The Abrahamic Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free Card?

I think of this in comparison to an alcoholic. The longer and more you drink the harder it is to get sober. If you sin/misbehave your entire life, the harder it is to connect to the One to grant your forgiveness. The separation is too great.

 

In Judaism "I'll sin and [later] I'll repent" is one of four cases where G-d does not give the person an opportunity to repent.
Aside from the fact that repentance only helps with sins between man and G-d, not between man and his friend. That requires forgiveness on the part of the injured party to be absolved from.

 

No, in Islam one is given many chances to repent but God says in the Qur'an that waiting last minute is not going to mean that you are all forgiven. In fact, the drowned Pharaoh is said to had pleaded in the moment of death but it was useless.

 

Aint that the truth...

I'd add the adverb metaphysical in my case.

 

It seems that way to me, but you got to consider that's the same "god" who flooded the world and said "oops" sure in more words, but that's it. He didn't go to hell for a bit to show he was truly sorry...but you know who he did throw in hell? Lucifer, the angel that...wait what did he do to get kicked out...oh right he was prideful, and somehow "god" isn't despite the claims that he's "all powerful, and all present and all knowing (not to mention "all loving" bah as if...says the god that kills) I'm not a follower as you can tell, Christans did some bad things...here it goes, The same "god" that said "thou shall not kill" ordered the killing of non believers...which at the time were pagans, and pagans did witchcraft (which isn't evil for it's healing...) and they were burned at the steak for such too. I don't get why though. Even if it is "the work of the devil" or whatever...you're telling me that he'd help heal? Must not be as evil as one would want to say, considering he provided healing, when "god" wouldn't...then there are Christians whining about Muslims "they say they're a religion of peace but look at what they're doing" pure karma

 

So...seems you have a lot of opinions to get of your chest. For a lizard looking for answers you sure are making a lot of statements!

 

Well Lucifer was making a mockery of "god" and also take a look at what "god" even said about humans...oh the irony.
Genesis 6:6 The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled.
I'm laughing right now, I was looking for the part where he did his half attempt at an apology but I found a virgin...mmm

 

That is very good advice

God is a concept. Quoting the odd verse here & there from a scripture to "prove" some creed or other does not change anything.
He knows why an empire or nation might adopt a certain creed and oppress others.
God is NOT in need of our help to establish truth.

Why should God favour Christians over Jews, or Muslims over Jews, or Christians over Muslims etc?
There is no "get out of jail free card". It is not so much about WHAT we might believe as
to why we believe it

 

I think it is true in all Faiths.

Only God mows our heart and if we did truly repent, or if it is inspired by self preservation.

This quote from the Baha'i Writings.

"My sole duty is to remind you of your failure in duty towards the Cause of God, if perchance ye may be of them that heed My warning. Wherefore, hearken ye unto My speech, and return ye to God and repent, that He, through His grace, may have mercy upon you, may wash away your sins, and forgive your trespasses. The greatness of His mercy surpasseth the fury of His wrath, and His grace encompasseth all who have been called into being and been clothed with the robe of life, be they of the past or of the future." Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 130

It is never to late, we all do things we need to find repentance for and we can consider this quote as well, we can turn to God and ask;

" Verily Thou art the Ever-Forgiving, He to Whom repentance is due, He Who forgiveth even the most grievous of sins." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 233

Regards Tony

 

There's a problem. We don't know when we will die.
How do we know that there will be TIME for repentance?
One must also consider that "heaven" is not run by communists.
i.e. we are not all equal

Is a righteous scholar equal to a wicked ignoramus?

 

Almighty God is the Fairest of All Judges.
Nothing is "free". It's not easy for people to "go to heaven".

If it was so easy, we would all be there already

 

Many of the Prophets suffered as their duty was to convey truth to mankind.
That is because the truth does not suit everybody .. particularly those in a position of privilege.

Most people who go to "heaven" will be poor people. Those who are sincere and single-minded in their quest for truth.
Man's greatest obstacles are the love of wealth and women.

 

Nobody WANTS to be poor. Jesus, for example, was not teaching people they shouldn't work and enjoy God's blessings.
Being poor is a CONSEQUENCE of following truth.
The truth is that we should "wish for others what we wish for ourselves".
That is why we should not engage in usurious activity.

"heaven" is not just about what happens to the individual .. it is about what happens to the whole society.
It is not easy to become rich without disregarding others.

 

Perhaps you'd like to give us an example?
Why should a believer take any notice of a rich man that has little chance of
entering the kingdom of God?

I would agree that people can be manipulated. That is why it is important
to have a good grasp of what the Prophets taught.

It is true that wars between mankind often occur. I personally don't see
that belief in an afterlife is the cause of wars. Many wars have occurred between
nations who BOTH believe in an afterlife.