Struggling with my Christian belief

If our God is a loving God, which I deeply believe He is, how can He condemn most of His creation into Hell, if they don't believe in a Christian God?
Do you think that the Dalai Lama will go to hell?, what about someone like Gandhi? If the answer is "No", then you can rest assured that the Lord is merciful and all loving and your family, believing or not, will mos certainly not go to hell!
Hope this is helpful.

I haven't read all the posts so I'm sorry if I repeat what others have said. I'm a practising Catholic but I had to laugh at the lady who said she didn't know if she wanted to gp to heaven if some of the Christians she knows would be there! God loves you and all your family and He wants you all to be with Him. But we can't understand all the ins and outs of faith, that's why it's faith! Don't give up, keep praying for your family and trust God. I feel the same as you but that's what I'm trying to do, maybe we could pray for each other too.

God is loving and merciful and would not allow good people to go to hell.

Missed that one Caro1954 but as a RC myself I would agree! Some of the people I know who call themselves Christian (mother in law and sister in law to name but 2!) are the most unChristian people I know and they are ardent Catholics always off to mass etc. My sister is lapsed but she is such a good example of a true Christian, a kind and lovely and generous person - so who is more likely to go to heaven? Perhaps heaven is the same place as hell (the many rooms) - it is how you see it when you get there. If I were in a room with MIL and SIL then it would definitely be hell, if I was with my dear sister then it would be heaven!

A vicar once told me that Jesus has said 'those who are not against us are for us'. That is a most encouraging thought; I cannot believe that anyone, of whatever faith, could argue with Jesus' teaching which was to love one another, not fight, and forgive everything. His final commandment was 'Love one another as I have loved you'. Those who are willing to accept those principles are therefore not against Jesus and must be 'for' him, and presumably are not heading for hell.

I also am horrified by the Catholic Church and the terrors of purgatory - invented by that church to frighten the ignorant and make them part with money so that priests would say prayers for those in purgatory to be 'raised up' into heaven. I could hardly believe what I was being told when I learned that very recently, and evidently that was the reason for the bible not being translated into English in the middle ages because the church didn't want the 'masses' to realise that purgatory was an invention and that they were being cheated. Organised religion has a lot to answer for. The clergy berate the government for not doing more for the poor when the Church of England is fabulously rich, and owns acres of land in this country. Why don't the bishops sell their palaces and help those in need? How can they profess to follow the teachings of a carpenter and then live and behave like the worst kind of aristocrats? I did not intend this to be a rant, but can I just say Sheilsue that I cannot imagine your suffering and agree with you so much about the pious who criticise those they disagree with. How DARE anyone tell your gd she will go to hell! None of us have any right to judge others and it's that kind of attitude that empties churches of all but the blinkered and bigoted. Rant over.

And the queen as head of the church in England should be the first to give up several palaces to follow the teachings of Christ

Not sure what the relevance of the Queen is to Rosina's post, except as a diversionary tactic, to avoid having to consider the very valid point she has made. Bit like when failing Soaps bring in celebrity guest to try to up the ratings!

I believe you do not need to be a believer in order to live a life where you have good principles, are kind to others, and have a decent way of life so your family won't go to hell if they have good principles. Many a church going " Christian" does not have a good way of life and isn't kind or helps others etc. I ve kind of lost my faith but I do try to have good principles and that is more important. I believe in an afterlife and many things have happened to me to support ont worry.

I think what matters in the end is being a good person....despite religious views...some 'religious' people are quite bad people....I was brought up RC...but dont really go to church now...but know I am a good person!
Buddhist in my aspirations
Catholic in my complications.......

I am not Christian but firmly believe that God is a loving God and everyone who tries to live a good and honourable life will have a place in Heaven. Like a loving earthly father we may disappoint Him sometimes ( nobody is perfect) but He will always love and forgive. Maybe Hell is here!

Wow - some wise people on gransnet! Thanks again - I feel reading all your comments has really started me on a journey and not sure where it will lead, but I certainly have some thinking/questioning to do....

Anniebach have you ever seen the RC version of Mary. She epitomises the perfect submissive obedient woman. Nurturing (the perfect mother) and in the domestic sphere. The type the Church i.e. the men who run the Church think we should all aspire to be.

Not only that but pure and untouched I've without the original sin of Eve which caused her to tempt Adam and so began the whole cycle of death and the need for redemption. All woman's fault!

I'm sorry you think that all of us who are practising Christians are blinkered and bigoted, Rosina. Not very helpful for someone who is struggling to make sense of things. I'm sure you don't mean to be unhelpful.

I was brought up a christain, baptised and confirmed with church twice a day on a Sunday as a child. But I am no longer a child, and I am now a none believer in a god who if we are to believe will forgive your sins however bad. We have for example cruelty past and present often undertaken by the religious section, are we to beieve that these people will go to heaven, forgiven by the god they believe in? I firmly believe that you should live a life that helps others less able and fortunate than yourself, and you should be kind, peaceful and tolerant, The rest about the virgin Mary, the Church's attitude towards the gay community has already been said.

My faith slipped away over the years, starting with realising that I could no longer say the creed with any honesty and now I cannot accept the supernatural element of any religion or that there is life after death I acknowledge that the influence of the 'Hound of Heaven' effect is very potent but I cannot accept that it is anything more than a peculiar aspect of our human psychology.

'Luckygirl''s message is one I would share. We should try to live a good life while we have it, in line with Jesus' guidelines I would agree, and not agonize over any after life.

There is no Hell - do not worry.

Vampirequeen, seen the RC version of the Burgin Mary? Statues in a RC Church, my godfather was RC, my godmother ,his wife was Baptist, no way did treat her or me in the way you describe. Where in scripture does it speak of her being submissive apart from accepting Gods will? What is wrong with a nurturing woman?,

You mocked her being pregnant, riding a donkey whilst pregnant and being a refugee , and being with her son when he died , for me , a very strong woman , a deep love of God and a mother who loved her son.

What is so noticeable yet again is some atheists here mock the faith of those with faith and claim the most important thing is to be kind etc. Not seen one poster of faith mock the atheists

Mocking a persons faith is cruel, I respect the atheists view but my faith is not deserving of respect.

Annie I think you need to re-read Vampire's posts.

From reading them I gather that she is a Christian herself and far from mocking is saying that Mary was very strong despite all the suffering she endured, but is questioning some churches portrayal of her.

You are deserving of respect, AB, not your beliefs. I don't even know what your beliefs are so how can I respect them? I don't care either what your beliefs are. But I respect you because you are a human being and your right to believe whatever you want.

So:
1. I respect you.
2. I respect your right to faith/beliefs.
3. What the beliefs are doesn't change 1and 2 even if I think the beliefs are silly and not worthy of my respect.

I even respect Jeremy Corbyn and I think his political beliefs are ridiculous.

Some of them anyhow.

Just to illustrate my point.

Wow thats brilliant HAPGRAN sincerely good luck on your journey of discovery & I wish you peace of mind & comfort that your children will be just fine . ?

Follow me I show you the promised land. I say look down at your feet you may well be standing on it. All religions are so obsessed about the 'next' life they spoil this life by worrying about.