(February 3, 2012 at 3:38 pm)Doubting Thomas Wrote: But let's say for the sake of argument that works aren't necessary to get to heaven.
What do Christians gain by not helping out the less fortunate? I thought Christians were supposed to display their faith by how they live. If they don't want to give a shit about poor or hungry people, then I don't want to have anything to do with them. They always claim they're supposed to be like Jesus. Jesus healed people, he fed the hungry, and lots of other good stuff, according to their holy book. Yet they think the only thing they have to do is keep kissing his ass and ignore all the people Jesus said to help. I guess that WWJD thing was just a passing fad after all.
This is why I think an atheist who goes through life helping others and constantly being charitable should get an instant ticket to heaven, because they're doing that to better mankind, not because they think it'll get them into the exclusive eternal country club.
Christians do not believe that doing good things will get them into heaven, they understand the belief in Christ is the way. Doing for others is one way christians show God's love for others, christian churches do more for the poor and hurting than you will ever know. By the way why is it you think christians do not help others, is it because we do not believe in works for salvation. Surely you must know works for salvation would not work, tell me how much work would one need to do to get into heaven, who would set the standard of, enough works done, you get in. Works for salvation will lead to bragging and that is not a characteristic of christianity. Works have nothing to do with salvation, works show others who we are. Salvation is about forgiveness of sin, love, repentance and grace, works show we have received it.
God loves those who believe and those who do not and the same goes for me, you have no choice in this matter. That puts the matter of total free will to rest.