Why do non-believers go to Hell? (Jesus, moral, Earth, paradise)

[true blood]

You don't think people have the ability to say "yes" or "no"?

[Alaric]

Have you said 'yes' or 'no' to the gods worshipped by some small tribe in the depths of the Amazonian jungle? Have they had a chance to say 'yes' to the God you happen to worship? If the Bible sounds like ridiculous nonsense to someone, should they be punished for not ignoring that and instead blindly accepting that particular faith? Do you think the souls of our ancestors should be eternally punished (or not accepted to God) for believing that the world was flat?

[true blood]

It's interesting that God's Word explains how our ancestors will be judged according to what administration they lived in. From the time before the "commandments", to the time of the "commandments", (even those living during this time that weren't subject to the commandments aka the Gentiles have their own unique judgement), and even judgement during the present Age of Grace. It even explains how people during the Age of Grace who never had the chance to hear of Christ will be judged, and after Christs' return will be a new administration of judgement. What do you mean by eternally punished? And what does believing the earth was flat have to do with spiritual matters?

[Mr Spinkles]

Originally Posted by true blood

I think its interesting that some feel that God should of made us all robots unable of saying "no". If that was the case, it would of been extremely boring, however when God created us he gave man the ability of saying "yes" or "no".

See, this is precisely the kind of silliness I am getting at. First of all, it would not be boring if everyone said yes, because there are a billion other things that make life interesting other than a person's stance on whether or not God exists. We would not be "robots" just because we all thought God existed.

Secondly, even if the world was very boring, who cares? It would be better to have a boring earthly existence where everyone goes to eternal paradise than have a "lively" earthly existence of questioning where most of the Earth's population goes to hell. You make God sound like some kind of sadistic kid playing with ants for entertainment, rather than a loving parent.

[Master Vigil]

And another thing true blood, you are limiting your god when you say it would be boring. If god was omnipotent, then god would have the ability of making us able to just say yes and keep it from being boring. If not, god would be limited, and we all know you can't have a limited god.

[Alaric]

Originally Posted by true blood

And what does believing the earth was flat have to do with spiritual matters?

Because belief in the Christian God is no different to any other belief about how the world works. We all believe in different things for different reasons, yet God punishes those who don't happen believe in Him. Given that I find the reasons for believing in God very poor, what right does God have to punish me? You can't claim that I must 'open my heart' or 'read such-and-such a book' without simultaneously suggesting that I do the same for all other religions. Right?

[true blood]

Spinkles, we each have our opinions. You think if God created man without the ability to say "no" wouldn't be boring and I think it would be more interesting to have the ability to say yes or no. We wouldn't even have these forums to discuss such matters and I'm sure some of us find it quite enjoyable, silly...maybe, but some people would say that even being silly is enjoyable. I didn't know loving parents completely control their children as you put it. Mine certainly did not and I love them more for it.

Vigil, I don't see how a man can limit God. I was stating my own opinion how I think if we were all "robots" that it would be kinda boring and you're able to state otherwise. Maybe you think it would be more enjoyable being a robot...who really cares?

Alaric, I don't really understand your statement that the Christian God isn't different then any belief of how the world works. And please state how God punishes someone? All the bible states is that those who believe in him are rewarded? Is not being rewarded a punishment...to you? I suggest and support that everyone read whatever books they can get their hands on, including the bible and then make their decision. Now if you don't believe in the resurrections then shut off your computer and go live life to the fullest.

[Ardhanariswar]

reincarnation.

[Paraprakrti]

Originally Posted by Mr_Spinkles

This is silliness. If God loved everyone, He wouldn't care whether we believe He exists or not, much less make that the one and only criteria for getting into paradise and avoiding eternal hellfire.

One might say that God loves you so much that He has given you the proper facility to be an atheist.

God doesn't manifest material universes due to His desire alone. God's desire is to please our desires. If we desire to forget God, then God makes us forget Him. This is God's love.

If you desire to know God and to associate with Him Personally, then you follow what He prescribes. If you are sincere then you will be given proper facility.

[Ceridwen018]

That seems like selective wish granting to me. I desire a million dollars, yet have seen nary a penny.

I think that Christians think that Atheists choose to not believe in god, and in fact, that they might not want to. This is a serious misconception. As Alaric put it elsewhere in these forums, and this is not a direct quote, 'I wouldn't say that I've turned my back on god, so much as he has faded from my sight in my search for truth.'