Eternal punishment is pointless.

[smax]

Uhh... they have to burn in hell because God can't stand them to be in His presence....

It's totally not His fault that He's absolutely flawless and the mere sight of a sinner causes Him to holy vomit.

Duh!

[Tonus]

Unfortunately, he's absent.

Just because you fail to reach Him doesn't mean He's absent.

I think that it would mean exactly that. This is god, and he sees and knows all. Therefore, if anyone makes an attempt to contact him it will succeed, even if the person does not believe. If god exists, we cannot possibly fail to reach him. The idea that he will only 'reply' under a very specific set of conditions, and only in ways that can be interpreted but not confirmed, does not sound like a real god. For those of us who made a sincere effort to serve god and believe in him, he most definitely was absent.

[dyresand]

Uhh... they have to burn in hell because God can't stand them to be in His presence....

It's totally not His fault that He's absolutely flawless and the mere sight of a sinner causes Him to holy vomit.

Duh!

if god knows the outcome and what people are going to do then whats the point of letting those people live? for that matter life has no meaning in a system where one party being god knows the outcome of what soul is going to hell and which on isn't. then here is the other thing he knows what we are going to do so as for free will there is non because its a illusion and life as we know it is predestined. another strike off for life is precious because its not in a system like this. so living doesn't matter a mortal life is pointless.

[Godscreated]

Just because you fail to reach Him doesn't mean He's absent. Study scripture and you just might find out why you are having trouble getting an answer.

. If you understand your beliefs. you should be able to answer some of these questions. Besides, many of us have already read the bible all the way through and that is why we aren't Christians.

Ironically, I have had an online discussion with a couple of Muslims who told me the same thing about their god. I just had to read their holy scripture and believe.



Actually, Christian are supposed to always give a polite answer to questions. 1 Peter 3:15

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,"

I am not certain that dodging the question by telling people to read scripture is what Peter meant. There is nothing wrong with saying, "I just don't know."

Do you actually know what Peter was saying, if so please explain.
I've given my reasons for my belief on this forum many times, answering questions that are a challenge to my beliefs doesn't always require me to state the same thing over and over.

GC

---

A man without words you are.

What do you mean? Going all Yoda on me now?

Seriously, though, if us being in eternal jeopardy is "no skin off your butt", then what is your motive in continuing to point out how we're all condemned to hell? The message has been received, so there is no need to keep going on about it.

It means that your position doesn't change my eternal destination. As for going to hell, I state what scripture says, if that bothers you you might want to find out why it bothers you.

GC

[Brian37]

. If you understand your beliefs. you should be able to answer some of these questions. Besides, many of us have already read the bible all the way through and that is why we aren't Christians.

Ironically, I have had an online discussion with a couple of Muslims who told me the same thing about their god. I just had to read their holy scripture and believe.



Actually, Christian are supposed to always give a polite answer to questions. 1 Peter 3:15

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,"

I am not certain that dodging the question by telling people to read scripture is what Peter meant. There is nothing wrong with saying, "I just don't know."

Do you actually know what Peter was saying, if so please explain.
I've given my reasons for my belief on this forum many times, answering questions that are a challenge to my beliefs doesn't always require me to state the same thing over and over.

GC

---

What do you mean? Going all Yoda on me now?

Seriously, though, if us being in eternal jeopardy is "no skin off your butt", then what is your motive in continuing to point out how we're all condemned to hell? The message has been received, so there is no need to keep going on about it.

It means that your position doesn't change my eternal destination. As for going to hell, I state what scripture says, if that bothers you you might want to find out why it bothers you.

GC

Yes you have given us your reasons. So? We get "reasons" from other sects of Christianity, as well as "reasons" from Muslims and Jews as to why they believe what they believe. So?

"My holy book says" all religions do this.
"It is old and traditional" all religions do this.
"Most people have some belief" most people once believed the earth was flat.

Having a "reason" does not constitute fact. Yes you have "reasons" that are really nothing more than fishing for excuses.

[Godscreated]

The whole reasoning of this thread is wrong.
Hell was made for the devil and his angels.
There is no purgatory and the Hitlers, Stalins ,Maos are not going to Heaven,
so the only option left is to be sent where the devil is going.
There are people who would not be fit for heaven.
What else would you do with them?

I am new to the forum so forgive me for jumping right in and not waiting until I get to the end of the thread to read all the answers.

When I was a Christian, I was taught that there would be no jealousy or anger in heaven because people are changed once they enter heaven and no longer feel such emotions. Why couldn't bible god change Hitler and other evil people so that they are peaceful, loving people just like he will the believers? Christianity is supposed to be about love and forgiveness and I would guess those traits aren't believe to stop at death.

However, even if you believe that people don't change before they enter heaven, why would the punishment have to last forever? Wouldn't most people admit their crimes and beg forgiveness after a few months in hell? Why can't god just forgive them at that point?

You say you were a Christian, then how is it you do not know the answers to theses questions?
I take issue with those who claim to have been a Christian and then become an atheist. Christians know there's a God, they have no doubt, so how is it that a former Christian can become an atheist, somethings wrong some where in your thinking.

GC

[FatAndFaithless]

Christians know there's a God, they have no doubt

You're claiming to know what is going on in other peoples' minds, despite the multitudes of christians and christian denominations that are agnostic, and very openly speak about having doubts and questions.

You can take your bald assertions and shove 'em.

[Whateverist]

Just because you fail to reach Him doesn't mean He's absent.

I think that it would mean exactly that. This is god, and he sees and knows all. Therefore, if anyone makes an attempt to contact him it will succeed, even if the person does not believe. If god exists, we cannot possibly fail to reach him. The idea that he will only 'reply' under a very specific set of conditions, and only in ways that can be interpreted but not confirmed, does not sound like a real god. For those of us who made a sincere effort to serve god and believe in him, he most definitely was absent.

Perhaps Godschild just needs to redouble his effort to serve and believe in god. It'll be interesting to see what happens.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Like I said you need to ask God how that is possible, He states it is and I believe Him, He has never given me a reason to doubt. I would imagine that being a supernatural God would allow Him to do so, don't you.

Thanks for finally offering your opinion: it's supernatural.

Yeah, I'll skip that shit. Thanks for playing.

As for the rest of your post, it's twaddle and tripe per your norm; but I wanted to address the point about judgment. If you think you aren't judgmental, you're wrong. You judge people every day.

It's just that I refuse to be a hypocrite about it.

[Chad32]

It means that your position doesn't change my eternal destination. As for going to hell, I state what scripture says, if that bothers you you might want to find out why it bothers you.

GC

We know exactly why it bothers us. It's blackmail. Coercion. We're made to think we have a choice in the matter, but when the choices are worship me for eternity or be tortured for eternity, that's the definition of blackmail. Which is highly unethical. If you really think that's how it is, then your god is evil.

You might say that Yahweh can't be evil, because god is inherently good. Then I say Yahweh is not a god. He does things that are obviously evil, so instead of trying to justify his actions because a god is good by definition, then the idea that Yahweh is a god is brought into question.