As long as we are asking questions.

S

stradial

Guest
I have one.
Here is a hypothetical situation, my question is at the end.

I was born into a family that does not practice the christian or jewish religions.
But, I was brought up in my family's religion.
I was taught that our religion was the correct religion and I have always tried to follow it's teachings.
I was taught that there is only one god and I was to worship only him and to try and live a life of love and care for others.
A life that respects others, to try and help people and to do no harm to them if possible.
My religion teaches respect for all peoples and it's tenets basically follow the 10 commandments of the Jewish and Christian religions.
I was not taught about Jesus and so I do not know much about him.
I have tried to follow the teachings of my religion all my life, I have given praise to my god and I have tried to be as good a student of my religion as I could be.
Our religion teaches of life after death and that those who believe in and practice our faith will go be with our god and that those who do not believe and practice our faith are doomed in the after life.
Now I am at the end of my life, I am dying.

That is the story.
Now here is my question.
Based on just what information I have given you in this story, does this person go to "heaven" or go to "hell"?

I do not intend to debate your answers.
They are you answers, and you have a right to your answer.
But I am curious as to what those answers may be.
 
The Bible has the answer to that and all other questions related to heaven and hell. I hesitate to offer my opinion on your hypothetical question today because it seems to do no good.

But I will say this. It seems very clear to me that people today are searching for answers and it also seems clear that people are seeking validation for a watered down version of the Gospel that everyone will agree with and make them feel more comfortable about eternity.

The very BEST thing for anyone with such questions is to find the answers for themselves in scripture and/or seek guidance from the preacher of their choice. I'd recommend reading first.
 
Grey Colson said:
The Bible has the answer to that and all other questions related to heaven and hell. I hesitate to offer my opinion on your hypothetical question today because it seems to do no good.

But I will say this. It seems very clear to me that people today are searching for answers and it also seems clear that people are seeking validation for a watered down version of the Gospel that everyone will agree with and make them feel more comfortable about eternity.

The very BEST thing for anyone with such questions is to find the answers for themselves in scripture and/or seek guidance from the preacher of their choice. I'd recommend reading first.
Click to expand...

Because people do not believe your opinion or respect it? I have seen your opinion respected, no one has to believe anothers opinion, mine included. :)
 
Grey Colson said:
The Bible has the answer to that and all other questions related to heaven and hell. I hesitate to offer my opinion on your hypothetical question today because it seems to do no good.

But I will say this. It seems very clear to me that people today are searching for answers and it also seems clear that people are seeking validation for a watered down version of the Gospel that everyone will agree with and make them feel more comfortable about eternity.

The very BEST thing for anyone with such questions is to find the answers for themselves in scripture and/or seek guidance from the preacher of their choice. I'd recommend reading first.
Click to expand...

I was asking for your opinion.
I understand that your opinion is based on what your experiences, you beliefs and your understanding of what your religion teaches, based on your study of the bible.

I know what my opinion is, based on all the criteria I listed that you use to form your opinion.

I respect everyone's opinions, those who I agree with and those who I disagree with.
After all, those who I disagree with could be right.
 
ShoeDiva said:
Grey Colson said:
The Bible has the answer to that and all other questions related to heaven and hell. I hesitate to offer my opinion on your hypothetical question today because it seems to do no good.

But I will say this. It seems very clear to me that people today are searching for answers and it also seems clear that people are seeking validation for a watered down version of the Gospel that everyone will agree with and make them feel more comfortable about eternity.

The very BEST thing for anyone with such questions is to find the answers for themselves in scripture and/or seek guidance from the preacher of their choice. I'd recommend reading first.
Click to expand...

Because people do not believe your opinion or respect it? I have seen you opinion respected, no one has to believe anothers opinion, mine included. :)
Click to expand...

Please do not put words in my post that are not there. It was never suggested that people didn't respect or disagree with my opinion. Spiritual issues have always been very important to me. On the other hand, I recognize that such strong opinions can also drive others away and to repeat myself, it can do no good at times. That's why I suggest that people read and decide for themselves.

I could liken it to the tires I needed for my truck a few years ago. I told Mrs. Colson I needed new tires and her response was that I only had the truck for a couple of years and didn't. Her car was in the shop and she drove my truck to work. One of her co-workers saw her in the parking lot and said, "Boy, you really need some new tires". I had them in a week. The moral of the story is that it's not that the news is not correct, but it's the source of the news that makes the difference. I just decided not to be a stumbling block today.
 
UGH. I had two paragraphs typed out. I am not restating it all. I did not put words in your mouth. I asked is it your opinions not believed or the respect, your analogy to me of your wife would be because it is your opinion. See you said the same thing. :dunno
 
Grey Colson said:
ShoeDiva said:
Grey Colson said:
The Bible has the answer to that and all other questions related to heaven and hell. I hesitate to offer my opinion on your hypothetical question today because it seems to do no good.

But I will say this. It seems very clear to me that people today are searching for answers and it also seems clear that people are seeking validation for a watered down version of the Gospel that everyone will agree with and make them feel more comfortable about eternity.

The very BEST thing for anyone with such questions is to find the answers for themselves in scripture and/or seek guidance from the preacher of their choice. I'd recommend reading first.
Click to expand...

Because people do not believe your opinion or respect it? I have seen you opinion respected, no one has to believe anothers opinion, mine included. :)
Click to expand...

Please do not put words in my post that are not there. It was never suggested that people didn't respect or disagree with my opinion. Spiritual issues have always been very important to me. On the other hand, I recognize that such strong opinions can also drive others away and to repeat myself, it can do no good at times. That's why I suggest that people read and decide for themselves.

I could liken it to the tires I needed for my truck a few years ago. I told Mrs. Colson I needed new tires and her response was that I only had the truck for a couple of years and didn't. Her car was in the shop and she drove my truck to work. One of her co-workers saw her in the parking lot and said, "Boy, you really need some new tires". I had them in a week. The moral of the story is that it's not that the news is not correct, but it's the source of the news that makes the difference. I just decided not to be a stumbling block today.
Click to expand...

I like your tire thing, it is so true.
For years I could not hear or refused to accept what my mother was trying to teach me.
Finally, someone else said it to me and I was blown away.
After a couple of years I realized that all this stuff that I was learning and I thought was new stuff was exactly what my mother had been telling me since I was a kid.
The only difference was in who was telling me and the way it was being presented.
I do not say that my mother was presenting it wrong, I say that, for me, I needed it presented in a different way.

An example:
My mother has always told me that there are some problems that the best and perhaps only thing I could do about them was to pray.
What I heard her say was this; just give up and do nothing.

One day I met a friend who was helping me learn this new way of living.
I had a problem to talk over.
(I don't remember what the problem was, but it was a major problem because I don't have any other kind)
My friend listened to my story and then my 6'3" heavily tattooed tough as nails looking, been in prison, friend said this, "Stradial, sometimes when I have a problem like that and I have done all I can do, the only thing left for me to do is get on my g**d*** knees and ask God to help me. I know that isn't what you wanted to hear, but that's all I know to do."

Now, this guy was saying the exact same thing that my mother had told me all my life, but all I heard my mother say was, "give up".
What I heard this guy say was give the problem to god.

What was the difference between the two?
I think it was two things:
1. I could dismiss what my mother said, because she was my mother. After all, what could she know about life? She was my mother.
2. This guy said he got on his "GD" knees and prayed. For some reason, it struck me that he really meant it, because he used the words "GD".

It also occurred to me at that same moment that perhaps my mother really did know what she was talking about.
 
Whether we want to admit it or not, nobody can truthfully and accurately answer that question. It is strictly between that person and God, and possibly St Peter at the Gate. Some of us may find when we arrive at the Gate that our admission ticket was a counterfeit (obtained through false teachings, online or from ticket scalping). Can always try slipping old Pete a $20.
 
J-man said:
Whether we want to admit it or not, nobody can truthfully and accurately answer that question. It is strictly between that person and God, and possibly St Peter at the Gate. Some of us may find when we arrive at the Gate that our admission ticket was a counterfeit (obtained through false teachings, online or from ticket scalping). Can always try slipping old Pete a $20.
Click to expand...

Poor old Pete, how did he get stuck with gate duty?
 
J-man said:
Whether we want to admit it or not, nobody can truthfully and accurately answer that question. It is strictly between that person and God, and possibly St Peter at the Gate. Some of us may find when we arrive at the Gate that our admission ticket was a counterfeit (obtained through false teachings, online or from ticket scalping). Can always try slipping old Pete a $20.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup and :))
 
Based on my personal beliefs, John 14:6 says: "Jesus answered, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me." But ultimately, only God can answer that question.
 
LisaC said:
Based on my personal beliefs, John 14:6 says: "Jesus answered, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me." But ultimately, only God can answer that question.
Click to expand...
He already did. You just typed it.
 
There was a time when I would have had a "real" answer. Now, I no longer answer questions about who is or is not going to Heaven. Only God knows that. I would like to think I'm going to Heaven, but God controls who enters.

This is the same as asking about the primitive tribes that still live in places like Brazil and have never heard of our Lord. Are they automatically denied entry to Heaven just because they live somewhere remote and isolated?

Only God knows what is in our hearts, and maybe some people are serving Him without realizing it. He will judge us in the end, and that judgment is what matters, not what we say now.

I've seen too many people putting words into God's mouth or speaking for Him when they really are speaking for themselves.

Maybe a quote from Matthew 7:21:

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Click to expand...

Put in context, I think it sheds a lot of light on this question.
 
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