Do we really have a choice?

[VociMike]

I am told that I was created in a state of Original Sin, even though it was not my fault. Even though God may also deny any responsibility, it would still appear that I was created to naturally go to Hell.

You don’t seem to be listening. The Church does not teach that babies who die without being baptized go to hell. She teaches that it has not been revealed what may happen to them, and that she entreats them to the mercy of God.

 

[Sinner1]

You don’t seem to be listening. The Church does not teach that babies who die without being baptized go to hell. She teaches that it has not been revealed what may happen to them, and that she entreats them to the mercy of God.

I said absolutely nothing about unbaptized babies.

People are telling me that Hell is a natural consequence of sin. And regardless of whose fault it is, I am born with a natural inclination towards sin. Therefore, it would seem that Hell is just naturally where we are intended to go. Going to Hell is just the natural consequence of being born.

 

[Sinner1]

Religious people seem to be conflicted over the idea of Hell.

On the one hand, they say that only those who really want to be in Hell are damned.

On the other hand, they say that it is important to receive the sacraments, pray, have faith, etc., so that one doesn’t end up in Hell against their desires.

 

[Axion]

It’s a simple choice - either you say: Yes. I’ll try to do it your way, God. I’ll try to follow your precepts and spend eternity with you.

Or “I’ll do it MY way. I’ll reject your precepts and spend eternity away from you.”

 

[skeyes]

Sinner1, you have the wrong view. The Baltimore Catechism teaches that we are here to "know, love and serve God and to be with Him for all eternity. The church doesn’t teach an “or else” relationship. It teaches that if we don’t want to live in Jesus now then we surely will not want to live with Jesus for all eternity. Hell is not punishment, it is the other path chosen as a way of life today instead of a life in Jesus.
In His service,
Stan

 

[JMJ_coder]

It’s a simple choice - either you say: Yes. I’ll try to do it your way, God. I’ll try to follow your precepts and spend eternity with you.

Or “I’ll do it MY way. I’ll reject your precepts and spend eternity away from you.”

Alas, some people want to have their cake and eat it, too.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

I have known some sick and twisted people over the years. But I really can’t imagine anybody actually wanting an eternity of suffering.

**Might Hell be Heaven for a masochist ? Just a thought **​

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[Gottle_of_Geer]

The Christian message seems pretty clear to me. Believe in Jesus or go to Hell.

That in essence is what it is; especially when the importance of the kingship metaphor in the NT is remembered​

**But - that seems immoral, because if people have to be terrorised into making the right choice, do they have a choice worth the name ? The NT has its wires crossed: some NT passages or writers want us to call God Father, but others present him a King with the power of life & death, while yet ****others speak of eternal punishment. But what father threatens his children with eternal punishment, or even with death ? Where is the truth about God in all this chaotic muddle ? **