I'm agnostic and have no problems with God but is it really free will if you're allowed to do what you want but you'll burn in hell for eternity if you do? Isn't that manipulation?
It's a very good question, one of the difficult topics about the Christian faith.
There are many thoughts out there but I can give you my perspective for what it's worth. My understanding of God is that He created the world and sustains it. Every good thing we experience ultimately comes from Him. But He was not interested in a creation that would just do everything He wanted, He gave us a choice. We first chose to sin, and this separated us from Him. He is absolutely Holy and cannot tolerate sin or evil. So He sent His Son to die as an intermediary, that if we accept Him we are then justified before Him once more.
That's the groundwork. So if we don't accept Him on this earth, when we truly have a choice (won't be much of a choice when we are standing before Him in heaven), then we will be eternally separated. That eternal separation is Hell, and it's so terrible because we are completely separated from kindness and goodness and love. All that is left is despair and hatred and bitterness. I don't know how literal the flames are, but it's absolutely a horrible place regardless because it lacks Him.
I spent many years in medical school and during training doubting my faith. I just recently came back, after reading about the Shroud of Turin of all things on conservapedia lol. I did some of my own research and I am convinced.
We have free will, some choose that to do evil, but He respects our free will.
I'm agnostic and have no problems with God but is it really free will if you're allowed to do what you want but you'll burn in hell for eternity if you do? Isn't that manipulation?
It's a very good question, one of the difficult topics about the Christian faith.
There are many thoughts out there but I can give you my perspective for what it's worth. My understanding of God is that He created the world and sustains it. Every good thing we experience ultimately comes from Him. But He was not interested in a creation that would just do everything He wanted, He gave us a choice. We first chose to sin, and this separated us from Him. He is absolutely Holy and cannot tolerate sin or evil. So He sent His Son to die as an intermediary, that if we accept Him we are then justified before Him once more.
That's the groundwork. So if we don't accept Him on this earth, when we truly have a choice (won't be much of a choice when we are standing before Him in heaven), then we will be eternally separated. That eternal separation is Hell, and it's so terrible because we are completely separated from kindness and goodness and love. All that is left is despair and hatred and bitterness. I don't know how literal the flames are, but it's absolutely a horrible place regardless because it lacks Him.
I spent many years in medical school and during training doubting my faith. I just recently came back, after reading about the Shroud of Turin of all things on conservapedia lol. I did some of my own research and I am convinced.