Can atheists go to Heaven?

[Nazistisches Reich]

By which token, rats are similarly divine, although it relies on different scripture. And, of course, octopi - due to their resemblance to one of the Old Gods, are arguably the most divine of all.

No?

I can see that point. However, we are the only beings that are the literal sons and daughters of a Heavenly Father. We do know that lower animals have souls and will be with Father in the afterlife. We also have been given dominion and stewardship over the animals.

really and your proof for this is where? Can you prove there is some being up in "heaven" with characteristics of a human yet nothing made him like that. Hmm can you? Because if you can you would be a famous man.

[ThoseWhoAreGood]

I can see that point. However, we are the only beings that are the literal sons and daughters of a Heavenly Father. We do know that lower animals have souls and will be with Father in the afterlife. We also have been given dominion and stewardship over the animals.

really and your proof for this is where? Can you prove there is some being up in "heaven" with characteristics of a human yet nothing made him like that. Hmm can you? Because if you can you would be a famous man.

Again, my proof is in religious material. If you don't accept religious material as sources, then feel free to doubt my proofs. There is nothing more I can say on the matter. However, since this IS a religious thread, one must accept some common ground, and I would assume that the common ground is that religious texts, whatever their form are acceptable sources.

[ThoseWhoAreGood]

I can see that point. However, we are the only beings that are the literal sons and daughters of a Heavenly Father. We do know that lower animals have souls and will be with Father in the afterlife. We also have been given dominion and stewardship over the animals.

When taking the Bible literally of course.

As said before, the Bible is not the only accepted religious text that can be used as sources.

[Nazistisches Reich]

religous in nature eh? Well let me tell you somthing about debating/ When you debate you have to bring forth evidence for your claims or else they are useless. You need proof not matter what it is your saying/ You can prove were divine in nature when DNA tests have proven our DNA is similiar to apes yet theres no way to test our bodys and detect a divine nature in us or a soul.

As I said, this is a religious thread, so my "evidence" or proof comes from religious material.

BTW, just because our DNA is similar to APES does not mean we dont have a divine nature. Did it ever occur to you that DNA is what causes us to look the way we do, and function the way we do. The fact that we have 2 arms, forward facing eyeballs, etc comes from the DNA. The DNA is the way of passing those traits along. They are the basic building blocks of life pertaining to who we are and what we look like.

Because we look like God, our forms basically came first. Other forms were then altered to fit their needs.

So your god has DNA in him? Did somthing make the DNA in him so he can look how ever it is the way he looks? Also us being related to apes contradicts your arguement were dfferent than animals because if that were the case our DNA would not be similiar to apes considering were the sons and daughters of God. Also how come people are born mentally challenged? Or have missing limbs or are born with diseases that only allow them to live for a short while before dieing. Why is it that some babys have a differentblood type then the mom and so while in the womb the immune system veiws the baby as a threat and so it attacks the baby? I know what DNA is.

[Nazistisches Reich]

When taking the Bible literally of course.

As said before, the Bible is not the only accepted religious text that can be used as sources.

what other sources do you use then?

[Tagmatium]

As said before, the Bible is not the only accepted religious text that can be used as sources.

what other sources do you use then?

There's a world of theology in the Christian religion alone.

You could poke around there.

[Nazistisches Reich]

really and your proof for this is where? Can you prove there is some being up in "heaven" with characteristics of a human yet nothing made him like that. Hmm can you? Because if you can you would be a famous man.

Again, my proof is in religious material. If you don't accept religious material as sources, then feel free to doubt my proofs. There is nothing more I can say on the matter. However, since this IS a religious thread, one must accept some common ground, and I would assume that the common ground is that religious texts, whatever their form are acceptable sources.

Ok but you need proof for things you claim, you cant say things with no proof and expect people to go ohh really wow. No no matter what is being argued you can use it but you have to prove it. You could try and use real life things as ways to argue like how creationist scientists do that would be a start rather than use things that are mere myths.

[ThoseWhoAreGood]

As said before, the Bible is not the only accepted religious text that can be used as sources.

what other sources do you use then?

Koran
Torah
Book of Mormon
etc, etc, etc.

[ThoseWhoAreGood]

Again, my proof is in religious material. If you don't accept religious material as sources, then feel free to doubt my proofs. There is nothing more I can say on the matter. However, since this IS a religious thread, one must accept some common ground, and I would assume that the common ground is that religious texts, whatever their form are acceptable sources.

Ok but you need proof for things you claim, you cant say things with no proof and expect people to go ohh really wow. No no matter what is being argued you can use it but you have to prove it. You could try and use real life things as ways to argue like how creationist scientists do that would be a start rather than use things that are mere myths.

Do you accept common religious texts as acceptable sources?

[Nazistisches Reich]

what other sources do you use then?

Koran
Torah
Book of Mormon
etc, etc, etc.

Why would you use a mormon book?

[ThoseWhoAreGood]

Koran
Torah
Book of Mormon
etc, etc, etc.

Why would you use a mormon book?

Why not? It is another common source.

[Our Lady Skye Sweetnam]

To be frank, I don't give a toss if I go to heaven or hell. If god loves us all, then we should all go to heaven, but when religious nuts get up in my case for me not being part of their religion...That's when I begin to feel that all the cool people go to hell so I'll be having one big party when I get there.

[Nazistisches Reich]

Ok but you need proof for things you claim, you cant say things with no proof and expect people to go ohh really wow. No no matter what is being argued you can use it but you have to prove it. You could try and use real life things as ways to argue like how creationist scientists do that would be a start rather than use things that are mere myths.

Do you accept common religious texts as acceptable sources?

if the texts state somthing that could be seen or proved not smthing about a burning bush talking or a serpent talking

[Cilistia Novaren]

I dont think so, which is one of the reasons that led me to become an atheist myself, but of course there can be no one answer, as there are literally hundreds of dif. interpretations of the bible and christianity as a whole

[Conchobar Macnessa]

Crazy interesting there are so many replying to this topic. And I've been entertained by the plethora of intelligent and progressive conversations like these, but never felt the need to reply. I'll throw in my two cents to this one, since religion is a big part of my life.

All good folk go to heaven. Ghandi or atheist, the kindly bum on the street or Mother Theresa herself. If you're good, you go to heaven. Now, I do believe (some would say I'm narrow minded) that there is one religion, but, I also believe in a just and merciful God.

Just because you have to follow certain laws of heaven (be good=you get to go there)
Merciful because this same God that people cling to also demands perfection, and there's no way to be perfect unless you throw Jesus into the picture, who paid for everyone's sins. God gives everyone a chance

There's no such God that won't let his children into his kingdom unless they all had the chance to make the choice to be there if they wanted. I had someone try to tell me that the natives of the Himalayas who never heard the name Jesus and weren't 'saved' would burn in hell. I asked, "Why would God be so merciless to his children?"

Her reply, "Oh they're not Gods children. They're just people."

WHAT IS MODERN CHRISTIANITY TEACHING THESE DAYS.

God has created everyone on the earth IE everyone on the earth is his child IE he loves all of us as his children IE he rewards ALL of his children for their good works, whether they worship him or not and because he loves us will give us a second chance. Who is this hateful God that people believe in? Who is this supposed Beloved Father who sends his kids to hell if they go to the wrong protestant sect, THAT IN ESSENCE, is NO different from any of the other ones! Show me a New Testament Jesus that taught that.

With good humor I say this to all atheists: you won't be atheist in the next life

[ThoseWhoAreGood]

To be frank, I don't give a toss if I go to heaven or hell. If god loves us all, then we should all go to heaven, but when religious nuts get up in my case for me not being part of their religion...That's when I begin to feel that all the cool people go to hell so I'll be having one big party when I get there.

I agree with you. Those that tell you that you are going to Hell for not being like them are most likely to only be "Christian" on Sundays anyways. I, in contrast, say that I cannot judge you, only God can do that.

[Nazistisches Reich]

To be frank, I don't give a toss if I go to heaven or hell. If god loves us all, then we should all go to heaven, but when religious nuts get up in my case for me not being part of their religion...That's when I begin to feel that all the cool people go to hell so I'll be having one big party when I get there.

OHHH YEAAA PARTY!!! First thing Im going to do is meet hitler and the people who were in the SS and gestapo and then were going to stage a coup and overthrow satan.

[ThoseWhoAreGood]

I dont think so, which is one of the reasons that led me to become an atheist myself, but of course there can be no one answer, as there are literally hundreds of dif. interpretations of the bible and christianity as a whole

If it were proven that there is a Heaven and how great it is, would you still not want to go? It sounds like you are an atheist because you dont WANT to go to heaven.

[The Fanboyists]

Depends.

Good people of all faiths, I think, can go to heaven. I think people of all actual faiths can go straight to heaven if they have been a good person. I think atheists who have been good people can go to heaven, but first spend a little time in purgatory.

Somehow, I think God will be willing to accept someone if they have actually pondered the matter and come to their own conclusion, even if that conclusion is that He does not exist. Somehow, I feel like God would be less happy with someone who decides that God doesn't exist because the idea is 'stupid' or somesuch (not, of course, that I think most atheists view it that way. But I have met a few who do).

From my own (roughly) Catholic theological view, I think if God wouldn't accept people who came to their own conclusions, He wouldn't have given us the gift of free will.

[Mad hatters in jeans]

To be frank, I don't give a toss if I go to heaven or hell. If god loves us all, then we should all go to heaven, but when religious nuts get up in my case for me not being part of their religion...That's when I begin to feel that all the cool people go to hell so I'll be having one big party when I get there.

the force is strong in this one.

[Nazistisches Reich]

Crazy interesting there are so many replying to this topic. And I've been entertained by the plethora of intelligent and progressive conversations like these, but never felt the need to reply. I'll throw in my two cents to this one, since religion is a big part of my life.

All good folk go to heaven. Ghandi or atheist, the kindly bum on the street or Mother Theresa herself. If you're good, you go to heaven. Now, I do believe (some would say I'm narrow minded) that there is one religion, but, I also believe in a just and merciful God.

Just because you have to follow certain laws of heaven (be good=you get to go there)
Merciful because this same God that people cling to also demands perfection, and there's no way to be perfect unless you throw Jesus into the picture, who paid for everyone's sins. God gives everyone a chance

There's no such God that won't let his children into his kingdom unless they all had the chance to make the choice to be there if they wanted. I had someone try to tell me that the natives of the Himalayas who never heard the name Jesus and weren't 'saved' would burn in hell. I asked, "Why would God be so merciless to his children?"

Her reply, "Oh they're not Gods children. They're just people."

WHAT IS MODERN CHRISTIANITY TEACHING THESE DAYS.

God has created everyone on the earth IE everyone on the earth is his child IE he loves all of us as his children IE he rewards ALL of his children for their good works, whether they worship him or not and because he loves us will give us a second chance. Who is this hateful God that people believe in? Who is this supposed Beloved Father who sends his kids to hell if they go to the wrong protestant sect, THAT IN ESSENCE, is NO different from any of the other ones! Show me a New Testament Jesus that taught that.

With good humor I say this to all atheists: you won't be atheist in the next life

Interesting but if there is no new christanity or old christanity being taught. Christanity states its the only way to salvation and so do other beleifs. So you sound more of the spiritual type and not so much religous type with the way you stated your beleifs. Also the basis of alot of religons since they were first created has always been follow our religon or you will be tortured or not have a good life in you afterlife. Either way its always been become a follower or suffer

[The Alma Mater]

All good folk go to heaven. Ghandi or atheist, the kindly bum on the street or Mother Theresa herself. If you're good, you go to heaven.

But what is good, and how are good an bad weighed ?

Let us for instance assume that Mother Theresas aid to wounded was good.
Let us also assume that her "I shall help you IF you convert" attitude was not good.

Is Mother Theresa then good or bad ?

Trickier example:

Bill shoots a random guy on the street, because he wanted to kill someone. Let us assume this is bad.
By complete coincidence the guy in question however turns an Al Queda terrorist, on his way to blow up a school with 1200 children in it. Let us assume that the prevention of this bombing is good.

Is Bill good due to the consequences of his actions or bad due to his motives ?

Even trickier example:

Ahmed's sister was raped. Ahmed feels honourbound to kill the rapist, tracks him down and does so.
In his religion this is good.
In our society this is called murder.
Is Ahmed good or bad ?

[Tagmatium]

With good humor I say this to all atheists: you won't be atheist in the next life

Meh.

We'll see.

Or, perhaps, we won't even have the chance to.

[Nazistisches Reich]

All good folk go to heaven. Ghandi or atheist, the kindly bum on the street or Mother Theresa herself. If you're good, you go to heaven.

But what is good, and how are good an bad weighed ?

Let us for instance assume that Mother Theresas aid to wounded was good.
Let us also assume that her "I shall help you IF you convert" attitude was not good.

Is Mother Theresa then good or bad ?

Trickier example:

Bill shoots a random guy on the street, because he wanted to kill someone. Let us assume this is bad.
By complete coincidence the guy in question however turns an Al Queda terrorist, on his way to blow up a school with 1200 children in it. Let us assume that the prevention of this bombing is good.

Is Bill good due to the consequences of his actions or bad due to his motives ?

Even trickier example:

Ahmed's sister was raped. Ahmed feels honourbound to kill the rapist, tracks him down and does so.
In his religion this is good.
In our society this is called murder.
Is Ahmed good or bad ?

^this

[The Alma Mater]

With good humor I say this to all atheists: you won't be atheist in the next life

Unless the Buddhists are right