There are so many polls about whether people believe in God, I got to wondering if people believe or worry they might actually go to hell for what they truly believe (perhaps your beliefs are in conflict with friends and family, or otherwise do not fit in a specific religion).
201310
I was brought up to fear it, and I don't think it's healthy to consider it an impossibility.\n\nBut God is for us, and Jesus is my advocate.  As long as I do the best I can to obey God and repent when I fall, I don't have to worry.\n\nI am actually commanded not to worry (Luke 12:22) but to think about these things:\n\nwhatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.  Philippians 4:8
658702
I have to agree with you. I have argued with my mother in law on countless occasions about this. Everyone believes in something. I do believe there is a superior existence , I do not, however follow any specific religion. In any religion there is always some kind higher existence. There is no TRUE fact proven (in any religion) on what and or who is right. I find people tend to quote things from the bible but don't actually know what they're talking about. And to those who believe that everyone should have a faith, I do. I believe there is something, or someone who will show us our true religion, everyone, as a whole. I apologize if I have offended anyone. That was not my intention.
661301
My faith gets stronger because many people question not only God but many other religions. So i am afraid that people are starting to be very selfish...and think they can live on there own...and that they are the kings and guiders of their lives. Since i have been participating in yahoo answers i find my self now to believe in God more than before!!!
159058
Or you could doubt Gods existence all of the time. I am always surprised at how little people know about their own religions. They ask for no facts, no accountability, and never question what they are told. I think they fear that their belief won't hold up and they will find out that they have wasted all of this time on nothing. I say if you are going to believe in God then at least know why. Don't be afraid to ask the hard questions, and don't let them get away with answers that don't make sense. Also, don't let them make you feel bad asking. If you are asking, and they don't have a good answer, maybe something is wrong.
4445
I am also a Christian and the reason they do is because they're scared. To believe in god is to much for them. And that would mean not going to heaven they would want that. So for them it's easier to just believe that there is no god just a heaven. And that they are going there. E-mail me it would be cool to finally have another believer to talk to. Oh yeah don't listen to this "Skeptic Man".
614255
well i dont think im like all religous people becuase veryone has a different religion, experience and relationship with God. God maybe has revealed himself to you but you just didnt get the sign becuase you are filled with such hate and misunderstanding and close mindedness.  I am not scared of the afterlife so I dont really know where you are going with that one. If you are referring to hell, I doubt I am going becuase I have been living a pretty good life and I beleive Jesus is my Lord. God has to show wrath because how can he punish people for their misdoings and wrongs? If He hadnt shown me His vengful side I may still be doing all the negative things I was doing that was eventually going to leave me jobless, homeless and with no friends. His existence is known outside the bible. If you were here in cininnat i would invite you to my church and the Spirit is so strong in there you would be so amazed at how prevalent God is in the lives of these people. He has touched me often and I see His blessings in my everyday life and know that only God could do some of the stuff that has happened to me AND prevent it as well. And yes, parts of the bible do have wrong facts becuase alot is lost in translation, these are ACCOUNTS of God but becuase they were not written immediatly, alot was forgotten or accounted differently but it still doesnt take away from the meaning and purpose which is to love and be peacefuul to each other.
40173
Hell is like the Santa's workshop in the North Pole.  It exists in your mind if you need to believe in it and your mind will make it real for you.  If it makes you a better person than believe in Hell.  Human beings have a natural mental need to seek the meaning of life and for some the heaven&hell thing balances their life.  Don't let guilt and fear lead your personal spiritual opinions, though.
190306
no, believing or not believing in something like god is neither bad nor good. It's what you do with the belief or disbelief that will determine whether it's a bad thing.
5532
I think everyone worships something whether they believe in God or not.  Some people even worship the idea of not having a God because they have to tell everyone about it.  I do agree with your idea about weakness.  I think that people who are insecure about their beliefs tend to try to recruit people to believe the same thing so they don't feel alone.  Those who are secure about their own beliefs tend to keep quiet and go on with their lives.  They don't need to feel justified that their beliefs are okay since they have their own truth.
198019
everyone believes they are right, and also feel that others should believe the same. the problem isn't that there is no tolerance. Take Christianity for example, if you believe and I don't, you go to heaven and I go to hell. on the other hand, for fundamentalist denominations of Islam (some of them) feel that if you believe and I don't, then I will go to hell, but YOU will go to hell if you don't convert me. so that certain aspect doesn't help things....
183376
According to some Christians, apparently. However, I was lucky to be born in a non Christian country, India, and I have a strong belief in Hinduism, despite being offered the opportunity to "see the light" on numerous occasions. I am sure that Krishna would not make me burn in Hell for my beliefs. All Gods are one, all people will eventually be with God. God is the ultimate source of compassion, the all forgiving, and God would not allow anybody to suffer eternal hellfire.
288985
People fear what they do not understand. also, half of these people go to someone who may interpret the bible as such. If a priest/bishop, whatever tells you that only Xtians are going to heaven, are you're one then you believe it. If they also say everyone else is going to burn in hell, then you feel better about yourself, and believe it, while putting the uknown factors down. Pagans are awesome, and don't worry if hell actually exists (which he out so much enphasis on, yet don't even know if its there) you're probably not going to go there anyway.
121508
Well, I used to wonder the exact same thing...\nUntil I realized I would never find answers that would PROVE everything. Do I believe in God, yes. But, I've come to realize the whole concept of heaven and hell is just to much for me. After all, nobody really knows what happens after death, only the people who experience it. So, I guess we'll all know when we get there. I hope and I believe there is a heaven...although the concept of living for all eternity, once again, is too much for me. This is just my experience with it all. \nMy advice...find which religion works best for you, have faith in that religion, live your life and enjoy it, and be the best person you can be. \nI hope that all made sense. It's starting to get late and I'm extremely tired. lol. I wish you the best of luck and may you find the journey best for you!
567179
Different people need to believe different things to continue going on and dealing with life as long as that individual does not cause malicious premeditated harm to anyone (you can argue what that incorporates amongst yourselves cause I'm not 100% sure) let them believe what they choose after all someone telling you you are wrong or going to hell because of what they believe doesn't make it true and they will not know if its true until they are dead and maybe not even then.
664664
HAHA I can see what your getting at. This isnt a battle that you can win. Neither can I. I'm christian but a relaxed one. People have their opinions and who am i to tell them different. I dont beleive everything I hear. I beleive things that i know however. And I dont know for sure that a god even exist. I guess thats the whole concept to a religious faith alone. People tend to take the bible TOO literal. Then things begin getting mixed up. I am a scientist as well, some things in the bible just dont make sense. But if you read a book that offered a way for you to live in a sunny nice beach, and youve lived in the projects all of your life...and all you had to do has follow the books teaching...would you take it? I'm sure you see what i'm getting at as well.
218342
I'm religious, but your question is still offensive.  If someone doesn't believe in God, she or he can still be "nice and kind and good".  (And, as you noted, there are religious people who are not.)  But someone who doesn't believe in God *does* lose something by somehow being forced to believe--her/his freedom of choice!\n\nJust as you have the freedom to believe in your religion, and I have the freedom to believe in what I assume is a *different* one, others have the freedom to believe that we're *both* full of crap!
86825
You go girl! You believe in whatever you want to, whatever feels right to you. And dont ever let anyone try and tell you your beliefs are wrong, just because they may be different than others.\n\nMe, personally, i believe in GOD. But i dont go to church, or preach, or all that stuff. I believe, and thats all that matters to me. I dont need to put on an 'act' for people to think i am a good Christian or anything. I am who i am.