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I don't believe in god. I believe Christianity is propaganda, though by far the most efficient propaganda with the best results: if you asked me if I would rather the entire world be Christian or atheist, I would say Christian.
I've donated more to helping others, not just in money but in sweat and blood, than you have, assuming you aren't some billionaire or hermit, and probably helped more people than your local church ever has.
I have sacrificed my own well being when tempted with profit. I have been called a godsend and a miracle. I actively provide people with the things they need to live, not want, at little or no profit to myself.
But I don't believe in your god. So am I a virtuous pagan bound for hell or will I be meeting you at the pearly gates?
Or maybe worse, am I closer to your god than you are? I expect no reward other than a very, very long sleep while you dream of paradise, yet I act more in line with what a true Christian is than most I know.
God isn't about works or self sacrifice, and going to hell isn't because you're evil(for some, it is). The entire world is built around two choices: either you're for God, or you aren't. God paid the price for your salvation, the accuser can say nothing about anything you've ever done if you accept the salvation. But if you don't accept Him, you're picking a side, and it's not the one that goes to God.
Looking in the world it is undeniable that the devil runs things here. I know that you think it's just propaganda, I used to think that, too. But have you ever truly, genuinely, asked him to show you if he's real? Most of the world doesn't want there to be a God because they think that it involves this extra work and denying what they enjoy. The truth is very different.
You already do the things that good people do. His virtues were written in your heart, you naturally do what your maker made you to do. Ask him to reveal himself to you.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. But, tell that to God if he puts you in Hell for neglecting to obey his words spoken by Jesus Christ and neglecting the works and sacrifices done by the apostles, especially Paul who suffered a lot to spread the Christian faith and bring to you and the masses. Paul spoke against works done for boasting like those of atheists (think Cuomo who was so proud of his work he didn’t want to attribute to God). Don’t twist his words since his actions obviously go contrary to what you said. He was one of the hardest working Christians in the New Testament, save for Jesus Christ himself. Don’t insult Paul and disobey Jesus Christ by saying good works don’t matter. They both asked people to do good works and did them themselves too, thus walking the walk, not just talking the talk alone like fake Christians. Also, Jesus Christ clearly said that not everybody makes it to Heaven yet only people who do the will of God. Otherwise, he will act like he doesn’t know them on Judgement Day before they’re dumped in Hell.
Godspeed.
tell that to God if he puts you in Hell for neglecting to obey his words spoken by Jesus Christ and neglecting the works and sacrifices
I did not say you shouldn't do good works. I said that God isn't about works or self sacrifice.
There is no amount of works or self sacrifice that you can do to get yourself into heaven, without Jesus. If you had read the context of the message of the person that I was writing to you should have understood why I said what I did.
After you are saved, the very nature of following God changes your spirit to do good deeds and make sacrifices with a glad heart, which this person seems to be doing anyway. When you follow Jesus with a sincere heart, the sacrifices are made with love.
The point is, the works will get you no where without Jesus, God.
Jumping straight to condemning someone to hell through your inability to follow a dialogue puts you among those who give others a bad taste in the mouth in regards to Christianity. The very reason it took me almost forty years to embrace him. You're unpleasant, snarky, and turn people away.
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