Are all non-Christians destined for Hell?

Originally posted by @philokalia
You just created a really pithy line that might get approval from other hardline atheists, but it falls short of truly addressing anything that Christians say.

Originally posted by @fmf
If your mind is assailed by 'small' ideas and projections about others seeking to "get approval" from given groups of people in discussions here, then that is a matter for you. Suffice to say, it makes you sound just like some of the other petty lightweights here. Of course, you are free to conduct yourself with that kind of mindmap if you want to.

I am add ...[text shortened]... or over a decade. If yours is not a torturer god, then nothing I am asking is applicable to you.

Originally posted by @fmf
If your mind is assailed by 'small' ideas and projections about others seeking to "get approval" from given groups of people in discussions here, then that is a matter for you. Suffice to say, it makes you sound just like some of the other petty lightweights here. Of course, you are free to conduct yourself with that kind of mindmap if you want to.

I am add ...[text shortened]... or over a decade. If yours is not a torturer god, then nothing I am asking is applicable to you.

Originally posted by @philokalia
You have made an extreme conclusion that literally anyone who theoretically doesn't fit precisely into the first category is destined for hell.

Originally posted by @fmf
No, you are mistaken. I have not made any "extreme conclusion". I am responding to the "extreme conclusion" upon which certain Christians' beliefs about 'eternal torture for non-believers' [and 'no consequence-for-"sin" for those who deem themselves to be "saved"] are based. If you are unaware of this particular strand of Christianity which has been pretty viru ...[text shortened]... t going to confront the torturer god Christians and critique their ideology using me as a proxy.

Originally posted by @bigdoggproblem
One punishment for all, regardless of the frequency and severity of the crimes? That's not justice, it's Bizzaro justice.

As for who is responsible for sending people to hell, read Matt 10:28.

Originally posted by @js357
Philokalia said "Plot twist: Hell wasn't invented at all, but rather is a metaphysical necessity to create a sense of cosmic justice."

You replied to Philokakia "One punishment for all, regardless of the frequency and severity of the crimes? That's not justice, it's Bizzaro justice."

Perhaps you need there to be a variety of punishments in Hell in order ...[text shortened]... iety in the Hell that you should want to avoid nonetheless. God is nothing if not accommodating.

Originally posted by @fmf
There has also been some talk of graded "rewards" in "Heaven" which I think has been put forward by people who believe that, regardless of how good or evil a "Christian" is, they are "saved" and get "everlasting life" anyway. I think that this elaboration is an attempt to inject some "sense of cosmic justice" into a concept that, apparently, without it, just seems like bizarro justice.

Originally posted by @fmf
There has also been some talk of graded "rewards" in "Heaven" which I think has been put forward by people who believe that, regardless of how good or evil a "Christian" is, they are "saved" and get "everlasting life" anyway. I think that this elaboration is an attempt to inject some "sense of cosmic justice" into a concept that, apparently, without it, just seems like bizarro justice.

Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-duke
Not the first time non-biblical concepts have been tendered.

Cough cough Trinty....

Originally posted by @fmf
There has also been some talk of graded "rewards" in "Heaven" which I think has been put forward by people who believe that, regardless of how good or evil a "Christian" is, they are "saved" and get "everlasting life" anyway.

From gotquestions.org

Question: "What are the five heavenly crowns that believers can receive in Heaven?"

Answer: There are five heavenly crowns mentioned in the New Testament that will be awarded to believers. They are the imperishable crown, the crown of rejoicing, the crown of righteousness, the crown of glory, and the crown of life. The Greek word translated “crown” is stephanos (the source for the name Stephen the martyr) and means “a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally.” Used during the ancient Greek games, it referred to a wreath or garland of leaves placed on a victor’s head as a reward for winning an athletic contest. As such, this word is used figuratively in the New Testament of the rewards of heaven God promises those who are faithful. Paul’s passage in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 best defines for us how these crowns are awarded.

1) The Imperishable Crown – (1 Corinthians 9:24-25) “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate [disciplined] in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown” (NKJV). All things on this earth are subject to decay and will perish. Jesus urges us to not store our treasures on earth “where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19). This is analogous to what Paul was saying about that wreath of leaves that was soon to turn brittle and fall apart. But not so the heavenly crown; faithful endurance wins a heavenly reward which is “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-5).

2) The Crown of Rejoicing – (1 Thessalonians 2:19) “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4 to “rejoice always in the Lord” for all the bountiful blessings our gracious God has showered upon us. As Christians we have more in this life to rejoice about than anyone else. Luke tells us there is rejoicing even now in heaven (Luke 15:7). The crown of rejoicing will be our reward where “God will wipe away every tear . . . there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

3) The Crown of Righteousness – (2 Timothy 4:8) “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” We inherit this crown through the righteousness of Christ which is what gives us a right to it, and without which it cannot be obtained. Because it is obtained and possessed in a righteous way, and not by force and deceit as earthly crowns sometimes are, it is an everlasting crown, promised to all who love the Lord and eagerly wait for His return. Through our enduring the discouragements, persecutions, sufferings, or even death, we know assuredly our reward is with Christ in eternity (Philippians 3:20). This crown is not for those who depend upon their own sense of righteousness or of their own works. Such an attitude breeds only arrogance and pride, not a longing, a fervent desire to be with the Lord.

4) The Crown of Glory – (1 Peter 5:4) “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” Though Peter is addressing the elders, we must also remember that the crown will be awarded to all those who long for or love His appearing. This word “glory” is an interesting word referring to the very nature of God and His actions. It entails His great splendor and brightness. Recall Stephen who, while being stoned to death, was able to look into the heavens and see the glory of God (Acts 7:55-56). This word also means that the praise and honor we bestow to God alone is due Him because of who He is (Isaiah 42:8, 48:11; Galatians 1:5). It also recognizes that believers are incredibly blessed to enter into the kingdom, into the very likeness of Christ Himself. For as Paul so eloquently put it, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18 NKJV).

5) The Crown of Life – (Revelation 2:10) “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” This crown is for all believers, but is especially dear to those who endure sufferings, who bravely confront persecution for Jesus, even to the point of death. In Scripture the word “life” is often used to show a relationship that is right with God. It was Jesus who said, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Just as things such as air, food, and water are vital for our physical lives, Jesus provides us what is required for our spiritual lives. He is the One who provides “living water.” He is the “bread of life” (John 4:10, 6:35). We know that our earthly lives will end. But we have the amazing promise that comes only to those who come to God through Jesus: “And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life” (1 John 2:25).

James tells us that this crown of life is for all those who love God (James 1:12). The question then is how do we demonstrate our love for God? The apostle John answers this for us: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). As His children we must keep His commandments, obeying Him, always remaining faithful. So, as we endure the inevitable trials, pains, heartaches, and tribulations—as long as we live—may we ever move forward, always “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2) and receive the crown of life that awaits us.

Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-duke
Craig Blomberg (New Testament scholar.) argued that 'when Jesus referred to some of His followers being ‘least’ and some of them being ‘great’ (Luke 9:48), He was referring to the earthly Kingdom and did not imply a hierarchy in the afterlife. Mr. Blomberg believes that most of the passages concerning “rewards in Heaven” actually refer to the “rewa ...[text shortened]... e, the result would merely be a works-based servitude with the hopes of getting more back later.

I have heard it said that there is no grades within heaven -- at least in the sense that we will all inherit the same joys and splendor, whether we were literally Saints on Earth or that we "barely made it."

HOWEVER, it is also taught that all things shall become known. That is to say, those who were very righteous and endured evil will have this known about them, and it will be a credit unto them.

For instance, if a man was accused of being a murderer and was not, in fact, the murderer, it is vital that hsi name is cleared before all, and that is part of his reward. There's something about the restoration of one's good name that is a natural part of justice.

So, IDk, I do not think that there will be some "hall of shame" in Heaven where we chuckle up our sleeves at the fools who barely got in and were moral wrecks, looking down upon them; but as far as I understand it, as the truth comes out... Some will finally have justice restored to them, e.g., the slander about them will be totally cleared...

I am not prepared ot like meticulously document these statements from Biblical passages or Church traditions but this is something that I heard about in a testament from a Preist concerning why slander and lies are far graver sins than we often think about. The point was even that if at leas tyou still two hundred dollars from someoen, you can at least give them two hundred dollars back; but once you take away someone's good name, it cannot easily be restored, and perhaps never fully be restored.

Originally posted by @philokalia
I have heard it said that there is no grades within heaven -- at least in the sense that we will all inherit the same joys and splendor, whether we were literally Saints on Earth or that we "barely made it."

HOWEVER, it is also taught that all things shall become known. That is to say, those who were very righteous and endured evil will have this know ...[text shortened]... ake away someone's good name, it cannot easily be restored, and perhaps never fully be restored.