In the Old Testament, only Israelites made it to heaven, correct? Before Jesus came, one had to be Jewish in order to be saved. What happened to the people who had no way of knowing about the Jewish God because they lived in Central America? After Jesus came, the only path to salvation was through Jesus. Once again, what about the Aztecs? Did they make it into heaven? They didn't get to hear about the glories of Christ until the 16th century. As any historian will tell you, the Aztecs were blood thirsty, cannabilistic, fanatic warmongerers. There are multiple accounts, both Hispanic and Aztec, that will verify Aztecan ferocity. It wasn't Catholic propoganda that the Aztecs were evil. By almost anyone's moral standards, the Aztec's culture embodied evil. They were such terrible sinners, that surely they must be frying in Hell, right? I have inquired Christians about this, and the reply was that if one didn't know of Jesus, then one is like a child. The pagan tribes of Australia, SE Asia, Polynesia, and the New World were more like children from Lord of the Flies than happy tribes of childlike savages without strife. Sine these "children" are ignorant of God, then they don't go to Hell. Are there any biblical passages that support this? Is this not a glaring error in God's plan for man, by not giving millions of people the chance for salvation?
Why do you say this? Where in the Old Testament/New Testament does it say this? Were all gentiles considered wicked? Luke says that those who are ignorant of the master's will and act in a way deserving a severe beating will be beaten lightly, while those who know the master's will will be beaten severely.
They didn't believe in the Christian god so they're not going to hell unless they lived so that THEIR religion sent them there. If you don't believe in it then you don't go there.
I'm afraid it's not quite as simple as that. Hell doesn't create hell. We can't communicate with these people so it's impossible to know how their religion worked in practice. By all accounts, it seems the Aztecs created their own hell - with ritual blood sacrifices. Underlying all other themes was the ancient cult concerned with rainmoisture and fertility. More rituals and sacrifices were connected with this crucial agricultural need than with anything else. Tlaloc, the ancient god of rain, was the most important of the dieties associated with this theme but the goddesses of the earth, maize, sexuality and fertility in general were all worshiped in this category as was Xipe Totec, the god of springtime renewal. To Tlaloc were offered small children whose innocence made them particularly valuable messengers to the gods and whose tears symbolized the falling rain. The Aztec religionI'm glad we don't get to decide who goes to heaven or who is lost to it.
The Mormons believe that Jesus appeared in South America some time after his resurrection, and saved many people.
Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. This is about the closest scripture I can see about people who never had direct influence of "Christianity/God" It contemplates the idea that there is an innate pull toward a creator/Godhead, leaving people with no excuse not to believe. It then speaks about how people began to worship the creatures and things of the creator rather than the creator himself... Anyone else comment on the above scriptures?
Christian doctrine tells you the things that put you at risk of going to Hell, but does not actually say that anyone has gone there as God is forgiving.
