My Escatological Vision

[thesummerqueen]

I see that a lot of people really hate the idea of a God who would cast them into eternal hell fire for looking at porn or something akin, and supposedly He loves us so much and all this business. So I thought I would post my vision of the next life.

Much better start than the last thread, by the way, to let us know where exactly you stand and be pleasant about it.

I think hate is the wrong word for some of us. We dislike the idea, because it seems illogical. I’m sure you’ve heard the arguments. Hate comes, for example, when my ex-boyfriend shouts invectives at his sister because she’s an atheist, telling her what a whore she is and exactly why according to god’s scriptures…then expects her to still want to come to church (mind you, she’s a bright, vivacious sweet little thing who is 100 times more forgiving and compassionate and charitable than him). Most of us, I’d be willing to stake money on, don’t hate god…especially as we don’t believe god even exists. We hate god’s followers.

One who passes from this life and who is consumed with hate will go to hell, which, you guessed it!, is the presence of God's love.

Gentle suggestion: doing even a brief proofread before posting would help immensely in making sure we all understand your point. I think you meant “absence” instead of “presence”. Writing your posts out in Microsoft Word or a similar program would eliminate half of your problems.

God has foreseen that this person will never under any circumstance whatsoever, short of God destroying the person's very personness, that is changing the person to such a degree that they become another person altogether, love God.

Do you see why we have a problem with this? We are told god created all things, and yet a person was created who hates god…then is ‘punished’ for it? Do you see the disconnection there?

That is kind of hateful... hating men of God. Well I do not hate you, any case! Also, the Bishops of the Catholic Church, at least for the past 300+ years have lived without any kind of luxury, for the most part, many of which take vows to povery and celibacy, like our dear Pope, who does not have an personal items, besides a few keep sakes, like a watch his sister gave him. Further, Religious (monks and nuns) make true vows to poverty and never own anything, and hardly eat anything. Many never eat meat or drink alcohol. And they work, and all of their work goes to others. Many men of God our heroes, even if you think they are delusional, and if you can't see that I would say you are blinded by hate.

1) Stop shouting ‘hate’ or acting as if there’s a conspiracy just because someone doesn’t agree with you. How about asking specifically WHY someone doesn’t share your same viewpoint? Even if it’s your personal opinion that someone is responding purely out of hate, you show no class or respect by continually slinging it around. More than likely there is a rational reason and the problem is communication error.

2) The Pope lives in a palace filled with artworks and literature at his beck and call. He has the best care the church’s money can buy. He sleeps in a bed far more luxurious than most of us can ever dream. His clothes are made from fine materials, he rides in a bulletproof car, and wears gems whose worth most of us can’t even fathom. He is fed by chefs of superior order. The man has absolutely no reason to want…EVER. Or do you not see these things? Just because his name is not on their deeds or titles of ownership does not negate the fact that he is allowed to USE them.

And Jewish slavery is different in every sorts from modern slavery.

Er…how? The only slavery from ancient times that I know of that was different from “modern” slavery belonged to the Greeks and Romans who allowed their slaves to earn their freedom.

And the OT condemns any human sacrifice. Human sacrifice only happens once in the Bible by a Jew and it is never endorsed, in fact the only time a value judgement is made on the matter it is condemned.

Did I misread something when it said god told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac?

I shall reword it, you think you and your tiny bunch of atheists are the only people who deserve respect on this earth.

I cannot love that which I do not respect and I was quite in love with a Southern Baptist for a good portion of my life. Definitely a theist. I have friends who are theists who I love and respect. Do not dishonor my feelings, or the feelings of many other atheists who love people in all sorts of ways despite their theism.