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1113
1114

What I feel when a christian says that I will burn in hell for all eternity (chzichcafterdark.files.wordpress.com)

submitted ago by Carrothunter

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[–]brutalsun 9 points10 points ago

My response is "Fire fighters aren't welcome in hell, we'll just put it out" Faces are usually priceless.

[–]Support_MD 3 points4 points ago

I wish I was a firefighter just so that I can use this line. And because you are awesome people for what you do.

[–]antitheist33 3 points4 points ago

You should probably keep in mind that such threats are made for their own benefit. They get off on convincing themselves that anyone they don't like will get bitch-slapped by God for all eternity in the afterlife. They, on the other hand, will get to spend eternity playing teacher's pet in the happily-ever-after land.

[–]Gramma42ton 0 points1 point ago

It reminds me of people who argue with someone on Reddit and repeatedly downvote the other person's comment to bring it to 0 (1|1)

[–]CarpTunnel 3 points4 points ago

On a side note, it pisses me off when I am having a debate with someone else, and a 3rd party comes along and down votes all of the comments of the person I was debating with. If his comments are down-voted mine are buried too.

[–]boxedlogic 0 points1 point ago

Just remind yourself that it doesn't really matter.

[–]IranRPCV 12 points13 points ago

As a Christian, I say they don't represent what I understand to be the Christian message. Jesus sometimes used non believers as models of behavior that religious people should aspire to, and specifically said that pagans would be found in heaven. The Gospel was introduced in Luke with the words that none should fear, and that it would be good news for all people.

The times when Jesus was asked point blank what was needed for salvation, he pointed to love. When he described the day of judgement, he indicated that it would be a day of salvation for those who have done loving acts, even those who don't recognise him.

To me, questions of belief or non belief are insignificant compared to being motivated by love.

[–]antitheist33 18 points19 points ago

Given how convoluted and contradictory the bible is, you can get it to say just about anything you want it to if you try hard enough. Anytime someone points out something less than flattering about Christian theology, someone else will chime in with "but that isn't what the bible really says," and will be able to find passages that back up their claim. Despite that fact, the most other Christians will think the exact opposite is true and will be able to find just as many passages that support their version as well. You would think God's guidance would have been a bit more explicit and less susceptible to such large variations in interpretation.

[–]IranRPCV 4 points5 points ago

You are correct of course, however:

the majority of Christians think the exact opposite is true

What makes you think this? The data doesn't support such a conclusion as far as I can tell.

[–]antitheist33 4 points5 points ago

I wasn't familiar with that poll. I was just going off personal experience and what the various denominations actually teach, which is usually that non-Christians will be condemned, unless it's a denomination that goes with second death instead of eternal damnation, (as if dying once is somehow not sufficient.) My point is that such drastic differences in the interpretation of the same religious text shouldn't even be possible for something that is supposed to be God's guidance to humanity.

[–]IranRPCV 1 point2 points ago

I think it is interesting that even the people who self identified as Evangelical don't claim to believe what their denominations teach. Jesus himself taught that heretics and pagans would be found in heaven and that religious people who weren't loving were in danger of missing out.

Having lived in different cultures and speaking several different languages, it doesn't surprise me that people may not agree on the meaning of something written 2000 years ago in a different language and belonging to a different culture. Even eye witnesses to an event that happened in the last hour will give surprisingly differing accounts.

I think the big mistake is those who seek to control others through the use of fear. Of course this happens in families, schools, politics, and almost any other social institution you can name as well as religion.

The common link to accounts of mystic experience are a report of well being and experience of love, even though the contexts may differ greatly.

[–]antitheist33 4 points5 points ago

it doesn't surprise me that people may not agree on the meaning of something written 2000 years ago in a different language and belonging to a different culture. Even eye witnesses to an event that happened in the last hour will give surprisingly differing accounts.

Then it shouldn't be considered a reliable source.

I think the big mistake is those who seek to control others through the use of fear. Of course this happens in families, schools, politics, and almost any other social institution you can name as well as religion.

I would argue that religion, especially in the case of Islam, is the primary reason we see the use of fear in families, schools (depending on the school), politics, and government. It is not a foregone conclusion that any social institution will promote this kind of behavior.

[–]IranRPCV 0 points1 point ago

Then it shouldn't be considered a reliable source.

If you are saying that no one should surrender their own responsibility for decision making over anything important to them to an outside authority, I completely agree with you. You should rely on your own judgement, tempered with a sense of your own track record in making these decisions.

Islam gets picked on a lot, and not unfairly, but the story is not one sided. The transformation of Malcolm X when he returned from Haj should be instructive. I have lived in Muslim countries and found extraordinary kindness rooted in Islam. Some of the most popular and insightful writing on the subject of Love and forgiveness in all of literature comes from Islamic sources.

[–]sentryDefiant 2 points3 points ago

I've never heard of any Christian church preaching that heretics and pagans would be found in heaven, unless you mean after they have begged for forgiveness and believed in Jesus?

[–]IranRPCV 0 points1 point ago

[Here is a Wiki article] that may be helpful](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_reconciliation). The Good Samaritan was a heretic as far as the Jews were concerned, and Jesus told his story after answering the question of what was necessary for salvation. (Hint: he didn't say "believe")

In the story of the Roman centurion Jesus specifically spoke of people from the East, i.e. pagans, and the West, i.e. Rome being found in Heaven.

[–]sentryDefiant 2 points3 points ago

Well sure, if you're a universalist. Any other christian would argue that because he was a Jew, asking what to do to get salvation, like a law...would want a law he could follow to get into heaven. But then they'll argue that Jesus abolished the law, or that they're gentiles and so they aren't under the law. Etc etc, blah blah blah. Point is, no Christian I know is going to argue that I can just be a good neighbor and enter heaven...without even believing in Jesus. Universalists are something else entirely.

[–]kent_eh 2 points3 points ago

Jesus himself taught that heretics and pagans would be found in heaven and that religious people who weren't loving were in danger of missing out.

Chapter&verse please?

I know some people who I need to point out some parts of their bible that they have been ignoring.

They seem to have a need to keep reminding me that I'm going to burn unless I follow them to their church.

[–]slightly_bald 0 points1 point ago

You're touching on two different topics here, I think.

First, most Christians do teach that non-Christians will go to Hell. But, there's a difference between believing that non-believers will go to Hell and believing that you have any control over making that happen. Even if the Bible is true, there's always the chance that God will make the whole thing a wash and let everyone into Heaven. No human has any authority over who God does or doesn't let into Heaven. More importantly, the presumption of such should be considered blasphemy. The fact that it's not is only one of the problems I have with religion.

Second, the issue of Sola Scriptura. That is the belief that the Bible is the perfect and complete "word of God". I've always found this belief to be shoehorned in. In order to buy it, you have to believe that what is considered scripture is validated by a person. Now, this is all well and good with the Old Testament. People in the New Testament validated the Old Testament as scripture. But, who validated the New Testament? Nobody on the Bible, that's for sure. Which means, it takes someone from outside of established scripture to validate it. Which means the Bible isn't complete. And all of that requires that we believe that everything these people said is true and perfect. But, aren't all people sinners? Why should I trust them? Because God told them? And who told you that?

The first is a failure of Christianity to understand their own logic. The second is a failure of Christianity to use any logic whatsoever.

[–]VerdigolFludidi 2 points3 points ago

If he is correct, why are you still holding on to your contradictory book? Why not use a book on ethics that tackles the question of morality head-on and doesn't try to give moral arguments through stricts laws or parables?

As a moral guidebook the bible wasn't modern even in it's own times. Almost half a millenia earlier Socrates put in place better ethical guidelines than the New Testament did.

[–]JosephBartels 1 point2 points ago

What conclusion? This survey didn't ask religious Americans if they think atheists go to hell or not.

[–]rhubarbs 1 point2 points ago

Eh... a pretty small sample size, and given that the poll was conducted (mostly?) on beliefnet it is probably fairly biased.

I wouldn't take that as "the data" at all.

[–]Carrothunter[S] 11 points12 points ago

well that's good and all but I'm not necessarily referring to all Christians its just the few Christians that I know are all idiots who have only just skimmed through the bible and they think that they know all about eternal bliss and what you have to have happened for you to be sent into a place for eternal damnation.

[–]IranRPCV 10 points11 points ago

I didn't post my comment to disagree with you about your targets. I know that enough of us behave poorly enough to deserve being called out.

I just think that we need to stop insulting each other as a small step to start making it better.

[–]zer05tar 4 points5 points ago

Either way, I'm saving this pic for just the right occasion...

[–]Frigorific 4 points5 points ago

specifically said that pagans would be found in heaven.

Citation please. Genuinely curious.

[–]DefinitelyRelephant 5 points6 points ago

No True Scotsman

[–]yeathl 1 point2 points ago

That makes you a rare American Christian. I have been lucky to have many friends like yourself who are of a similar mind with their belief in Jesus.

Keep on your path... perhaps one day we can have a real dialogue between the athiest and religious communities in our country one day. Fanatacism thrives when all we do is remain silent and allow them to bully us in God's name (both of us: atheist and progressive Christian alike!).

[–]Grindstone50k 0 points1 point ago

As a former Christian, there are so many different "understandings" of the Christian message, they'd all be wrong if god was real.

[–]jamesdaily 0 points1 point ago

I think I found love...

[–]JosephBartels -2 points-1 points ago

It's nice to see a true Christian post here on r/atheism, it offers us some perspective.

[–]Lots42 1 point2 points ago

I have yet to find two people who agree on what a 'Christian' actually IS.

[–]Voxx101 2 points3 points ago

And this happens to you how often?

[–]mark4669 3 points4 points ago

It has happened to me at work. He knew I was "good" and was concerned about my fate. I turned it around by asking how he could believe in such a cruel, evil, heartless, evil, cruel, being that would subject a good person to such a fate.

[–]cultured_banana_slug 0 points1 point ago

I like the "beaten half to death" example. If god told them to beat you half to death, and they were 100% sure it was god, would they do it? If they say god wouldn't do that, ask why god would send you to hell and have other people torture you. For all eternity too.

There are usually some kind of mental gymnastics performed. They don't want to accept that their god does things they disagree with or find reprehensible. That feels too weird. God is always right. You can't think anything god does is wrong.

[–]girlseekingserotonin 2 points3 points ago

I look them straight in the eyes and say, "I'll see you there, motherfucker."

[–]Balmingway 0 points1 point ago

I see far too many of these here.

[–]RoyallyTenenbaumed 1 point2 points ago

1412/104, would chortle again. This face is priceless. Fucking P. Stewart.

[–]outputrotation 1 point2 points ago

you could respond with "Santa isn't bringing you presents this year!"

[–]bitchhammer 1 point2 points ago

If I thought someone was about to receive infinite punishment I'd probably be nice to them. What's the point of being mean? After all, infinite +1 is still infinite. Why pile on? Unless you're insecure of course.

[–]bzeurunkl 0 points1 point ago

When reason fails, there's always contradiction!

[–]bitchhammer 1 point2 points ago

I hear so many times "They're not TRUE Christians." Way to totally disassociate yourself from criticism. What is a true christian? And why aren't they as enlightened as you? Go on Mr. All understanding christian all mighty, who knows the true way. Enlighten me.

[–]Justin007isback 1 point2 points ago

God.

Check and mate.

[–]iforgotmyusername12 0 points1 point ago

Actually you misinterpreted what they are saying. Christians are saying fuck you when using the phrase "I will pray for you".

[–]kalliopehm 1 point2 points ago

I love when Christians try and be all polite about it. "Well, I love you, and you're a great person, and you're totally one of the best people I know...but if you don't suddenly change your mind and convert to my theology you're going to get assraped by the devil and burn in hell for the rest of time."

Thanks, dude. You haven't invalidated your earlier statement at all. ಠ_ಠ

[–]Skatingbasser 1 point2 points ago

Awful. Ugh. Lazy, thoughtless, mediocre garbage. Being an Atheist used to be exciting.

[–]Lots42 -4 points-3 points ago

Boning your mom used to be exciting.

[–]Skatingbasser 0 points1 point ago

Not likely.

[–]Lots42 0 points1 point ago

You have experience in boning your mom?

o_O

[–]dizzysmile 0 points1 point ago

Accurate. Also, this is officially my new favorite reaction image.

[–]geckofooddude 1 point2 points ago

I've lived in many regions and visited many churches as an atheist and I have not once been told this by anyone. I'm sorry but I wasn't aware of any places where people get told this multiple times on a regular basis as this post makes it seem so many people do

[–]Lots42 -1 points0 points ago

Catholocism.

[–]hat678 0 points1 point ago

Tune in to a religious broadcast. The threat of hell fire is what keeps the money pouring into the cult.

[–]ODiggs 0 points1 point ago

was on the fence about giving out a precious upvote, then saw his face, then realized we were sitting at 999. no brainer at that point!

[–]daviy 0 points1 point ago

At least it's going to be warm!

[–]leprechaun3000 0 points1 point ago

That kind of threat actually offends me, not because I think it will happen, but because the person across from me believes that it will happen and they are gloating about it. They are smugly telling you that you will, for eternity, have to endure unbearable suffering. It's practically psychopathic. If someone tries to shoot you with an empty gun, it's still scary to know that they thought it was loaded. Same thing. Those are not empty threats to them and that reveals something about their character.

[–]brussels4breakfast 1 point2 points ago

I have bad news for those who claim they are "Christians". If there is a Hell, they will be the first to enter.

[–]jamesdaily 0 points1 point ago

Next time someone tells me that I'm going to hell I will simply post this. Thank you sir.

[–]turgore 0 points1 point ago

Just tell them that they are going to muslim hell, or jewish hell, or mormon hell or all of the above.

[–]DrAllanGrant -2 points-1 points ago

someone who says that isn't truly a christian since they are passing judgement which is supposed to be reserved for their god. they just like being assholes

[–]bitchhammer 1 point2 points ago

Who has the authority to decide who is acting "truly christian?"

[–]Lots42 1 point2 points ago

When a religious person sees another religious person acting in a different manner.

[–]DrAllanGrant 0 points1 point ago

sorry i was kinda joking because everyone in the nondenominational fundamentalist church i went to when i was young would judge you and say things to you if you weren't acting properly according to them

[–]cumfarts -4 points-3 points ago

nothing to do with atheism

[–]Lots42 0 points1 point ago

Are you a bot?

[–]hat678 0 points1 point ago

I am

[–]DutchmanDavid 0 points1 point ago

How doesn't it? It's about a situation where a believer effectively tells a non-believer to fuck off, because he doesn't believe.

[–]cumfarts -4 points-3 points ago

And it never happened

[–]DutchmanDavid 0 points1 point ago

Maybe not to OP.

[–]heybuddy93 0 points1 point ago

Nah, those are just the Westboro Baptists.

[–]MTknowsit -1 points0 points ago

I am a Christian and I've never heard of anyone telling someone they are going to burn in hell for all eternity. Where are you finding these defective Christians?

[–]hat678 -1 points0 points ago

The cult followers are getting this poison directly from jesus himself.

How could you possibly call yourself a christian and not know that one of the core messages of the cult is that non-followers will burn in hell forever?

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