# The Christian god can't hate athiests. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 1, 2001, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-god-cant-hate-athiests/74448 "2001-08-01T07:13:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Mick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/838e76/32.png) [@The\_Mick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mick)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2001, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-god-cant-hate-athiests/74448/1 "2001-08-01T07:13:03Z")
as far as my limited knowledge of the bible goes, the Christian god only commands not to worship other gods. However, most hardcore Christians believe that athiests are going to hell or whatever. But athiests are not worshipping any other god, they choose not to worship or believe in any of them. So God probably doesn’t have any beef with the athiests. Sorry to disappoint and bible thumpers. Anyway, just a bit of MPSIMS. ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2001, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-god-cant-hate-athiests/74448/2 "2001-08-01T07:17:46Z")
Actually, I think it says somewhere that only those who believe in Christ can go to Heaven, but I’m too lazy to look it up. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/838e76/32.png) [@The\_Mick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mick)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2001, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-god-cant-hate-athiests/74448/3 "2001-08-01T07:19:59Z")
I suppose. I don’t really know all that much about the dogma. But what about Jewish people? They don’t believe in Christ. Christ was Jewish/Hebrew. Does that mean the messiah will rot in hell when he has to judge himself? ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2001, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-god-cant-hate-athiests/74448/4 "2001-08-01T11:01:49Z")
Iit is my understanding that the Jewish faith recognises Jesus Christ as a historical figure. As does the Islam, by the way. So I wouldn’t say Jewish people “don’t believe” in Christ. It’s just that they don’t consider him as important as Christians do, that’s all. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2001, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-god-cant-hate-athiests/74448/5 "2001-08-01T11:53:28Z")
I’m gonna move this to Great Debates. Anything remotely theological ends up there anyway. ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2001, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-god-cant-hate-athiests/74448/6 "2001-08-01T12:44:06Z")
In MHO anything that replaces the position occupied by G-d in our lives can and should be considered an idol. Therefore sex, drugs, rock&roll, money or the Church could become an idol if more credence or importance is given to it rather than to the Creator. Gp ---
**Author:** ![dlb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@dlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dlb)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2001, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-god-cant-hate-athiests/74448/7 "2001-08-01T14:06:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Mick \* > as far as my limited knowledge of the bible goes, the Christian god only commands not to worship other gods. However, most hardcore Christians believe that athiests are going to hell or whatever. But athiests are not worshipping any other god, they choose not to worship or believe in any of them. So God probably doesn’t have any beef with the athiests. Sorry to disappoint and bible thumpers. You are, of course, correct; God loves atheists, like all of His children, more than we can possibly imagine. Why you think this would “disappoint and(sic) bible thumpers” is a mystery to me; this has been mainstream Christian doctrine since the beginning of the religion. Some cults do preach that all “outs” go to hell in an effort to scare people into joining, but this is not a religious stance — it is a frankly commercial one. The Christian idea of Hell is that it is self-selected. You go to Hell because you choose to — because you reject God. He gives everyone every chance to come to Him, and those that do not are simply making their own choice. I have railed against this misrepresentation of Christian doctrine before, and I do it again. The Catholic church has **excommunicated** priests that continue to preach that only Catholics can be saved, against the doctrine of the Church. What matters is the relationship with God, the kind of people that we become as we go through life. Christians believe that learning about Christ, and devoting ourselves to Him, makes us better people than we would be otherwise. God does not **need** our worship; we need to worship Him for the sake of our own selves, our own souls. But it is not some sort of entry requirement. It is an acknowledgement of the truth of our relation to Him. So congratulations — you have this part of it right, at least. Now go from there. Figure out what kind of God would not really care if you badmouth Him on the boards, as long as you eventually wind up in the best place for you. Then figure out what your response to that God should be. ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2001, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-god-cant-hate-athiests/74448/8 "2001-08-01T14:18:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dlb \* > Figure out what kind of God would not really care if you badmouth Him on the boards, as long as you eventually wind up in the best place for you. Then figure out what your response to that God should be. I can’t believe I ate the whole thing? ---
**Author:** ![Gaudere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@Gaudere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaudere)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2001, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-god-cant-hate-athiests/74448/9 "2001-08-01T14:23:24Z")
> [@](#): > > Therefore sex, drugs, rock&roll, money or the Church could become an idol if more credence or importance is given to it rather than to the Creator. I guess for atheists, then, everything from a pet to the daily newspaper is an idol. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2001, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-god-cant-hate-athiests/74448/10 "2001-08-01T23:19:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Gaudere \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > Therefore sex, drugs, rock&roll, money or the Church could become an idol if more credence or importance is given to it rather than to the Creator. > > I guess for atheists, then, everything from a pet to the daily newspaper is an idol. 😉 \*\* I nominate the internet as our 21st Century idol! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2001, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-god-cant-hate-athiests/74448/11 "2001-08-01T23:24:23Z")
hmmm . . . Nope. I cannot thinkl of anything that replaces God in my life. Nope, no one threatens me with eternal pain. No one tells me to think like everyone else. No one says I have to say specific words and I’ll get to go to the land of happy fuzzy bunnies. So, no idols in my life. Kewl. ---
**Author:** ![Edlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8797f3/32.png) [@Edlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edlyn)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2001, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-god-cant-hate-athiests/74448/12 "2001-08-02T00:29:24Z")
**dlb** Well done! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2001, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-god-cant-hate-athiests/74448/13 "2001-08-02T00:45:31Z")
And wherever **Edlyn** is, **Libertarian** cannot be far behind… ---
**Author:** ![HubZilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ccd318/32.png) [@HubZilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HubZilla)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2001, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-god-cant-hate-athiests/74448/14 "2001-08-02T02:10:03Z")
Sometimes I wonder how God thinks of unbelievers. Let’s hope it’s not like his followers say he is. I wrote this on another MB when asked about atheists’ views on death: > [@](#): > > FWIW, I usually look at death in two ways: > > 1. There is no afterlife. WYSIWYG. Try to think of it this way: > > “From the moment of death onward, the body and soul feel as little as they did before birth” –Pliny > > 1. There is an afterlife. If there is a God, he would not send us to eternal torture for merely disbelieving in him. Most atheists are not trying to be rebellious or “intellectual”. I looked at the proofs and found them wanting. Theists have merely provided insufficient proof for what can only be described as uniquely incredible and implausible claim. > > So, if there’s a God that would enternally roast me for that, he’s hardly one I’d find worth worshipping. > > Ingersoll was asked what he’d do if he were to be judged by God for being an unbeliever: > > “I would say to him: “Do unto others as you would that others should do unto you.” Why not? I am told that I must render good for evil. I am told that if smitten on one cheek I must turn the other. I am told that I must overcome evil with good. I am told that I must love my enemies; and will it do for this God who tells me to love my enemies to damn his? No, it will not do. It will not do.” To which I was answered: > [@](#): > > Actually, yes He would (condemn you). And, He will. And, He does. He is God. He has the absolute dictatorial right to do whatever He chooses with you - your feelings, personal preferences and beliefs aside. > > The God you are talking about does not exist. The God of ages will most definitely punish you not merely for disbelief, but for the rotten stink of your sin which offends every part of His being and must be punished. Good luck talking Him out of it. > > … You do not set the standard for God. He sets it for you. There is absolutely no talking back to Him or holding Him to any standard besides Himself. That man’s quote is dripping with pride, arrogance and foolishness. Poor guy. And, he mistakenly assumes that doing good to others will erase his sin and justify him before God. Ouch! Please, O Lord, save me from your followers! ---
**Author:** ![Darwins\_Finch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darwins_finch/32/20304_2.png) [@Darwins\_Finch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darwins_Finch)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2001, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-god-cant-hate-athiests/74448/15 "2001-08-02T04:04:15Z")
> [@](#): > > The God of ages will most definitely punish you not merely for disbelief, but for the rotten stink of your sin which offends every part of His being and must be punished. Hi, my name is Darwin’s Finch, and I have been condemned to Hell… ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Lao](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Dr.Lao](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Lao)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2001, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-god-cant-hate-athiests/74448/16 "2001-08-02T04:27:30Z")
According to Christians, the default destination for all souls is hell. This is because of original sin. So anything short of letting Jesus take the fall for your sins will get you into hell. No loopholes for atheists, I’m afraid. ---
**Author:** ![Super\_Gnat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Super\_Gnat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Super_Gnat)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2001, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-god-cant-hate-athiests/74448/17 "2001-08-02T04:33:44Z")
Well, if you don’t want to become a Christian, then you’d be miserable in Heaven, wouldn’t you? What with everyone worshiping God there and whatnot. And you’re dead, so you can’t go back to earth. Therefore, where else are you going to go but Hell? When you become a Christian, you become a new person – someone who wants to worship God, by which I mean the God of the Bible. Athiests don’t want to worship the God of the Bible – heck, they don’t even believe he exists. Therefore why would they go to heaven to live with Him? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Lao](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Dr.Lao](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Lao)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2001, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-god-cant-hate-athiests/74448/18 "2001-08-02T05:15:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Super Gnat \* > \*\*Therefore why would they go to heaven to live with Him? \*\* Who says we want to go to heaven? The OP doesn’t say anything about wanting to go to heaven. He wants to know if God will send an atheist to hell for his disbelief. ---
**Author:** ![Ross](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@Ross](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ross)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2001, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-god-cant-hate-athiests/74448/19 "2001-08-02T06:49:22Z")
God can love anyone He wants. He can also hate anyone He wants. He’s GOD! RAAAAAAAAAH!!! (runs up and down roaring for a bit) Well, that’s my perception of Him, at least. He can Whatever He Wants. Because He invented the concept of Whatever. I know, it’s a bummer. But it basically comes down to Ineffable Infallibility, which humans can quite easily perceive as the Universal Cop-Out… if it wasn’t for the fact that He also invented the Universe, Ineffability, Infallibility, and all manner of Cop-outs. This is a pretty basic thing (therefore I might understand it) which all Christians have to deal with. 1. God is, like, _ **GOD.** _. 2. Deal with it. Honestly, it gets an awful lot easier after you accept that Someone Else is doing the programming… ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2001, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-god-cant-hate-athiests/74448/20 "2001-08-02T07:58:16Z")
And this is different from “might makes right” how exactly? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-god-cant-hate-athiests/74448.md?page=2)