The holes in religion are like those in a time travel movie.

[RichardP]

You are going to hell if you don't confess all of you sins?

John 3:16 says:

God gave his only begotten son that whoever believes what he taught might not parish but have eternal life.

Paraphrasing scripture can get messy.
Here. NIV

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John 3 coupled with 1 John 3 make for very powerful teaching about a) Forgiveness of sin and b) What will keep you from sinning.

Constant threats @ sinners about damnation and hellfire isnt what keeps us from away from sin - its what keeps us away from church.

There are different versions.


Here is the International Standard Version

"For this is how God loved the world: He gave his unique Son so that everyone who believes in him might not be lost but have eternal life."


Then there is the Douay-Rheims Bible (Catholic)

"For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting."


And here is the American Standard Version from my Greek study bible

"For God so loved he world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."


**The word "belief" was originally from the Greek word Pisteuo. My Greek study Bible explains that it means "To believe in or on Christ implying knowledge or assent to and confidence in."


And you will notice the various wording "might not be lost", "may not perish", "should not perish". Not quite so strong as "shall not perish". Hmmmm...