Hello there. This is my first topic and first post, so I ask that you please bear with me. I've been a lurker for over a year and I think I have a handle on how things work, but we're all prone to error from time to time.
To give a little background to this topic, I was raised a Christian and identified as one for most of my life. Only in the past few years have I questioned, and subsequently lost, my faith. The reasons why are irrelevant to this thread. Despite the fact that I am now an atheist, i'm still very interested in religion, especially Christianity as it is the one I am most familiar with.
The focus of this thread is on a certain aspect of Christian dogma that seems to be mainstream. I know that there are many different interpretations of the bible represented here, so some may not want to respond if they simply wish to argue over the validity of this. The tenet i'm speaking of is the basic means of salvation. From my understanding, the only way to salvation is by believing in Jesus Christ. He lived, died for our sins, rose from the dead, and so on. I found this a very arbitrary criteria for salvation when I was a believer, and I still do now. It's always said that good works won't get you into heaven. It seems as if that would be the more just method. This means of salvation is based soley on your belief in Jesus and nothing else. My question is, do you find the belief in Jesus to be an arbitrary criteria for salvation?
The belief in something says nothing about the quality of someone. If this view is right, good people are destined for hell, simply because they don't believe in Jesus. I can't help but think it unjust and arbitrary. Your thoughts are appreciated.
Note: This was written rather hastily, and i'm sure there is plenty that can be cleaned up. I just want to get some general feedback before I tweak it, and perhaps delve further.
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