Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!iuvax!purdue!gatech!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!geneva.rutgers.edu!christian From: eleazar!oracle@dartvax.dartmouth.edu (Brian T. Coughlin) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Ramblings of a Fallen Fundie Message-ID: Date: 31 Jul 89 01:43:08 GMT Sender: hedrick@geneva.rutgers.edu Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH Lines: 67 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu [This is a response to Darren F. Provine's posting, talking about his experience in doubting some fundamentalist beliefs, e.g. Hell. > And even if I'm wrong, what does it matter? After you've convinced > me of the truth, what am I supposed to do with it? I live my life > the way Jesus tells me to (with the occasional screwup), and I will > do so regardless of whether there's a Hell -- or, for that matter, > a Heaven. --clh] :) I'm not sure if this is intelligent, but honestly... I wanted to stand up and applaud that posting of yours, Darren! I can only offer my own humble opinion, but I sympathize with you totally. Even in the Catholic Church, where fundamentalism is supposed to be unknown (*ahem*), I get a lot of flak about my belief in the possibility of no literal, pitchfork Hell. I get even MORE flak because of my disbelief in a literal, living Satan. And if you think THAT's bad... imagine everyone's jaws slackening as I told them of my belief in the possibility of reincarnation (sort of)...! Here was (is) my view: I've always had problems with the idea of "unworthy" souls being condemned to everlasting torment. It just doesn't sit well with the notion of a benevolent, all-forgiving, all-loving God. But picture the following: You live out your life unworthily, for whatever reason... weakness of spirit, bad family environment, whatever. You eventually die, and rise to Heaven to be judged before the throne of God. At this point, you are quite helpless and speechless with joy... because not only are ALL your beloved friends/family members (that had died before) there, but God Himself, the being who loves you the most of all, is there before you. But the infinite joy that you are experiencing is suddenly taken from you in one blow, as God speaks: "My dearest child... you may not join Us yet. You have not fulfilled your purpose on Earth, and you have not yet learned how to love in the way that I wished to show you. Therefore, though it break My heart, you must go away, and start your mortal life anew. Your beloved ones will await your return... as will I." Picture your mother, wife, girl/boyfriend, brother, or someone close to you that had died... a person whose death had all but shattered you. Now, at last, that person is before you... maybe only a little out of arms reach. And you're sent away. Wouldn't that be a sort of Hell? Wouldn't it be quite as bad as flames and pitchforks, and yet be merciful and just, giving you another chance? These were just MHO, but I like them... and I hope that they make sense. It allows me to serve God because I love Him... not because I fear Him. Take care, all. d d / Brian Coughlin ------- ----------- | society = 0 oracle@eleazar.dartmouth.edu d(works) d(goodwill) / "Don't differentiate between the good works of people. Since derivatives of mankind's goodwill are integral to a stable, constant society, differentiating will leave you with nothing."