Should Atheists be punished for not believing

[Birthew]

Hey

So, should Atheists be punished for not following the word of God when they don't believe he exists or that the Bible is legitimate.

 

[trientje]

Hey

So, should Atheists be punished for not following the word of God when they don't believe he exists or that the Bible is legitimate.

Punished? what do you mean? Are you asking if Christians should punish you because you are an atheist?

 

[The Unorthodox Orthodox]

God is supposed to be just. He is not gonna punish a good person just because he does not believe.
Besides, in my denomination, hell isn't a place or a state existing only to cause pain to the soul of the "wicked";
Paradise and Hell are the same thing; The reunion of the soul with God.
If you love Him, or if you are kind, you will experience this reunion as Paradise and if you are misotheist or "evil", you will suffer by his Presence.
However, people may love God, even if the don't believe in him. They may still be good and just. In other words, they may still be enlightened by the Holy Spirit, though they reject the Son (jesus Himself said that)

 

[brittany111]

The Bible is very clear that death is the concequence of sin but that the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus. Death is not a punishment for not believing, it is however, a consequence of sin (which we all have). For no one (except the Lord himself) is completely without sin. The only way to be saved from death and recieve life is through acceptance of the Son (Jesus). Does not mean that we deserve life just that it is a gift God has given us. And He offers it to you to, but He will not force you to take it. He is not punishing you for not believing in His Son, but you will reap the consequences of your sin if you do not accept His gift. (The gift of life through faith in His Son.)

Here is a very simplistic example of what I am trying to say. Let's say a father has grounded his son for getting into trouble at school. After a few days of being grounded the father says to the son "if you will clean out the garage, I will forgive the rest of your grounding." Now if the son does what he is asked he is again free to play video games to hang out wit friends but if he does not he will sit out the rest of his grounding.

It is the same with us. God has said to us, "I have sent my Son so that all who believe in Him can have eternal life." Now it is up to us. Are we going to accept His Son or not? Just like the boy who cleaned out the garage, are the Christians who put their faith in Christ. Sins have been forgiven and consequences canceled. The boy who doesn't clean out the garage is like those who do not accept Christ. They recieve the consequences that were already due them anyway.

 

[bling]

The atheist I have spoke with do not want to believe God exist, so is that the reason they do not believe?


The evidence for the existence of a god has always been readily available and can be found in a living tree, but it is up to the person to count or discount that evidence.

The problem I have seen is in the fact that Atheist do not want to “belief”, but have evidence beyond question in the existence of a god, which is knowledge and not believe (were believe is having faith).

Knowledge can actually work against the person fulfilling their earthly objective, while trusting in the existence of a benevolent creator is something any mature adult can do and has more to do with a desire and willingness to humble oneself.

 

[Birthew]

Punished? what do you mean? Are you asking if Christians should punish you because you are an atheist?

I mean't being sent to hell after they die.

He is not gonna punish a good person just because he does not believe.

This makes sense to me, it seems mighty unfair for an atheist to be punished just due to lack of knowledge, culture and birthplace etc...

God has said to us, "I have sent my Son so that all who believe in Him can have eternal life." Now it is up to us. Are we going to accept His Son or not? Just like the boy who cleaned out the garage, are the Christians who put their faith in Christ.

The problem I have is that for someone (like me), being born into a almost completely atheist environment, I have no clue what to think. I've spoken to so many people from various faiths, and I do not think any of them are lying to me when I hear what they have to say.

It would be like having twenty fathers all telling you to do a various different chore, or face a punishment, and not even knowing who your real father is.

The evidence for the existence of a god has always been readily available and can be found in a living tree, but it is up to the person to count or discount that evidence.

The problem I have seen is in the fact that Atheist do not want to “belief”, but have evidence beyond question in the existence of a god, which is knowledge and not believe (were believe is having faith).

Knowledge can actually work against the person fulfilling their earthly objective, while trusting in the existence of a benevolent creator is something any mature adult can do and has more to do with a desire and willingness to humble oneself.

What is this evidence you speak of? Also what has evidence got to do with faith? If you have faith, evidence does not affect anything. Things that science say is "evidence" surely does not stop you from believing, but why do you think this evidence proves your faith? (sorry If I sound a little aggressive, i don't mean to )

 

[Soothfish]

The atheist I have spoke with do not want to believe God exist, so is that the reason they do not believe?


The evidence for the existence of a god has always been readily available and can be found in a living tree, but it is up to the person to count or discount that evidence.

The problem I have seen is in the fact that Atheist do not want to “belief”, but have evidence beyond question in the existence of a god, which is knowledge and not believe (were believe is having faith).

Knowledge can actually work against the person fulfilling their earthly objective, while trusting in the existence of a benevolent creator is something any mature adult can do and has more to do with a desire and willingness to humble oneself.

In most cases, yes. Atheists do not want to believe in God or anything related to Gods, spirits, etc. However, there are also a great many atheists who simply cannot believe in God because it appears utterly contrary to every day experience. What I call "every day experience" also includes science which is a high focus refinement of every day experience. They are conditioned from a very young age to live in the "modern cultural world" and all that it entails. They have never seen anything resembling the spirit of Christ....anywhere. Certainly not in the people in their lives.

They might even love the idea of the religion but then when someone mentions something about it that is less than sunny, namely Hell, they start to hate it. They say to themselves "These stories don't seem real to me and now they say I'm in danger of Hell because I can't believe? To Hell with it!"

 

[Soothfish]

This makes sense to me, it seems mighty unfair for an atheist to be punished just due to lack of knowledge, culture and birthplace etc...

If you listen to the way that some describe it even the EARLY PROPHETS are unsaved! The great lie is that salvation is this complicated truth-finding process. The only truth you need to believe is the offer itself.

The ONLY requirement for salvation is the willingness to accept Christ. If you even possess the tendency to accept him then it's as a good as done.

Many of the people who lacked the "knowledge, culture, and birthplace, etc" will accept him the moment they see him. That includes the little abandoned dying toddler in a distant impoverished land who never once heard the gospel. This is especially true in places like North Korea or the Middle East where the gospel is an extremely rare sight and often outlawed in the most severe sense. That also includes some average atheists who know the nature of love but can't get their minds to believe in celestial entities. Look at what happened with the apostle Thomas! He could not believe at first despite witnessing years worth of public miracles. That's quite a bit worse than the average atheist today who has never witnessed any fantastic public miracles. Jesus did not return to Thomas with the gaping wounds to make sure that Thomas says the correct magic words to get into heaven. He did it so that Thomas wouldn't despair! When Jesus said that those who do not see and yet believe are even more blessed, he meant that in a different sense than what some may assume. He meant that this was a blessing in the most immediate sense. Their faith will give them joy right here right now. It's not going to be this way for everyone. Some people are meant to understand the depths of despair to an extent.

There will of course be people so utterly insane that they will reject paradise even when it is offered to them at the "pearly gates". The reason is that they hate the nature of God. They love themselves in their pride and hate all goodness. For example, the person who murders a child to get revenge at an ex-spouse and then experiences no remorse. This person hates the light so much that they will never inherit the kingdom of God even if God reached out his hand to them forever....which he actually will. And it will make no difference.

If that doesn't describe you then you are already set to go! Forget about trying to scientifically prove that God exists or even believing in any empirical sense. That may or may not come in time. You only need to believe that should you find a God, the WORD is truth and you are saved from your sins if you are only willing to accept the blood payment of Christ.

You will often hear about getting into a "relationship with Christ". This will not be the same for everyone. Some people will be saying "Lord Lord" and others won't even know a name to put on it or the words to describe it!

 

[Faulty]

Hey

So, should Atheists be punished for not following the word of God when they don't believe he exists or that the Bible is legitimate.

You've broken His law haven't you? You ever lied, stolen anything, lusted after anyone, desired anything another person had that you didn't, ever in your life disobeyed your parents?

Scripture tells us that violating God's law even in a single point, makes one accountable for breaking the whole thing. A person who breaks the law will still be punished regardless if they believe the judge exists or the law is legitimate.

How absurd would that news story be? "In other news, Joe Schmo was released from jail today after being arrested for robbing eight banks in the area. The judge was quoted as saying, 'Mr. Schmo didn't believe the bank robbery laws were legitimate or that I even was in the courtroom. Therefore, we couldn't try him for his crimes.'"

It's completely absurd. You have a Bible, online at least, if not also in print. Don't kid yourself, you're accountable to it.

You were born dead in your sins like the rest of us, but God said that if you seek for Him, you'll find Him. If you haven't found Him, you haven't really looked yet. Unfortunately, some wanting to find God is done with the same enthusiasm as a criminal seeks for a cop.

Turn from your sins and place your trust in what Jesus did for you as your only source of salvation, He became sin for us, but He committed no sin, and took God's wrath directed at us, at you, so that through His sacrifice, you can be forgiven and reconciled to God.

That's it. That's your only hope. There is nothing more important to your entire existance.

God is supposed to be just. He is not gonna punish a good person just because he does not believe.
Besides, in my denomination, hell isn't a place or a state existing only to cause pain to the soul of the "wicked"

Please, find a new denomination, and read the scriptures for yourself. None of that beyond the first sentence is even in there. Your leaders are leading you straight into the hell they deny.

 

[crispyfry]

If I did see God, and if there is a heaven or hell. I have a LOT of questions to ask.

 

[Soothfish]

If I did see God, and if there is a heaven or hell. I have a LOT of questions to ask.

You and billions of others ;P

 

[TRUEPeace]

We are made in the image of God and that means we have a sovereign will.

God sent his Son so that all who believe in him will not perish but have eternal life.

GOD IS JUST!

Put it this way, if I murder 5 people and beg the judge to let me be free without consequence, if he is a good, just and honest judge he will sentence you.

We broke God's laws what do you think he will do? He gave us a way out, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE!
When you die if you chose to deny or reject God and his plan he respects your decision of not wanting him, you will be sent to a place where God ceases to exist, that is what Hell is, a place without God and you choose to go there.

 

[TRUEPeace]

If you listen to the way that some describe it even the EARLY PROPHETS are unsaved! The great lie is that salvation is this complicated truth-finding process. The only truth you need to believe is the offer itself.

The ONLY requirement for salvation is the willingness to accept Christ. If you even possess the tendency to accept him then it's as a good as done.

Many of the people who lacked the "knowledge, culture, and birthplace, etc" will accept him the moment they see him. That includes the little abandoned dying toddler in a distant impoverished land who never once heard the gospel. This is especially true in places like North Korea or the Middle East where the gospel is an extremely rare sight and often outlawed in the most severe sense. That also includes some average atheists who know the nature of love but can't get their minds to believe in celestial entities. Look at what happened with the apostle Thomas! He could not believe at first despite witnessing years worth of public miracles. That's quite a bit worse than the average atheist today who has never witnessed any fantastic public miracles. Jesus did not return to Thomas with the gaping wounds to make sure that Thomas says the correct magic words to get into heaven. He did it so that Thomas wouldn't despair! When Jesus said that those who do not see and yet believe are even more blessed, he meant that in a different sense than what some may assume. He meant that this was a blessing in the most immediate sense. Their faith will give them joy right here right now. It's not going to be this way for everyone. Some people are meant to understand the depths of despair to an extent.

There will of course be people so utterly insane that they will reject paradise even when it is offered to them at the "pearly gates". The reason is that they hate the nature of God. They love themselves in their pride and hate all goodness. For example, the person who murders a child to get revenge at an ex-spouse and then experiences no remorse. This person hates the light so much that they will never inherit the kingdom of God even if God reached out his hand to them forever....which he actually will. And it will make no difference.

If that doesn't describe you then you are already set to go! Forget about trying to scientifically prove that God exists or even believing in any empirical sense. That may or may not come in time. You only need to believe that should you find a God, the WORD is truth and you are saved from your sins if you are only willing to accept the blood payment of Christ.

You will often hear about getting into a "relationship with Christ". This will not be the same for everyone. Some people will be saying "Lord Lord" and others won't even know a name to put on it or the words to describe it!

The early Prophets were under a different covenant.
Yes, you can accept Jesus but if you do not truly repent of your ways then you will still be cast away from his presence.
Matthew 7

 

[oi_antz]

Hi Birthew, nice to speak with you again I think we all need to remember that God made the world and everyone in it, whatever becomes of it is His decision. Don't forget that according to biblical teaching, everyone has sinned and we are all worth eternal destruction (notice I said destruction and not punishment). There is only one way to be justified, and that is by God choosing to redeem you through the power of Jesus' final atonement. It is not within our power to choose this for ourselves, Jesus even says this:

John 10
I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber!

Then apostle Paul speaks of God being the craftsman who makes us into who we are:

Romans 9
20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

It is therefore Gods decision when He wishes to bring someone into salvation. If that ever happens to you then you will know the nature of God such that you will know whether Jesus is the type of person you would want as King for eternity.

 

[brittany111]

The problem I have is that for someone (like me), being born into a almost completely atheist environment, I have no clue what to think. I've spoken to so many people from various faiths, and I do not think any of them are lying to me when I hear what they have to say.

It would be like having twenty fathers all telling you to do a various different chore, or face a punishment, and not even knowing who your real father is.

I wish I could say I understand how you feel, but as it were, for me I was raised in Christianity. Therefore, I only had to decided if what I'd been taught were true or not. Was Jesus really God's son and I had too much experience with Him to decide anything else. And so at the age of ten I came to Christ in repentence and faith and haven't once looked back.

You have been presented with many options all claiming to be the way to Heaven, but it is your decision which path you will follow. There is little more I can say to convience you. For your future is ultimately between you and God. I encourage you to seek the truth for yourself. Search the scriptures and ask the Lord of Heaven to reavel himself to you. I am sure that he will if you are sincere in your search. And I will pray for you too.

 

[Soothfish]

The early Prophets were under a different covenant.
Yes, you can accept Jesus but if you do not truly repent of your ways then you will still be cast away from his presence.
Matthew 7

What I meant is that the coming of Jesus was not revealed for a while. So if believing in specific religious things is the only way into heaven then even some of the prophets wouldn't be accepted. Does that make sense now? ;P

 

[Soothfish]

What I meant is that the coming of Jesus was not revealed for a while. So if believing in specific religious things is the only way into heaven then even some of the prophets wouldn't be accepted. Also, repentance is directly related to having the spirit. Someone who does not have the spirit will have no desire to repent and vice versa. Does that make sense now? ;P

 

[Soothfish]

What I meant is that the coming of Jesus was not revealed for a while. So if believing in specific religious things is the only way into heaven then even some of the prophets wouldn't be accepted. Also, repentance is directly related to having the spirit. Someone who does not have the spirit will have no desire to repent and vice versa. Does that make sense now? ;P

 

[cburden]

The Bible is very clear that death is the concequence of sin but that the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus. Death is not a punishment for not believing, it is however, a consequence of sin (which we all have). For no one (except the Lord himself) is completely without sin. The only way to be saved from death and recieve life is through acceptance of the Son (Jesus). Does not mean that we deserve life just that it is a gift God has given us. And He offers it to you to, but He will not force you to take it. He is not punishing you for not believing in His Son, but you will reap the consequences of your sin if you do not accept His gift. (The gift of life through faith in His Son.)

Here is a very simplistic example of what I am trying to say. Let's say a father has grounded his son for getting into trouble at school. After a few days of being grounded the father says to the son "if you will clean out the garage, I will forgive the rest of your grounding." Now if the son does what he is asked he is again free to play video games to hang out wit friends but if he does not he will sit out the rest of his grounding.

It is the same with us. God has said to us, "I have sent my Son so that all who believe in Him can have eternal life." Now it is up to us. Are we going to accept His Son or not? Just like the boy who cleaned out the garage, are the Christians who put their faith in Christ. Sins have been forgiven and consequences canceled. The boy who doesn't clean out the garage is like those who do not accept Christ. They recieve the consequences that were already due them anyway.

Does this go to say that that people like the Dalai Lama who have lived lives dedicated to peace, humility, and compassion with go to hell because he did not accept "God's gift", while a person who, lets say, murders, rapes, or simply has no moral conscience and leads an atrocious life will go to heaven if he/she does accepts His gift?

 

[oi_antz]

Does this go to say that that people like the Dalai Lama who have lived lives dedicated to peace, humility, and compassion with go to hell because he did not accept "God's gift", while a person who, lets say, murders, rapes, or simply has no moral conscience and leads an atrocious life will go to heaven if he/she does accepts His gift?

I think it depends if that person accepted Christ. The Dalai Lama may have been so sheltered that they never knew Christ, or they may have known Christ from a source other than Christianity. Jesus said this:

33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.
34 “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.

He also said this:

"The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

And no, a person who does atrocities will not find it easy to accept Christ's forgiveness. A person is not licensed to commit atrocities just because they believe in Jesus either:

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.