Biblical Inerrancy - mandatory to be Christian?

[Joel]

Sorry if it seemed I was avoiding the question: I didn't pull that from anything you had said.

A desire for justice is fine - I've said this. I don't believe sin exists; but bad, harmful actions do. These actions should be despised.
There should be concern for the victims, also.
If there was no justice, then there would be no deterrent for crime. But when it escalates to "There has to be more justice after death that continues forever." is where I have a problem.
Why must this exist? The bible says to forgive and turn the other cheek. When a family actively seeks out revenge - their own justice - things often go awry. Once a person is out of the hands of the living, it should be let go. Many christians say that to hold something against someone in their heart will destroy them. The Lord's prayer says "Forgive us as we forgive those who have sinned against us."

[jstrodel]

Yes, the BIble teaches that mercy is a virtue. But it also teaches that God judges sin, in the same way that a court judges sin. It isn't a dirty thing, it isn't bad, like sex, something to be afraid to talk about. Justice is something that is human, bad people deserve to be punished, you don't have to feel guilty about feeling that way because of religious ideas.

[Joel]

Bad people deserve to be punished, yes, but I don't feel a need to chase it up in an afterlife. I don't wish anybody that has sinned against me be punished after they die.
Heck, I don't wish they be punished now!

[jstrodel]

How will bad people be punished who fail to be punished in this life by the courts?

Couldn't you acknowledge that for criminals or for bad people, corrupt ceos who steal from their workers for instance, that it may be better that there is punishment in the afterlife than there is now?

[Joel]

Bad people die. That's it; over. They don't need to be punished. They may deserve it, but it doesn't need to happen.

It doesn't have any effect on the physical world so I don't believe that it would be better.
It doesn't provide me with any more or less comfort to know that people are punished after they die.

[The Grand Nudger]

How will bad people be punished who fail to be punished in this life by the courts?

They won't be, and they aren't.

Couldn't you acknowledge that for criminals or for bad people, corrupt ceos who steal from their workers for instance, that it may be better that there is punishment in the afterlife than there is now?

As incoherent as this as, and as much as I wonder what kind of ghoul asks such a question...better?

Yes, the BIble teaches that mercy is a virtue. But it also teaches that God judges sin, in the same way that a court judges sin.

Oh it does, With a jury of peers, along well described limits, with a process of appeals?

[CleanShavenJesus]

If there is no justice after death, when is there justice?

Why do you think there has to be? There doesn't have to be any sort of justice after death.

There is, however, justice in life. For most.

[jstrodel]

You don't see the problem with justice punishing some people, but not punishing all people who deserve judgement?

[Mystic]

You don't see the problem with justice punishing some people, but not punishing all people who deserve judgement?

We need to implement justice in this life as best as possible or else there would be chaos.

However, in the next world, if God reforms the bad people or enlightens them or stops people by interfering from committing crimes...then that is not necessary at least from that perspective.

At the end, when you chose justice, you ignore mercy, compassion, forbearance, and forgiveness.

When you choose mercy, compassion, etc,..you ignore justice.

One has to be chosen. Which one makes a better God?

[jstrodel]

The God who represents the fullness of life without pandering to mans carnal appetite for cheap grace is the best God.

The God who identifies his merciful will with the weak and hurting and the oppressed is the best God.