Afterlife, Sin and Salvation
What happens when you die? Christians believe it depends on your faith in God and how you've lived. After death comes judgement - God looks at your behaviour, actions, and faith in Jesus to decide your eternal destination.
Heaven is described as a place of peace and joy in God's presence - think garden paradise with angels and Jesus. But Christians disagree on who gets in: just Christians, all religious people who lived well, or only baptised Christians. Catholics also believe in purgatory - an intermediate state where souls get cleansed before heaven.
Hell is the opposite - existence without God, potentially a place of eternal torment. This raises questions about God's love that Christians continue to debate. Some see Hell as a literal place ruled by Satan, others as a state of mind.
Sin and salvation are central to Christianity. Sin is anything that separates humans from God, and Christians believe we're all born with a tendency to do wrong (original sin). But here's the hope: salvation through Jesus repairs this damage.
Remember: Christians believe Jesus' death and resurrection made eternal life possible for everyone!
Atonement means Jesus' sacrifice removed sin's effects, allowing people's relationship with God to be restored. Christians debate whether salvation comes through faith alone or faith plus good works, but agree it's ultimately God's grace (undeserved gift) that saves people.