<p>Why, in principle, is a good, non-Christian (be it Muslim, agnostic, atheist, pastafarian, etc.) barred from heaven?</p>
<p>I've always been curious, and no one's really explained it to me.</p>
<p>Heaven has a limited amount of space, and Christians called early to reserve seats.</p>
<p>What asses.</p>
<p>I know. Seriously.</p>
<p>All seriousness aside, define "good".</p>
<p>Have they ever murdered? What about God's definition of the word? Let's see. Remember, the Bible says that "as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." So have they ever thought, "I want to strangle that guy!" Because if they have, they're (at least in God's eyes) a murderer.</p>
<p>What about lying? Don't tell me they've never lied; everyone's lied. That's a sin, too.</p>
<p>But what, exactly, is a sin? That's a good question, and here's a good answer. The Bible says, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." Do they practice that always? If not, that's sin.</p>
<p>Go ahead, tear me to shreds. I have no dignity anymore.</p>
<p>I am confused.</p>
<p>All I'm trying to say is that no one's truly "good". Which is why we all need to be saved.</p>
<p>Okay, I get it. I couldn't figure out whether or not you were criticising the Christian approach to "good"</p>
<p>So am I, but I'll try my hand at this. I am not interested in tearing anyone to shreds.</p>
<p>Now, I am no expert in the Bible (being an atheist and all, I've read it once or twice out of literary interest), but as an English person, I'd stress the 'in his heart' portion of "as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." There is the difference between saying "that guy should just go curl up and die" to be funny and honestly believing in your heart that someone should die.</p>
<p>For the latter, it takes a lot of conviction.</p>
<p>As for lying, yes, I'm pretty sure nearly everyone's lied, so what does that mean? No one gets to heaven? Isn't it that if you pray for forgiveness OR you feel truly sorry, the lord forgives you?</p>
<p>What is good? Living without attempting to stop anyone else's pursuit of life (unless, of course, that person's pursuit of life is to intentionally hold another person in pain).</p>
<p>Exactly the opposite. Was I that ambiguous?</p>
<p>ETA: No, it's saying that if you don't believe in God (i.e., Jesus) and ask for forgiveness for your sins, the only way to go to Heaven is to be perfect. Good luck on the latter.</p>
<p>What if you have been a devout Christian for 50 years, then suddenly get a brain injury or dementia and stop believing?</p>
<p>I doubt Ronald Reagan still believed in Christ when he died :p</p>
<p>You have to be able to decide between what's right or wrong. If you're too young to, or you're mentally unable to, you'll still go to heaven, in my understanding. I'm not absolutely certain on this, though; I am just a 17-year-old college student, so don't quote me to the Devil if you get in this argument with him. OK? :)</p>
<p>
I'm not touching that one.</p>
<p>Perhaps I really need to refine my question:</p>
<p>Is God concerned more with worship or with goodness?</p>
<p>God is concerned most with faith.</p>
<p>according to everything ive been taught by multiple denominations is that the foremost priority is accepting jesus as your savior and molding you life after his. goodness is kind of a part of that.</p>
<p>but im not christian anymore so maybe they've come out with a revised version lol</p>
<p>Many pastors are attempting to make Christianity new and hip. That's the revised version for you. Yo.</p>
<p>^^Yes, and it is quite scary sometimes. I know someone went to a church that had a PowerPoint of something on a bigscreen involved in the sermon, and on the screen were the words "You can't pimp Jesus!" What the hell is that supposed to mean?</p>
<p>^ Lol.</p>
<p>Oh dear.</p>
<p>Well, he don't accept no ho's.</p>
<p>not if they -stay- ho's anyhow.</p>
<p>He does accept ho's if they do a few simple things. They must acquire faith the size of a mustard seed and move mountains.</p>