We should probably take this debate to a more appropriate thread...
Sun Xia:
I have his book called 'Meditations' and I've always found him to be an excellent philosopher and thinker. And his logic in this saying is pretty much what I've always thought, put into words.
However, the Bible makes it clear that belief in God is not mandatory for salvation. (see Romans ch2: 5 - 16)
So any "Christian" who would claim anyone is going to hell due to not being Christian is just a fool, in my opinion.
I find the subject of hell a touchy subject anyways. I mean the Bible says quite literally hundreds of times that the reward of the righteous is eternal life. Now what sense does it make for the Bible to say this over and over if hell exists; thus everyone will have eternal life anyways, and destination is the only question?
My religious opinions are probably far from standard tho. I've had these discussions with other Christians before, and I'm quite certain my views are not textbook Christianity. I remember when I was maybe 16 or so, and I tried to tell my parents that I didn't believe that hell could exist. It was a rather tense and embarrassing conversation. I believe that at one point I said pretty much this: "If hell exists, then I am a far superior moral being then God." Needless to say, from my parents perspective, this was far more then a mouth full.
I could go on all day, as I love to discuss religion and what/why people believe. I think I'll drop it for now tho. Maybe we can pick it up some time later in a more appropriate thread
