Hypothetical Situation Involving A Lot of Religions

[Oscar1613]

Originally posted by: BigJohnKC
Ever hear of the "Left Behind" books? It's a series of books written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. Fictional stories based upon a view of Apocalypse (basically what you're describing). Interesting read, if you're interested in this subject.

i read a couple of those books... they were pretty good, but all the seemingly catholic bashing got kinda old pretty quickly... may not like the books if you're not very religious or just pain athiest, as they get kinda preachy in some parts...

as for the original question, some religions with that type of view, have views that cover this too. for example, catholicism teaches that if someone never had never had the knowledge of God and Jesus (such as the indians suggested earlier), then they could go to heaven... as i was taught, as long as you keep faith and dont reject God after having knowledge of God and Jesus, you can go to heaven given all else being equal. however, i dont know the specific teachings on believing in God, but following a different denomination...

 

[rpc64]

Originally posted by: Gaard
A person can be raised to be the kindest, most gentlest a person can possibly be. Brought up to be caring, respectful, moral, ethical...just a good person in every respect. But (correct me if I'm wrong) unless this person specifically asks the Lord for forgiveness and accepts Jesus as his savior he won't be accepted into Heaven.

The way into Heaven is not by doing good things or "being a good person". The only way is by accepting Jesus. After you do that you can use the bible as a guide for living your life. But still we are supposed to screw up. No one is perfect, no one can do the right things all the time. That's normal.

 

[PowerEngineer]

Originally posted by: tweakmm
What happened to all of the American Indians who lived on this continent who died without ever hearing of Jesus Christ? Were they sent to hell because they weren't Christians?

Almost exactly the same question I posed years ago to an overzealous believer; I used African bushman instead. To his credit, this person actually tried to wrestle with the question and backed down a couple of notches. I really, really hate it when the believers don't even try to answer questions themselves, but try to get you to read some book or pamplet that's supposed to explain it all. Hey, if you believe this stuff then you should know it well enought to explain it to me!

 

[Tripleshot]

For those that have a bit of knowledge about the Birth and Death of Jesus Christ, the reason for the attonment, and the plan of salvation IE: eternal life in heaven after this life, then perhaps you can see this position, that when you die, you do not go to hell, you go to the spirit world to await the second coming of Christ and the Final Judgement.

Many Christian faiths believe in certain ordanances must be fullfilled before you are accepted in heaven, one being baptism. Then, by living a clean and honest life, and accepting and living the Gospel of Christ, you are reasonably assured a very good chance you will be recieved in heaven.

I, for one, do not believe that is possible unless you are baptised in the prescribed way according to the Gospel and by one who has authority by Christ to perform this ordanance. But that is but a small yet absolutlly neccesary ordanance. Even Jesus was baptised. (Please read the bible for more information. It is a wonderful and enlightning story,and easally accessable from doing a search.)

Beyond that, those who die without being "exposed" to the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, and who are not yet baptised (This ordanance can only be performed on earth, not in the spirit world) and have passed away, are waiting in the spirit world now for the second coming of Christ and the Final Judgement. (more on that can be found in the writings of John in the book of revelation.)

Therefor, even though one has not had the "exposure"on earth before death, in the spirit world, one would assume there is an awareness. The ordanance of baptism on earth must still be done for them in order to obtain the blessings from our Saviour, and that is done in LDS temples (baptism for the dead) around the world every day. That is why I linked the LDS page. There are answers and comfort there that I believe no one else can claim.

We will all be judged in the final judgement, and we all will stand before God and declare ourselves. The LDS Church goes a long way in answering some of these "mysterious" questions. I must say, I find great comfort in learning the Gospel from them, and I'm doing my best to be obedient to His teachings and admonitions.

I sometimes lose my way, as some here know very well. But those who really know me from this side of the keyboard, know I am sincere and compassionate, and I try hard to be of service to those in need. It is a way of life I have accepted and truly love. I have led an alternative lifestyle in the past; it wasn't pretty. I will seek the straight and narrow, and with Jesus to Light my way, I believe I will not be lost.

Read the Articles of Faith. That is what we believe in. Sometimes I forget to mention that, and sometimes I forget to follow it. When I do, I apoligize in advance. (I may have already forgotten some of it. )

 

[yellowperil]

I think some Christians believe that God will allow non-believers or people who never heard of him into heaven, on the day of Judgment. He will shine the truth upon them then and they can decide (go to heaven or burn in hell...hmm, let me sit on that for a while....). At least this is what I was told. I don't think the Christian Bible has anything that supports this view, they probably forgot to make something up when they wrote it.

 

[cmdavid]

nobody dies w/out the opportunity to know God... in other words He will provide the opportunity if we dont...

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

According to the Bible that god is only for the people of Israel anyway, so the rest is damned no matter what they believe

Anyway, not all religions claim that you have to believe/know the religion beforehand, several say living a good life will automatically allow you to go to 'heaven'/reincarnate/whatever, and several claim that those who didn't get the chance before death will get if afterwards. Whatever is needed to shut up curious followers with half a brain.