Will the developmentally disabled go to heaven?

I don't know if I've ever heard any position by any religion on what is supposed to happen to the developmentally disabled or people who are otherwise intellectually compromised in death. Within the perameters of religion do people without the ability to fully understand and/or assert a belief go to hell or purgatory, etc.? I understand that this may be a question for a religious forum or for those who believe in a religion, but I figured I'd pose it here too.

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Permalink Reply by Stormi C. on September 12, 2012 at 6:49pm
My mother is extremely religious and she always says they go to heaven because they don't fully understand, making them innocent.
Permalink Reply by Karina on September 15, 2012 at 9:13pm

I've heard that explanation too, and it reminds me of a quote from Annie Dillard's Pilgrim at Tinker Creek:

“If I did not know about God and sin, would I go to hell?" 
"No", said the priest, "not if you did not know." 
"Then why," asked the Eskimo earnestly, "did you tell me?”

 

Permalink Reply by Jon Matthew Teske on September 15, 2012 at 9:41pm
I've heard Hitchens tell that in a debate. Great joke. :)
Permalink Reply by booklover on September 16, 2012 at 9:45am

@ Karina, That's great!!

Permalink Reply by Karina on September 16, 2012 at 10:04am

Simple and to the point :)

Permalink Reply by Pat on September 12, 2012 at 7:02pm

OK, next question. What about psychopaths and the criminally insane? Their brains are such, and the delusions so profound, that many are truly not responsible for their vicious and heinous acts. They're not like the Down's Syndrome persons who are friendly and just want to express positive emotion. But, like those with Down's Syndrome and others whose neurological functions are compromised, their cognitive abilities are also compromised. Instead of being likeable and emotionally appealing, they're just the opposite. The drooling rapists and murderers who walk among us. Do they get a pass, too?

Permalink Reply by Lillie on September 12, 2012 at 7:14pm

All they have to do is accept Jesus on their death bed and they're in.

Permalink Reply by Karina on September 16, 2012 at 10:08am

Which reminds me of an excellent joke by Emo Philips:

“When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me.”

Permalink Reply by Jon Matthew Teske on September 16, 2012 at 10:21am
Another great one. Thanks, Karina. :)
Permalink Reply by booklover on September 16, 2012 at 11:25am

I'd forgotten about that joke! Wonderful! ha ha ha

Permalink Reply by Lillie on September 14, 2012 at 10:18am

If my dog can't go to heaven, I'm not going, either. lol

Permalink Reply by Jon Matthew Teske on September 14, 2012 at 10:39am
Is your dog developmentally disabled? Mine are. Haha!

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