Why does God create people doomed to hell?

TL;DR:

God doesn’t force anyone to hell; people end up there by freely rejecting His gift of salvation through Jesus. While everyone is born doomed to hell, that does not have to be their destiny; God offers forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe.

what does the bible say?

God does not force anyone to go to hell; people end up there by freely rejecting His offer of salvation through Jesus. From the beginning, humans were created with the ability to choose right and wrong, and all inherit a sinful nature that separates them from God (Genesis 3; Psalm 51:5). While everyone is a sinner by nature and by choice, God provides a way to be forgiven and reconciled through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23; John 3:16). Hell is not an arbitrary punishment but the natural result of rejecting God’s grace and refusing His gift of salvation. God respects human freedom, giving everyone the ability to respond to His love and forgiveness (Romans 1:20). Salvation is available for all who believe in Jesus’ death and resurrection (Romans 10:9). While people left in their sinful state are doomed to hell, God does not send people to hell; those who reject God’s gift go there willingly.

from the old testament

Both the Old and New Testaments tell us that all of us are born sinners (Psalm 51:5; Genesis 8:21; Jeremiah 17:9). First Kings 8:46 adds, "There is no one who does not sin." In contrast, God provides salvation (Genesis 3:15).
When God created the first man and woman, He gave them the ability to freely choose good and evil. He commanded them not to eat of a certain tree. But they disobeyed, introducing sin to humanity (Genesis 3). Every man and woman since Adam and Eve has inherited free will and a sin nature.

from the new testament

God does not actively send people to hell; all people are already imperfect. Romans 3:23 clearly teaches, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:10 says, "None is righteous, no, not one."
Our sin separates us from God. Still, God made the way for us to be saved and forgiven. All who trust in His Son Jesus Christ for eternal life will receive it (John 3:16).
The Bible teaches that all people are without excuse to respond to God’s salvation, meaning that everyone is held accountable and has a choice whether they go to heaven or hell. Romans 1:20 states, "For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." People who go to hell are there because they have sinned, have not believed in God's Son Jesus, and have rejected the Creator.
Acts 4:12 makes it explicitly clear that God has made the way for us to be forgiven of our sin and made right with God through Jesus: "there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." What some may view as exclusive or restrictive is actually a gracious offer to any person to know God personally and spend eternity with Him.
In the end, God will take away the curse of sin, making a new heaven and new earth free from the curse of sin (Revelation 22:3). When this takes place, everything that seems unjust or unfair in this life will end. Those who are children of God will dwell with Him in His presence for all eternity.

implications for today

If God had created humans with no ability to choose right and wrong, would humans truly be human at all? One of the unique capacities of human life is the ability to make moral choices. Without this ability to choose both right and wrong, we wouldn’t be responsible for our moral choices. Ultimately, God does create people who go to hell, but He does not force them to go there.

Hell is the result of freely rejecting God’s grace, not a punishment arbitrarily imposed. God respects human response, allowing each person to decide whether to accept His love and forgiveness. Salvation is offered to all, but it requires a willing response of faith and repentance. Those who trust in Jesus experience eternal life, restored relationship with God, and transformation of heart and mind (John 3:16; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17-–-19). Conversely, those who refuse, remain under the natural consequence of their choice. People are not doomed to go to hell. If they reject God’s gift of salvation through Jesus, they willingly choose separation from Him.

understand

All humans are born with a sinful nature and the ability to choose right or wrong.
People end up in hell by freely rejecting God’s offer of salvation through Jesus.
Hell is the natural consequence of rejecting God’s grace, not an arbitrary punishment.

reflect

How aware are you of the choices you make between following God and following your own desires?
How do you respond to the accusation that God creates doomed people?
How does the fact that your salvation is guaranteed impact how you trust in God every day?

engage

Why is it important to understand that all humans inherit a sinful nature, which leads us to hell?
What does it reveal about God’s character that He allows people to freely choose to accept or reject Him, even when it leads some to hell?
How can we encourage others to respond willingly to God’s offer of salvation rather than take it for granted?