Soothe Your Spirit Sunday: Going to Hell?

Photo courtesy of nuttakit; FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I saw a video circulating this week about a church that preaches hate.  Watching this video turned my stomach, has been turning the wheels in my head, and has weighed heavily on my heart.

If you want to Google it, look for "Westboro Baptist Disowns Daughter" or something similar.  I apologize, I just don't even want to link it on my blog.

This church preaches that God hates us, that we're all going to hell as Americans, they preach racism against Jewish people, they teach that the military service men and women are wicked people.  They actually picket fallen soldiers' funerals, cheering that another in the military service has died.

Ironic that these very service men and women are responsible for maintaining the rights that these quacks have to stand in the street and spew their hate, isn't it?

Well I didn't start this post to spew my own disgust, really.  Well, I guess maybe I did, somewhat.

I started thinking about whether these people will go to hell.  Certainly we would all like to think so, right?  If you are a mainstream Christian, the belief is that you will go to heaven through faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior.  You don't have to do anything special, say anything profound, or even go to church to secure your seat in heaven.

This is where my faith is rooted.

Many Christians believe that different denominations have it wrong.  Do Catholics think Mormons are going to heaven?  Don't think they do, in general, believe that.

I have always believed that God looks at your heart, not what church you go to.  If your heart is devoted to Him and your inner faith lies in Him, He knows that.  He knows you to the core of your soul.

So what about the hate-preachers?  I believe He loves them.  I believe He is sorrowful and angry when He sees what they do....but what is inside them, driving them?  Are their actions truly deeply rooted in faith that they are doing what God tells them?  Since they claim the Baptist denomination, I'm led to believe that Jesus as our Savior lies somewhere in their doctrine.  (No, I do not view these folks as an example of the Baptist faith.)

If they truly, deeply believe that they are following God, can they still go to heaven?

I can't figure it out.  I'll be praying for these people today, and also praying for myself so God can calm my heart about it.

Another thing to add to my list of questions to ask God when I get to heaven.

What do you want to ask Him?