[chris1]

Let me ask you a question - a serious one - there are probably well over a billion people who have never ever even heard of Christ, and billions and billions and billions more who came before us and never heard of Christ, where do they go and are they "saved"?????

This question has never been answered to me in a way that even remotely approaches something making sense.

[JamesP81]

Let me ask you a question - a serious one - there are probably well over a billion people who have never ever even heard of Christ, and billions and billions and billions more who came before us and never heard of Christ, where do they go and are they "saved"?????

The Apostle Paul addressed the issue here.

[Just another Joe]

Let me try to answer that question.
Keep in mind that I am no theologian, only a Christian that has done a little investigation.

There is place, somewhere between Heaven and Hell, let's call it limbo.
People that have never had the chance to hear about Christ and make a decision for, or against, him being the Saviour of our souls go there until the last judgement.
At the last judgement everyone, even those in Hell now, will be brought before the throne of G*D and they will make their choice.
Confess and repent of your sins, believe in Christ and aknowledge him as your saviour or do not pass go, do not collect heaven, go directly to hell.

Everyone will be given a chance, even Satan.

[meowmeow]

Let me ask you a question - a serious one - there are probably well over a billion people who have never ever even heard of Christ, and billions and billions and billions more who came before us and never heard of Christ, where do they go and are they "saved"?????

A perfectly logical question that I would be happy to try to answer in a way that actually makes sense. I need to look up a couple key scriptures that address that so I'll have to wait until I get home. But I will get back to you chris1.

[JAKraig]

billions more who came before us and never heard of Christ, where do they go and are they "saved"?????

What a good question. Of all questions you could answer about Christianity this is probably the most difficult for many people. How could a nice child of nice parents born in a time and place where they never had the opportunity to hear about, much less accept Christ, be dammed to Hell?

I have always thought that The New Testament, 1st Peter 3:15-20 answered this:

15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
17 It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,
19 through whom[d] also he went and preached to the spirits in prison
20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,
21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge[e] of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
22 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Now I am not a Christian scholar by a long shot. I have read The Holy Bible and have some ideas about what it says to me.

Christ went and preached to those people in Prison for some reason. Why would he go and try to convert them if they could not be saved.

Could God possibly love me more than someone born in another time and place that never had the chance to know The Savior of the world? I think not. I'm not special!

I really think those that don't get the chance in this life will have the opportunity in the next life to accept The Savior, just like I did in this life.

I expect that those that had the chance in this life but rejected it may have a more difficult time of it, I feel sorry for them.

[TexasRepublic]

Let me ask you a question - a serious one - there are probably well over a billion people who have never ever even heard of Christ, and billions and billions and billions more who came before us and never heard of Christ, where do they go and are they "saved"?????

This question has never been answered to me in a way that even remotely approaches something making sense.

Why ask the opinions of men? Why not read and believe Jesus' words instead of men's and decide for yourself?

[PAR35]

This question has never been answered to me in a way that even remotely approaches something making sense.

where do they go

Hell.

and are they "saved"?????

No.

Was that simple enough to understand?

[pbear8]

The Church always taught 'baptism by desire'. St Thomas shows us that it is easy for man to reason that God exists and that creation was designed to worship Him. Those who, through no fault of their own, have not heard of God, may use their common sense and truly desire to worship the Creator and do so in their own way. God is all merciful and ultimately salvation is His to bestow.