CHRISTIANS: what is the fate of a soul of a non-Christian child who does of AIDS in Africa? Do they go to Hell?

Question

I am a Christian.

I believe that there is a Heaven. And a Hell. Who goes there, when, why, and for how long, I do not know. Only God knows.

I know that Salvation is attained by faith in Jesus Christ. That's a sure way to get to Heaven. As for people who don't do this (turn to Christ) I can't say.

But I wonder what my loving God does with the souls of children who die having never been exposed to Christianity? What happens to them?

Surely they can't go to Hell?

Answer 1

We are all judged according to the amount of light or knowledge that we have. Faith alone does not save "Faith without works is dead". If we are good human beings who are good to others and try our best we will be rewarded accordingly. Small children have no accountability for their actions because they are still learning the difference between right and wrong. In my religion (LDS) we believe that children under the age of eight years old and those with severe disabilities will automatically go to heaven and that they just came to earth to gain a body and teach the rest of us. We also believe in different degrees of glory in heaven. Almost everyone will go to one of these degrees, very few will go to what we call outer darkness to dwell with satan. God is just and fair.

Answer 2

Children who do not have the ability to discern truth from wrong will automatically go to heaven. Now the age of this transformation of the child is much debated. Debbie stated in her protestant denomination, she believes that the age is eight years old. I'm a baptist and do not share that belief with her. I do not not know the exact age but it is from the time the baby is created (taking out abortion) to the time of around four to five. That is my own personal opinion, I don't know if baptists believe in that specifically so...



Anyway, for the children who above the age of discerning truth from wrong there is a difference. The bible clearly mentions that the very creation itself explains the existence of God. Not only that, but christianity is practically everywhere. There are only a few thousand pockets of groups on earth that christianity has not been reached too. (This doesn't mean that christianity was accepted). This topic is also much debated about too. Depending on who you ask, some christians will say yes they'll go to hell, some say no,. like Debbie. I personally will say yes. This sounds harsh I know. But that is what the bible says, and since I have placed complete trust in the reliability and truth of the bible, I cannot go against it. And from what I have stated above in thsi paragraph, it is only very rare instances that this happens.



The adults on the otherhand definitely have the line drawn. Those who have never been exposed to jesus is also rare and they also have the ability to discern truth from wrong. Those who are developmentally challenged or mentally ill? The bible tlaks about those people being saved so I think that they also have the line drawn. But those who are, you know, very serious in their illness and have been so since childhood, than that's when the ability to discern truth from wrong goes away and so I believe that they will go to heaven.



Your question is a controversial topic in the realms of chrsitian scholars and I hope I haven't confused you from what I typed down.

Answer 3

don't forget the many many people who were born and died before christians came to their country



that is a very complex question which raises questions about god being unfair

Answer 4

I can't say that they can't go to Hell, because I don't make the rules and the Bible doesn't tell us everything.