to not understand why Christians think Jesus died for our sins?

[switcheroooo]

If Jesus died for everyone's sins, does that mean people are not accountable for their actions? You can kill people, steal and lie but have a protected status because Jesus died for your sins.

How does this work? Why are people not responsible for their own sins? Where is the justice?

Don’t worry too much about the Easter story being called a fairy tale:) JRR Tolkien thoughts it very much was one-in the best sense. From his letters, “And I concluded by saying that the Resurrection was the greatest 'eucatastrophe' possible in the greatest Fairy Story – and produces that essential emotion: Christian joy which produces tears because it is qualitatively so like sorrow, because it comes from those places where Joy and Sorrow are at one, reconciled, as selfishness and altruism are lost in Love. Of course I do not mean that the Gospels tell what is only a fairy-story; but I do mean very strongly that they do tell a fairy-story: the greatest."

Not ever Christian believes God the father, the son, the spirit are one.

Even Jesus mentions not knowing things that his father may do. The trinity was introduced I believe 300 years after the death of Christ when there were discussions about formalising the RC church and where man, angels etc all sat in the hierarchy.

For me God is separate to JC. He had to have faith in God that his death was essential even though he asked GOD to remove the responsibility if it was at all possible. There are many quotes that Jesus is not God but defers to his authority.

Early Christianity was a rebellion against Judaism, Egyptian paganism, and other more local pagan religions. It was actually unrecognisable compared to what it became by the the time of the Holy Roman Empire & probably had more in common with Buddhism in the early days.

Eg the story

They do, in fact. Non-trinitarian faith is explicitly condemned as heretical by every ecumenical council, up to and including the World Council of Churches. It is a fundamental distinctive of Christian faith, in every universal creed. You do not have to believe it, of course, but you cannot claim to be a Christian if you do not.

God is eternal, so a long time for us isn’t long for him.
But also, he’s made it clear that there will be an end point, when there will be final judgment day for everyone. After that, no more judging, just eternal life or eternal hell.

@bridgetreilly can you explain more about the day of judgement? I don't hear this mentioned by Christians.

This is something you believe - others of us don’t.

Just read that Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam all have a day of judgment. Everyone will face the day of judgment regardless of faith or absence of faith.

It’s a religious concept so won’t apply to non believers.

So what happens to the non believers?

Nothing because we don’t believe in the day of judgement.

Thank you. What an excellent reply. Unless you understand the context of the time and how ancient religions were conducted eg child sacrifice to the gods was common, you will never understand the meaning of Isaac and his son. It was a brilliant visual lesson of how God, unlike those religions around, does NOT require child sacrifice. And so on and so on.

Cherry picking things from Google without this understanding is pointless though popular.

OP - this should be on the Philosophy/ Religion forum, not AIBU as you’ll get more informed replied and gentler discussions.

Surely it would apply to everybody? From what I read it is about a day of justice where all wrongs will be righted. If someone does not believe then, they get away with their bad actions and hurting others?

Sorry, that should be Abraham and his son Isaac

I found this about it referring to religion and beliefs. Not something I believe in.

The "Day of Judgement," a concept found in various religions, represents a final reckoning when individuals are judged for their actions and beliefs. It's a time of great significance, marking the transition from earthly life to eternal life, where rewards or punishments are meted out according to one's deeds and beliefs.

All individuals would be part of this otherwise there would be no justice.

rewards or punishments are meted out according to one's deeds and beliefs.

Yes surely if someone has done wrong to another, there would need to be justice. Juist like in this life, not 100% of the time, if you do something wrong we have a legal system and courts.

For those of us who don’t believe, there will be no such thing as a day of judgment for anyone, religious or not, so everyone is getting away with everything quite frankly.

I'm Orthodox Christian. This is what MY understanding or faith is, based on what I learned. You, as a Protestant, or as a Catholic, might have a different view.

So until this judgement day heaven and hell must be empty yes? No one can enter either until this day comes and people are either worthy of heaven or deserving or hell?

So no one is in heaven as we speak?

No one will be held accountable for the horrific atrocities they have committed?

What is the purpose of life if everyone gets away with everything?

Some would say there really is no purpose of life. You live, then you die. Some have a great life. Some have horrific lives. Some are good. Some are evil. A lot of people turn to religion because they find the thought of us all being here “just because” with no real reason or purpose far too complex and they need answers, which they hope to find within religion.

Hope everyone is having a peaceful Easter Sunday - aka Resurrection Sunday. ✝️

To the OP, if your question is genuine then Mumsnet AIBU is really not the best place to ask, but is a great place to start a pile on ...

I have a lot of time for Jesus. He was ahead of his time and a good person I think. However, the story of his life was embellished by his followers after his death and it took hold as a religion, partially by
chance and luck. If he had been portrayed as just a man with no Heavenly Father, his teachings might not have hit the same high.

There's quite a lot about the Day of Judgement in the Bible. If you read three chapters one day and four the next, you get through in a year. Although it's probably best to start with the New Testament.

@Parker231 I think we’ve established that you don’t believe any of this. But continually repeating that isn’t actually all that helpful to the people who are trying to understand what Christians believe.

Thank you. I just had a look now.

1 Corinthians 4:5
5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

Ecclesiastes 12:14
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

Hebrews 9:27
27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,

Matthew 12:36
36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.

The Christians I have spoken to do not mention the day of judgment. But this explains it is an important concept, thank you.