If someone doesn't practice YOUR religion, are they going to hell?

[NFS4]

You know, I was just thinking about this. Since every religion thinks that THEY are right, is there some kind of clause stating that those who do not follow THIS SPECIFIC religion will burn in hell?

i.e., Catholics believe that Muslims are going to Hell or Buddhists proclaiming that all Christians are gonna bite the big one?

 

[Pastore]

yes

 

[StageLeft]

Yep lots of people think like this. Cool, eh?

 

[rufruf44]

Most definitely. Wish they can change that view though.

 

[Freejack2]

So therefore this means we're all going to hell.
I'll subscribe to the reincarnation theory thankyouverymuch.

 

[Yo Ma Ma]

I don't think much about where they are going. I guess we'll all find out in the long run.

 

[FireGal]

NO
Because my religion does not believe in hell.

 

[NFS4]

<< NO
Because my religion does not believe in hell. >>


But in Christianity, YOU would

Why must God(s) be so selfish? :Q

 

[Elita1]

Hi, NFS4!

Well, The Catholic Church believes that it is the surest, truest path to God, and that those who do not believe are in danger.
However The Church's official stance is that we do not judge or condemn anyone to hell. Only God can see the heart and soul of each person and only God decides who goes where, so to speak.




<< We must hold as of the faith, that out of the Apostolic Roman Church there is no salvation; that she is the only ark of safety, and whosoever is not in her perishes in the deluge; we must also, on the other hand, recognize with certainty that those who are invincible in ignorance of the true religion are not guilty for this in the eyes of the Lord. And who would presume to mark out the limits of this ignorance according to the character and diversity of peoples, countries, minds and the rest? >>




<< It is known to us and to you that those who are in invincible ignorance of our most holy religion, but who observe carefully the natural law, and the precepts graven by God upon the hearts of all men, and who being disposed to obey God lead an honest and upright life, may, aided by the light of divine grace, attain to eternal life; for God who sees clearly, searches and knows the heart, the disposition, the thoughts and intentions of each, in His supreme mercy and goodness by no means permits that anyone suffer eternal punishment, who has not of his own free will fallen into sin. >>


--Pope Pius IX
Link

 

[smartt]

Actually, I think that they are just forced to watch a marathon of &quot;Three's Company&quot;.

 

[Azraele]

I don't think so, it certainly seems unfair if that is the case.

Picture it this way, you are a member of a small tribe on a remote, undiscovered island. Let's assume that they have no organized religion, have no word in their language for &quot;god&quot; or &quot;religion,&quot; and have never been in contact with the outside world. Would they go to Hell? Is ignorance of God no excuse?

 

[rufruf44]

Elita1,
Wow, thats quite different from what the local Pastor preach on services. Nice to see the official stand though

 

[amdforlife]

nice point azrale...if god is like the american gov...ignorance isnt an excuse. lets hope g dogg is a bit different... and yes, i call god &quot;g dogg&quot; cause me n god are homies.

 

[Isla]

That's why I have ended up calling myself a follower of Christ rather than a Christian.

My interpretation of the Biblical Scripture regarding this is that a lot of people who think they are going to heaven are not, and that it's actually a sin to judge or condemn others. People argue Scripture all the time, but these two things are pretty straightforward. Don't judge, don't be self righteous. If you go around thinking others are not going to heaven because they don't believe like they do, you are kind of missing the whole point of Jesus' teachings.

I feel that---as a follower of Christ---it is not up to me to assume or think anyone is going to hell. That is for God to know, not me. It is one of the mysteries that we will all hopefully understand once we cross over. It would be very arrogant of me to presume to know the mind of God when it comes to other people... it's hard enough to understand and obey what God wants for me to do with my life, so how can I know what is in His plans for others?

Of course, I'm sure this sounds like heresy to many, but this is what is in my heart.

edit: Yay, Elita! That is exactly how I feel.

 

[NFS4]

<< I don't think so, it certainly seems unfair if that is the case.

Picture it this way, you are a member of a small tribe on a remote, undiscovered island. Let's assume that they have no organized religion, have no word in their language for &quot;god&quot; or &quot;religion,&quot; and have never been in contact with the outside world. Would they go to Hell? Is ignorance of God no excuse? >>


I once tried the &quot;remote tribesman&quot; routine on my youth director in Sunday School class one day. We went back and forth a few minutes and then he basically told me that everyone had a chance to see the light of the Lord, and if they didn't well.....

 

[Yo Ma Ma]

<< I once tried the &quot;remote tribesman&quot; routine on my youth director in Sunday School class one day. We went back and forth a few minutes and then he basically told me that everyone had a chance to see the light of the Lord, and if they didn't well..... >>

It's my understanding that it's never too late! Your youth director might have given you their best answer given their own understanding and background - go for the 2nd opinion, or more if you desire, speak to your Pastor and ask them the same question.

 

[PistachioByAzul]

Yep, just goes to show why conventional religion is just a waste of time.

 

[FireGal]

<<

<< NO
Because my religion does not believe in hell. >>


But in Christianity, YOU would

Why must God(s) be so selfish? :Q >>



I am a christian. I follow Christs teaching. I believe he is Gods son and he is my savior. I also believe that God is a god of Love. He did not creat us to turn around and condemn us to be forever in &quot;hell&quot; tortured for eternity. That is worshop of an unloving god. My beliefs are God does not condemn people to hell because there is no hell.

 

[Imported]

<< Yep, just goes to show why conventional religion is just a waste of time. >>



Exactly.

 

[bigdog1218]

by sending non-believers to hell God is showing his love for you by giving you what you want, because on earth you didn't accept or want God in your life, God just sends you hell so you would never have to worry about worshipping, or praising God, why send someone that believes in worshipping idols or something like that to heaven if he doesn't worship God

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Yes.

&quot;I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.&quot;
-John 14:6

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

<< If someone doesn't practice YOUR religion, are they going to hell? >>

yes

 

[yellowperil]

I was taught there was no hell, just eternal damnation (i.e., being destroyed forever but not living in a lake of fire). Either way, it must be preferable to spending eternity with a whole lotta religious nuts.

 

[351Cleveland]

I think there are only a FEW branches of Chrisitanity that believe that you go to Hell if you do not do specific things (Catholics are one branch). I am Methodist... we do not think that way

 

[ThisIsMatt]

<< I am a christian. I follow Christs teaching. I believe he is Gods son and he is my savior. I also believe that God is a god of Love. He did not creat us to turn around and condemn us to be forever in &quot;hell&quot; tortured for eternity. That is worshop of an unloving god. My beliefs are God does not condemn people to hell because there is no hell. >>

So what exactly is Jesus saving you from? Why believe that at all?