Originally posted by SpearofDestiny
That is where I disagree, and I think this is the only real problem I have with Christianity, otherwise, I don't mind it as a religion or philosophy.If God blatantly showed himself to us through an obvious and clear representation which we all recognized, then we would have no excuse, and thus Hell would almost be a justified punishment for not accepting what is right in front of you.
However, that is not the case. All we have is a book. The Bible, which has been written ages and ages ago, and retranslated and re editted throughout time.
God has not shown himself to the world. That is why so many doubt his existence, and thus for God to condemn those to Hell for not blindly beleiving in something that cannot be seen, heard, or communicated with, is unreasonable, illogical, and stupid.
I tend to agree with all of that.
Since I am Mormon, I believe that everyone will get a fair chance to accept God and His plan, if He exists. That also means that if you "heard" the gospel on Earth but due to certain circumstances, you would inexorably reject it, you will still be given a chance to hear it in the next life when you know for a fact that God exists(or his plan exists( and what his plan is. In other words, you will get a chance to make a 100% full fledged decision on whether or not you accept the gospel. I am told that in the next life, only those who are truly evil would reject the gospel. I can't think of anyone other than truly evil people who would reject the gospel when there is no denying its truthfulness.
This is one reason I went with Mormonism because I have a hard time believing that everyone gets an equal change "hearing the gospel". Everyone is different and it would be unfair to hold everyone to the same meter stick of judgment. This is why you need a good who "knows all"...or something.
Also, this is one reason I don't(or try not to) judge others. How the HELL can I determine who should be doing and not doing what? How can I determine that someone knowingly rejected the gospel? (When they knew it to be truth.) This is one reason, I believe, that we are to "judge not, that ye be not judged".
Of course, I have to pass some sort of judgment on people to protect me and mine. I probably will not not allow a convicted pedophile to babysit my children. Am I sinning? Maybe...maybe not. I tend to think that it may be a sin to NOT protect my loved ones when I know better....I will be judged by the same judgment that I mete so it makes sense that I would not be sinning. Whereas, someone else may think...deep down inside...that they are supposed to give these type of people a second chance and not judge their past mistakes. They will be judged by their mete of judgment. There are numerous examples that could fall under this same exact logic and this is why I try not to judge and if i do, I make sure it is judging for the right reasons.
Here is another example that I think is applicable.
What if someone thinks, in the most sincere honest of places in their heart, that being homosexual is perfectly okay because God made them that way. IMO AND by the judgment verse I quoted, they would not be sinning because they really don't think they are sinning and they wouldn't judge another as doing such in the same circumstance. This is why I think it is uberly wrong to judge homosexuals as being "evil" and "horrendous sinners". Those people exacting those judgments are digging their own hell, imo.
This is just my perspective/s, and I am NOT trying to "preach my gospel". Just thought I would throw my opinion out there.