In this life you may be an athiest. Maybe it's your destiny in this life to learn what it is like to not have deep spiritual connections with the universe. Maybe in your next life you'll be a monk or a shaman or a parish priest.
While I've gotten the impression that you're a very wise person since I joined ADISC, I think that is a (in your case rarely) close minded thing of you to say.
It seems to be a common misconception that being an atheist, you can't have deep spiritual connections. I'd classify myself as a pretty spiritual person. I feel it through my love to family and friends. I feel it through the many arts that humans devote themselves to. I feel it when observing the beauty of the most common things in nature, despite thinking random chance is the reason for it being there. I don't feel a need to address the love and beauty of life to gods and goddesses. That doesn't mean they're not there for me.
I myself am an atheist as well, but I think the most common answer you'd get is: You can only go to hell once you've reached the "age of reason", which is different depending on the religion. So, if you're a baby and don't get baptized it's not your fault because you didn't know the consequences. But, one you've reached that magical age, it's bow down or burn! So in your case, I say I'll see you in hell for one awesome party. Why is it that all the coolest people end up in hell?
That is, of course, if you believe that you must be baptized to go to heaven. There are some versions of Christianity that don't hold to baptism.
It's all so convoluted isn't it?
That it is, but you're saying what I was pretty much thinking all along. That once you're old enough and have been informed of God, there's no reason for you not to accept him as your lord. It's another thing if you're a baby. It all makes sense, looking at it from a religious angle.
Still, I couldn't help but wonder what Christians think.
I promised myself that I would not discuss politics or religion...and now I'm gonna break that promise.
Please do not think that I am trying to push my beliefs on you because I'm very much and live and let die kind of person. That being said, I am a Christian. I worship at a Southern Baptist church. If you'd like to know more about that, check it out at sbc.net Do I believe every single detail that they claim? No.
So, in my opinion, baptism doesn't get you anywhere. That's just an act of worship and "obedience". Do I believe there is a Hell? Absolutely. Do I believe that "good" people go there? Absolutely. I believe the only way to not go to Hell is to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Am I going to tell you that you're going to Hell? No way. Only God has the ability to judge people.
Probably not the answer that you are looking for, but that's the only way I know how to describe it.
Don't worry about pushing your beliefs. Since I asked the question I'm expecting answers. It's only natural that you tell me what you believe, even if it's me burning in hell for all eternity.
However, if there's an idea I can really appreciate when it comes to religion, it's the idea that mankind can't pass God's judgment. I mean, how could a human being tell somebody what an omnipotent God is going to decide?
Getting baptized or going to church on a regular basis does not make you a good christian just as walking into a garage doesn't make you a car. Those are some really stupid misconceptions about religion I think that nearly everyone belives since they are most likely misinformed about what they hear/know.
I have not been baptized and I don't go to church. I do believe in god and everything however I don't think you have to follow everyone else like your in a flock of sheep. Not to mention most people only go to church to feel good about themselves and do a "I am holier then thou!!" stance.
However if you don't belive in god, etc I do think you can or will go to hell. I don't mean that in a condemning way since that's surely not my area to judge. That's between you and god if he's real at all (not that I really doubt it at all).
As for what hell is like I am willing to bet it's different with each person. My version is just being in a bright medical white room with square foot tiles with enough lite you can see pretty damn far but you won't go blind. There are no doors and there's nothing but you.
If we agree that God knows everything about us, then I think your idea about a personal hell makes sense. To me the popular version of hell is really kind of (excuse me for saying it) stupid.
By that I mean that the idea of what hell is supposed to be like is so clearly man-made. Hell was though up in countries where heat is something bothersome. An inferno á la Dante was a as such made an extremely hot place. If we go back to old Norse mythology the cold was the issue. Thus, hell was an extremely cold and dark place. Heaven (Valhalla) on the other hand was a big hall filled with roaring fires.
If you are indeed meant to fear the concept of hell, there are plenty of places and scenarios that are more threatening to me than regular hell.
I never said that I believe that Hell is a place where torture happens. In my opinion, Hell is being separated from God.
I just refuse to take that "you going to Hell and I'm not" stance with people. I'm certainly not "holier than thou".
So, hell would just be a continuation of my life on earth?
On other quetion pops to my head too. What happens to people who never hear about Christianity? Are they doomed to hell? Because if they are, God's a mean tyrant. If they aren't, why the hell (pun intended) would you want to teach someone about christ? If that person rejects christianity due to your ineptitude at teaching, they're fried forever.
I would like to assume that somebody who has never heard of Christianity wouldn't go to hell. In the case that they are entirely oblivious about God, wouldn't he in all his love appear to them (or at least send an angel) to spread his word?
If God is loving, people who haven't heard of him can't go to hell. The opposite would be proven by those people having mass visits by someone/something showing them the truth.
