My friend says all religions are stupid and are something to look past, including her own religion, Christianity. And she never prays, uses the bible, and she even questioned why people need a bible. Will she go to hell?
**and an additional question from me~ if you don't have your sins cleansed by going to confession before you die, would you still go to heaven? (and not sins like murdering somebody or anything) and will you go to heaven for having same sex attraction or same sex intercourse? Thanks!

Even in Christianity there is no one agreement, except normally that unless you have accepted Christ you will not be saved.

So did she believe and accept Christ at some point in her faith,? I don't know, and you don't know.

And no there is no requirement to confess prior to death to be saved even in those churches that require confession.
In the ones that require confession, they have mortal sins that would require confession.

And why may I ask did you pick same sex ? Is that a issue for you, do you think those are the worst sins ?
Why not sex outside of marriage or just sexual sins in general ?

This question is personal option 100% so let me give you my personal answer.

I like to think that a person that confesses to 100 murders and isn't really regretful for it won't go to heaven but-

I like to think that good people, regardless of their believes should get into heaven.

Honestly you can't live directly by the bible. Its unreliable. Its made by man. Its meanings are changed by men and honestly a lot of that stuff talked about a vengeful god.

Fear and love don't go together.

If there is a God then he should love everyone and hopefully take in good people regardless of what they believe in. Because people believe in certain stuff from what they were raised on for the most part.

If you are a good person that keep being a good person, but don't do it out of fear of going to hell. If you are a awful person don't try and lie to yourself...

And a lot of churches are very liberal about same sex marriages. If you had some kind of lust for a man go for it buddy. What ever floats your boat. God gave birth to all of us (women?) and he made you like him so if he made people like the same sex then shouldn't there be no problem.

Honestly the world is full of ****ing kids that get dumped on the streets or aborted by normal parents. But I've seen plenty of gay couples adopt and have perfectly normal herdro kids. They can make caring parents and crappy parents just like anyone else.

My only big advice to you (if I haven't already super offended you and had you stop reading yet) is to expand your ideas. Don't be trapped in the bible all day. Think of god as a god that would let good people into heaven and bad people out regardless of believes. If god is a vengeful god then that's not a world I'd want to live in and I'll give god the finger when I die because that's kind of ****ing dumb.

PS what's the deal with god asking him to kill his own son? That's kind of sick man...

Opinions of an agnostic straight guy.

My friend says all religions are stupid and are something to look past, including her own religion, Christianity. And she never prays, uses the bible, and she even questioned why people need a bible. Will she go to hell? Since, like myself, she doesn't believe in hell then it really makes no difference to her.

anna,

the ONLY sin according to the bible that will keep you out of heaven is unbelief. In other words, not accepting Jesus christ as your savior for all of your sins. That is the ONLY thing that keeps anyone out.

NK,

It is fine if you don't believe in hell right now. But if you are WRONG... then it will make a difference to you someday.

( when I say "fine" I mean getting along in your life today... but eternity is a long long time. Not believing in it doesn't make it not true or real) It is like saying if I close my eyes no once can see me. Just because you BELIEVE no one can see you doesn't mean we can't.

the ONLY sin according to the bible that will keep you out of heaven is unbelief.
In other words, saying "No, thanks."

not accepting Jesus christ as your savior for all of your sins
... even if you had before, but have decided "no, thanks."

It is fine if you don't believe in hell right now. but if you are WRONG...then it will make a difference to you someday.



Classy what if you are WRONG? What if you go to hell because you worshiped Jesus and not Allah

Spitenom,

Jesus said he was the way the truth and the life. The bible has put it's money where its mouth is so to speak by prophecy. The odds of the things coming to pass as the Bible has stated... well the odds are crazy nuts... it would be impossible.

Another reason I believe that Jesus is the truth and the way is because of the Jew. There has been NO other nationality of people who have lost their homeland and know who they are today. I have no clue who the descendants of the Hitties are... or the philistines are or the list goes on and on. Come ON! That is pretty cool.

I think if NOTHING else the Jew would cause me to at least read about the life of Jesus. AND to top it all off... after 2,000 years Israel becomes a nation again... all predicted and foretold in the Bible. Sorry spitvenom... I don't have enough FAITH to believe otherwise... everything points to Christ. :) But I do appreciate your question. It made me pause and think.

Anna,
The answer to your question is; It depends. It depends on whether your friend is right or the Christians are right or the Jews are right or the Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Wiccans, Pagans, etc are right

And the problem here is we will never know. No one has ever returned to prove who is right. My beliefs are close to your friends. I don't believe that religion is stupid, but I do believe that religion was created by man to explain things they could not understand. Will I go to hell? If I'm wrong, probably. But I also believe that, if there is a heaven and hell that what will matter is HOW I live my life, not WHO I worship.

spitenom,

Jesus said he was the way the truth and the life. The bible has put it's money where its mouth is so to speak by prophecy. the odds of the things coming to pass as the Bible has stated...well the odds are crazy nuts...it would be impossible.

Another reason I believe that Jesus is the truth and the way is because of the Jew. There has been NO other nationality of people who have lost their homeland and know who they are today. I have no clue who the decendants of the Hitties are...or the philistines are or the list goes on and on. come ON! that is pretty cool.

I think if NOTHING else the Jew would cause me to at least read about the life of Jesus. AND to top it all off....after 2,000 years Israel becomes a nation again...all predicted and foretold in the Bible. sorry spitvenom...i don't have enough FAITH to believe otherwise...everything points to Christ. :) But I do appreciate your question. It made me pause and think.

I am really happy you gave me a real answer to that question. Cause most people would say something small like because Jesus said so. Have a great day!

f you don't have your sins cleansed by going to confession before you die, would you still go to heaven? (and not sins like murdering somebody or anything) and will you go to heaven for having same sex attraction or same sex intercourse? Thanks!
It's worth noting that, according to the Bible, a sinner is a sinner, there are no degrees of sin. Stealing a paperclip will earn you a spot in hell as will murdering your family. It's whether you pray and ask for forgiveness. The only unforgivable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which, I believe, is to attribute this world to Satan and to worship him the true God.

The degrees of sin popularized by Dante Alighieri.

NK,

It is fine if you don't believe in hell right now. but if you are WRONG...then it will make a difference to you someday.
Pascal's Wager - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal%27s_Wager)

I'm not living my current life based on hedging a bet.
I don't believe in eternity, when you die you die. Feel free to believe whatever gives you comfort.

Pascal's Wager - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal%27s_Wager)

I'm not living my current life based on hedging a bet.
I don't believe in eternity, when you die you die. Feel free to believe whatever gives you comfort.

Ditto dude... D I T T O! :)

Pascal's Wager - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal%27s_Wager)

I'm not living my current life based on hedging a bet.
I don't believe in eternity, when you die you die. Feel free to believe whatever gives you comfort.

I do believe in eternity, but I agree about living my life based on hedging a bet. Thing is, if I wasn't a believer, there isn't much I'd change about the way I live. I'm not sure what the significance of that is, I just thought I'd toss it out there for whatever it's worth.

My friend says all religions are stupid and are something to look past, including her own religion, Christianity.

I wonder why you or she consider her Christian?


And she never prays, uses the bible, and she even questioned why people need a bible. Will she go to hell?

If she doesn't repent from her sins, yes.


**and an additional question from me~ if you don't have your sins cleansed by going to confession before you die, would you still go to heaven?

According to Catholic doctrine, if you have "venial" sins on your soul, they would be cleansed in purgatory before you go to heaven.


(and not sins like murdering somebody or anything) and will you go to heaven for having same sex attraction or same sex intercourse? Thanks!

Even murderers and homosexuals may go to heaven if they repent of their sins and ask God's forgiveness before they die.

However, anyone who, having committed mortal sins, like murder and homosexual intercourse, will have condemned themselves to hell.

Sincerely,

De Maria

If she doesn't repent from her sins, yes.


Please do not present your views as established fact. You are welcome to your beliefs, but when you answer a question like this as if the answers are black and white, you do the OP and this site a disservice.

Please do not present your views as established fact.

I'm sorry, am I supposed to check with you before I submit an answer?


You are welcome to your beliefs, but when you answer a question like this as if the answers are black and white, you do the OP and this site a disservice.

The answer is very simple and it stands. Anyone who rejects Christianity will go to hell. If you have a different opinion, post it.

Sincerely,

De Maria

The answer is very simple and it stands. Anyone who rejects Christianity will go to hell. If you have a different opinion, post it.
I've been a Christian all my life and disagree.

What is your definition of hell?

Please do not present your views as established fact. You are welcome to your beliefs, but when you answer a question like this as if the answers are black and white, you do the OP and this site a disservice.

Sorry to disagree Scott this is the Christianity Board, so it is a fact here.
If this was the Religious discussion board, or a relationship board.
I did not do a disagree out of respect,

But all major Christian religions teach this, so yes, on the Christianity board it is a fact.
Hell is as real of teaching as salvation is. Be hell, the absence of Christ or the literal lake of fire, is unknown, but it is the absent of salvation.

the absence of Christ
And what does that really mean?

And what does that really mean?

It means eternity without salvation.

I'm sorry, am I supposed to check with you before I submit an answer?

No. But you should not promote what you believe as if it is established fact. If you do, I or someone else may call you out on it.


The answer is very simple and it stands. Anyone who rejects Christianity will go to hell. If you have a different opinion, post it.


I have posted it, several times in several threads including this one. And each time I have posted it, I have made it clear that its what I believe, not established fact. The proper answer is According to Christianity's teachings or According to my beliefs... Anyone who rejects Christianity will go to hell. . But until and unless you can offer absolute proof to back up that statement, which you CANNOT do. It is only what YOU believe.



Sorry to disagree Scott this is the Christianity Board, so it is a fact here.
If this was the Religious discussion board, or a relationship board.
I did not do a disagree out of respect,


I have to disagree on this point. The fact that this is a Christianity board does not mean anything posted here has to be accepted as fact.

I've been a Christian all my life and disagree.

What is your definition of hell?

Separation from God and Christ is God. What is your definition of hell?

And what does that really mean?

It means that one has condemned himself to eternal fire because he has rejected Christ.

You say you've been a Christian all your life and you don't know this basic doctrine?

It means that one has condemned himself to eternal fire because he has rejected Christ.
In this post you say hell is eternal fire. Before this, you said it's separation from God.

Separation from God doesn't necessarily involve fire. So what is your definition of hell?

You say you've been a Christian all your life and you don't know this basic doctrine?
Just because one asks a question doesn't mean one doesn't know the answer.

No. But you should not promote what you believe as if it is established fact.

It is established fact. It has been established fact for 2000 years.


If you do, I or someone else may call you out on it.

I'm ready, willing and able to defend my beliefs whenever you think you're ready to challenge them.


I have posted it, several times in several threads including this one.

And do you think you have the last word?


And each time I have posted it, I have made it clear that its what I believe, not established fact.

And you were right. Your belief is your opinion. My belief is established fact.


The proper answer is According to Christianity's teachings or According to my beliefs...

The proper answer is that which I believe is proper. Your point of view is your own. Therefore, if you recognize that your beliefs aren't facts, that is your business. But I know that my beliefs are facts.


Anyone who rejects Christianity will go to hell. .

That's true.


But until and unless you can offer absolute proof to back up that statement, which you CANNOT do. It is only what YOU believe.

All I need to do is provide evidence. I don't have to convince anyone of anything. There are people today who still believe the earth is flat. There are people who don't believe that Americans went to the moon. The fact that YOU don't accept the absolute proof I provide is your problem, not mine. The truth is true, whether you believe it or not.


I have to disagree on this point. The fact that this is a Christianity board does not mean anything posted here has to be accepted as fact.

What you accept as fact is your business. I will accept as fact and teach as facts those things which I consider facts.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Just because one asks a question doesn't mean one doesn't know the answer.

Most people as questions when they are looking for answers.



In this post you say hell is eternal fire. Before this, you said it's separation from God.

Both. Separation from God in the Lake of Fire:
Revelation 21:8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Separation from God doesn't necessarily involve fire. So what is your definition of hell?

Separation from God, in the sense of opposing God, does involve the punishment of eternal fire.

Most people as questions when they are looking for answers.
I'm not "most people."

Revelation 21:8
Aha. Revelation.

De Maria you know people come to the religion board, esp the Christianity board, not looking for answers, but with agenda.

I don't see them going to the Islam board and telling them that the Koran is wrong, nor do we, We respect their right to answer on that board, according to their teachings.

So under Scott opinion, that is wrong, We could go over and challenge that Islam is correct and that it is based on false teachings.

I have deleted posts that would do that, but we do not get the same respect on the Christianity board.

A person asks a question here because they wish to get a Christian answer for their question. If they wanted to know what Islam teaches they go to that board, if they wish to know what Buddhist or others teach there is a other religion board.

Sorry Guys I am standing a ground on this one,

On the Christianity board, Christian teachings are facts here.

Most people as questions when they are looking for answers.



Both. Separation from God in the Lake of Fire:
Revelation 21:8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.


Separation from God, in the sense of opposing God, does involve the punishment of eternal fire.

And here we go with the misguided literalism... Hell is also described as being in chains, it's described as darkness, as a dungeon and several other ways. How do you reconcile all those images? Fire without light? Good trick.

Oh, wait. I think I know: they're IMAGES!! Metaphors. Attempts to describe the indescribable. Using word pictures to connect people with something that most would consider a horrible, unthinkable setting. Not to be taken literally, but intended to make it clear that this is someplace you do NOT want to be. Nothing more.

hell: this is someplace you do NOT want to be.
i.e, where God is not, where Love is not.

It is established fact. It has been established fact for 2000 years.

I'm ready, willing and able to defend my beliefs whenever you think you're ready to challenge them.

And you were right. Your belief is your opinion. My belief is established fact.

The proper answer is that which I believe is proper. Your point of view is your own. Therefore, if you recognize that your beliefs aren't facts, that is your business. But I know that my beliefs are facts.


All I need to do is provide evidence. I don't have to convince anyone of anything. There are people today who still believe the earth is flat. There are people who don't believe that Americans went to the moon. The fact that YOU don't accept the absolute proof I provide is your problem, not mine. The truth is true, whether you believe it or not.

What you accept as fact is your business. I will accept as fact and teach as facts those things which I consider facts.

Sincerely,

De Maria

I'm sorry, but a fact is something that can be proven beyond any doubt. All the evidence you can provide is based on the Bible and taking the word of the Bible is a matter of FAITH, not absolute proof. You can accept the word of the Bible as fact if you want and I am happy you have found comfort in your faith. But you can't teach something as fact until you can offer absolute proof, which you cannot.

This is something I have never and will never be able to understand. I have no problem with your presenting whatever evidence has convinced you of your beliefs, let the people you are presenting it to decide for themselves what their beliefs will be. If you feel that this evidence is so powerful, then you should be comfortable that they will accept your beliefs. But I have a problem when you say something is a fact, when it clearly is based on faith and belief and is not absolute fact. I am not challenging your beliefs. I can no more prove you are wrong than you can prove you are right. But I expect the same respect. It is as simple as that.


De Maria you know people come to the religion board, esp the Christianity board, not looking for answers, but with agenda.

I don't see them going to the Islam board and telling them that the Koran is wrong, nor do we, We respect their right to answer on that board, according to their teachings.

So under Scott opinion, that is wrong, We could go over and challege that Islam is correct and that it is based on false teachings.

On the Christianity board, Christian teachings are facts here.

If I were to see someone on the Islam forum or the Judaism forum or the Hindu forum or whatever state that their beliefs are fact, I would challenge them in the same way.

My argument with De Maria or anyone that proposes to teach the Old Testament, the New Testament the Koran or whatever as absolute fact is that there is no absolute proof. There is plenty, some very powerful, evidence to convince people that their religion is correct, but it is ALL still based on faith. If you you or De Maria or anyone says things like; Christianity teaches that.. the Bible says that.. I believe that.. etc. You will have no problem with me. Because that IS fact. You do believe what you believe, the Bible says a lot of things and Christianity has many teachings.

Can you see where I am coming from here? I'll state again, I believe you have the right to believe what you want to believe, but I expect you to give me the same respect. And when you make statements that something based on faith is an absolute fact, then you are not giving me that respect.

As I said above, if you feel the word of the Bible, the evidence that has convinced you is so powerful that it should convince others, then you should have no problem qualifying it as I suggested. But I know the difference between a true fact and a belief based on faith. I will not accept the latter as the former. And I will continue to challenge it.

My friend says all religions are stupid and are something to look past, including her own religion, Christianity. And she never prays, uses the bible, and she even questioned why people need a bible. Will she go to hell?
**and an additional question from me~ if you don't have your sins cleansed by going to confession before you die, would you still go to heaven? (and not sins like murdering somebody or anything) and will you go to heaven for having same sex attraction or same sex intercourse? Thanks!

Look Anna,
If this is what your friend believes, all you can say to her is: what if you are wrong?
Other than that, nobody in this world of ours can tell for sure what waits for us in the other life, if there is another life.
Those of us who DO NOT consider our religion as stupid, at least, have the advantage of BELIEVING that if we behave down here we shall be entitled to enjoy God in his Kingdom. But, of course, this is the base of our FAITH
We cannot prove it. And we will not know whether we are right or wrong until WE ARE GONE!
So what if your friend is wrong?
Gromitt82:D

Look Anna,
If this is what your friend believes, all you can say to her is: what if you are wrong?
Other than that, nobody in this world of ours can tell for sure what waits for us in the other life, if there is another life.
Those of us who DO NOT consider our religion as stupid, at least, have the advantage of BELIEVING that if we behave down here we shall be entitled to enjoy God in his Kingdom. But, of course, this is the base of our FAITH
We cannot prove it. And we will not know whether we are right or wrong until WE ARE GONE!
So what if your friend is wrong?
Gromitt82:D

Now THAT is an excellent response! Thank you.

Was the question moved to religious discussions or was it always here? If it wasn't moved then I don't know why this has to be a Christian discussion. This isn't the Christianity forum.

I myself am a Deist. My beliefs are very similar to Scotts, with a few differences. Don't know all the differences, since Scott and I haven't actually sat down and discusses this. ;)

I do believe that a God created the world. I don't believe that he stuck around to see what we do with it. Here's where I'm a bit different. I want to believe in Heaven, but, I don't believe that you have to spend your life worshipping anyone or anything to get there. If there is a God that cares about what we do here on this earth, then being a good person should be all it takes.

I don't think that simply asking God for forgiveness will get you anywhere. Not if the Christian God is fact. Most of the Christians I know sin all week (cheat on their spouses, beat their kids, steal, lie), and then go to church on Sunday and ask for forgiveness. If the Christian God is real then he would know what's in your heart. That means that he'd know what's in all of our hearts. If you're a good person, do the best you can not to hurt others, and you learn from your mistakes, feel remorse for the bad things you do, then I believe that even the Christian God would let you enter the pearly gates.

Of course this is just my belief. Hopefully I'm right. :)

Dear Altenweg,

If you believe Creation is an act of God, then you believe in the same God as I do, because there can be only one Creator and, therefore, one ONLY God.
Deist or Christian does not matter much! We share slight different ideas about slight different matters. But, in the end, we all believe the same.
Gromitt82

Was the question moved to religious discussions or was it always here? If it wasn't moved then I don't know why this has to be a Christian discussion. This isn't the Christianity forum.


It was moved. It was originally posted in the Christianity forum.

Its actually a discussion of whether I have the right to say that my faith is based upon absolute facts.
Faith and absolute facts are two very different things.

I think that is what Purgatory is for.
There is no such thing; it is not mentioned in the Bible. Purgatory is a human construct.

I think that the OP's answer has been sufficiently answered.

Will her friend go to hell? No one, not any human being, can answer that. None of us know for a fact what will happen when we die. None of us know for a fact that our beliefs will get us into heaven, if there is a heaven. No one can state as fact that there is a God.

In the end it all comes down to what you believe. There are many different beliefs. The OP believes in God, so she believes that there's a heaven and hell. But, her friend doesn't. None of us can so who's right. We all have to wait and see.