Will the atheist go to hell?....

[foodcritic]

Doctor Craig,

I would like to know from you if I, as an atheist, am going to be punished by God for not believing in him. If I, after looking objectively at all the evidence, come to the conclusion that I have not arrived here as the result of a divine plan but merely as a consequence of merely materialistic processes, do I deserve to be denied the gift of eternal life? If when coming face to face with God after death, I reveal that this was a position that I honestly came to after much investigation and really trying to understand nature?
....

Read the answer....

Reasonable Faith: Q & A with Dr. William Lane Craig

 

[theArtistFormerlyKnownAs]

Read the answer....

Reasonable Faith: Q & A with Dr. William Lane Craig

In summary:

No.

How absurd.

 

[libby]

this was a position that I honestly came to after much investigation and really trying to understand nature?
....

This is the piece of the soul that only God knows. If a person did honestly seek God, but for whatever reason could not profess a Judeo-Christian belief, I would say that he/she would absolutely get to Heaven. Not one other person can know the details which shape a person's faith journey, so not one person can say "this person is saved, that person is not".

 

[PsyOps]

FoodCritic may have wanted to actually read the article before he posted something that ended up contrary to what he thought it stated

Someone should ask about those that died before having a chance to learn about Christianity, and/or those that died before knowing about Christiniaty but lived their life faithfull to THEIR God, even if it was contrary to Christian beliefs. For instance in their belief an act wasnt a Sin, but in the Christian belief it is.

This is the typical trick. Because there were people before Jesus, how are they saved? Or, because there are some people that died before they learned about Jesus, how are they saved? What we read in bible doesn’t talk about a lot of things that God certainly has a plan for. What happens to dogs, cats, or other creatures on the earth?

So, since we can’t answer these questions, God can’t possibly exist. Gotcha!!!!!!!!!

These discussions always lead back to the same old thing… You either believe or you don’t. Nothing you are going say is going to change what I believe; not I am going to say is going to change what you believe. The only thing that will change either of us is (perhaps) certain events that change our hearts and minds.

There is one indisputable truth that you can’t escape or explain… the billions and billions that have believed over the millennia. But we are billions… nothing but a bunch of aimlessly roaming moronic idiots following an imaginary spirit that is in charge of everything.

Goes the same the other… nothing but a bunch of aimlessly roaming moronic idiots believing that life is nothing more than a sequence of random events, with no purpose, no cause, no meaning. Yet these morons go on living their lives as if there were meaning.

 

[aps45819]

do I deserve to be denied the gift of eternal life?

Since you don't believe an after life exists, why are you asking the question?
Is you faith in random nothingness faltering?

 

[PsyOps]

Since you don't believe an after life exists, why are you asking the question?
Is you faith in random nothingness faltering?

Faith in random nothingness. Now that's an oxymoron.

 

[vraiblonde]

Since you don't believe an after life exists, why are you asking the question?
Is you faith in random nothingness faltering?

That's what I was wondering.

Gee, since I don't believe in Santa, does that mean he's not going to come down my chimney tonight and bring me a bunch of presents from his toy shop in the North Pole?

 

[PsyOps]

That's what I was wondering.

Gee, since I don't believe in Santa, does that mean he's not going to come down my chimney tonight and bring me a bunch of presents from his toy shop in the North Pole?

Think about it. If it's random nothingness, then how can there be faith?

 

[wxtornado]

There is one indisputable truth that you can’t escape or explain… the billions and billions that have believed over the millennia. But we are billions… nothing but a bunch of aimlessly roaming moronic idiots following an imaginary spirit that is in charge of everything.

You left one important thing out - you "billions" have worshiped different Gods, and will invariably continue to do so even after your God is long forgotten.

Do you believe in any of the Norse Gods, like Odin or Thor, that came before your God? Probably not. How about any of the Egypitan Gods, like Amon-Ra or Osiris, that came before your God? I'm guessing no.

How about this: I contend that you're an atheist, like me, only I believe in one fewer Gods than you do. When you understand why you don't believe in the thousands of other Gods, you'll understand why I don't believe in yours.

 

[retiredweaxman]

not sure

Doctor Craig,

I would like to know from you if I, as an atheist, am going to be punished by God for not believing in him. If I, after looking objectively at all the evidence, come to the conclusion that I have not arrived here as the result of a divine plan but merely as a consequence of merely materialistic processes, do I deserve to be denied the gift of eternal life? If when coming face to face with God after death, I reveal that this was a position that I honestly came to after much investigation and really trying to understand nature?
....

Read the answer....

Reasonable Faith: Q & A with Dr. William Lane Craig

Be gentle with me - this is my 1st post.

I am not too sure I understand the person asking the original question. If he is a true atheist, there is no God in his eyes. Therefore, how can he be judged by someone that does not exist? Secondly, why is he worried about eternal damnation? If there is no God and no Heaven, it only goes to reason there is no Hell.

 

[aps45819]

Think about it. If it's random nothingness, then how can there be faith?

faith is trusting in the correctness of your belief without requiring empirical proof

 

[foodcritic]

FoodCritic may have wanted to actually read the article before he posted something that ended up contrary to what he thought it stated

Someone should ask about those that died before having a chance to learn about Christianity, and/or those that died before knowing about Christiniaty but lived their life faithfull to THEIR God, even if it was contrary to Christian beliefs. For instance in their belief an act wasnt a Sin, but in the Christian belief it is.

Of course I read the article...I don't find he answer contraty to my own..Although I might add some caveats...Here was the last paragraph of Lanes answere.. ..

My view is that, ultimately speaking, there is no such thing as non-culpable unbelief. For, first, there is good evidence for theism which is readily accessible to all, such as I share in Reasonable Faith (3rd ed.), and no comparably good argument for atheism. I’d invite you to listen to some of my debates with leading non-believers and just ask yourself objectively, Where does the evidence point? Second, and more importantly, God has not abandoned us to work out by our own ingenuity and cleverness whether or not He exists. Rather His Holy Spirit speaks to the heart of every man, convicting him of sin and drawing him to God. If our hearts are disposed to seek God, then He will be found by us. This may take time. That’s why I said that ultimately speaking unbelief is culpable. By the time a person dies, he will have had sufficient opportunity to respond to God’s Spirit and be saved. God’s bringing you to this website to have your question addressed and, I hope, cleared up, is one step in the process. The question now is, where is your heart? Do you want to know God, if He exists? What concrete steps are you taking to seek Him?

I would also add that mankind is condemed NOT because we have not heard of God. We are condemed on the basis of our sinful nature.

 

[LadyWolf]

These are all good valid points. I have a question. Supposing you are a firm believer, no doubts whatsoever there is a god because this is the way a person was raised. Then all of a sudden, people start bringing up things about the Bible that you would typically never in a million years think about, much less talk about, but it makes that "firm" believer wonder and question, "HM? Could it be?". Does this mean that the NOW questioning believer goes to hell because someone else has put it in their head that perhaps this might require further scrutiny? Wouldn't that be considered temptation?

 

[PsyOps]

faith is trusting in the correctness of your belief without requiring empirical proof

I'll buy that. But how can you have anything of thought (whether through empircal truth or not) from random nothingness?

 

[foodcritic]

Be gentle with me - this is my 1st post.

I am not too sure I understand the person asking the original question. If he is a true atheist, there is no God in his eyes. Therefore, how can he be judged by someone that does not exist? Secondly, why is he worried about eternal damnation? If there is no God and no Heaven, it only goes to reason there is no Hell.

The question comes from Lane's web page. I assume that the person asking is doing so honestly. Lane published the question and his response...

William Lane Craig

 

[wxtornado]

I'll buy that. But how can you have anything of thought (whether through empircal truth or not) from random nothingness?

What is the "random nothingness" you keep refering to - I don't quite follow what you're trying to say?

 

[foodcritic]

Sinful to who? (not jerking your chain, this is a legitimate) Different cultures/beliefs/societies/nations etc have different basis's for "Sin". What could be considered a "Sin" in one is not a "Sin" in the other.

My contention is as long as they were faithful and not "Sin"ing in whatever belief they believed in, they shouldnt be cast to eternal damnation, just because it maybe a "Sin" in another belief.

I would say MOST cultures (some exceptions) have similar ethical rules which they live by. MOST people can travel to other countries and not fear random hacking in to pieces. Most peoples would find objection to that. Countries that did not object to random hancking of people would probably not even be able to form a goverment.

My frame of refrence comes from the bible. So that is the benchmark with which to identify sin. The atheist has no bench mark, no frame of reference for which behavior or ethics can be evaluated.

 

[foodcritic]

These are all good valid points. I have a question. Supposing you are a firm believer, no doubts whatsoever there is a god because this is the way a person was raised. Then all of a sudden, people start bringing up things about the Bible that you would typically never in a million years think about, much less talk about, but it makes that "firm" believer wonder and question, "HM? Could it be?". Does this mean that the NOW questioning believer goes to hell because someone else has put it in their head that perhaps this might require further scrutiny? Wouldn't that be considered temptation?

Christians are saved by faith. Challenging ones worldview or faith is a good thing. It requires one to read and study and debate that which they believe. That is healthy. In reading the NT Jesus is constantly questioned about OT law etc...Paul goes in to the synagoge to debate...these are examples.

1 Peter: 13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."[c] 15But in your hearts set apart 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, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

I think being prepared to give an answer encompasses all the methods of discussion and debate.

 

[PsyOps]

What is the "random nothingness" you keep refering to - I don't quite follow what you're trying to say?

In response to this:

http://forums.somd.com/3482744-post6.html

I'm just with some rhetorical BS.

 

[LadyWolf]

Christians are saved by faith. Challenging ones worldview or faith is a good thing. It requires one to read and study and debate that which they believe. That is healthy. In reading the NT Jesus is constantly questioned about OT law etc...Paul goes in to the synagoge to debate...these are examples.



I think being prepared to give an answer encompasses all the methods of discussion and debate.

Faith is hard in this day and time. I'm not a Bible reader, mostly because I don't understand it. I'm one to just follow my gut. If it just doesn't sound like the thing to do, I probably shouldn't do it.