you can't have it both ways.... either you go to heaven by accepting Jesus... or there is a second way into heaven.

geeogree : and...
tRIUNE : Romans 2: 14-15 says: " 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15 since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)"
The law is written on their hearts, they have no excuse, even if they have not heard of the Bible, God has given them evidence of Himself... so they are not fully without excuse. One can argue that they won't know of Christ Himself and true repentance, but that's what missionaries are for. So you are only partially correct. tRIUNE is damning millions if and only if he is passing up opportunities to spread the message, or to help others spread the message (i.e., giving money to missionaries).
So whether they've heard or not, yes people who die without accepting Christ go to hell... but that it humans' fault. Were it not for events like Babel, we would all still be functionally one huge society, and spreading the Good News would be much easier.

bigNATE : you still don't get it...

what about the millions of people who were born BEFORE Jesus was born? If you lived back then and never had the chance to know who Jesus was, or understand that there was going to be a Savior.... how can you be damned to hell for that?

geeogree : We've talked about this. If sin was not the problem, there would not be a need of a savior. Everyone has sinned and deserved hell, and the only solution is someone paying the punishment for the sins of the world, which Jesus did on the cross about 2000 yrs ago. He already did it, but if people reject that gift, they don't want it, and want to pay the price themselves, which they can't do it themselves, because God's standard is perfection. And because God is just, those who refuse the gift would be sent to hell FOR THEIR SINS.

EDIT: Just read what you said after I posted this. For that question, read Hebrews 11, which answers how those before Christ were saved. It is BY FAITH.

geeogree : That was when Judaism was important. Those who believed in God and upheld Jewish laws prior to Jesus' death were sent to a place called Abraham's Bosom, a sort of "waiting room" if you'll call it that, where they awaited Christ's preparation of Heaven.
Also, people had even less of an excuse back then. Much of the world was more centralized, and one could obtain a place in Abraham's Bosom merely by repenting, trying to uphold moral law, and making sacrifices to the correct God.

[sigh] you guys just don't get it.

You're telling me that it is okay for the people that lived before Jesus who never knew about a savior to be condemned to hell? Where is the justice? God put those people where he did.... and didn't provide a way for them to learn about Jesus.... and somehow this is all okay?

and play4fun - faith is how everyone is saved... and I understand that what Jesus did applies to people before and after his birth.... my point is: if you had no knowledge of Jesus then you go to hell... regardless of when you were born.

Dang, I hate these internet screw-ups .

geeogree : *sigh* You don't seem to understand what we're saying. GOD DIDN'T DO THIS. All this, all the people who will never know? This is OUR FAULT. Humanity's fault. So, how do believers make up for that? They try to tell everyone they can. Jesus' solution to your so-called problem: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)
That's what we must do today, that's what had to happen before Christ, that's how it has happened throughout all eternity. Man screwed up, that's why there are people who don't know in the first place.
Of course I'm not OK with it, and I do all I can to reverse the trend of not knowing about God, although that isn't much yet. However, I still must face the fact that there are billions of people who never knew, who don't know, and who will never know, and who will unfortunately go to Hell for it. I want that number to stop growing. I will fight for it to stop growing. And if we can get enough Christians to pitch in, it will stop growing.

But this thread is seriously off topic now . I think there's another where we can continue this debate. If not, then please feel free to make it.
Sorry noelia, we won't steal your thread space anymore .

.... but if God knew humanity wouldn't be able to do it... then it IS his fault.

Why confess to a priest?! What's he gonna do about it, confess your sins to the Lord.
My vote: NO