A Mohamed Atta born in Egypt, studied in Germany, he never had the opportunity to study the bible. All he was taught was the Muslim religion, he never was informed of Good or Evil, and all his actions were based on something he believed in, just like most Christians. He Hijacks a plane and fly's it into the World Trade Center. He, just like an infant, never understand the Christian teachings, never had the chance to repent for he did not now what he was doing was Evil. Is he different then the infant? Does he go to heaven?
The other question that I have has always bothered me. My grandfather worked his whole life to provide for his 10 kids. He raised them in a Catholic church, and is generally someone I considered to be a great example for any person. If given the choice between living and working hard for my family, or dieing for them, dieing for them would be easier. That being said: Who here wouldn't die for their child? Who here wouldn't die for their family? Who here wouldn't sacrifice their life for the rest of the world? I would do any of these things. So, I am to accept that Jesus Christ dieing on the cross is his great sacrifice. And that because of this great sacrifice I am to worship him? I just don't think it's that great.
That's how I feel. Like my parents, and grandparents instilled a fear in me that makes no logical sense. But I still can't shake it.
Knowing that all infants go to heaven when they die, it makes me want to kill my child (or not have one), to make sure they don't have a chance to go to hell.
That's a good question. The short answer is that I do not know. However, the Bible states that men know God thru His creation. That leads me to think that there is some way of salvation for people who never hear abouot Christ.
A few thoughts. Man chose to rebel against their creator. To that end, God "gave us over to our own depravities". Therefore, man & God were permanently separated. However, God in his mercy sent His son to die for the sins of all mankind so that we have complete freedom to choose eternal life or otherwise. Not that Christains are sinless or that life isn't tough for all of us, but that we now have an advocate who loves us and cares for us. We have promises in the Bible that we can depend on as well as the hope of eternity with God.
If you read the Gnostic Gospels and other material left out or removed from the bible, you can argue a case for reincarnation.
i agree that it is human nature to believe in a god/gods, but dont christians believe you have to believe in jesus to get in?
I have some friends from Sweet Home, Oregon and their church is very fundamentalist. I mean, he was still standing in the corner at age 15 for watching non-Christian TV shows. Anyway, they told me that even if you're mentally handicap and "unable" to accept Jesus you are going to hell for all of eternity. This goes for the young as well.
Clearly, I would never harm a child, especially my own. But if I knew that if they died they would get eternal bliss... wouldn't it be unjust to not give them that?
Oh I'm going to believe in that God for sure. I think our creator is much more loving than that...........why make people, then because of human mistakes, BURN 'em all but for a few self righteous morons.
i guess i have a grammar handicap, cleanse me in the waters of perfection so that i may type with the hands of the pure!
Nate I am going to give you some names to Google to help you in your thinking through this issue and other related questions. Ravi Zacharias = A great mind and appoligist for the Christian faith. Cloud-Townsend Ministries = Christian Psychologists that have been very helpful for me - They could probably be contacted directly with this very question and the dream situation. Chuck Missler = Great evidence as to the veracity of Scripture and a what it actually teaches. Your questions reveal an honest search for answers and since I have had some of the same questions I urge you to contact and search these sites for answers. I have satisfied my own mind over the years and these have been some of the most helpful for me. My guess is you have had some erroneous teaching in the past that contributes to your questions and you are operating from this misinformation. I can assure you that there are valid answers to your questions. P.M. me if you want.
