Why I believe if Jesus is the son of God I won't go to hell

[einbert]

I'm an atheist. Although I do believe in the possibility, however slight, that some sort of "god" or "gods" or "flying spaghetti monster" exists. I just don't think there's much evidence for it but I'm going to keep looking. So according to some around here I would actually be labeled agnostic. Just wanted to point that out...PLEASE don't let that be the topic of discussion in this thread!

Anyway, this is a passage that means a lot to me, has ever since I read it as a malleable teenager. I have questioned its meaning many times, and it is certainly up for debate. But the way I see it, Jesus is saying that where you spend eternity depends on what you did, rather than what you believed.

Matthew 25
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31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

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In any case, some pretty strong words from this Jesus fellow. Perhaps some words we'd all be better off living by. I for one think so.

Discuss.