Am I going to hell?

[Legoboy]

I'm in a wierd situtation right now. I am a Catholic or at least I was brought up a Catholic and I live with a new foster family now and its always been my choice but I haven't been to church basically for a year now. I mean they're awesome they'd take me if I wanted and they haven't pressured me to go or not to go. So the thing is I'm scared I'm going to hell because of not going but because of the reasons I have for not going are really strong like I'm not even sure I want to be catholic but I don't want to go to hell either.

So yeah what I'm thinking is maybe I'm screwed anway but I mean if the next life is supposed to be the real eternal one then basically if this life sucks and the next one sucks whats the point?

So I suppose I just want to know should I go to church even if I don't want to just in case? And won't God know I'm faking it if I don't want to be there? And what about my foster family because I don't want them to go to hell either but they aren't even religious.

[Vermilion]

I think you are over thinking it. If you want to go to church go. If you don't want to go don't. It all about what you believe.

[Riley2015]

You're too young for all this rubbish. Just enjoy your life and your teen years

[dxcxdzv]

This is only a problem of consciousness.
If you feel guilty about not going to church, maybe you should think about going to.

[StoppingTom]

Think about it like this:

Do you think God sent everybody to hell before the Christian faith was established/churches were built? No. God sends you to Heaven if you are a good person and follow the Commandments/turn the other cheek/all that stuff.

[Legoboy]

Wow you guys reply fast. Thanks.

Think about it like this:

Do you think God sent everybody to hell before the Christian faith was established/churches were built? No. God sends you to Heaven if you are a good person and follow the Commandments/turn the other cheek/all that stuff.

I don't know but what I was told was basically everyone is going to hell UNLESS you do all the stuff the church says. So yeah I guess all the old time people were sent to hell because they were living in sin. Basically that was what the flood was all about, so we could start over again I think.

[StoppingTom]

Wow you guys reply fast. Thanks.



I don't know but what I was told was basically everyone is going to hell UNLESS you do all the stuff the church says. So yeah I guess all the old time people were sent to hell because they were living in sin. Basically that was what the flood was all about, so we could start over again I think.

At the risk of sounding Protestant (I was raised Catholic), I think doing what God says and interpreting the Bible how you believe it outweighs what the Church says you need to do. I'm not saying DON'T go to Church, if you want to, that's great, but I really don't want you antagonizing over your eternal fate at such a young age.

[Body odah Man]

Wow you guys reply fast. Thanks.



I don't know but what I was told was basically everyone is going to hell UNLESS you do all the stuff the church says. So yeah I guess all the old time people were sent to hell because they were living in sin. Basically that was what the flood was all about, so we could start over again I think.

I feel ya, I worry about this type of stuff all the time. I want to go to church, parents are atheists, but at the same time I don't go so yeah...I pray to God tho so hopefully some day I'll go to church but I worry I'll get sent to hell cuz I keep repeating a sin and other sutff so yeah. Ur not alone.

At the risk of sounding Protestant (I was raised Catholic), I think doing what God says and interpreting the Bible how you believe it outweighs what the Church says you need to do. I'm not saying DON'T go to Church, if you want to, that's great, but I really don't want you antagonizing over your eternal fate at such a young age.

Who knows? It's damn scary tho

[Legoboy]

At the risk of sounding Protestant (I was raised Catholic), I think doing what God says and interpreting the Bible how you believe it outweighs what the Church says you need to do.

Hmm but the Church like the actual priests say what the Church thinks and how to interpret stuff. I mean you get in a lot of trouble if you disagree. So there's some stuff I really really don't agree with so if I DID go and yes like Reise said I do feel guilty I don't. So if I did go then basically i'd just get hassle or be told to go along with stuff I don't believe in.

[StoppingTom]

Hmm but the Church like the actual priests say what the Church thinks and how to interpret stuff. I mean you get in a lot of trouble if you disagree. So there's some stuff I really really don't agree with so if I DID go and yes like Reise said I do feel guilty I don't. So if I did go then basically i'd just get hassle or be told to go along with stuff I don't believe in.

What it sounds like to me, is you're kind of figuring out where you stand spiritually and realizing you don't necessarily fit the parameters established by any set religion. In that case, good for you! It's a pretty good sign of the fact you're maturing at a young age. Either way, it sounds to me like you will feel guilt, either by not going to church like you think you should, or by the potential hassling you'll get from people at the church.

[Legoboy]

What it sounds like to me, is you're kind of figuring out where you stand spiritually and realizing you don't necessarily fit the parameters established by any set religion. In that case, good for you! It's a pretty good sign of the fact you're maturing at a young age. Either way, it sounds to me like you will feel guilt, either by not going to church like you think you should, or by the potential hassling you'll get from people at the church.

Wow that is a awesome post aEon. You are right I think but I also kind of worry that is it my fault I don't fit? But then I think I don't think I can change or even want to change to suit someone else. So yeah thats basically where I'm at. Not going but still guilty anyway.

Thanks Body odah Man its somehow good to know I have company :cool:

[Body odah Man]

Wow that is a awesome post aEon. You are right I think but I also kind of worry that is it my fault I don't fit? But then I think I don't think I can change or even want to change to suit someone else. So yeah thats basically where I'm at. Not going but still guilty anyway.

Thanks Body odah Man its somehow good to know I have company :cool:

Agreed.

[Babs]

I don't believe in a god or a hell, but I'm pretty sure the bible says that Jesus died for your sins to be forgiven so you don't got much to worry about.

[Kuroshiro]

Personally I don't believe that there is a god however...

... if an all knowing, all powerful Christian God does exist they would allready know everything about you (including good or bad intentions) so it isn't necessarily a bad thing if you don't go to church because God allready knows your reasonings.

Even if you have selfish reasons according to the bible Jesus died for all your sins. So as long as you accept Jesus as your Lord and saviour you can do whatever. Unfortunately this is unethical as it essentially says that you can commit murder and you can still go to heaven.

In conclusion it doesn't really matter if you go church or not.

[Phoenix718]

Any God who would punish you for eternity because you didn't go to church, is no God worth your respect. Just do whatever you want to do to make yourself happy, and enjoy your life without second thoughts.

[Legoboy]

Any God who would punish you for eternity because you didn't go to church, is no God worth your respect. Just do whatever you want to do to make yourself happy, and enjoy your life without second thoughts.

I don't want to offend but that seems so wrong, I mean God is just like the guy who made everything so thats amazing and how can you not respect that or at least be scared he might just smoosh you?

[Zachary G]

Its not about what church you attend or belong to, its all about what you believe and have faith in. There is so much more about faith and religion that has to do with you and not where you attend or anything like that. You have plenty of time to work that out for yourself, but dont feel pressured into doing something you dont feel like doing or believe in doing.

[Legoboy]

Its not about what church you attend or belong to, its all about what you believe and have faith in. There is so much more about faith and religion that has to do with you and not where you attend or anything like that. You have plenty of time to work that out for yourself, but dont feel pressured into doing something you dont feel like doing or believe in doing.

Hmmm ok I mean I don't feel pressured by anyone who's a part of my life right now so maybe I'm just being stupid. I'm kind of thinking I should do stuff because of my past and what is supposed to be right.

But if its ok to make up whatever you want to believe in for yourself, that means like satanists or whoever are just as right as christians, so it seems to me you have to follow the rules?! Idk so confused lol.

[Phoenix718]

I don't want to offend but that seems so wrong, I mean God is just like the guy who made everything so thats amazing and how can you not respect that or at least be scared he might just smoosh you?
If you were in his place, would you condemn someone to eternity in hell for not wanting to go to a church?

[Legoboy]

If you were in his place, would you condemn someone to eternity in hell for not wanting to go to a church?

I thought its like hell is where you are going anyway UNLESS you go to church. God isn't sending you there, he's giving you a choice not to.

[Phoenix718]

I thought its like hell is where you are going anyway UNLESS you go to church. God isn't sending you there, he's giving you a choice not to.
No. The Christian God, who I presume is your God, is said to offer free will. Is he really giving us free will if he will punish us for eternity when we do something he disagrees with? The choice you have to make is between going to church and going to hell. If you ask me, it doesn't really sound like people have much of a choice.

[kayla...]

If you believe and made the commitment/give yourself to God then you can't go to hell
It's not about being a good catholic
Protestants don't all go to hell

[Just JT]

I really like this thread. I was not brought up with any religion at all. But recently my foster parents started bringing me to church, and I go to a catholic school. I really find religion interesting. My foster parents are Protestant, and I've learned a lot from them and church, and I've learned a lot in school to about Catholics religion. Here is what I think right now.

If you don't go to church, you won't to hell, it's just a place to go and worship with people who have the same or similar believes
God is very forgiving, if you truly ask for forgiveness.
How you choose to talk to God is a personal choice, and befor you can get the word out of your mouth, or thing of something, he already knows.
We have what someone said, free will, we can choose to do what we want, and be happy, but we should ow the rules to
Keith and Ann have taught me this, setting all other rules aside
When you die, and your before the gates to heaven, you will be asked one question.
Did you live your life the best you could have given you circumstances and been as kind as you could have been to others?
And if you can honestly answer yes to that question, then you will enter the kingdom of God

Now we all have regrets, we always look back at the shit we've done and said, I shoulda coulda woulda what ever. but did we learn from that?
That's the difference of weather we did the best we could or not
That's how I look at it
You can talk to God anywhere you want
I talk to him in the shower....

[Zachary G]

Hmmm ok I mean I don't feel pressured by anyone who's a part of my life right now so maybe I'm just being stupid. I'm kind of thinking I should do stuff because of my past and what is supposed to be right.

But if its ok to make up whatever you want to believe in for yourself, that means like satanists or whoever are just as right as christians, so it seems to me you have to follow the rules?! Idk so confused lol.

Satanists believe what they believe and christians believe what they believe, then you have those who dont believe either way, but believe in a higher power and live by a basic set of tenets like, treat others how you want to be treated, always try to do something good for someone else, be honest, do not steal, and stuff like that. I hope that makes some sense for you, its really hard to explain, but yet its really so simple. :yes:

[Legoboy]

No. The Christian God, who I presume is your God, is said to offer free will. Is he really giving us free will if he will punish us for eternity when we do something he disagrees with? The choice you have to make is between going to church and going to hell. If you ask me, it doesn't really sound like people have much of a choice.
Yeah ok I have to say I can't think of a good explanation but my foster brother says go with my own morals and so I have to say that seems like bs to me too if I'm really honest. But maybe I just need to speak to a priest and thats why you have to go to church, to save you screwing up.

If you believe and made the commitment/give yourself to God then you can't go to hell
It's not about being a good catholic
Protestants don't all go to hell
Yeah so thats maybe a reason to become a protestant but then you guys are all damned according to what I was taught about catholicism anyway and that right there makes me feel more bad about catholics than protestants because it seems harsh to me to take that view.

I really like this thread. I was not brought up with any religion at all. But recently my foster parents started bringing me to church, and I go to a catholic school. I really find religion interesting. My foster parents are Protestant, and I've learned a lot from them and church, and I've learned a lot in school to about Catholics religion. Here is what I think right now.

If you don't go to church, you won't to hell, it's just a place to go and worship with people who have the same or similar believes
God is very forgiving, if you truly ask for forgiveness.
How you choose to talk to God is a personal choice, and befor you can get the word out of your mouth, or thing of something, he already knows.
We have what someone said, free will, we can choose to do what we want, and be happy, but we should ow the rules to
Keith and Ann have taught me this, setting all other rules aside
When you die, and your before the gates to heaven, you will be asked one question.
Did you live your life the best you could have given you circumstances and been as kind as you could have been to others?
And if you can honestly answer yes to that question, then you will enter the kingdom of God

Now we all have regrets, we always look back at the shit we've done and said, I shoulda coulda woulda what ever. but did we learn from that?
That's the difference of weather we did the best we could or not
That's how I look at it
You can talk to God anywhere you want
I talk to him in the shower....

Honestly I don't think god is that forgiving. The bible is full of him wiping out tribes of people and children because they didn't do what he wanted. Then he does the flood and kills everyone because they didn't do what he wanted. Which is why I am scared really truely scared that i going to burn for not giving up being a sinner in thought and dead.

Satanists believe what they believe and christians believe what they believe, then you have those who dont believe either way, but believe in a higher power and live by a basic set of tenets like, treat others how you want to be treated, always try to do something good for someone else, be honest, do not steal, and stuff like that. I hope that makes some sense for you, its really hard to explain, but yet its really so simple. :yes:
Ok but if christians are right, atheists and satanists will burn in hell forever whether they do some good stuff or not, they still haven't done it in the name of Jesus.

I have to say guys this is interesting and I'm just saying what I was told and I'm not even sure what I believe right now so I am not really disagreeing with anyone but it is really interesting hearing your opinions so thanks for putting up with me.

[Just JT]

Honestly I don't think god is that forgiving. The bible is full of him wiping out tribes of people and children because they didn't do what he wanted. Then he does the flood and kills everyone because they didn't do what he wanted. Which is why I am scared really truely scared that i going to burn for not giving up being a sinner in thought and dead.

Keep in mind the stuff your reading was written thousand of years ago in a different language, has been translated and interpreted over and over again, just like in churh when the minister does a sermon, and relates it to life.

People then didn't have the education and technology and knowledge we have today. If they had some guy who's really popular say God flodded the world and killed everyone but 2 people and they reproduced into what we have today, then think about what the bible implies about incest
So I really think some things are subjective, misinterpreted, and leaves room for some things that are simply unrealistic

So use it as a guide to build your moral code maybe?

[Legoboy]

OK TJreversed but either you are allowed to interpret it 50000 ways or its the world of God. So like it wasn't written by cavemen it was written by God and he knows all about everything we could ever invent.

But yeah I get what you are saying bout 2 people like even adam and eve its like ok so they had 2 boys ... then what? I got in serious trouble at sunday school when I asked that and basically I couldn't even tell you a sensible answer I just got in trouble.

[Just JT]

OK TJreversed but either you are allowed to interpret it 50000 ways or its the world of God. So like it wasn't written by cavemen it was written by God and he knows all about everything we could ever invent.

But yeah I get what you are saying bout 2 people like even adam and eve its like ok so they had 2 boys ... then what? I got in serious trouble at sunday school when I asked that and basically I couldn't even tell you a sensible answer I just got in trouble.


I'm in catholic schools, with my history, they don't like me asking questions either

I asked the nun one day how she knows Jesus wasmt just some hip dude who ate some whacked out mushroom one day and started thinkin he's the son of God, and was a real good salesmen

She didn't like that question

[Legoboy]

See ok that made me lol but really I want to tell you off for being disrispectful of Jesus but then I thought thats just because I feel guilty about finding it funny. But I like to think if Jesus is who I always thought he was he'd lol too. I know nuns with awsome senses of humour so maybe yours missed out ;-)

[kayla...]

Just going by what I've been told
Think of what the book says- very little is rules from organised religion
Don't forget Catholicism invented stuff like purgatory at the time when you had to pay a priest for prayers - so if your loved one died you had to pay for them to make it to heaven - it was a racket.

Find the difference between faith and religion


Yeah ok I have to say I can't think of a good explanation but my foster brother says go with my own morals and so I have to say that seems like bs to me too if I'm really honest. But maybe I just need to speak to a priest and thats why you have to go to church, to save you screwing up.


Yeah so thats maybe a reason to become a protestant but then you guys are all damned according to what I was taught about catholicism anyway and that right there makes me feel more bad about catholics than protestants because it seems harsh to me to take that view.



Honestly I don't think god is that forgiving. The bible is full of him wiping out tribes of people and children because they didn't do what he wanted. Then he does the flood and kills everyone because they didn't do what he wanted. Which is why I am scared really truely scared that i going to burn for not giving up being a sinner in thought and dead.


Ok but if christians are right, atheists and satanists will burn in hell forever whether they do some good stuff or not, they still haven't done it in the name of Jesus.

I have to say guys this is interesting and I'm just saying what I was told and I'm not even sure what I believe right now so I am not really disagreeing with anyone but it is really interesting hearing your opinions so thanks for putting up with me.

[CirclesAndSquares]

If you believe in that stuff, all that matters is that you're a good person.

[hesaidhesaid]

I'm a Catholic and I will tell you this...
If your heart, soul and mind is here and willing to preach the news of the Gospel, then you will find it yourself to go to Church. If your heart isn't there, there is no point in preaching half a Gospel or spreading half of the Good News as such. You will not go to hell for not going to Church- but you would possibly go to hell for setting up a bad relationship with God by committing sins such as not going to Church (or even worse, half heartedly going to Church).

Think about that

[hesaidhesaid]

i'm in catholic schools, with my history, they don't like me asking questions either

i asked the nun one day how she knows jesus wasmt just some hip dude who ate some whacked out mushroom one day and started thinkin he's the son of god, and was a real good salesmen

she didn't like that question

hahahahahahaha best question

[boytoynamedtroy]

I'm in a wierd situtation right now. I am a Catholic or at least I was brought up a Catholic and I live with a new foster family now and its always been my choice but I haven't been to church basically for a year now. I mean they're awesome they'd take me if I wanted and they haven't pressured me to go or not to go. So the thing is I'm scared I'm going to hell because of not going but because of the reasons I have for not going are really strong like I'm not even sure I want to be catholic but I don't want to go to hell either.

So yeah what I'm thinking is maybe I'm screwed anway but I mean if the next life is supposed to be the real eternal one then basically if this life sucks and the next one sucks whats the point?

So I suppose I just want to know should I go to church even if I don't want to just in case? And won't God know I'm faking it if I don't want to be there? And what about my foster family because I don't want them to go to hell either but they aren't even religious.

I, personally, am an atheist. :) But I was once like you, a believer, and I understand the dilemma you're going through.

If you don't want to go to church, then don't. It shouldn't be something you have to do, but rather something you want to do. It's a devotion. If you don't enjoy it, then what's the point in going? There are many substitutes. You can always pray by yourself on your own time, you can help the poor by donating to charity or giving alms (if it's legal where you live), or start praying the rosary (it's shorter, but you have to do it every day).

I've been extremely religious; I used to go to church every day except Saturdays and pray the rosary every day. But now, I'm an atheist. Things come and go. Don't fret too much on something. Enjoy life and let the chips fall where they may. As the Pope said, "Even atheists go to heaven." So, don't burden yourself with questionable moral obligations. For as long as you're not hurting anyone, you're guaranteed a ticket to heaven. :)

[Jaffe]

Legoboy
Wow, Luke, you started an awesome thread. I was going to quote a few posts here, but realised I had clicked "multi-quote" 20+ times, so I think I will just adlib instead.

First.. the flood thing. Yeah, per biblical tradition, the flood was intended to wipe everyone out and start over. But that had nothing to do with Christianity, and less to do with Catholicism. The flood happened thousands of years before Christ was born, and Christ was 100 years before Christianity became its own religion, and even then it took a few generations before the Romans invented Catholicism. So if the flood was making the earth clean for re-population, God must have been planning to repopulate with Hebrews, not Christians.

2nd... going to church. Churches vary. Even Catholic churches vary. I have a lot of acquaintances that are Catholic, that have never been in a church except at Easter and Christmas, and some of them not even then. They are still Catholic, still believers, and many of them very adamant in their beliefs. Going to church doesn't determine what you believe. But keep this in mind: priests/pastors/ministers always WANT you to attend church, because you don't put much cash in the collection plate when you are sitting in front of the TV watching football on Sunday morning.

History of organised religion is an interesting subject, and it sounds like you might benefit from reading a bit, if the mechanics of church are bothering you. There are lots of history books dealing with the Messiah movement, outside of religious texts, that you might find helpful.

But really, it all comes down to what is inside you. Some people like the mechanics of religion, the ritual. They find it adds structure to life, to get up on Sunday and go to church, and they probably receive a lot of inspiration from the sermon (which you won't get, form the service of mass) and just as much, they get a lot of support from the people, their friends, that they meet there. Protestants have this down to a science: they have a sermon, without any specified format, for the week's inspiration and lesson. Then they have coffee and cake, while the kids go to Sunday School. Adult time, built in baby-sitting, visiting with friends. Perfect weekend activity! And no planning needed!

So if the ritual is important to you, go to church. If feeling is more important to you, then no need. People live wonderful, meaningful lives without ever attending church. And I will never believe that they will be punished for doing good things, just because they didn't go to church and put money in the plate. Spirituality is about what is inside of you; religion is about the ritual. You have to decide what is important. And as someone told you already in this thread, you seem to be searching for who you are and what you believe, and that searching, in and of itself, is admirable.

Keep searching. But don't put too much trust in anyone, either priests or laymen. Find what your own spirit wants, not what someone else tells you it should want.

[Legoboy]

I'm a Catholic and I will tell you this...
If your heart, soul and mind is here and willing to preach the news of the Gospel,
Mind 100% nope. Where I am right now I am pissed off with the religion. Soul and heart ... I don't feel inspired towards that, I am angry if anything.

but you would possibly go to hell for setting up a bad relationship with God by committing sins such as not going to Church (or even worse, half heartedly going to Church).
I like that you said "even worse" because like my foster dad said I'd rather be an honest sinner than a dishonest hypocrite ... because I've personal experience of one of those which is why I'm here :(

Thanks boytoynamedtroy.

As the Pope said, "Even atheists go to heaven."
Yeah I had a teacher talk about this and he says its basically a big 'screw you' to atheists. Like "you can't escape mwahaha".

Legoboy
So if the flood was making the earth clean for re-population, God must have been planning to repopulate with Hebrews, not Christians.
Yep ... but then He supposedly would have known that Christians would have come about so if you want oak trees you plant acorns.

priests/pastors/ministers always WANT you to attend church, because you don't put much cash in the collection plate when you are sitting in front of the TV watching football on Sunday morning.
Hah i'd never thought of it like that. Very good point.

History of organised religion is an interesting subject, and it sounds like you might benefit from reading a bit, if the mechanics of church are bothering you. There are lots of history books dealing with the Messiah movement, outside of religious texts, that you might find helpful.
Awesome thanks. I guess from what you said after mechanics= the rituals and that stuff. Yep definately that part bothers me now. Like statues in churches and stuff apparently isn't idol worship which is wrong ... and then then my old priest hated harry potter stories and i'm like wtf its a story, people don't expect magic to work but your doing all these magic rituals yourself ?

Seriously Jaffe and everyone thanks so much :P

[EmilySmith]

Oh you are too little for that I think.
But… I have exactly the same problem, my mother thinks that you have to pray for it and everything gets back normal, but… here's one thing…
What's the point of being in church, if you don't want to? But… I believe in god as well… (even though I'm not that church going person) and here's what I think. God will find you by himself… and you will feel it by yourself, when you need him.

[ChaosEarthquake]

I'm in a wierd situtation right now. I am a Catholic or at least I was brought up a Catholic and I live with a new foster family now and its always been my choice but I haven't been to church basically for a year now. I mean they're awesome they'd take me if I wanted and they haven't pressured me to go or not to go. So the thing is I'm scared I'm going to hell because of not going but because of the reasons I have for not going are really strong like I'm not even sure I want to be catholic but I don't want to go to hell either.

So yeah what I'm thinking is maybe I'm screwed anway but I mean if the next life is supposed to be the real eternal one then basically if this life sucks and the next one sucks whats the point?

So I suppose I just want to know should I go to church even if I don't want to just in case? And won't God know I'm faking it if I don't want to be there? And what about my foster family because I don't want them to go to hell either but they aren't even religious.

As a fellow Catholic, I completely understand your situation. I have stopped going to the church my mother and sister go to, simply because I did not feel comfortable in that church. Many things were said that were absolutely rude, and I disliked it.
Ever since I haven't gone, and have done self-studying sessions of myself and The Bible, I seem to have received a stronger connection with God, and it makes me absolutely giddy.
It is simply all up to you and however you want to approach it. I can PROMISE you, that you will NOT go to Hell for not attending a church.

[Nightfall_]

I dont think you'll go to hell. If you have a valid reason that you beleive is tre, you'll be fine. I promise

[CupcakeLuv101]

I'm in a wierd situtation right now. I am a Catholic or at least I was brought up a Catholic and I live with a new foster family now and its always been my choice but I haven't been to church basically for a year now. I mean they're awesome they'd take me if I wanted and they haven't pressured me to go or not to go. So the thing is I'm scared I'm going to hell because of not going but because of the reasons I have for not going are really strong like I'm not even sure I want to be catholic but I don't want to go to hell either.

So yeah what I'm thinking is maybe I'm screwed anway but I mean if the next life is supposed to be the real eternal one then basically if this life sucks and the next one sucks whats the point?

So I suppose I just want to know should I go to church even if I don't want to just in case? And won't God know I'm faking it if I don't want to be there? And what about my foster family because I don't want them to go to hell either but they aren't even religious.

God loves everyone no matter how sinful you are regardless of whether or not you go to church. God loves you very much more than you could imagine, more than you love yourself.

John 3:16 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.

So if you believe in Jesus you will go to heaven. It doesn't matter if you go to church or not. As long as you believe in Jesus. Although going to church will help strengthen your relationship between you and God.

I, myself am 15. Believe in God. Am Christian. Never went to church. Why? Because my dad doesn't believe in anything. My mom is Christian too but not my dad. And because of that, I never have been sent to church. I would like to when I'm older but for now I can't.

Good luck to you and God bless <3

[Hannah98]

I personally do not feel that in order to walk with and have a relationship with God or our Savior we have to be specifically tied to one organized religion or attend a specific Church. I am very spiritual but do not attend Church regularly nor do I believe that one Christian faith trumps another. I have visited several Churches with different friends of different faiths and I think it is more important to believe in God, accept Jesus as our Savior and to be a good person. Again, before anyone sends any negative messages my way, this is only my opinion.

[Dalcourt]

Religious beliefs is just a concept mankind made up to feel less lost in life so I wouldn't worry to much about heaven or hell.

[trackinglife]

so mankind came up with impossible to reach standards to feel less lost? That makes no sense Corbeau. Essentially you're accusing millions of people of just lying about their personal experiences. What kind of arrogant jackass are you?

[Legoboy]

so mankind came up with impossible to reach standards to feel less lost? That makes no sense Corbeau. Essentially you're accusing millions of people of just lying about their personal experiences. What kind of arrogant jackass are you?

People are allowed to have different views, doesn't make them arrogant. Assuming something is right simply because 'a lot of people say it' is a logical fallacy. A lot of people used to think the world was flat. They were wrong.

Most religious people are making a leap of faith that doesn't require solid real-world evidence in the way that atheists see the world. An atheist could claim that we are lying to ourselves because we have no evidence we can share with them about our beliefs. I don't think that is arrogance it is simply being logical.

[trackinglife]

Actually most people didn't think the world was flat. Anyone who went up into a tower or the mast of a Ship could see the curve of the world.
Atheists take just as much on faith. Many scientific theories that people accept as facts are based on varied assumptions that have no hard evidence to them. Most atheists would claim they just believe in science rather than religion but I promise you if you backtrack to core beliefs you will find faith is required for both.
It is arrogant to believe that millions of people are wrong and you are the one that is right. It is arrogant to believe that people came up with these concepts on their own. You have no evidence for that at all. You are making an ASSUMPTION that they came up with the concepts on their own out of thin air. Assumptions require faith.
I am not saying you should assume they are right simply because "a lot of people say it" I am saying that you should be able to offer some evidence for why they are wrong. IM not asking you to prove a negative im asking you to show hard evidence to the contrary.
In a court room for example you can't prove that someone didn't kill someone all you can do is show evidence to the contrary such as an alibi in that they were somewhere else at the time of the murder, or you can show evidence that someone else killed them even. Same is true here if you want to claim they are wrong despite very well document accounts of experiences with God and Miracles you have to do more than just say they made them up. Otherwise you are just assuming they are wrong based on your own bias and no actual evidence.

[Legoboy]

Actually most people didn't think the world was flat. Anyone who went up into a tower or the mast of a Ship could see the curve of the world.
Ancient civilisation believed a number of different shapes and arrangements of the earth and planets. If it was so easy as you say to convince everyone then all these wrong views wouldn't have lasted as very popular opinions until the late 17th century (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth)

Atheists take just as much on faith. Many scientific theories that people accept as facts are based on varied assumptions that have no hard evidence to them.
Such as?


Most atheists would claim they just believe in science rather than religion but I promise you if you backtrack to core beliefs you will find faith is required for both.
Atheists do not automatically or exclusively believe in science. Theists do not automatically or exclusively NOT believe in science.

People who believe in scientific method (which includes many religious believers remember) don't have "faith" in it in a religious sense they simply trust the method. "Faith" in science is like faith that the sun will come up. Knowledge of the statistical probability of something happening based on repeatable observation isn't the same as spiritual faith which can persist in spite of NO evidence or predictions coming true.

It is arrogant to believe that millions of people are wrong and you are the one that is right.
Not only is it not "arrogant" it is perfectly sensible. Assuming something is true with no evidence other than lots of people agreeing is a well known logical fallacy (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argumentum_ad_populum) as I said before.


It is arrogant to believe that people came up with these concepts on their own. You have no evidence for that at all.

So you claim people came up with these concepts with divine help? Then simply show corbeau your divine help. Prove god exists.

You are making an ASSUMPTION that they came up with the concepts on their own out of thin air.
No, I haven't made that claim anywhere.

II am not saying you should assume they are right simply because "a lot of people say it" I am saying that you should be able to offer some evidence for why they are wrong. IM not asking you to prove a negative im asking you to show hard evidence to the contrary.
I haven't claimed they are wrong! As I happen to agree with them I'm not inclined to try to prove myself wrong either :P

I
In a court room for example you can't prove that someone didn't kill someone all you can do is show evidence to the contrary such as an alibi in that they were somewhere else at the time of the murder, or you can show evidence that someone else killed them even. Same is true here if you want to claim they are wrong despite very well document accounts of experiences with God and Miracles you have to do more than just say they made them up. Otherwise you are just assuming they are wrong based on your own bias and no actual evidence.
I am not claiming they are wrong. I am stating that a rational person is not going to believe somethng simply because a lot of people say it. If those people have a good reason to say it which they can show to the person they are trying to convince then thats the solution.

So if you want to convince corbeau really instead of hassling him because "lots of people say so" you need to explain WHY people say it.

[Dalcourt]

so mankind came up with impossible to reach standards to feel less lost? That makes no sense Corbeau. Essentially you're accusing millions of people of just lying about their personal experiences. What kind of arrogant jackass are you?

Every single religion in the world is simply just a form of philosophy or ethics...thinking concepts made up by humans nothing more nothing less. How else could there be so many different if there really was one truth? Why should be Christianity and the Christian god the "right thing"? Why not the Gods worshipped in ancient Egypt for example?
Doesn't make sense at all. Why do new sects and cults emerge?
Why do people change their beliefs?

You as a human being chose what you may or may not believe in...it's simple as that.