Must one subscribe to and practice Christianity to get into heaven according to the Bible? What do modern churches think? If had trouble finding a concrete answer on this.

I asked this to someone and they said something like "it doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you are a good moral person".

And no, I'm not asking this because I'm afraid of going to hell something insane like that.

Sorry, I'm sure this thread has been done before, but the search function returned nothing that answered my question. Also please excuse my haziness as it is 5am on Jan. 1.

I did not make this video nor can I defend any of the claims made in this video but it is highly relevant to your questions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzzORZhnCao&mode=related&search=

I'm a christian turned positive-atheist. I was taught that Jesus died for our sins and to allow us to get into heaven. Can someone explain to me how Jesus' death allows people to go to heaven?

quote:Originally posted by alexander_graham_bell:

I'm a christian turned positive-atheist. I was taught that Jesus died for our sins and to allow us to get into heaven. Can someone explain to me how Jesus' death allows people to go to heaven?

If you really were a "christian turned positive-atheist" wouldn't you know already why Jesus' death allows people to go to heaven?

quote:Originally posted by Deoz:

If you really were a "christian turned positive-atheist" wouldn't you know already why Jesus' death allows people to go to heaven?



No, I was always just told "Jesus died for our sins and to allow us to go to heaven" and that was the end of it. I also asked many of my Christian friends and nobody could give me a straight answer. If you know, please enlighten me.



[This message has been edited by alexander_graham_bell (edited 01-01-2007).]

quote:Originally posted by alexander_graham_bell:

I'm a christian turned positive-atheist. I was taught that Jesus died for our sins and to allow us to get into heaven. Can someone explain to me how Jesus' death allows people to go to heaven?

man is fundamentally flawed through sin and thus isnt fit for heaven, jesus died and took all our sins upon himself, so when we accept him as our savior our sins are forgiven by the blood of jesus and we are fit to go into heaven. thats it in a nutshell

but just a warning this isnt a endorsment for christian religion in fact i highly recomend against it

[This message has been edited by Pyroyoshi (edited 01-01-2007).]

quote:Originally posted by Pyroyoshi:

man is fundamentally flawed through sin and thus isnt fit for heaven, jesus died and took all our sins upon himself, so when we accept him as our savior our sins are forgiven by the blood of jesus and we are fit to go into heaven. thats it in a nutshell

but just a warning this isnt a endorsment for christian religion in fact i highly recomend against it



But why does Jesus have to die to make up for our sins? Is he just taking the fall for our sins? Is this all in the eyes of the father?

quote:Originally posted by alexander_graham_bell:

But why does Jesus have to die to make up for our sins? Is he just taking the fall for our sins? Is this all in the eyes of the father?

Yes, pretty much. Some would say that it's because in order to truly judge us, God had to experience the pains of being a man. I think it's all hogwash.

quote:Originally posted by alexander_graham_bell:

But why does Jesus have to die to make up for our sins? Is he just taking the fall for our sins? Is this all in the eyes of the father?

mans sin is disobeying god, by doing so there unfit for heaven, in order to remove that sin it requires the sacrifice of a pure being i.e jesus. it goes back to the sacrificing of lambs and other animals in the old testament to attone for sins and gain gods forgivenes, jesus was the ultimate sacrifice and thus we dont need anymore and all we have to do is believe to enjoy forgivness

so I could just say "I believe in jesus as my one true savior" and BAM Im in?

quote:Originally posted by vazilizaitsev89:

so I could just say "I believe in jesus as my one true savior" and BAM Im in?

it's more of a:

Love god

love others as yourself.

Depends on wich Christian sect we're talking about. It can be as easy as accepting Jesus as your savior and truly repent your sins.

To just being chosen by God, and then it doesn't matter how much you sin, it is predestined you go or not, you could be a saint and sent to hell. (These are the 144,000 who actually go to heaven, the rest doesn't)

Religion is the opiate of the weak.

You have a persisting soul. But the afterlife is not as black and white as the bible says.

Its not either 'heaven' or 'hell'....theres a huge grey area inbetween, and it isn't purgatory. you may choose where you wish to spend eternity, though if you fucked around too much this life, you may not be accepted into the christian heaven.....though you wouldn't want to...it's no fun. Just go in limbo for a spell.

You have eternity to live with your decision, why make that decision on your first day.

-Neutral

I didn't read the rest of this thread, but the bible says that all you need to do is believe that Jesus died to save you from your sins, and then you're good to go, no matter what you do or think, after having that belief sincerely

[This message has been edited by MyFriendDave (edited 01-06-2007).]