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Somewhere in the Bible it says "we are saved by grace, not works, lest any man should boast." Also somewhere it says, "No man comes to the Father but by me." He didn't say, "No man comes to the Father unless he does a lot of good things in his life." We know on the cross that Jesus told the repentent thief that he would be in paradise, that nite. Obviously forgiveness is quick and trumps one's prior actions. Plus Paul (I think) told everybody that they were born in sin and was only by faith could they get out the bad place.

What this tells me is that the "mind-set" and "attitude" is more important than the things we do. Atta's act was very bad, but his "attitude" was very holy. He prayed. He believed in Jehovah/Allah. His religious faith dictated that he should kill to protect his faith and people. In the Old Testament we see the same exhortation given to the Jews. He honored his father and his preachers. They are false prophets, but I don't think he knew that. Therefore, I think it more likely he is in Heaven than Hell.

"No man comes to the Father but by me."

This was spoken by Jesus and unless I am mistaken, the Muslims do not accept Jesus. Yes we are saved by grace and not by works, but that is through the blood of Jesus. Sorry, but unless this Atta had a last second conversion, we can pretty safely assume he isn't enjoying Heaven right now.

"Therefore, I think it more likely he is in Heaven than Hell. "

I would not say it is more likely he is in heaven. I just don't know what his eternal fate is. I am not fit to pronounce judgement on anyone's eternal soul. Only God can actually read your heart and see what factors lead to the things you have done in your life. I get no solace from thinking that ANYONE is in hell. I do get solace from knowing he is now in the hands of God who will reward or punish him exactly as he merits.

They are false prophets, but I don't think he knew that. Therefore, I think it more likely he is in Heaven than Hell.

Whoa!!!!

OK, first off, there is one God and that God was incarnated in the form of the historic Jesus of Nazareth. He said that NO ONE comes to the Father, except by Him. That is pretty clear. Not by Mohammad, Joseph Smith, Bill Clinton, any of the John Pauls, etc. Only Jesus. Period.

Atta may be sincere about his faith, but he is sincerely wrong.

Second, on a point of order...

No one is presently in Hell. Hell is presently empty, and the fist resident of Hell will be the anti-Christ, followed by the False Prophet. Then there is the 1000 years, and then Satan, his angels, and all those who do not appear in the Book of Life takes up residence. Believe it or not, Satan is presently in the Throne Room of God, fulfilling his role as chief accuser.

I know that is contra to what we have been taught, but Hell is not presently in use.

He didn't say, "No man comes to the Father unless he does a lot of good things in his life."

Then how do you make any sense of the Last Judgment, where Jesus sends the people who did good works to heaven, and the people who failed to do good works to hell?

What this tells me is that the "mind-set" and "attitude" is more important than the things we do. Atta's act was very bad, but his "attitude" was very holy. He prayed. He believed in Jehovah/Allah. His religious faith dictated that he should kill to protect his faith and people. In the Old Testament we see the same exhortation given to the Jews. He honored his father and his preachers. They are false prophets, but I don't think he knew that. Therefore, I think it more likely he is in Heaven than Hell.

Insanity. The Koran is adamant that innocent people shall not be hurt, and is especially adamant than you shall make no orphans. So by Bin Ladin's own faith, he is damned.

He is also damned in the Jewish faith, since the one sin you may not atone for is murder.

And if you tell me in the Chtistian faith, all he had to do is believe in some guy in history and he gets a pass into heaven, then I would never want to be in that heaven.