Am I going to Hell?

[Jigzy]

If I don't go to Church am I going to Hell? I mean I don't go to Church but I still really believe in God and love him very much. I pray to him. I talk to him. I follow all of his rules like I'm suppose to and everything and I don't do anything bad that would be against God. I follow the ten commandments and all of the important rules the best that I can and such stuff like that but would not going to Church be just like the same? Would that also be like breaking a really big rule of God as well? Because I don't want to disappoint him and I also don't want to end up going to Hell either. I'm really worried about this though. I have nothing against Church and its a really great place. The thing is that I am so shy and I have problems talking to people, being social and just being around a lot of people like that. I get very nervous. I may even have Autism. Thats how bad it is. So I don't want to go to Church and embarrass myself when someone tries to talk to me. I may just end up not answering or saying anything at all, seriously and thats what makes me so afraid to go. So now thats holding me back and now I'm doubled worried because I don't want to go to Hell. I just feel so stuck right now. I'm scared

[Xeno]

Simple answer: No.
In-depth answer: Theology discussion that would not be allowed on this site. I can answer you via PM if you really want my opinion. Answer is still no.

[rocklobster]

Jigzy, I'm praying for you. Know that autistic people are not doomed.

[sarahjoy78]

No way! Im praying for you sister!

John 3:16 ~ For God so loved the worl that he gave his one and only son that whosoever believes in him, shall NOT perish but will have eternal life.

It says right there that as long as you believe in him and have accepted him into your life that you will not perish but you will have eternal life in heaven.

[Hiryu]

If you sit in a garage, does that make you a car?

It is the same with sitting in church. Just sitting there will do you no good. You must
apply the bible's teachings to your life to be apart of Christianity. It is with great joy that I read of these things you do outside of church.

But church is an important part in living a Christian life. I will be praying for you, because within the walls of the church are your brothers and sisters in Christ who share your love in Jesus Christ and the Worship of God.

[Hugo Bernhardt]

If your church is really is a great place, then the people there can be counted on to be graceful and forgiving if you don't feel comfortable socializing. Don't underestimate how much you really do contribute to the work of the church by just being there and showing your interest and love for God, and how much you mere presence can mean to the other Christians there.

It might be more comfortable if there is someone who you can go with, and/or sit with, so that you don't have to feel that you're there all by yourself.

[acgifford]

No honey. You are not going to Hell. Same as Sarah said...John3:16.^^ You believe in Jesus and have fellowship with Him. You believe that he died on the cross for your sins. Enough said. Not going to church has nothing to do with your salvation. But, gathering with other Christians does help. The Bible does say that we should gather together with believers so that we can pray for one another. Technically, how we are gathering together right now makes us a church as we discuss Biblical teaching withone another and try and help our fellow Christian out.^^

[SierraLea]

Autistic people can go to mass, and they're not scared out of their wits.
I don't think God would send you to Hell for not going to mass, but there's a lot you're missing by not going to mass. God pours out a lot of graces to help with daily temptations at mass, and you might find that the repetativeness actually helps your nervousness.
Also, if you don't want to have to talk to people, you can go to an earlier mass that's not attended by a lot of people, or start by going to a daily mass which is usually pretty empty, if you live near a church that offeres that.
You say you keep the Ten Commandments? Mass is one of the biggest ways to keep the third commandment, about keeping the Sabath Day Holy.
I would recommend trying to work theough your difficulties so you can experience the ultimate awesomeness that is the Mass.

[Wind]

I haven't stepped foot inside a church in 8 years but that doesn't make me a sinner. What makes a person a sinner is the fact of their sin nature. If we overcome that nature on a daily basis and practice good walking with God, NO you aren't going to hell. You can worship God anywhere and anyplace. The most important place you should have Jesus is in your heart and if he is in your heart then he will hear you anywhere you are. And Autistic people are some of the most awesome of all God's Creations, to me they really know how life is more than any of the "Normal" People sometimes. So, you really don't need to worry.

[Wind]

sorry for the double post but something I just thought of. God doesn't create people just to doom them to hell. He doesn't love sin but if you don't have to be inside four walls to worship him. I go in the woods or find a spot in the corner of my apartment to light insense and pray. I light the insense because it creates an atmosphere but thats the only reason. Prayers and faith only need the heart of the person to be in the right place with God.

[Lynna]

Short answer: No
Long answer: Nooooooooo
Other Long answer: There is no law in the bible that says you must attend church. In fact, when the Bible talks about church, it is not talking about it in our modern sense. Back then, there was no set building for the church. There was no one pastor. Services consisted of more than a teaching session and worship. They didn't even call them "services". But the Bible only called these things "When you meet with fellow believers..." or something of that sort. "Church" was normally only used to talk about the believers themselves, either as a whole or the ones of a specific area. So, very different. The Bible only encourages fellow believers to meet together, but it never says you'll go to hell if you don't. Which leads me to some other points

I follow all of his rules like I'm suppose to and everything and I don't do anything bad that would be against God. I follow the ten commandments and all of the important rules the best that I can and such stuff like that

...Really? If so, wow! You're a far stronger believer than I am. I know I break the ten commandments and the two greatest commandments daily. However, you also probably wouldn't be human. Still, that's not the point. The point is, though, is that obeying all the laws, even if it were possible, is not how you are saved. It's believing in Jesus's sacrifice that will. And it really is that simple. When you start thinking about how you must obey the law, you start focusing on how YOUR actions will make you right before God, and begin to forget that JESUS'S action has already made you right before God. There is nothing you can do to save yourself, because it was already done on that cross over there.
That's not to say that good works aren't good. But you have to remind yourself that you are not doing it to earn your salvation, but to show God's love.
On another note, church can be very helpful to keep your faith strong. If you actually want to start going to church, but are to scared, Maybe going with a friend will make you feel more secure? If all else fails, try praying to God for the strength. Still, don't worry about it. You can still meet with other believers to help strengthen your faith without going to church.

[armeck]

God will never leave or forsake you. he still loves you even if you don't go to church. I would encourage you to go. but its not going to send you to hell.

[MrKrillz0r]

You do not need to worry, it's not by what we do that He saves us, but it's because of what He has already done. So if you are doing something wrong, you can still rest sure that He loves you and won't ever leave you. And about going to church it's a great way to meet friends, getting involved in community and grow in your faith, but take your own time and pray about it. God knows all your worries, so let Him know!

[rocklobster]

And besides, the people who are there actually wanted to go. Yes, they actually denied God's light, and now they shall never have it. The fact that you are concerned shows that you want God's light. That's why I don't think you are doomed.

[Xeno]

Yes, they actually denied God's light, and now they shall never have it.

What? I'm so confused by this sentence in your post. I don't get what it has to do with anything that anyone said.

And stop throwing around the word "doomed." We've got a scared kid here and your word choice couldn't be worse.

[rocklobster]

What I mean is that the people in Hell wanted to be there. And I realize you're right, I shouldn't be using doomed.

[Jingo Jaden]

Going to church is all well and good, but absence from church does not equal a ticket to hell in any way. I fail to see the merit in any such reasoning.

You seem reasonably scared, so I assume it's safe to say you're God fearing. You don't look the type to get into major issues, be them spiritual or life-related. Developmental difficulties is obviously not going to be counted against you, quite the contrary. Regardless, a lot of very holy men have been on lengthy missions from God where they have not had the luxury of a house of worship. So just find some time to pray and be as close to God as you can, but hey, find a good church, by all means do not hesitate.

Natural fear of such is a good sign from my experience. And you seem honest about it, but do not let your fear make you easy to manipulate. There are many men and even some churches that would exploit your fear by presenting themselves as the only path to salvation, whereas that is something exclusively held by Jesus. So replace God not with yourself or any other person in the center of your heart, and develop both with humility, wisdom, and also some personal strength. Good luck, and God be with you.

[Xeno]

What I mean is that the people in Hell wanted to be there.

I don't think you can really say that. Sure, maybe some people want to be there because the thought of spending eternity with a being who is love is unbearable, but for most I'd argue they don't want to be there. An atheist wouldn't want to be there, they don't even believe in it in the first place so why would they want to be there? Buddhists and Hindus wouldn't want to be there either, they're expecting to be reincarnated, so to suddenly find themselves in this pit of eternal suffering would lead one to think they probably didn't want to be there.

Then there are the Christians who end up there. If we assume certain doctrines, such as works-based salvation, are correct, then someone could spend their entire life striving for heaven, make a small, salvation-costing error while in the midst of a life-ending event and boom, they go to hell. Or there are the sectarian groups of Christianity that state only their version of Christianity is right and everyone else is wrong and will go to hell because they've got some little bitty interpretation different, and then everyone but these people go to hell even though they were all really good Christians and lived their lives like they believed they were supposed to. They didn't want to go to hell.

It's pretty preposterous to say that the people in hell want to be there.

[armeck]

I don't think you can really say that. Sure, maybe some people want to be there because the thought of spending eternity with a being who is love is unbearable, but for most I'd argue they don't want to be there. An atheist wouldn't want to be there, they don't even believe in it in the first place so why would they want to be there? Buddhists and Hindus wouldn't want to be there either, they're expecting to be reincarnated, so to suddenly find themselves in this pit of eternal suffering would lead one to think they probably didn't want to be there.

Then there are the Christians who end up there. If we assume certain doctrines, such as works-based salvation, are correct, then someone could spend their entire life striving for heaven, make a small, salvation-costing error while in the midst of a life-ending event and boom, they go to hell. Or there are the sectarian groups of Christianity that state only their version of Christianity is right and everyone else is wrong and will go to hell because they've got some little bitty interpretation different, and then everyone but these people go to hell even though they were all really good Christians and lived their lives like they believed they were supposed to. They didn't want to go to hell.

It's pretty preposterous to say that the people in hell want to be there.

there is also the people who never here of Jesus in the first place

[K. Ayato]

That's more for PM discussion, armeck.

[armeck]

yeah I guess your right

[mechana2015]

Please keep to answering the OP, not going on tangents among yourselves.

[Zeldafan2]

Not at all. Christianity is the farthest thing from a checklist, and going to church is not a requirement for salvation. However, going to church can be a way to strengthen your faith in God, and it also is an excellent way to get to know other believers.

[rocklobster]

and those other believers can also help you. I'd even suggest talking to your pastor about any problems you have. That's what he's for.

[Cleanedbyblood]

No! You will not go to Hell. I am certain that God understands. I believe that all that matters to Him is that you keep His word and follow it to the best of your ability

[theblackmist]

Don't worry, no one is going to hell for any reason =)

[Nate]

Don't worry, no one is going to hell for any reason =)

Hooray for Universalism!

(This thread is old.)

[shooraijin]

Old thread is old, and we don't really need to retread it.