Chad,
I understand what you're saying. The bible doesn't go into detail about judgement and the afterlife, so anything we say outside of the very general things written in it, is our own personal opinion. I agree with you on that. You are careful not to say things that are too optimistic because it might lead some people to have the mentality of "Well, in case all this is true I can go to heaven anyway, so I'll just take full advantage of living as an unbeliever and do things my own way without worrying about it." You'd rather err on the side of caution with what you say, for that reason.
I can see the value in that. Though personally I still think it's also important for people of other faiths, or no faiths, to not see us as the snobby kids in school who are so quick to dismiss those who think differently. So even though I understand your hesitation, for that reason I think it's important to share my honest, optimistic opinion regarding judgement in the afterlife.
Or maybe the best thing is having a good balance of both.
As for the stuff about judging, I see the message of hypocrisy in what you posted. Nonetheless, aren't we taught to judge actions but not to judge people? As in not to judge the state of people's souls? I know this is a Catholic teaching, because the Catechism talks about this. But I thought it was a pretty well accepted Christian teaching as well.
I understand what you're saying. The bible doesn't go into detail about judgement and the afterlife, so anything we say outside of the very general things written in it, is our own personal opinion. I agree with you on that. You are careful not to say things that are too optimistic because it might lead some people to have the mentality of "Well, in case all this is true I can go to heaven anyway, so I'll just take full advantage of living as an unbeliever and do things my own way without worrying about it." You'd rather err on the side of caution with what you say, for that reason.
I can see the value in that. Though personally I still think it's also important for people of other faiths, or no faiths, to not see us as the snobby kids in school who are so quick to dismiss those who think differently. So even though I understand your hesitation, for that reason I think it's important to share my honest, optimistic opinion regarding judgement in the afterlife.
Or maybe the best thing is having a good balance of both.
As for the stuff about judging, I see the message of hypocrisy in what you posted. Nonetheless, aren't we taught to judge actions but not to judge people? As in not to judge the state of people's souls? I know this is a Catholic teaching, because the Catechism talks about this. But I thought it was a pretty well accepted Christian teaching as well.
"Of course, everyone will claim they respect someone who tries to speak the truth, but in reality, this is a rare quality. Most respect those who speak truths they agree with, and their respect for the speaking only extends as far as their realm of personal agreement. It is less common, almost to the point of becoming a saintly virtue, that someone truly respects and loves the truth seeker, even when their conclusions differ wildly."
-walsh
-walsh
