Is it fair to send people to hell for being mistaken?

Discussion in 'Religion Archives' started by Nasor, Mar 21, 2007.

  1. Nasor Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    6,231
    Suppose a person didn’t believe in god but lived a generally good life, never seriously harms anyone, helps others when he can, and donates some of his money to charity. Could it possibly be fair for god to send this otherwise good person to hell simply for being mistaken about god’s existence? I’ve never really heard a good answer from a christian on this. How could a “just” god punish someone eternally in hell simply because they held a factually incorrect belief? It astounds me that anyone could seriously call it “just” for a person to be condemned to an eternity of suffering simply because they weren’t smart/lucky enough to reach the correct conclusion. If god would do that, it seems that god is an incredibly petty, self-centered being who has no concept of justice.
     
  2. Google AdSense Guest Advertisement



    to hide all adverts.
  3. NDS NDS Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    1,015
    Nasor, excellent thread and excellent question. This is one my favorite issues to ponder and discuss.

    What if an atheist is held at gunpoint (hypothetically) and forced to chose between him being tortured and dying slowly or his family being tortured and dying slowly? If the atheist chooses his family over himself then wouldn't God see that as a noble and heaven-worthy action? For "greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

    What would become of this noble atheist? I am with you, Nasor. I see it as unlikely that someone who laid down his life for his family or friends or at least lived a generally pious life could go to hell.

    Many Christians would argue that if Person A doesn't mentally believe facts X, Y, and Z that they are damned to hell no matter how good of a person they are or how good of a life they led.

    Interesting how many atheists actually live much more "moral" or "Godly" lives than most Catholics, who claim to believe certain facts.
     
  4. Google AdSense Guest Advertisement



    to hide all adverts.
  5. nietzschefan Thread Killer Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    7,721
    Internal morality is infinitely better than externally forced morality. Either "God" knows this, has an insane huge ego, or does not exhist.
     
  6. Google AdSense Guest Advertisement



    to hide all adverts.
  7. Photizo Ambassador/Envoy Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    1,519
    Yeah, now why don't you exercise some internal morality and admit how internally immoral you really are:

    For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies...

    Behold, Thou (God) desirest truth in the inward parts...


    Now, given the above...

    Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy Word...To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
     
  8. one_raven God is a Chinese Whisper Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    13,433
    Photizo,

    Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. - Romans 3:19

    It is not your obedience to God that is valued and rewarded, it is the purity of yout heart, thoughts and actions.
    It is your internal morality.
     
  9. draqon Banned Banned

    Messages:
    35,006
    there is no hell

    there is no heaven

    there are no Gods
     
  10. Nasor Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    6,231
    Photizo, I'm a bit confused. Are you a christian, or not? Your post would seem to indicate that you are, but you refer to yourself as the devil...

    Anyway, if you are a christian, I would be interested to hear your thoughts on my question.
     
  11. one_raven God is a Chinese Whisper Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    13,433
    Jesus said that people would not find Heaven but through him.
    I believe that he meant that if you follow his teachings, you will be judged good and worthy of heaven.
    What did he teach?
    Purity of heart, mind and actions.
    He taught compassion, love, understanding, integrity.
    He taught that you should live a virtuous life.
    It's really as simple as that.
     
  12. one_raven God is a Chinese Whisper Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    13,433
    Thanks.
    That added a lot to the discussion.
     
  13. draqon Banned Banned

    Messages:
    35,006
    its truth.
     
  14. Ophiolite Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    9,232
    Who said it had to be fair?
     
  15. draqon Banned Banned

    Messages:
    35,006
    everything in this life is fair.
     
  16. nietzschefan Thread Killer Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    7,721
    "Convictions are more dangerous enemies to the truth, than lies.."

    The believer and the doubter, one and the same, I say.
     
  17. draqon Banned Banned

    Messages:
    35,006
    Its the truth for me. This life is what we make of it and thereafter. Yes, we are the same.
     
  18. nietzschefan Thread Killer Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    7,721
    Blah blah blah 2000-3000 thousand year old talking parrot reigns supreme....not.

    Thanks but uhh I'll figure it out for myself. Next time just post the wiki link to the bible or something.
     
  19. nova900 more spirituality,less dogma Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    546
    Well said!
    This seems to be (from what I see anyways) the "heart" of all religion and the one that binds them all together.
    The hidden divinity concept which even the New Testament refers to.
    Of course any gnostic teachings in christianity are, for the most part, now considered heretical.This was to be expected after christianity was bastardized into it's present from.

    Unfortunately so much of the rest after this binding factor just seems to fall into the realm of man written dogma according to each groups geographic location,cultural habits/traits,etc.
     
  20. Photizo Ambassador/Envoy Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    1,519
    "Your internal morality" is a myth...that this is true is illustrated by the very scripture you quoted...your inept wielding of "the Sword of the Spirit has caused you to stab yourself in the foot.
     
  21. Photizo Ambassador/Envoy Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    1,519
    The evidence suggests otherwise.
     
  22. one_raven God is a Chinese Whisper Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    13,433
    Tell me exactly how.

    The quote says that it is not the observation of the law that makes one "good".
    One can be "bad" and still obey the law.
     
  23. nietzschefan Thread Killer Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    7,721
    That's funny coming from you. Put down your lightsaber and your Bible and think for yourself a bit.
     

Share This Page