust is that!!!!!!
It’s like this
He gives you the air to breathe, your soght, your sense, and anything else you want as long as you do what is right. How hard is that. Yes he does because he gives you the world and if you can’t even thank him with praise why should he give you a mansion and eternal life?
i beleive GOD deals with those situations fairly because he is just
well god is merciful & it our our duty 2 tell people about him so that they may have eternal life. (i also agree with lattany)
Oh man oh man, First of all, if you do not believe in Hell, what is the alternative….no hell, no heaven…then what happens…Also, you cannot be a professing Christian and say no to this question. God is JUST and HOLY and PERFECT nothing unclean or impure or not holy can enter HIS presence (heaven) ao if you do not believe in Him and turn from your ways and cling to his perfectness you are going to Hell, that is the biblical truth of it all. It is not our sin that leads us to hell, we were all born sinful and bound for hell, what calls us out of the pitt, is the glorious gift of GRACE that I nor anyone else deserve, it is a free gift offered sto all and it is your choice on excepting it. So God does not send you to hell, you walk in all by yourself by refusing to live under HIS authority. I agree with the bible, that non are with out reson, God will make himself known, if you haave any questions post on my sight.
NO
I’d say no just because they didn’t know of him and maybe if they knew of him they could have changed there life and therefore not deserve to go to hell.
I think that is a question for God to answer.
this xanga is stupid. anyone who’s on the internet long enough every day to have a xanga doesn’t usually have any religious beliefs, and if they DO claim to have religious beliefs, they really don’t know anything about their religion. -_-
and quit trying to capitalize on people’s weak religious beliefs man. get a life
Did you watch the thing on the History Channel about this?
Cause I did.
It kinda freaked me out…
Uh, hell no. (If you’ll pardon the expression.)
“A merciful God wouldn’t have hell.” — by Obl1v1onSecond that.
oh, wait, I guess I “third” that…
I think you may have hit one of this guys nerves >>>White_Youth
Let’s see… Um…I’m not God. I don’t know. But who sends whom to Hell? God or Man?
no, it depends on the actions of that person there life time… thats like saying a baby only living 3 days should go to because they did not believe in god
I don’t understand how someone can say that you can’t not have heard of God. You can’t just look at the ground and say, “God made that” if you’ve never read a Bible, logged on the internet, or talked to a Christian person. Which is precisely the case with a lot of people in say, Africa. Or the tundra part of Russia, Alaska, et al. Believe it or not, there are still lots of places without missionaries. If no one has ever put a Christian thought into your brain before, how can a merciful God say that you have rejected Him? How can you even know there was a Jesus? It is NOT just “programmed into your DNA”.
I think God looks at each person as a separate judgment and takes ALL factors into consideration.
NO, the bible stated that everyone will hear his words before end time.
I was taught that no, all who hear of Him have the choice to accept/reject Him, but those who have not heard of him do not have that choice and therefore God takes care of them.
God sends atheists to hell. If you haven’t heard of God, that’s a different story, but do you know anyone that hasn’t heard about God? If you are reading this and have never heard of God, please comment back.
God wouldn’t do that.
God wants you to save $ on TV CABLE. http://www.vmcsatellite.com/channels/dish_splash.cfm?aid=225814
remember, SATELLITE is better than CABLE.
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
Romans 1:20
Seems pretty simple to me. Maybe a bit harsh, but only untill you consider what man has done to God.
No. The Bible says that he has been revealed to us in our hearts, at the very least, if not through nature, his WORD, people, etc… etc… God doesn’t SEND anyone to hell either. You’re question is wrong. People rejecting God puts people in hell, therefor God can not possibly send anyone to hell. If a indivudual has never rejected God OR had the chance to accept him, I’d call that individual an infant.
The Lord loves everyone. So i guess that He wouldn’t send anyone to Hell.
I’m seconding VAMPYRICARCHDEMON666.
i think he would.. but maybe not as many people as most christians really think of are going to hell.. and maybe hell isnt what kind of place we think it is… maybe hell is just eternity with god, and maybe those going are only those who have outrightly defied him or his will…
god wouldnt be very merciful if he did that now would he?
Being a straightedge christian…
I hope not
Some people never have a chance
God is just and holy
how about we leave it up to God to decide who goes to heaven and to hell, for i certainly would not like to be the person who has to judge others, and send them to one place or the other…. God is the judge, and he is just, and true.
let God, and the bible answer your question.
it’s ridiculous to think that an unbaptized baby would go to hell, or someone who has never heard of the religion would. i mean, even mormons don’t believe in that. they believe more of a dante’s inferno type thing, i don’t remember the specifics because, hell, I’m not mormon!
But, as a reasonable answer to the question if God is made out to be how he is in the bible, then, yes, he would send them to hell just for not knowing about him because they are sinners. God is a hypocrite in the bible, really. If he’s so ‘merciful’ then why did he drown the whole world to rid of the disgusting humans in the case of Noah and the Ark? And then he sent Jesus down to Earth to be like, Hey Guys, God said he’s sorry, I’ll try to set it straight for you from now on, sorry about the people born before me, oh and the Jews, too, you are pretty fucked as well. From what I’ve read in the bible, ‘God’ is pretty fucked up.
and ModernMusicMagicMen , we are what you might call “modern people” who have “computers” and “internet” and “ready access to information such as religions i.e. christianity” which implies that anyone on a xanga will have heard about God by now.
random props::::::
whoa…u gotza-lotza comments…
<3 natalie
i don’t think a merciful god would fall into a human’s trap of creating a hell, just because we decide to believe in it…
hey the last comment is actually from joe, i didn’t realize my friend was still signed in…
Do you think a just God will allow a sinful, depraved man to come to His presence?
The answer to your question and mine are both yes.
I second snagbert’s comment. The question is irrelevant. It is simply not our job to talk about heaven or hell. God is the judge and we can speculate all we want, but the final authority comes from God. So let God be God and humans be humans.
As Christians, we are to make disciples, NOT converts. We are to love and give life (John 10:10) to others, not scare them into believing God. When I say give life, it doesn’t just mean telling them about “eternal life in heaven” exclusively. Rather, to be able to give humanity to the person, free of oppression, exploitation and hate. Thus, we must engage and struggle in destroying the structures that sought to disenfrenchise others (such as globalization or an economic system that exploits Latin American farmers or sweatshop workers). Anything else besides loving and giving life to others is not what we are called to do.
yes, he if you read the bible, he is a vengful and angry god, I mean, he did supposably flood the entire world.
No, but it says that when he returns all will have heard his name and have been minstered too, i think it sayds that.. he’s not coming back until all have heard his word.. but no, I say he would not.
Peace and Love:)
Assuming this is the Christian God we’re discussing I will do my best to answer this question.
“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”
“For the wages of sin is death”
Two passages from the Bible. All have sinned, and sin is punishable by death. It seems quite just to send someone to hell (or the lake of fire) being that that is the means of death. That is how justice is achieved.
Mercy comes in when God sent His Son to die on a cross for our sins. If it weren’t for the atoning sacrifice of Jesus we would all be subject to eternal death.
So so far we have death as a result of justice. Mercy comes in with a means to escape. As for sending people who have never heard of God to hell, people can find whats right. When Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil that meant that all the decendents of them (or all humans) know instinctively what is good and what is evil. Even without being preached to gospel of Christ people know that things are right or wrong. And I think that if someone is considering God will cause someone to cross their path to share the Good News with them.
Also I believe that asking this question is a bit of a question of the character of the Christian God. The Christian God certainly is merciful in that there is a means to escape eternal death.
Just a few thoughts. If you have any questions or comments feel free to comment me back.
God makes a plan that all people will know about Him. same way like people in africa or america has heard about the gospel, whether by language, an event, or whatever, everyone hears the gospel. what about babies who die right after they’re born?
He lets the sun shine down on both righteous and un-righteous…so he has a fair way of dealing even with people that don’t know him
No
Creation is enough to condem (Romans), but only through Jesus can we be saved. It may not seem fair, but the Bible seems clear on this. This should bring a sense of urgency to tell others of Christ both in our culture and cross-culturally. Maybe a disbelief/unclear understanding about this topic is why many Christians today do not share their faith.?
The Bible doesn’t seem to think so.
no… he would punish the christians who shunned them?
No, I believe that if someone had never— ever heard of God , then when they die, He will judge them on their heart. Were they a kind person, did they show love, or were they selfish, did they show hate all the time.Were they only out for them selfs. I believe this is what God spoke in my spirit one time when I asked. Also I think many should know that there is no such thing a luck, or coincidence. It’s God, all God.
Have a good day Dan.
For those who don’t think God sends people to Hell at all, you need to read your Bible more. You can’t seperate one aspect of God from Him and keep only what you like. That is creating a god in your mind different from the God who is. You can do that, and you can believe it with all your heart, but that doesn’t make it right. Abraham Lincoln once said something that is the same concept: “how many legs does a dog have if you count his tail as a leg? Four. Just because you call a tail a leg, it doesn’t make it a leg!”
For those who figure you will passively not take a side, you already have. If you know about God, and you think you can live in the universe He created and simply ignore Him, you are doing the same as those who reject Him altogether! You must serve a master. Either you serve God, or you serve Satan, and there is no in between.
I am not an authority on the scriptures, but I know what I read. The Bible says that the wages of sin is death. period. There is no other way. It also says that “all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.”
Jesus deciples asked Him this same question once, and His response was(Steven’s paraphrase) It is none of you buisness what I do with them. Your job is to go and tell the whole world!
Would God send people who have never heard of Him and His saving Grace to Hell? From all that I’ve read, the answer, though I don’t like it, is yes. “Nature renders man without excuse…” But it is not my buisness to wander about that, it is my buisness to tell those who don’t know so there will be that much less to be worried about.
no?
most definitely.
he is also just.
well, i would say yes… cuz one of the first commentors said that all can look around and see that SOMETHING had to have created this all… so yes. i would say He does send people to hell who have never HEARD his name, because they have opportunities elsewhere.
That’s the first good question I’ve seen here.