[SillyEvee]

But it happens, right? Why would G-d make a world in which we have free choice, but our actions don't count for anything? If you hold the (mostly Christian) belief that this life is just a "warm-up" for the next one and that entrance and position in the next one are based on faith alone, what is the incentive to do good? Do our actions count for anything at all?
And what about all the people who lived before Jesus was born? Are they forever denied entrance to Heaven simply for being alive too early? What about Jesus's own ancestors? All of Mary's ancestors, who directly contributed to the birth of Jesus, but died before he was born? Are they in Hell right now?
I don't mean to attack your belief, I just don't understand this. I would be completely and sincerely happy if you could explain these questions. Honest.