I was baptized Lutheran and was always taught that you can live a life of sin and debauchery if you wanted to, but when it came time to meet God you'd have to make the choice to accept Him then, and not before.
Oh, okay. That's a little more...what's the word...sane/realistic, than expecting someone to believe. Because some people would probably love to believe in God and Heaven but just can't make themselves believe in it, yknow?
Do you mean like on your deathbed you need to have this revelation, or after you pass and when God is making his judgement? And can hope be substituted for faith? Some people rely too much on scientific methods of proving things but I'm sure a lot of them HOPE that God exists and that we dont just die and then cease to exist.
Oh okay, cool...Nah, that's what I was hoping you meant (and the people who taught you meant) because to me it's reasonable to only 100% believe in things that you can see, touch, etc. And though I believe in God, it's not 100% so that's always made me nervous about the faith requirement thing (it's very close to 100% though, prolly like 97-99%).
It's kinda like trying to force yourself to be attracted to someone you're not attracted to, because they have an awesome personality and you think they'd make a good husband/wife. I totally want God and Heaven to exist and I mostly believe in all that, but I think theres a (very small) chance that we just rot in the ground end of story. I fear that possibility more than going to Hell, tbh.
I was baptized Lutheran and was always taught that you can live a life of sin and debauchery if you wanted to, but when it came time to meet God you'd have to make the choice to accept Him then, and not before.
Oh, okay. That's a little more...what's the word...sane/realistic, than expecting someone to believe. Because some people would probably love to believe in God and Heaven but just can't make themselves believe in it, yknow?
Do you mean like on your deathbed you need to have this revelation, or after you pass and when God is making his judgement? And can hope be substituted for faith? Some people rely too much on scientific methods of proving things but I'm sure a lot of them HOPE that God exists and that we dont just die and then cease to exist.
As far as I'm given to understand, the choice must be made after death.
If you died, and were told "Hey man God loves you still, what do you say we go kick it?", wouldn't that turn even a non-believer?
Oh okay, cool...Nah, that's what I was hoping you meant (and the people who taught you meant) because to me it's reasonable to only 100% believe in things that you can see, touch, etc. And though I believe in God, it's not 100% so that's always made me nervous about the faith requirement thing (it's very close to 100% though, prolly like 97-99%).
It's kinda like trying to force yourself to be attracted to someone you're not attracted to, because they have an awesome personality and you think they'd make a good husband/wife. I totally want God and Heaven to exist and I mostly believe in all that, but I think theres a (very small) chance that we just rot in the ground end of story. I fear that possibility more than going to Hell, tbh.
PS. Here for questions or discussions, fren.
You have a good heart, and sometimes that's actually more important than "belief".
Thanks man, I appreciate it =) Bout to read your post right now, which I also appreciate the time it must have taken to type.