Why are Christians so opposed the idea that everyone gets to go to heaven? A non-denominational pastor recently wrote a book saying there is no hell and he's being branded a heretic. (Here's an article http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/01...al-church/)
Not only is he being publicly denounced one only has to read the comments to understand what Christians think of this. I just don't understand why this is such a big deal.
Do they need the concept of hell as a coping mechanism for the evil in the world by believing that the wicked will be punished? Is it an elitist idea to reinforce the notion that they are God's chosen people? Or are they scared because universalism would mean that the parts in the bible about hell are wrong? Maybe they just see it as spirtiual communism.
What drives Christians to need the concept of hell?
Not only is he being publicly denounced one only has to read the comments to understand what Christians think of this. I just don't understand why this is such a big deal.
Do they need the concept of hell as a coping mechanism for the evil in the world by believing that the wicked will be punished? Is it an elitist idea to reinforce the notion that they are God's chosen people? Or are they scared because universalism would mean that the parts in the bible about hell are wrong? Maybe they just see it as spirtiual communism.
What drives Christians to need the concept of hell?
Even if the open windows of science at first make us shiver after the cozy indoor warmth of traditional humanizing myths, in the end the fresh air brings vigor, and the great spaces have a splendor of their own - Bertrand Russell
