Quote:Biblically, everyone is damned. This is an act of justice, which is getting what you deserve. Salvation is not an act of justice, it is an act of mercy and grace. Mercy and grace are undeserved, and God can deal them out as he likes. Like many critics, you incorrectly conflate justice and mercy.
To be born into a criminal sentence is justice? To inherit a criminal sentence for the crime of a man who (never) lived thousands of years ago is justice?
You can call God's salvation mercy, because choosing not to punish someone when you have the power to do so is merciful, but let's not misuse the word 'grace'. Graceful forgiveness would only be possible under a just legislator and just laws. We may argue on what makes a law just, but I imagine you live either in the same country I do or one with a similar legal structure, and you would probably not wish to submit to the legal system based upon despotic fiat. I, personally, would not make an exception for any despot, including your god. I recognize as valid no legal system imposed upon me by a legislator who considers himself above his own laws.
