Do you believe in Hell?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems pretty obvious, if you accept the Christian God, that he created us in part to see some of us go to hell, thanks to his gift of free will.

I mean, why create hell if no one would be there? And why make it so hard for a lot of the people he created to even know about him.

Many people, over 1000's of years, have lived in countries that have had no or limited access to information about how his son died for our sins. In other countries like the US, even dedicated proselytizers can't convince all the people about the need to believe.

And here we are in the 21st century when more and more people are literate and have incredible access to information and instead of more people believing in Him, more people are dropping their beliefs to become "spiritual but not religious" or not religious, period.

It sure sounds like he's lost interest in us.

Plenty of atheists swear they will not, cannot, be swayed to accept God. They have come to their own conclusions. So what if hell is more of a nonexistence after this lifetime. What would be so bad about that for them? I don't think hell is fire for eternity. I think few people here do.

Atheists expect non-existence after death -- just as we - all of us-- had non-existence before life. Do you think christian believers have eternal life and atheists just fade away?

if so, how do you know that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems pretty obvious, if you accept the Christian God, that he created us in part to see some of us go to hell, thanks to his gift of free will.

I mean, why create hell if no one would be there? And why make it so hard for a lot of the people he created to even know about him.

Many people, over 1000's of years, have lived in countries that have had no or limited access to information about how his son died for our sins. In other countries like the US, even dedicated proselytizers can't convince all the people about the need to believe.

And here we are in the 21st century when more and more people are literate and have incredible access to information and instead of more people believing in Him, more people are dropping their beliefs to become "spiritual but not religious" or not religious, period.

It sure sounds like he's lost interest in us.

Plenty of atheists swear they will not, cannot, be swayed to accept God. They have come to their own conclusions. So what if hell is more of a nonexistence after this lifetime. What would be so bad about that for them? I don't think hell is fire for eternity. I think few people here do.

Atheists expect non-existence after death -- just as we - all of us-- had non-existence before life. Do you think christian believers have eternal life and atheists just fade away?

if so, how do you know that?

Personally I think atheists get the afterlife they expect - a version of nothingness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The fearful poster earlier should know that if you teach your children about Christ from the beginning, actually believe the Gospel, and model Christ-like behavior as a parent (and friend, spouse, brother/sister, etc.), the chances of them continuing in the faith are really quite good. But if you encourage all sorts of "spiritual questioning," which is really just a way to deny Christ, you probably will end up with who-knows-what.

That is actually false info. People are leaving organized religion and adults are especially leaving fundamentalist religions after being threatened as children by what would await them if they questioned Christ. Even if the chances were very good, if it still asking a mother to give birth with the threat that her beloved child will go to hell.

That is why I said to model Christ-like behavior. It makes a huge difference.

How do you know?

For one, it's what the Bible says to do. For two, I've seen it work many times in real life. But I don't think kids have any respect for hypocritical parents who drag them to church, preach at them, and then don't live out a life of love, joy and service to the LORD. And I also don't think kids have any respect for parents' religion when those parents don't even believe it enough to defend it but tell their kids to go seek whatever they can find.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The fearful poster earlier should know that if you teach your children about Christ from the beginning, actually believe the Gospel, and model Christ-like behavior as a parent (and friend, spouse, brother/sister, etc.), the chances of them continuing in the faith are really quite good. But if you encourage all sorts of "spiritual questioning," which is really just a way to deny Christ, you probably will end up with who-knows-what.

That is actually false info. People are leaving organized religion and adults are especially leaving fundamentalist religions after being threatened as children by what would await them if they questioned Christ. Even if the chances were very good, if it still asking a mother to give birth with the threat that her beloved child will go to hell.

Again with the children in hell?

Again with the glossing over of false information. So far no one has an answer for the prospective mother whose protecting her children from hell by not having any -- except for having lots of kids, increasing the chances that some will accept Christ and get to heaven.

I'm the one who suggested she seek professional help. Do you think DCUM is better equipped to help her?

I also think she's in serious need of professional help. I think DCUM can help her and others see how ludicrous is the concept of not having children to avoid seeing them be punished by a god who gave them the "free will" to not believe in him. I feel terribly sorry for her, but am glad she brought this concept to light, so others can see how horrible certain Christian beliefs are.

[Anonymous]

Another atheist, who does not believe in hell, or any afterlife.

So what happens if a murderer/rapist/abuser does not "find" the correct religion/god in their life. Do they get a pass to repent, and then go to heaven?

But then again how can a murderer/rapist/abuser not know that their actions are wrong, no matter what, regardless of believing in a religion/god?

How can a god NOT put a murderer/rapist/abuser in hell, even if they "repent" a million times over?

And if repentance is not necessary to enter heaven, then what's the point of religion/god?

Ultimately I don't believe in any of it. The heaven/hell/afterlife question is just one of many, many reasons why I don't believe in religion/god.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The fearful poster earlier should know that if you teach your children about Christ from the beginning, actually believe the Gospel, and model Christ-like behavior as a parent (and friend, spouse, brother/sister, etc.), the chances of them continuing in the faith are really quite good. But if you encourage all sorts of "spiritual questioning," which is really just a way to deny Christ, you probably will end up with who-knows-what.

That is actually false info. People are leaving organized religion and adults are especially leaving fundamentalist religions after being threatened as children by what would await them if they questioned Christ. Even if the chances were very good, if it still asking a mother to give birth with the threat that her beloved child will go to hell.

That is why I said to model Christ-like behavior. It makes a huge difference.

How do you know?

For one, it's what the Bible says to do. For two, I've seen it work many times in real life. But I don't think kids have any respect for hypocritical parents who drag them to church, preach at them, and then don't live out a life of love, joy and service to the LORD. And I also don't think kids have any respect for parents' religion when those parents don't even believe it enough to defend it but tell their kids to go seek whatever they can find.

Do you think parents should force their kids into certain careers? If not, why should kids be forced into a particular religious belief?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another atheist, who does not believe in hell, or any afterlife.

So what happens if a murderer/rapist/abuser does not "find" the correct religion/god in their life. Do they get a pass to repent, and then go to heaven?

But then again how can a murderer/rapist/abuser not know that their actions are wrong, no matter what, regardless of believing in a religion/god?

How can a god NOT put a murderer/rapist/abuser in hell, even if they "repent" a million times over?

And if repentance is not necessary to enter heaven, then what's the point of religion/god?

Ultimately I don't believe in any of it. The heaven/hell/afterlife question is just one of many, many reasons why I don't believe in religion/god.

Repentence IS necessary to enter Heaven. And what would the threshold be for evil acts before you're disqualified? That's why the murderer/rapist/abuser argument is tough to defend down the line. When do the scales get tipped so that you're beyond hope? But God in His love and mercy is willing to forgive anyone who seeks forgiveness through Christ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems pretty obvious, if you accept the Christian God, that he created us in part to see some of us go to hell, thanks to his gift of free will.

I mean, why create hell if no one would be there? And why make it so hard for a lot of the people he created to even know about him.

Many people, over 1000's of years, have lived in countries that have had no or limited access to information about how his son died for our sins. In other countries like the US, even dedicated proselytizers can't convince all the people about the need to believe.

And here we are in the 21st century when more and more people are literate and have incredible access to information and instead of more people believing in Him, more people are dropping their beliefs to become "spiritual but not religious" or not religious, period.

It sure sounds like he's lost interest in us.

Plenty of atheists swear they will not, cannot, be swayed to accept God. They have come to their own conclusions. So what if hell is more of a nonexistence after this lifetime. What would be so bad about that for them? I don't think hell is fire for eternity. I think few people here do.

Atheists expect non-existence after death -- just as we - all of us-- had non-existence before life. Do you think christian believers have eternal life and atheists just fade away?

if so, how do you know that?

Personally I think atheists get the afterlife they expect - a version of nothingness.

I think we all get nothingness -- just like all the other living things. Or do you believe in Dog heaven? and if so, what about snail heaven or snake heaven? DOn't tell me -- Jesus didn't die for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another atheist, who does not believe in hell, or any afterlife.

So what happens if a murderer/rapist/abuser does not "find" the correct religion/god in their life. Do they get a pass to repent, and then go to heaven?

But then again how can a murderer/rapist/abuser not know that their actions are wrong, no matter what, regardless of believing in a religion/god?

How can a god NOT put a murderer/rapist/abuser in hell, even if they "repent" a million times over?

And if repentance is not necessary to enter heaven, then what's the point of religion/god?

Ultimately I don't believe in any of it. The heaven/hell/afterlife question is just one of many, many reasons why I don't believe in religion/god.

Repentence IS necessary to enter Heaven. And what would the threshold be for evil acts before you're disqualified? That's why the murderer/rapist/abuser argument is tough to defend down the line. When do the scales get tipped so that you're beyond hope? But God in His love and mercy is willing to forgive anyone who seeks forgiveness through Christ.

I can't ever believe in a god that allows rapists/murders/abusers into heaven, forgives them, and to mingle with non-awful people - or await the same fate as people who live conscientiously. You don't need religion/god to know how awful those things are, and how completely wrong and irrevocable those things are. There's no point - commit atrocities, but then apologize for it? So Hitler and Gandhi can have the same outcome after they die?

Nuh uh. No way. Can't believe in any of that ridiculousness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another atheist, who does not believe in hell, or any afterlife.

So what happens if a murderer/rapist/abuser does not "find" the correct religion/god in their life. Do they get a pass to repent, and then go to heaven?

But then again how can a murderer/rapist/abuser not know that their actions are wrong, no matter what, regardless of believing in a religion/god?

How can a god NOT put a murderer/rapist/abuser in hell, even if they "repent" a million times over?

And if repentance is not necessary to enter heaven, then what's the point of religion/god?

Ultimately I don't believe in any of it. The heaven/hell/afterlife question is just one of many, many reasons why I don't believe in religion/god.

Repentence IS necessary to enter Heaven. And what would the threshold be for evil acts before you're disqualified? That's why the murderer/rapist/abuser argument is tough to defend down the line. When do the scales get tipped so that you're beyond hope? But God in His love and mercy is willing to forgive anyone who seeks forgiveness through Christ.

Do you realize what a bad ambassador for Christ you are?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The fearful poster earlier should know that if you teach your children about Christ from the beginning, actually believe the Gospel, and model Christ-like behavior as a parent (and friend, spouse, brother/sister, etc.), the chances of them continuing in the faith are really quite good. But if you encourage all sorts of "spiritual questioning," which is really just a way to deny Christ, you probably will end up with who-knows-what.

That is actually false info. People are leaving organized religion and adults are especially leaving fundamentalist religions after being threatened as children by what would await them if they questioned Christ. Even if the chances were very good, if it still asking a mother to give birth with the threat that her beloved child will go to hell.

That is why I said to model Christ-like behavior. It makes a huge difference.

How do you know?

For one, it's what the Bible says to do. For two, I've seen it work many times in real life. But I don't think kids have any respect for hypocritical parents who drag them to church, preach at them, and then don't live out a life of love, joy and service to the LORD. And I also don't think kids have any respect for parents' religion when those parents don't even believe it enough to defend it but tell their kids to go seek whatever they can find.

Do you think parents should force their kids into certain careers? If not, why should kids be forced into a particular religious belief?

Who said anything about being forced into belief? Good parents make sure their kids go to school. And good Christian parents should make sure their kids go to church and learn about Christ. But parents should also make sure that they themselves live deliberate, Biblical Christian lives so that their kids grow up to know how good the LORD is and that their parents trust Him. Kids have a natural yearning for acceptance from the parents. If their parents are loving, kind, gracious, Spirit-filled people, their kids will value the Christian faith in a far different way than if their just given a list of rules or told that all belief is the same and go do whatever they want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The fearful poster earlier should know that if you teach your children about Christ from the beginning, actually believe the Gospel, and model Christ-like behavior as a parent (and friend, spouse, brother/sister, etc.), the chances of them continuing in the faith are really quite good. But if you encourage all sorts of "spiritual questioning," which is really just a way to deny Christ, you probably will end up with who-knows-what.

That is actually false info. People are leaving organized religion and adults are especially leaving fundamentalist religions after being threatened as children by what would await them if they questioned Christ. Even if the chances were very good, if it still asking a mother to give birth with the threat that her beloved child will go to hell.

Again with the children in hell?

Again with the glossing over of false information. So far no one has an answer for the prospective mother whose protecting her children from hell by not having any -- except for having lots of kids, increasing the chances that some will accept Christ and get to heaven.

I'm the one who suggested she seek professional help. Do you think DCUM is better equipped to help her?

I also think she's in serious need of professional help. I think DCUM can help her and others see how ludicrous is the concept of not having children to avoid seeing them be punished by a god who gave them the "free will" to not believe in him. I feel terribly sorry for her, but am glad she brought this concept to light, so others can see how horrible certain Christian beliefs are.

Wait a minute. This woman is "in serious need of professional help" and in the next sentence you lay out that DCUM can help her?! An anonymous, online, parents board can and should help an poster based on one post? Beyond suggesting she seek PROFESSIONAL assistance (secular or nonsecular) we should conduct some protocol to aid in her issues?

You need to take a step back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another atheist, who does not believe in hell, or any afterlife.

So what happens if a murderer/rapist/abuser does not "find" the correct religion/god in their life. Do they get a pass to repent, and then go to heaven?

But then again how can a murderer/rapist/abuser not know that their actions are wrong, no matter what, regardless of believing in a religion/god?

How can a god NOT put a murderer/rapist/abuser in hell, even if they "repent" a million times over?

And if repentance is not necessary to enter heaven, then what's the point of religion/god?

Ultimately I don't believe in any of it. The heaven/hell/afterlife question is just one of many, many reasons why I don't believe in religion/god.

Repentence IS necessary to enter Heaven. And what would the threshold be for evil acts before you're disqualified? That's why the murderer/rapist/abuser argument is tough to defend down the line. When do the scales get tipped so that you're beyond hope? But God in His love and mercy is willing to forgive anyone who seeks forgiveness through Christ.

I guess I don't. Could you please tell me what I should do to change?

Do you realize what a bad ambassador for Christ you are?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another atheist, who does not believe in hell, or any afterlife.

So what happens if a murderer/rapist/abuser does not "find" the correct religion/god in their life. Do they get a pass to repent, and then go to heaven?

But then again how can a murderer/rapist/abuser not know that their actions are wrong, no matter what, regardless of believing in a religion/god?

How can a god NOT put a murderer/rapist/abuser in hell, even if they "repent" a million times over?

And if repentance is not necessary to enter heaven, then what's the point of religion/god?

Ultimately I don't believe in any of it. The heaven/hell/afterlife question is just one of many, many reasons why I don't believe in religion/god.

Repentence IS necessary to enter Heaven. And what would the threshold be for evil acts before you're disqualified? That's why the murderer/rapist/abuser argument is tough to defend down the line. When do the scales get tipped so that you're beyond hope? But God in His love and mercy is willing to forgive anyone who seeks forgiveness through Christ.

Do you realize what a bad ambassador for Christ you are?

I guess I don't. I am always happy to learn how to improve, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The fearful poster earlier should know that if you teach your children about Christ from the beginning, actually believe the Gospel, and model Christ-like behavior as a parent (and friend, spouse, brother/sister, etc.), the chances of them continuing in the faith are really quite good. But if you encourage all sorts of "spiritual questioning," which is really just a way to deny Christ, you probably will end up with who-knows-what.

That is actually false info. People are leaving organized religion and adults are especially leaving fundamentalist religions after being threatened as children by what would await them if they questioned Christ. Even if the chances were very good, if it still asking a mother to give birth with the threat that her beloved child will go to hell.

Again with the children in hell?

Again with the glossing over of false information. So far no one has an answer for the prospective mother whose protecting her children from hell by not having any -- except for having lots of kids, increasing the chances that some will accept Christ and get to heaven.

I'm the one who suggested she seek professional help. Do you think DCUM is better equipped to help her?

I also think she's in serious need of professional help. I think DCUM can help her and others see how ludicrous is the concept of not having children to avoid seeing them be punished by a god who gave them the "free will" to not believe in him. I feel terribly sorry for her, but am glad she brought this concept to light, so others can see how horrible certain Christian beliefs are.

Wait a minute. This woman is "in serious need of professional help" and in the next sentence you lay out that DCUM can help her?! An anonymous, online, parents board can and should help an poster based on one post? Beyond suggesting she seek PROFESSIONAL assistance (secular or nonsecular) we should conduct some protocol to aid in her issues?

You need to take a step back.

different kinds of help from different kinds of sources - both useful.