Atheists.. they go to Hell

[Lullaby Chainer]

What are your thoughts on atheists?

This thread is under the premise that Hell is a real place and it's just like Jesus himself describes it as and the only way into Heaven is through faith in Christ and all that jazz.

There are a wide range of possible reasons why an atheist might not believe in God.

"-They're too stupid."

Should atheists go to Hell because they are stupid?

"-They're too arrogant."

Should atheists go to Hell because they are arrogant?

-They've had a traumatic event in their life that has made them lose faith in a loving god.

Should atheists go to Hell because they are too weak to keep faith through hard times?

-They're a fan of science and have interpreted the evidence to be a world with no need for God.

Should atheists go to Hell because of their interpretation of evidence?

-They don't want to be a part of the religious conflict that has plagued our world forever.

Should atheists go to Hell for wanting to disassociate themselves from a large source of conflict?

-They can't conjure up any love for a god that allows so much non-human-evil suffering.

Should atheists go to Hell for expecting a better world from a loving god?

"-It's in their nature to be rebellious of authority."

Should atheists go to Hell for being rebellious of what society tells them?

I've found the biggest difference between God and his followers is sympathy. I haven't met many Christians that can tell me with all honesty that I deserve to suffer forever in a fiery hell. Yet, these same Christian honestly believe that's where I'm going.

Why are these Christians parting from their God in their sympathy of me and other atheists? Is this a good or bad quality and why doesn't God have this quality?

Personally, I feel we should all be judged by our character instead of what we happen to believe or disbelieve in. I feel we should be judged by what we do as a person. Who we love. The good we do, and the bad we do. All with fair consideration of the factors we can't control.

Yet, evil men can accept Jesus in their hearts before dying and go to Heaven while a good, honest, hardworking selfless Jew could go to Hell after being gassed in the holocaust.

You may say that everyone deserves Hell.. but that doesn't change the fact of who is and isn't sent there. That doesn't change what I feel is unfair criteria for sending someone to Hell or Heaven.

I'm just going to say this outright. I disagree with God. I don't believe any of you deserve to go to Hell because of something you have no control over that happened "6,000" years or so ago.

But what about me..?

Thanks.

Oh and, please don't tell me atheists are choosing to go to Hell. I can't choose to go some place I don't believe exists and I can't choose to turn my back on someone or something I don't know is there.

[Halofan48]

I think that they're people who don't believe in god. The rest simply goes on how well I know then and what i've experienced.

As for why people say it, I guess it's just a personal prejudice at some degree of the person saying it. Maybe not though. I'm not sure, I can only guess.

[Morality Games]

You are using abstraction to mix together various strands of Christianity to depict one which does not solidly exist, although it may find expression in some persons in some times to varying extents.

A new, increasingly popular Christianity outside the fundamentalist, conservative, or official spheres is distorting and inverting itself in such a way that almost nobody can go to Hell, or that if they do, there still somehow exists a process whereby they can acquire salvation.

I think part of the consequence of this new Christianity is that the religion as a whole will eventually wither away (as Hell has been instrumental to Christian thinking for centuries, and sudden dropping of pivotal concepts to a belief set in accordance with a shift in attitude is quite damaging to the security of an ideology) or become only nominally a religion (like Humanistic Judaism).

[lindsay7]

Quote by: Lullaby Chainer What are your thoughts on atheists? This thread is under the premise that Hell is a real place and it's just like Jesus himself describes it as and the only way into Heaven is through faith in Christ and all that jazz. There are a wide range of possible reasons why an atheist might not believe in God. -They're too stupid. Should atheists go to Hell because they are stupid? -They're too arrogant. Should atheists go to Hell because they are arrogant? -They've had a traumatic event in their life that has made them lose faith in a loving god. Should atheists go to Hell because they are too weak to keep faith through hard times? -They're a fan of science and have interpreted the evidence to be a world with no need for God. Should atheists go to Hell because of their interpretation of evidence? -They don't want to be a part of the religious conflict that has plagued our world forever. Should atheists go to Hell for wanting to disassociate themselves from a large source of conflict? -They can't conjure up any love for a god that allows so much non-human-evil suffering. Should atheists go to Hell for expecting a better world from a loving god? -It's in their nature to be rebellious of authority. Should atheists go to Hell for being rebellious of what society tells them? I've found the biggest difference between God and his followers is sympathy. I haven't met many Christians that can tell me with all honesty that I deserve to suffer forever in a fiery hell. Yet, these same Christian honestly believe that's where I'm going. Why are these Christians parting from their God in their sympathy of me and other atheists? Is this a good or bad quality and why doesn't God have this quality? Personally, I feel we should all be judged by our character instead of what we happen to believe or disbelieve in. I feel we should be judged by what we do as a person. Who we love. The good we do, and the bad we do. All with fair consideration of the factors we can't control. Yet, evil men can accept Jesus in their hearts before dying and go to Heaven while a good, honest, hardworking selfless Jew could go to Hell after being gassed in the holocaust. You may say that everyone deserves Hell.. but that doesn't change the fact of who is and isn't sent there. That doesn't change what I feel is unfair criteria for sending someone to Hell or Heaven. I'm just going to say this outright. I disagree with God. I don't believe any of you deserve to go to Hell because of something you have no control over that happened "6,000" years or so ago. But what about me..? Thanks. Oh and, please don't tell me atheists are choosing to go to Hell. I can't choose to go some place I don't believe exists and I can't choose to turn my back on someone or something I don't know is there.

It's unfortunate that the Christians you have met have shown so little empathy. That's not how Jesus wants us to be. But please don't feel like all Christians are that way. There are hypocrits in any group.

I don't hate athiests. Just a few weeks ago I was one! I'm very new to faith. Most of the people I love in my life are athiests. Family members, friends. I don't think they're stupid, arrogant, or any of the other reasons you've listed there. I understand how it is to be an athiest, I have been one my whole life.

I was always curious about the bible, but I've never understood how anyone can believe it without seeing proof of the existence of a God. I felt disdain for Christians, and I felt nothing inside - i couldnt manufacture faith out of thin air! I didn't know what they were talking about when they said they knew God existed and had a relationship with him.

Now I realize that only God can give us faith, we can't create it ourselves. If you sincerely seek him, he will show himself to you.

It's not true that "evil men can accept Jesus in their hearts before dying and go to Heaven while a good, honest, hardworking selfless Jew could go to Hell after being gassed in the holocaust." God knows who is sincere and who is not, and the bible says we will be judged based on our works.

I think that it is possible to accept Jesus after you die, I believe that Jesus will come to a loving person, if you call out to him. Though it is perilous to leave it so late, because if beings of light do not immediately come for you, beings of darkness will.

[Jack]

The OP ignores those of us who, once believers, came to the realization we were believing things we couldn't support with any objective evidence. We noticed that there were natural explanations for 99% of what religion purported to explain by metaphysical means. We further became aware that the other 1% was a biased interpretation of personal emotions. We progressed beyond religion.

I have no more reason to believe hell exists than I do to believe the god of the Judeo-Christian faith does. I'm not without faith, I simply don't extend my faith to religious belief.

[Lullaby Chainer]

Quote by: Isherwood The OP ignores those of us who, once believers, came to the realization we were believing things we couldn't support with any objective evidence. We noticed that there were natural explanations for 99% of what religion purported to explain by metaphysical means. We further became aware that the other 1% was a biased interpretation of personal emotions. We progressed beyond religion. I have no more reason to believe hell exists than I do to believe the god of the Judeo-Christian faith does. I'm not without faith, I simply don't extend my faith to religious belief.

Well I couldn't very well list every possible reason why an atheist might be an atheist. I said "too stupid" and "too arrogant" and the rest because I originally posted this on a christian debate site and was playing on their sympathies and because even if they think that.. is that good enough reason to send them to hell?

EDIT: I think "-They're a fan of science and have interpreted the evidence to be a world with no need for God." fairly covers that.

[Lullaby Chainer]

Quote by: lindsay7 It's unfortunate that the Christians you have met have shown so little empathy. That's not how Jesus wants us to be. But please don't feel like all Christians are that way. There are hypocrits in any group. I don't hate athiests. Just a few weeks ago I was one! I'm very new to faith. Most of the people I love in my life are athiests. Family members, friends. I don't think they're stupid, arrogant, or any of the other reasons you've listed there. I understand how it is to be an athiest, I have been one my whole life. I was always curious about the bible, but I've never understood how anyone can believe it without seeing proof of the existence of a God. I felt disdain for Christians, and I felt nothing inside - i couldnt manufacture faith out of thin air! I didn't know what they were talking about when they said they knew God existed and had a relationship with him. Now I realize that only God can give us faith, we can't create it ourselves. If you sincerely seek him, he will show himself to you. It's not true that "evil men can accept Jesus in their hearts before dying and go to Heaven while a good, honest, hardworking selfless Jew could go to Hell after being gassed in the holocaust." God knows who is sincere and who is not, and the bible says we will be judged based on our works. I think that it is possible to accept Jesus after you die, I believe that Jesus will come to a loving person, if you call out to him. Though it is perilous to leave it so late, because if beings of light do not immediately come for you, beings of darkness will.

I'm very very sad that you found faith. I hope someday you lose it and return to us!

I'm not sure if you "got" what my OP was about though.

I'm noting the empathy OF the christians I've met, not the lack thereof.

"I've found the biggest difference between God and his followers is sympathy. I haven't met many Christians that can tell me with all honesty that I deserve to suffer forever in a fiery hell. Yet, these same Christian honestly believe that's where I'm going.

Why are these Christians parting from their God in their sympathy of me and other atheists? Is this a good or bad quality and why doesn't God have this quality?"

[lindsay7]

Quote by: Lullaby Chainer Why are these Christians parting from their God in their sympathy of me and other atheists? Is this a good or bad quality and why doesn't God have this quality?"

LOL I'm still confused.

How are we parting from our God by having sympathy for athiests? God doesn't want us to hate athiests, on the contrary.

[Lullaby Chainer]

Quote by: lindsay7 LOL I'm still confused. How are we parting from our God by having sympathy for athiests? God doesn't want us to hate athiests, on the contrary.

Most Christians I know don't think atheists deserve to go to Hell.

Yet they believe God will send us there.

See how they disagree with God?

[Lullaby Chainer]

Quote by: lindsay7 It's not true that "evil men can accept Jesus in their hearts before dying and go to Heaven while a good, honest, hardworking selfless Jew could go to Hell after being gassed in the holocaust." God knows who is sincere and who is not, and the bible says we will be judged based on our works.

Evil men can be sincere. I have no doubt Hitler was sincere in his actions when killing millions and would have no problem accepting Jesus into his heart.

[nerdvincent]

Quote by: Isherwood I'm not without faith, I simply don't extend my faith to religious belief.

Why do we talk about faith as if it was a virtue? What is faith if it isn't the act of believing in something no matter how many time it has been disproven?

[lindsay7]

Quote by: Lullaby Chainer Most Christians I know don't think atheists deserve to go to Hell. Yet they believe God will send us there. See how they disagree with God?

Ahh I see. Well I don't know if I'm right or wrong, but here's what I think for what it's worth...

God doesn't send us to hell, we have a choice, and we make that choice based on our actions on earth.

Athiests aren't definetely going to hell. If you are a loving person, I think it is possible to call out to Jesus after you die. But if you don't, he may not come, and beings of darkness will. They'll want to take advantage of you, feed off you. This isn't 'sending' you to hell. It is your choice not to call out to Jesus.

But soon that after-death possibility may be taken from us. If the antichrist shows up on the scene and you worship him and accept his mark on your body, it may be too late. The bible gives dire warnings against this. I don't know if those who are deceived to the extent of giving themselves to the antichrist can be saved.

I think a time may be coming in the future where there will be no sitting on the fence, we'll all have to make a choice while we're alive. That would be the end times. I don't know when that will be. But I don't think God will allow things to continue as they are forever.

[Jack]

Quote by: nerdvincent Why do we talk about faith as if it was a virtue? What is faith if it isn't the act of believing in something no matter how many time it has been disproven?

Not necessarily. It's belief without evidence. I have faith in the love and affection of those close to me. I have faith I'll wake up tomorrow. I have faith in many things I can't support with evidence, but none that I'm aware of violate the laws of nature like religious faith does. I don't suggest that faith is a virtue, just a facet of life.

[lindsay7]

Quote by: Lullaby Chainer Evil men can be sincere. I have no doubt Hitler was sincere in his actions when killing millions and would have no problem accepting Jesus into his heart.

Evil men can be sincere in their evil, yes. The bible says we are judged on our works, and in that case, Hitler is in a lot of trouble.

The bible says "Not everyone who calls out to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."

I take that to mean, if you believe in Jesus it doesn't mean you are saved! It depends on what you DO.

God knows what is in our hearts, no one can deceive him.

[Lullaby Chainer]

Quote by: lindsay7 Ahh I see. Well I don't know if I'm right or wrong, but here's what I think for what it's worth... God doesn't send us to hell, we have a choice, and we make that choice based on our actions on earth.

ah.. well..

Quote by: Lullaby Chainer Oh and, please don't tell me atheists are choosing to go to Hell. I can't choose to go some place I don't believe exists and I can't choose to turn my back on someone or something I don't know is there.

[nerdvincent]

Quote by: Isherwood Not necessarily. It's belief without evidence. I have faith in the love and affection of those close to me. I have faith I'll wake up tomorrow. I have faith in many things I can't support with evidence, but none that I'm aware of violate the laws of nature like religious faith does. I don't suggest that faith is a virtue, just a facet of life.

Interesting. On my side I don't have faith I'll wake up tomorow: I just don't have a clue. I can hope, I can speculate. But hope and speculation (the core of religion) never changed anything, so I can't have faith.
But good for you if you do .

[lindsay7]

Quote by: Lullaby Chainer Oh and, please don't tell me atheists are choosing to go to Hell. I can't choose to go some place I don't believe exists and I can't choose to turn my back on someone or something I don't know is there.

Whether you know God is there or not, you make the choice based on your actions on earth, how you treat people. What we do is most important.

[Halofan48]

Quote by: lindsay7 Athiests aren't definetely going to hell. If you are a loving person, I think it is possible to call out to Jesus after you die. But if you don't, he may not come, and beings of darkness will. They'll want to take advantage of you, feed off you. This isn't 'sending' you to hell. It is your choice not to call out to Jesus.

Doesn't that mean we have to acknowledge that Jesus Christ was the son of a god? Therefore we must be a christian in order to go to heaven.

Evil men can be sincere in their evil, yes. The bible says we are judged on our works, and in that case, Hitler is in a lot of trouble. The bible says "Not everyone who calls out to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." I take that to mean, if you believe in Jesus it doesn't mean you are saved! It depends on what you DO.

This can be considered contradictory to your previous comment. It all depends on what makes a person evil in the eyes of your god. For, if being an atheist is evil, or being something else that's considered evil that might not be to the rest of us like _________ (fill in the blank), then even if we called out to Jesus as you said, we might not be saved.

[Lullaby Chainer]

Quote by: lindsay7 I take that to mean, if you believe in Jesus it doesn't mean you are saved! It depends on what you DO.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Then again, this wouldn't be the first contradiction in God's perfect word.

God knows what is in our hearts, no one can deceive him.

I don't doubt it. But I still think Hitler could easily sincerely accept Jesus into his heart.. and according to this.........

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9

......that's all it takes.

[Lullaby Chainer]

Quote by: lindsay7 Whether you know God is there or not, you make the choice based on your actions on earth, how you treat people. What we do is most important.

I agree entirely and I wish your God saw things the way you do.