Is Hell a punishment for not believing in God?

1. 77

   SoundNFuryposted 11 years ago

   Is Hell a punishment for not believing in God?
   
   For example, if you live a life never believing in God, but have lived morally and not intentionally done others harm, do you still go to Hell?  Or do you make it to Heaven?
   
   Coversely, if you do purport to believe in God but live an immoral life, are you guaranteed a spot in Heaven?

   replyreport
2. 61

   Disappearingheadposted 11 years ago

   The theme throughout the bible is that any judgement from God is upon actions not beliefs. Thus the claim that people go to hell simply for not believing is a Christian invention. It seems to be based upon the line in Revelation that anyone who's name is not in the Book of Life goes to hell, and Christians assume that only Christians have their names written. However the bible never actually states how to get your name written in there in the first place. Indeed David asks God to blot the names of his enemies from the book, so clearly one can be in the book even when one isn't. Christian.

   replyreport
3. 91

   peeplesposted 11 years ago

   "if you live a life never believing in God, but have lived morally and not intentionally done others harm, do you still go to Hell?" There are at least thousands of Gods that are believed in. So what god must be believed in? Only 30ish% of the world is Christian, so if hell is for anyone who doesn't believe in the Christian God then does that mean 2/3 of the world will go to hell? The concept of a hell actually makes little sense.

   replyreport
4. 0

   JThomp42posted 11 years ago

   The answer to this question depends totally on your beliefs. Saying that, Christianity is the largest believed spiritual journey in the world. I consider my self spiritual. Do I believe in Christ and what the Bible says, yes totally. So to answer your question, the Bible says that "works" (good deeds) are not enough to get to heaven. It is the grace of God that shall set you free.
   
   Romans 11:6
   And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
   
   Romans 10:9
   
   9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

   replyreport
5. 0

   KenDeanAgudoposted 11 years ago

   very contradicting but for me your innocence will put you in heaven even you don't know God and you don't believe at Him if you are living morally then you are living in accordance with nature. With that its enough to put you in heaven not hell

   replyreport
6. 61

   Cordelia Bayposted 11 years ago

   Galatians 5:18-26; "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now, the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outburst of wrath,selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you  beforehand, just as I also told you on times past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are in Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."
   
   True repentance is not just asking forgiveness...it is a desire to never do what it was again and to turn away from the things that one is asking forgiveness for. It is to change direction...giving respect, concern, love and consideration to another.... just as one desires for one's self, the one's they love and care about.
   
   Matthew 7:21-23; in the words of Jesus: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord; shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.' Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And, then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness."
   
   Galatians:5:13: "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

   replyreport