I've tried to keep away from this topic but it's too tempting. ;D Personally I'm agnostic, which is probably due to the fact I was brought up RC and they literally put the fear of god into you. Too much stuff happens in the world for me to not question if there is a god. On a world scale down to local, wars to pedophile priests. To me, it seems God's laws are created, changed and perverted by man (sorry ladies, but most have been by men
) Examples like Henry VIII creating his own church so he can divorce, the catholic church protecting their priest from criminal charges etc.
I understand that a lot of people take comfort in their religion, especially in tough times and that's great. I'm not here to denigrate people's personal beliefs, except when they are bigoted, racist or in similar ways.
I went to the Vatican City about 5 years ago and was amazed by it's opulance, works of art, gold etc. Outside the walls, there were beggars. It sort of hit home the hypocrisy of everything. I asked myself "Why does God need money, gold, works of art etc?" .I guess that also mainly reflects on those evangelical preachers you see on tv early in the morning. Sorry but I have to laugh and just shake my head at those characters.
Anyway, a question I want to ask those with christian beliefs, not just Jayfox. There was a guy who I used to work with who was a committed christian, but very bigoted when it came to other religions, who gave me his answer to this and it made me think, how could God be so unfair. The question is: there are 2 people, one is a cold blooded killer, mass murderer, basically an evil person all his life. He is executed but before he dies, he asks for forgiveness from God. The second person is an atheist. All his life he has only done good. Served the community, saved lives etc. He has never believed in God. He dies. Which one of them goes to heaven?