Christians, do you believe everyone else (non-believers) is going to hell?

[Anonymous]

I'm an atheist who grew up in a Christian family, and was forced to go to Christian schools before the college years. My mother is always insisting that all non-believers are going to hell. She's genuinely afraid that I will be atheist my whole life and go to hell. Her faith has never brought her peace or happiness, but this is another added stress for her.

I don't believe in hell, obviously, but I was raised in that same tradition. "Only saved people are going to heaven, and being saved means you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior."

Do you believe that as well? All the people in the world who are not christians (that's a lot of us lol) are going to hell? I'm just curious what you all here think. Also, what is your denomination?

[In-sight-ful]

I was raised Catholic and definitely dont believe that but there was a guy I worked with and was actually really good friends with that told me he was sad because he wasn't going to see me in heaven. I asked why and he said because I had sex with my boyfriend and I'm not sorry about it and won't ask for forgiveness. I was sad for him to be growing up with such a view on life. He said its okay to be gay as long as they don't act on it and then its a sin, we're still friends but I just dont understand how someone can think that way.
I am really not religious anymore but my philosophy is that god is all forgiving, god is a kind man and as long as you were a good person on earth, treated others with respect and kindness, and tried to live a good life overall that you will go to heaven. But serial killers and rapists, etc. Can rot in hell. But I'm not even sure if I believe in heaven or hell anymore.

[Asker]

I'm bisexual and I hear this from my parents all the time. I have gay friends who are religious and my mom even goes as far to say that they must not be saved because if they were, they would change and no longer be gay. I'm like, whatever. She's not alone. There's a very long tradition of christianity that backs her up. Not really my problem though.

[justolivetoday]

I'm a Christian, and I go to a non-denominational church. According to the Bible, it says something about those who don't believe in God will not go to Heaven, but I don't really know if that means everyone... I mean, a role of being a Christian is to tell others about Jesus and tell them about eternal life and God's love and stuff, but what about people in parts of the world that never get the chance to be told about that salvation? Like indigenous tribes and people that don't interact with missionaries or other people? It wouldn't make sense for them to go to hell if they've never been told about Jesus, if they've never been given the chance. So that's a question I can't give a definite answer for, as a Christian. Maybe it says somewhere in the Bible that clarifies that, but I'm not really sure.

[Hope96]

I am a believer of God (not a Christian though. My religion is different). As per me, God is not a man with beard or an authoritative figure. God is the soul/energy/ driving force that is inside you. God can't be seen, touched, imagined as he has got no shape. Whether you believe in God or not, it doesn't even matter. If you do good deeds, you will certainly find peace after death. And that peace (or moksha, as it's said in my religion) is the true heaven. Heaven is not a place, but the peace of soul. Just be a good person. Prayer is not chanting a few words, but being present in the current moment as you are living and doing good deeds and thinking good thoughts. If you are doing so, believe me, you are already much better than some believers.

[Asker]

Yes, different religions teach different beliefs, thats why I specifically asked about christians.

Im curious though, what is your religion? I assume it's an eastern religion of some kind... "Heaven is not a place, but peace of soul" makes me think of Buddhism or Hinduism, etc.

Thanks for your answer!

[Hope96]

I don't follow any particular religion with extreme dedication though, but I acquire some knowledge from the teachings of Sikhism. :)

[Hope96]

And yeah, I also learn a bit from Buddhism and Hinduism. So kinda mixture of Sikhism, Hinduism and Buddhism. :)

[realerthanreal]

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[Anonymous]

I don't believe that it's my place to judge where anyone is going. I just choose to be kind and decent to everyone.

[Asker]

Well, that's nice.

[dudeinohio]

Which is proper.

[Rahdle]

I (Christian) first off believe everyone has the right to believe whatever they want.
But I believe there is a God who made us and loves us very very much. That being said, he's preparing a beautiful place for us to live after we are done living here. And he just wants us to love him back. Though if we don't even recognize that he exists or that he made us and loves us, he's not going to let us into heaven. Therefore, yes going to hell.

Side note for thought:
How would you like it if you created a civilization and all the little people you made didn't believe you did and wanted nothing to do with you? Heart = Broken

[Asker]

Thank you for answering question directly! I always appreciate that. :)

[Rahdle]

Mhmm (: any time

[Rahdle]

I'm glad you didn't have something mean to say back. A lot of people hate on Christians. So thank you kind miss 🤓👍

[Asker]

I won't lie, I'm not a huge fan of Christians, but you simply answered my question. I can't get mad if you answered what I asked, right? Especially if I already knew what the answer could be. I'm a rational person, I only bite when it's necessary lol

[Rahdle]

Haha biting is not always a bad thing 😉

[Anonymous]

The Bible makes it very clear that if you do not accept Jesus as your personal savior then they will go to hell. My wants and my hopes and everyone else's is a mute point. As far as I believe the Bible is a set of rules and guild lines on what is expected of us on how to live and conduct our selve. Wherther or not we choose to follow it it all up to us as we were created as creatures of free will. But to answer your question as best as I can. Atheists say there is no God and all this talk is pointless. If that be the case why even ask this question as you say you are atheist

[Asker]

I reserve all rights to ask any question concerning any group of people that I please, just as you have every right to be curious about anything that catches your attention and subsequently ask a question about it.

This specific question is not about whether or not god is real. My question is about what christians on GaG believe will happen to atheists and nonbelievers in terms of heaven and hell. It's interesting to read different perspectives on things, and see whether or not the people here have a consensus on this issue.

[Opinion Owner]

Well I believe they will go to hell if they haven't been saved. For me to believe it any other way would be calling God a lier

[Asker]

Understandable. Thanks for answering :)

[TsubasaCorrupted]

What about toddlers, stillborns or people that never had a chance to learn. What happens to them?

[bluenose1872]

I'm a Christian. I don't believe atheists will go to hell. God taught us mercy and compassion not vengeance and the sword. How can a man be condemned if he acted in ignorance. On the flip side how can a man be saved if he sinned in full conscience? The bibles and faith is a light in darkness. Right and wrong is learned knowledge. Some are lucky to be taught it as kids bt responsible adults. Some never get a choice beyond surviving. It's a guide. A boats useless anywhere but the water. A man's useless unless he knows righteousness.

[Asker]

So we're useless, but not necessarily going to hell? Well, that's something. Thanks!

[bluenose1872]

The bible isn't about discipline to God. It's about obedience to your own soul. The unsullied soul you had when you were a kid before life tainted you with greed and lust and a whole alphabet of other bad things. It's impossible for a person to get through life without falling into temptation. That's why were forgiven our sins. God sees everything is misunderstood. You see everything and become your own judge, jury and executioner. Your conscience commits you to hell because that inner pure child and that outer tainted adult are in conflict. The child is the perfect temperate, the adult is the marker of how far you've strayed. The goal is to find your way back to being the child. You can't cheat because of what I've said. If you stray knowingly you'll punish yourself far worse. If in ignorance you can forgive yourself. None of us are waste

[Asker]

I'm not interested, but thanks. I actual like the comparison of child and adult. I'm glad it came from you, because religious people get insulted when I comment that the blind faith of religion is akin to a child's belief in fairy tales, magic, and all the things that the mature, critical mind grow to understand to be fiction. So I kind of agree with you, just from the other side of the coin.

[bluenose1872]

Your just like most others though. They bible isn't about religion. Most people can't see that. It's a book on psychology written in metaphor. The teachings in it are like having a manual to the human mind and condition. I think even God, the devil, heaven and hell are just metaphors. It's a radical point of view but I've got a lot of reason to believe it

[Asker]

Well, I'll stick with actual psychology and research compared to religious texts of any sort, but to each their own.

That's an interesting perspective though. As a non-believer, the Bible is a religious text that is also just a history of what the people at that time believed, how they made sense of their lives, and different myths. It's kind of like greek mythology. Faith in god is illogical to me, but I can also see that the greeks made sense of their lives through that. Things we can easily explain now with science and technology were once explained through mythology and spirituality. The human experience of trying to figure it all out.

[bluenose1872]

Where do think psychology got its roots? Even science admits there will be a kernel between religion and science. Wish people would stop dismissing things they know nothing about. I've heard atheists say God is fiction. Ever read any part of the bible you ask. No they say. You're like what the hell are you talking about then. The media said it was a fad to not believe so I went along with coz I can't think for myself. To many sheep in this world shaped by propaganda. Billions believe for the simple fact that there's something to it. It doesn't matter what you yourself believe. You part of it. It's not a game you refuse to play

[Asker]

I grew up reading the bible, and ironically so have many many other atheists. I grew up in christian schools and in a Christian family, so I didn't have much of a choice lol In my family, and in most of the world, believing in god is going with the herd. It doesn't mean its the wrong thing for you personally, but to pretend that the vast majority of the world doesn't believe in god, and that Christianity isn't one of the most powerful organized religions today is delusional. There's literally nothing special or different about liking the Bible.

[Asker]

You can choose to practice whatever religion you want, and you can put your faith into whatever books you want. A kernel of truth is not enough for me to treat the Bible, a book that I am not fond of, as the "guide for my soul" or whatever. I don't like many parts of the Bible, and I decided when I was very young that Christianity was not for me. Part of that was due to what I read in the Bible, what I was taught about the Bible, and church. I'm no stranger to the Bible at all.

Psychology is science. Science is research, hypotheses, testing, and revision. It involves logic, it can be improved and argued. It is not perfect, but I have way more faith in honest, well practiced science than I do in the Bible. I'm a logical thinker, so that's how I operate. The bible is the bible. It isn't subject to any critical analysis, after which it could be reviewed or revised. It is not subject to logic or reason. It is a religious text, plain and if it speaks to you, that's fine! Enjoy it, sir.

[bluenose1872]

Believe what you want.

[TheFlak36]

I too was raised by a fanatic Christian mother. I hate Christianity as much as I hate Islam.
Most Christians will tell you that atheists or "infidels" have better chances to go to heaven because they have been deceived and don't know the true God and religion.
Doesn't matter so much to me. It's all horse shit in the end. I can't see how Christianity is the religion of love and peace when they always threaten you that God will throw you into hell to suffer and burn and get tortured for all eternity because you're a sinner. And in the Christian point of view anything can be perceived as a sin. Absolutely anything. You're guilty no matter what you do.
All of us have a father and a mother and often we did things to make them sad or angry. They never punished in a brutal way because of that. No in their right minds. But for some reason the God of love and peace does this with everyone who does not conform with his rules. This is the fucked up mind of Christians.

[Asker]

Well, I just want to know what christians actually believe here.

But I do agree that the tradition of fire and brimstone, amongst other things, contradict strongly with the image of love and peace that they simultaneously promote. But I digress, just want to know if they think we're going to hell. lol

[awilliam360]

No, i don't believe that. I think that having a belief is important but that doesn't stop you from being a nice person does it? No it doesn't

It's funny though because even atheists have a definition of God and know about his God, using anthropomorphic terminology to describe him and his characteristics, yet they CHOOSE not to believe in him.

[Asker]

I don't know any atheists who have a single definition of god, at least not in the specific personification of god that christianity or any other religion would offer. I don't believe in any gods, but I know of many different definitions of what god is, or what gods are. So how exactly do you think we define god?

[awilliam360]

Well i believe that is relativist because we all have different perceptions of God; based on our experiences, upbringing etc however, there are some characteristics, I think we all have a similar opinion on. For example, if you were to say God, a lot of people might associate that with good, white (purity, humbleness etc), creator, fatherly, loving, a supreme being. Would you agree?

[7André7]

that just means there is a stereotypical idea about god, the fatc i may talk about god using antropomorphic terms just indicates i stick to that stereotype cause it's likely that the person i talk with is a christian or a muslim, after all we have a complete backstory about Darth Vader and we refer to him using antropomorphic terms, that doesn't make Darth Vader real, and it doesn't mean we believe he is real.

[awilliam360]

@7André7 That's a fair point to make and you have every right to think like that. All i was saying is that everyone has an idea about God, even you probably do. For instance, look at Harry Potter and magic. Everyone knows what magic does and what it can be used for. Some people believe in it, some don't. That's what makes this topic relativist rather than absolute. It is interesting that you mention the term 'stereotype', but don't we as humans stereotype and give labels to everything these days? Furthermore, stereotypes don't come into play unless if we have a particular perception about something which the majority agree on

[Asker]

These characteristics you've mentioned seem to focus on specific religions that dominate the world today. (The Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam) I can’t speak for all atheists, but I’m confident enough to say I’ve met tons who share my rather negative impression of christianity in general, and the christian god, as well as others. I would say those are characteristics that *religious* people or *believers* would associate with their gods. Well, depending on the religion. For example, some religions are not so patriarchal, have multiple gods including "feminine” gods, so an exclusive theme of “fatherly” gods isn’t the reality for all religions. And there are many religions practiced today and even more traditions that have died out over time.

[Asker]

But if we are talking about what you claim ATHEISTS think about gods, and how we define them, I think the perception would be different, generally, compared to what believers think about their gods. You will likely find a more negative impression of religions, and by extension their gods, amongst non-religious atheists. Though some atheists have a positive view of those religious interpretations of gods, but simply don't believe they are real.

[7André7]

I completely agree, obviously even as an atheist i have the knwoledge of the concept we refer as god, the difference is just faith, without it that concept is just hypothetical, with it it's seomthing to belive in.
I guess this stereotype is the effect of Roman Church millenia of iconoclasm, but it may also be that we just tend to imagine a god of our ethnicity.
Sorry if this doesn't make sense, my English isn't the best..

[awilliam360]

@asker i personally disagree with you because I think that although atheists don't believe in a God, that does not necessarily mean that that they have a negative perception of God. God is generally referred to be good and i think that characteristic is recognised by all

[awilliam360]

@7André7 I don't believe to say that it is right to say that this is due to the Roman Catholics because despite everything, the Bible as a whole is very positive. There is evidence of miracles and God's love being shown throughout. Did you know that the word 'love' occurs oin the Bible 365 times? Do you know why? Because it represents the love God has for us every single day in a whole year and also teaches us to share that love. It is these stories that have been passed down generations that gives us this insight of God because perhaps there was a time that people did spend their lives with Jesus, listening to him, experiencing life with him, as is mentioned in the Bible. But then again, do we know that this is true? No but that's why you have got to believe and have faith. Just like in a relationship. You have to trust and have faith in one another

[7André7]

I meant the iconoclasm, i mean the idea of an old white man with beard is never stated in the Bible, it's mainly due to Roman Church and the millennia of christain art. The idea of perfection and goodness obviously is not due to Chrch as it comes from paleoreligions probably, yet to be honest i find Jesus more fitting this concept while i don't find the god described in the old testament to be up to this idea, i don't have a negative view but neither i don't see a perfectly good god, but that's my opinion. Yes exacctly the point is the faith, but a relationship involves trust more than faith, i don't know in English but in my language trust and faith are very different concepts, faith is to belive in something that can't be proven, in a relationship u may test your trust. Just my opinion, obviously.

[awilliam360]

@7André7 Sorry, i didn't read the part about the Roman Catholic Millennia properly but i think i agree with you on that. You've got an interesting opinion

[Asker]

Fair enough. I can only speak as an atheist, who knows lots of atheists. Maybe your experience with atheists has been different, but I do think if you were to consult a majority of atheists in America and probably in Europe as well, you would be unpleasantly surprised. But thanks for your opinion! :)

[awilliam360]

Fair enough and that's not a problem. Pleasure :)

[Asker]

@7André7 I think I understand you, and you raise an excellent point about iconoclasm in christianity and the messages conveyed in christian art. That is often overlooked out of ignorance on the topic. History is something lost on most people, especially when we're concerned with the construction of religious myths and the creation of ideas that are now accepted as normative truths in todays world. Most believers I've encountered don't analyze the history of christianity, its art, the formation of its norms through history, etc. So they are more likely to simply believe stereotypes or messages that stem from this process, rather than to understand the process itself. Not all Christians are like this, but a majority seem to be that way, in my experience. And I absolutely agree that ethnicity is key to Christian Art. I would say there was a deliberate ethnic cleansing of Christianity (in its art), following the European domination of the religion.

Thanks for commenting!

[Asker]

@7André7 Also, I miss Europe and want to go back, so I'm jealous of you! lol I know many Italians are not happy with their country/government, but I enjoyed traveling there. :)

[7André7]

True, and this ethnic cleansing did not start with Church but we have traces also in the Roman Empire, the topic is really long in this case.. funny how, anyway, the entire mythology about Hell and Satan is taken from Milton and Dante and not a meaningful mention in the Bible.

Yeah, i'm not really happy with our government aswell (and even less with Vatican stealing 1 billion Euro every year from our taxes...) but at least we got rid of Berlusconi...

[Anonymous]

If I ever see this after I'm dead then I know that hell is real and I'm in it
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But the fictional novel called The Bible is too inconsistent for me to believe the rubbish that is in it; heck, there are even two gods in it (Elohim and Yahweh) and apparently god, either one of them, created heavens, not one singular heaven. And so on.

Well, I'm off to worship Simon of Peraea

[moosette134]

No I don't believe that. I believe it is about the sort of person you are and living s good life. I happen to find comfort in God and in my faith, but I don't think it is belief that means I'll go to heaven. I could be a strong believer in God and a horrible human at the same time and my faith alone wouldn't warrant me a place there. It's about works and actions, not professions of faith

[palek]

No, I don't believe that. I hold hope that when each of us dies and stands before the Risen Christ, those who didn't believe out of ignorance will have the opportunity to make it right. However, those who mock God out of arrogance...

[Asker]

"Those who didn't believe out of ignorance." What does that mean exactly?

[palek]

I'm referring to those who don't acknowledge and worship Jesus as God because they truly can't bring themselves to this position based on their best analysis of the evidence. Or, perhaps they've come to different place of faith, from a similar lack of understanding. Of course, this is all but hopefulness on my part and bot based on any sound doctrine.

[Anonymous]

I'm Methodist. We believe that acknowledgement and acceptance of God is a requirement for salvation after death, but we don't know exactly when or how this manifests itself. We believe that humans have free will and that while God can know our desires and thoughts, the course of our actions is guided mostly by ourselves, so to a great extent our actions matter. We also believe that God is just and will determine what happens to us after death fairly.

[Asker]

Thank you, honey! So clear, to the point, concise, and you gave me your denomination. Yess, I like when people give me the info I asked for lol

Sometimes I feel like going back and specifically reading about all the different denominations. The details are interesting. methodist vs. seventh day adventist vs. baptist etc. We have a few different ones in my family I think.

[FrenchyRomain]

1 : no i don't believe in the "after life"
2 : i am an Atheist (tending to be a satanist https://www.churchofsatan.com/nine-satanic-sins.php the version of Anton LaVey)
3 : i was raised in an Atheist family so no i definitely don't believe in it)

[RationalMale]

Yep, that's basically it. Though the Old Testament does suggest that people who perish as infants/small children will go to heaven. When King David's infant son died, David stopped morning and fasting. His servants were amazed, but he said "My son's dead. I'll go to him, but he won't come back to me." Given that King David was "A man after God's own heart" it's only logical to infer that infants and such who perish are not damned, as they cannot comprehend things like "repent of your sins"

[Deft_maiden]

What Christianity is great at is creating fear and xenophobia.

[dudeinohio]

Which is wrong. Unfortunately, there are those groups that spout hellfire. No person is allowed to judge another. Only God will at judgement,\. Jesus taught us to love all others.

[mutedaisy]

A lot of Christians kind of just accept they and everyone else they know is going to hell. At least that's what is what I have gathered... Non-believer or not.

[rileypantera]

I don't believe in any God and I think people who do aren't really aware of what they are actually worshipping

[BusinessBasketball]

I do not trust Christians. Their views are too old fashioned and backwards. They are just falling behind from everyone else.

[Asker]

Okay, but I'm asking a specific question as to what they believe. Behave now, you.

[echoaj]

You don't trust Christians because of their beliefs? Well that's disappointing that you have that type of mentality. It's not like their out to get you bro.

[Anonymous]

As a christian, a proper christian... Only God can judge people. We believe Jesus is the true way to God. He also taught us to not condemn others. Only God will determine who goes to hell. We cannot say or believe others will go there.

[H2OBearer]

There's no place in Paradise for people who do not believe in God. How can someone be invited to a house party and not abide by the house rules?

[Völva]

How can someone invite some to a house party, and cast the rest into the fire pit out back?

[vekin]

I believe that God is mercy and also I don't know what is inside the heart of someone.

[Asker]

Well, god still sends people to hell in christianity, right? So are non-believers one of those groups who would go to hell? Simple question, I'm just curious.

[vekin]

God doesn't send anyone to hell, people choose where they will go to.

[Asker]

God doesn't determine who is going to hell? You still haven't answered my question, but okay...
This is interesting though because I don't think anyone here has expressed this belief so far, that god is not in control of who goes to hell, or that he doesn't set that standard of what it takes to get into heaven. That's why I asked this, so many different understandings of the same religion. It's interesting.

[vekin]

Hell is the absence of God if you choose against God you are chosing hell

[Asker]

Is god really absent anywhere though? I thought the idea was that he is all present and all knowing in just about any context?

Anyway, thanks for kind of answering my question, though I can tell you didn't really want to. Have a great day!

[vekin]

A simple humanbeing can't say if someone go to hell, we can't see in their hearts

[Anonymous]

yes pretty much yes. because if you are a car that was designed to work with gazoline and you consume diesel, its only normal you'll break down... .

[Asker]

Well, at least you're honest. Thanks!

[Omar5881]

Not a chritian but can I answer

[Asker]

I love that you asked first haha That's a good boy :D
jk

I wanted it to be mostly christians answering, but if you want to answer, feel free. Do you believe in any religion, or are you an atheist or "agnostic" ?

[Omar5881]

I believe in Islam ( sunni maliki to be specific )
In Islam we don't know who's going to hell and heaven , and the relgion does matter but it's subjective for example if someone truly believe in Judaism for example and he believed in it and followed it truly he might go to heaven because of his loyalty and faithfulness to god we really don't know who is going to heaven and who's not and agnostic and atheists might get to heaven too

[Asker]

Interesting perspective, thanks!

Side note - do you speak or read Arabic? Because it's fucking hard as shit. Excuse my French.

[Omar5881]

Je parle et je lis couramment l'arabe 😛

[Asker]

I can make out a little French. Let me try! lol

I speak and I read ___ arabic. ?
what is couramment?

[Omar5881]

I speak and read Arabic fluently *

[Asker]

I thought so, but I didn't want to guess incorrectly. Merci ;)

[Omar5881]

Avec plaisir 😉

[Anonymous]

I think that's more of a Catholic thing