To Hell, or Not to Hell

[Blissman]

Question number one:

Whenever a Christian tries to convey the message about Christianty to a non-Christian, there is always the fact that the two are human (obviously).

Presenting the truth to a non-Christian involves, the acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior. Suppose that you were speaking to someone, a non-believer, and you, as a speaker, have to present the message so as to convince the listener. I have seen and had heard many times, where the speaker was insulting, and was putting down the listener. The listener likely would not care to hear the message because they were insulted or demeaned by the messenger.
In such a case, they would not hear the message, perhaps reject it, although not because they had disagreed with the message, rather, it was because they rejected the messenger, having associated Christianity with an insulting person.

Would such a listener go to Hell?


Question number two:

Only the Lord is perfect. Men will make mistakes, including errors of judgement, millions of times. My Question deals with man's numerous
errors of judgment. Why is not so, that if man, upon hearing the truth about Jesus and salvation, should, if man had rejected Jesus, that the choice of rejection not be considered an error of judgement? We, as mortals, speak to other people who are not Christian, and some will try to convince others to be saved through Jesus. Only the Lord knows what is in the hearts and minds of men, including if a rejection to His message is or is not an error, or perhaps the person may later change and then believe. Should we not humble ourselves in passing judgements on others who say that they do not accept Jesus? Why do we judge others to be sinful, rejecting, or shunning them, if the truth that is in their hearts known only to God? I am troubled when messages on this forum include condemnation, contempt, or slighting of another poster because they are not Christian, or do not profess to be in agreement with the poster, who may also be Christian.

Respectfully,
Blissman

 

[arizona_sunshine]

I am continually dissapointed when Christians use hellfire and damnation as tools of persuation. If you read my commentary to Robert43 in his thread "A cure for Atheists is Death," you know that I take that very seriously. I believe that use of those points in Christian belief does more harm than it does good.

Here is a post I submitted in another thread that I feel may be appropriate:

Beliefs and Faith are very personal possesions.

When they are called into question, often it is easier to shut down thought and go on the offense.

For the Atheist, it is easy to go on the offense and call Christians "silly."

For the Christian, it is easy to go on the offense and say "Oh yeah? Well when you die you'll see. It'll be too late and you'll burn in HELL!"

As you can see, neither argument really holds any water:

Obviously for Christians, their beliefs are not silly. Obviously for the Atheists, there is no such thing as hell.

I think the root of the problem is that we dont know when to call the conversation a stale-mate. At some point, we have to recognize and respect the fact that no progress is being made and its time to agree to disagree. Until that point in the debate is reached, however, I think it very healthy to have one's beliefs called into question. I think it a testimony of dedication the ability to analyze, defend accordingly and above all be respectful.

Its not that I dont believe in hell, I do. (not, however, the same lake of fire hell as beliefs held by other Christians... but an uncomforting eternity nonetheless)

Its just that they dont persuade. I think the best tool of persuation a Christian can use is to follow the example of Christ: serve, love, maintain dignity and so forth.

 

[Blissman]

I think the best tool of persuation a Christian can use is to follow the example of Christ: serve, love, maintain dignity and so forth.

I couldn't agree with you more. It is how you live by example and not what you can claim that counts.

 

[dlamberth]

Presenting the truth to a non-Christian involves, the acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior.

"For me"..where the communication become dis-jointed real quick and where a Christian will loose me faster than anywhere else is when they, as you did, say that you have "truth" and that I don't. Personally, I think the reason why is because we are looking at different places for our understanding of "truth" and what it means to have "truth".

Where as you (please correct me if I'm wrong) seem to be looking towards and accepting the path, that being accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, as THE truth. Where as I'm looking somewhere as THE truth. Where I look is where the rubber hits the road and where that stuff that actually touches our heart and soul and that causes us to become better human beings, and transformes us and in fact causes us to become more Human, as THE truth.

As you can see, where I look for "truth" there are no images of Hell and damnation. Yet, for me, there are clearly "experiences" of God. I feel they are placed more with in the experience of the universality of God, than as a focused point of belief in Jesus. Now is this "truth" as I understand it? Nope. I still have to go back to where I'm actually being transformed and the active activity that causes that to happen with in me to say, there is truth. The thing is, that's an activity that is not restricted to any single spiritual tradition. God's reach is far and wide. That is a "Truth" that I have experienced and which Christians tend to deny.

So, as a Christian comes to me telling me they have "truth" as they point towards their system of belief as truth, and they are telling me I do not have Truth as they ignore my life experiences of God, they are going to completely miss the mark with me because they will be talking apples to oranges.

..

 

[Mongoose]

The concept of hell disgusts me. If there is ANY SINGLE BEING that goes to hell, I'm going too, regardless of my faith. I won't leave anyone behind. I refuse to live in heaven while there are beings that suffer. Heaven can't be perfect if hell exists.

Why does anyone need to go to hell? Nobody deserves it. NOBODY!

The world is cruel. I wouldn't be surprised if I was in hell now.