The Christian gospel is simple. The idea is that everyone has sinned at least once, and because we’ve sinned we all deserve to go to Hell for eternity (a bit harsh, but that’s the story). The only way God can save us from Hell is to become a human and sacrifice himself to himself in order to satisfy his need for a blood sacrifice. (It’s a bit like saying that the only way you can forgive someone is if you punch yourself in the face first, but I digress.)
For the sake of argument, I’ll grant the idea that if God exists, he requires a blood sacrifice before he can forgive us. I don’t understand why the creator of the universe would be bound to this strange rule, but whatever. Let’s just assume that God can only forgive people after there’s been a blood sacrifice.
Here’s my question: Why can’t he apply that blood sacrifice to whomever he wants? In other words, why is belief necessary for salvation? If the blood of Jesus is what saves people, why can’t God use it to save anyone, including unbelievers? Is there another strange rule God has to follow–one that says he can only forgive people who believe he exists? If so, where did this rule come from? And again, why is the creator of the universe bound to it?
I asked a Christian this question, and he laughed and said, “So you’re suggesting God should let unbelievers into Heaven?” To which I replied, “Sure, why not?” This would make a lot more sense, and here’s why.
As it is, rapists, serial killers and even brutal dictators can still get into Heaven as long as they feel sorry and ask Jesus for forgiveness before they die. If Christians are right, it’s possible that Ted Bundy–one of the most notorious serial killers of the 20th century–is in Heaven right now, experiencing unimaginable bliss.
Meanwhile, counselors, volunteers and even the most generous philanthropists in the world are going to Hell for not taking one particular religion on faith. According to the Christian Bible, Mahatma Gandhi–the civil rights leader who fed the hungry and helped stop genocide–is in Hell right now, experiencing unimaginable pain.
Wouldn’t it make more sense for God to apply the blood of Jesus to Gandhi as well, even if he did believe the wrong religion? If God is loving and merciful, there is no way he would send countless good people to Hell. Only an evil god would do that.
Some Christian apologists claim that God is literally incapable of saving people who don’t believe in Him. But that brings me back to my previous question: Why is the creator of the universe bound to this strange rule? I thought God could do whatever he wanted.
It comes down to this: Either God is evil, or he is not all-powerful. Take your pick.
“Here’s my question: Why can’t he apply that blood sacrifice to whomever he wants? In other words, why is belief necessary for salvation?”
These questions come from a Protestant perspective.
A Hindu or a Catholic wouldn’t ask them, for example.
I’m not suggesting that you’re (still a) Protestant Christian.But one’s reasoning about God, even if one is an atheist, tends to be shaped by the particular theism that one is atheistic about.
Someone who’s theistic background is shaped by, say, Catholicism, would have a different take on the matter; and someone who’s theistic background is shaped by Hinduism would have yet another different take on the matter; even though both people can be atheists now.
I know. If you read some of the other articles on my blog or the Letters To My Former Self series, you’ll see I used to be a fundamentalist Baptist, so that is the brand of Christianity I usually argue against. I probably should have been more clear about that in this article.
God is not bound to any such rule. First, the bible does not teach eternal torment. Nobody is burning forever in hell and nobody ever will. Eternal torment is a false doctrine brought into the church in the 4th century and it stuck.
But its not true. The bible teaches that the end of the wicked is death and destruction. As a matter of fact, there are 500+ passages of scripture that directly state that the end of the wicked is death/perishing/detsruction. Not endless torment.
Also, God will bring anyone into endless life who does right. You dont have to have ever heard of Jesus and the bible does not say that you do.