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Why so many people don't accept Christianity?

HisGrace58

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The bible consideration is very simple. It classifies people into two categories. Believers and unbelievers.

Salvation depends on whether you are a believer in Jesus Christ. If you choose not to believe and accept Him as your personal savior, you fall into the second category and spend eternity with all others, including Satan and his fallen angels, in the lake of eternal fire.

Simple, to the point and straight from scripture.

Fred

People who know of the bible and the Gospel, and have heard it, and still reject it will not be saved. I don't understand how people expect to go to heaven when they spend their entire lives rejecting God and refusing to submit to His will.

AMEN:amen: to both of your views!! The Bible is very basic in explaining what is required for salvation. I realize that there are a lot of scriptures that may not make sense to a non-believer - but if that is the case, I suggest that a non-believer who may actually have God knocking on the door to their heart (which many mistake for just plain curiosity), purchase a Bible that is written in the New Living Translation (NLT). Even though it is considered "Translated" it is written in plain English and the concepts are easier to understand. We as Christians, understand that the Bible is God's Living Word and that the Holy Spirit will translate to us. But for non-Christians/non-believers, why not simplify their reading so that the scriptures are not so overwhelming to them. Whenever I give a non-believer or a new believer a Bible, I always provide them with the NLT.

Jesus said, "For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up."
John 6:44 (New Living Translation)
 
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Deren

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I will interject, since I appear to be the only Atheist here.

The reasons I do not believe are: No real evidence other than a book written 2000 years ago that advocates killing homosexuals, slavery and other horrible things, not to mention contradicts itself on many parts, including prayer.

No, the reason you don't believe is because God has not gifted you with the gift of faith, and hence has left you to your own fallen reasoning. Now, given that you don't believe in God, or anything that God has to say, because it's all just some kind of fictitious hogwash, then why not just move along and leave those who do believe alone? After all, it would only be consistent of you.

Otherwise, why aren't you concerned with the F5 tornado that only yesterday tore through downtown New York City, killing millions of people? You're probably saying, because no such thing happened. To which I say, you're right.:thumbsup:
 
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HisGrace58

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AMEN:amen: to both of your views!! The Bible is very basic in explaining what is required for salvation. I realize that there are a lot of scriptures that may not make sense to a non-believer - but if that is the case, I suggest that a non-believer who may actually have God knocking on the door to their heart (which many mistake for just plain curiosity), purchase a Bible that is written in the New Living Translation (NLT). Even though it is considered "Translated" it is written in plain English and the concepts are easier to understand. We as Christians, understand that the Bible is God's Living Word and that the Holy Spirit will translate to us. But for non-Christians/non-believers, why not simplify their reading so that the scriptures are not so overwhelming to them. Whenever I give a non-believer or a new believer a Bible, I always provide them with the NLT.

Jesus said, "For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up."
John 6:44 (New Living Translation)

Oh and one more thing I forgot to mention:
I believe that one of the biggest reasons for non-believers to stay that is way is because of guilt. The Bible makes them "feel" guilty. Most non-believers who pick up a Bible, do not have the slightest clue where to start reading. If they randomly pick a scripture, more than likely they will read something that they find condemning and that twinge of guilt begins. Unfortunately the Bible is not "user-friendly" to someone who has never studied the scriptures.

So if there are any non-believers who are reading this post and want to know where to begin, here is my suggestion:
Study the book of John, then Romans and then Matthew. If you have trouble understanding the Bible, like I stated previously, try reading the New Living Translation (NLT) or the New International Version (NIV) if you are unable to find the NLT.
 
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Deren

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As a "Rejector" I can tell you from first account why I became. I'm a freethinker and I can't have my head in religion's box and still be a freethinker to the level I am now.

Ummm...no. The Bible says, "Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (2 Cor. 3:17). Therefore, since you are devoid of the Spirit of God, you are not a freethinker. Rather, you think within the confines of the fallen nature that is naturally yours. Part of the result of such imprisoned thought is that the cross is foolishness to set one free from the bonds of sin, along with disbelief in God, His Word, and deity of Jesus Christ, among many others. And until God graciously sets you free from the religious "box" you're in, you will keep on uttering what the Bible deems as "foolishness," eventuating in the day when you will die in your sins, and forever spent eternity in hell paying for them.
 
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MessianicJewishGuy

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Are there any people out there who find the claims of Christianity so incredible that they honestly can not bring themselves to accept it? If so, what happens to these people? Will they be treated like those who have never heard of Christianity?


MB.
This should partially explain your question however the Bible has a lot more in it:

Romans 2 (King James Version)


1Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
3And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
4Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
5But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11For there is no respect of persons with God.
12For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
14For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
15Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
16In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
17Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
18And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
19And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
20An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
21Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
22Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
23Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
24For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
25For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
26Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
27And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
28For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
 
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Stinker

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Are there any people out there who find the claims of Christianity so incredible that they honestly can not bring themselves to accept it? If so, what happens to these people? Will they be treated like those who have never heard of Christianity?


MB.

It truly would be incredibly unbelievable for a dead person's corpse to come back to life, with no decay, after having been dead for 3 days and nights. Unless, there was physical evidence of a supernatural act having taken place:

http://www.shroudforum.com/
 
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TimRout

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"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." [Matthew 7:13-14/NIV]

The unpopularity of Christianity is a normal and predictable function of the kingdom. While some will come to faith in Christ, most will not.
 
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Angel4Truth

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Are there any people out there who find the claims of Christianity so incredible that they honestly can not bring themselves to accept it? If so, what happens to these people? Will they be treated like those who have never heard of Christianity?


MB.

Romans 1:
19. because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
20. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21. because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Romans 2: 5. But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
6. who "will render to each one according to his deeds'':
7. eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;
8. but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness indignation and wrath,
9. tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;
10. but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
11. For there is no partiality with God.
12. For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law
13. (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;
14. for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things contained in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves,
15. who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)
16. in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
 
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Digit

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Are there any people out there who find the claims of Christianity so incredible that they honestly can not bring themselves to accept it? If so, what happens to these people? Will they be treated like those who have never heard of Christianity?


MB.
It seems your question is two parts. First is why don't many people accept Christianity, I think (honestly) the main cause here is that Christians - those who you often hear about - are not very likeable people. This creates an initial barrier that people need to get past, when you combine that with the Bible, which in all honesty I find to make unbelievable claims, it paints a poor picture, which gives no one any incentive to really want to learn more, or be a Christian.

Secondly, what happens to thoes who reject God? Well, that's up to God really, but the Bible says they are condemned.

Cheers,
Digit
 
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Nadiine

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Are there any people out there who find the claims of Christianity so incredible that they honestly can not bring themselves to accept it?

If so, what happens to these people? Will they be treated like those who have never heard of Christianity?
MB.
:)
Well first off, YES - absolutely. There are tons of people that just don't believe what Christians claim of God and spiritual truth.

As far as Christianity teaches:
Those who disbelieve God willfully are not in "ignorance" when they reject, but rebellion/disbelief. They will be judged under the full measure of God's Law to bear the full weight of their own sin.

Romans 1:18-32 is a chapter that covers the process of willful rejection of God.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%201:18-32;&version=50;

Hope that helps
 
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zeke37

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Are there any people out there who find the claims of Christianity so incredible that they honestly can not bring themselves to accept it? If so, what happens to these people? Will they be treated like those who have never heard of Christianity?


MB.
they shall be taught the truth one day..the whole truth and have to choose between good and evil, between God and Satan.

the various translations make it difficult for some to accept the Word, but the manuscripts have NO contradictions...and are the truth...in today's society, we have the ability to study the Word in the original languages

in His service
c
 
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MrDave

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Are there any people out there who find the claims of Christianity so incredible that they honestly can not bring themselves to accept it?

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish is foolishness, but unto us who are saved it is the power of God."

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

Are you one of the many or one of the few?

Decision determines destiny. It's your choice. "God is not mocked.."

If so, what happens to these people?

"He that believeth on him(Jesus) is not condemned: but the that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God".

"And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

IT'S NOT WHO YOU KNOW, IT'S WHO KNOWS YOU!!!

"And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."


Will they be treated like those who have never heard of Christianity?

See above. So Yes. Maybe even worse.

WE ALL START OUT AS UNBELIEVERS AND DO NOT HAVE TO DO A THING TO BE CONDEMNED.

YET GOD GIVES EVERYONE A CHANCE.

"for the LORD searcheth ALL HEARTS, and understandeth ALL THE IMAGINATIONS of the thoughts: if thou seek him, HE WILL BE FOUND OF THEE; but it thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever."

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse".

NO ONE WILL BE ABLE ACCUSE GOD OF NOT HAVING HAD A REAL OPPORTUNITY, GOD IS REACHING OUT TO ALL PEOPLE THROUGHOUT ALL OF HISTORY.

"And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

DON'T WORRY ABOUT OTHERS THEY WILL HAVE OR HAD THEIR CHANCES, WORRY ABOUT YOURSELF.

GOD IS REACHING OUT TO YOU WHILE YOU ARE ALIVE....THEN THERE ARE NO MORE CHANGES.

YOU CAN CHOOSE TO BOW YOUR KNEE TO JESUS WILLINGLY NOW OR YOU CAN BE FORCED TO SOMEDAY.

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
 
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seashale76

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Are there any people out there who find the claims of Christianity so incredible that they honestly can not bring themselves to accept it? If so, what happens to these people? Will they be treated like those who have never heard of Christianity?


MB.

Only God knows the condition of a person's heart. And, we know from scripture that God desires that none may perish and that He is merciful. We pray that God will have mercy according to His great mercy. This is also why we pray for the dead and those in hades.

Gehenna (commonly known as hell) and heaven are two different experiences of the same state. God is fire. Those who experience Gehenna, or rather, the lake of fire, will feel God's loving presence as a torment. However, those who have tempered themselves by working out their salvation- daily picking up their cross and following Christ- in Christ's Holy Church will experience God's presence as paradise. Our entire purpose for being is to commune with God. So, as I said, only God knows if someone had a change of heart and will experience eternal life- as those individuals will have Christ in them.
 
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MemeBuster

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My point is that there are people who do not have a choice in accepting Christianity, because when they learn about the Christian message, they honestly find it too incredible to be true. These people, to no fault of their own, have no way to [Christian] salvation.

Logically speaking, I don't believe these people deserve to be punished for just being honest to themselves.


MB.
 
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ebia

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Are there any people out there who find the claims of Christianity so incredible that they honestly can not bring themselves to accept it?
How do you distinguish between cannot and chose not to, even in your own heart, let alone someone else's?


If so, what happens to these people? Will they be treated like those who have never heard of Christianity?
Either you accept God's transformative justice and Lordship, get healed, and take up your place in the New Creation or you don't. God will give everyone the utmost chance to do so, but there cannot be any non-restored people in restored creation - for either of their sakes.
 
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MemeBuster

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How do you distinguish between cannot and chose not to, even in your own heart, let alone someone else's?
People do not willfully choose what they find credible or incredible. Just as we don't choose who we love, we don't choose what we find credible or incredible. You ask questions and gather evidence, but at the end, whether you find a claim to be credible or incredible is not a choice. For example, I honestly can not choose to believe that U.S. Government was behind 9/11 attacks; I just find that too incredible. If this belief was required for salvation, I would be doomed.

Similarly, I honestly can not choose to believe that Jesus was a man-god who sacrificed himself to himself to appease himself to save humanity; I just find that too incredible. If this belief was required for salvation, I would be doomed.

My point is that there are countless people who honestly find the Christian message too incredible and therefore simply can not bring themselves to accept it as true. These people, to no fault of their own, have no way to [Christian] salvation.

Logically speaking, I don't believe these people deserve to be punished because they really do not have a choice.


MB.
 
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ebia

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People do not willfully choose what they find credible or incredible. Just as we don't choose who we love, we don't choose what we find credible or incredible.
I'm not saying we choose entirely, but there is a degree to which we choose. We tend to find that which we want to be true less incredible than that which we don't want to be true. That which doesn't challenge us as more credible than that which does.

Similarly, I honestly can not choose to believe that Jesus was a man-god who sacrificed himself to himself to appease himself to save humanity; I just find that too incredible. If this belief was required for salvation, I would be doomed.
So would I. As you express it, it isn't even true - let alone required. But I understand the point you are making.

My point is that there are countless people who honestly find the Christian message too incredible and therefore simply can not bring themselves to accept it as true. These people, to no fault of their own, have no way to [Christian] salvation.
God can and will ensure that all have the choice of accepting or not.

Logically speaking, I don't believe these people deserve to be punished because they really do not have a choice.
If I find it unbelievable that a cliff would be here and walk off the edge do I deserve to be punished by hitting the bottom? Reward and punishment is the wrong model for understanding the question you raise.
 
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Adstar

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People do not willfully choose what they find credible or incredible. Just as we don't choose who we love, we don't choose what we find credible or incredible. You ask questions and gather evidence, but at the end, whether you find a claim to be credible or incredible is not a choice. For example, I honestly can not choose to believe that U.S. Government was behind 9/11 attacks; I just find that too incredible. If this belief was required for salvation, I would be doomed.

Well if there was enough evidence for it then why would one reject it? Is ones opinion that something is incredible justification for them to reject something when the evidence showed it to be true? Just because something is incredible or amazing or awesome does not mean it cannot be accepted.



Similarly, I honestly can not choose to believe that Jesus was a man-god who sacrificed himself to himself to appease himself to save humanity; I just find that too incredible. If this belief was required for salvation, I would be doomed.

Why Not. Belief in God is incredible. But most of the worlds population believe that a god of some description exists. So if God exists then what you have stated above although incredible to the mind of one who does not believe in a God is feasible to one who believes in a creator God of might and power.



My point is that there are countless people who honestly find the Christian message too incredible and therefore simply can not bring themselves to accept it as true. These people, to no fault of their own, have no way to [Christian] salvation.

Logically speaking, I don't believe these people deserve to be punished because they really do not have a choice.

God exists no matter how incredible that may sound to you. Your disbelief is a fault that lies within you, likewise your thinking about what is fair and what is not is also faulty. Irrespective of your belief the ultimate reality will not be changed by the power of your thoughts.


[FONT=&quot]

All Praise The Ancient Of Days[/FONT]
 
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