Posted by Dena on February 24, 2008, at 23:58:13
In reply to Lou's reply to Dena-vic » Dena, posted by Lou Pilder on February 24, 2008, at 21:10:23
Yes, Lou... that's been revealed to me as well, and it's shocking, but I now believe that the "hell" of modern Christianity is a fabrication, based on a combination of twisted Scripture, and the Greek mythological afterlife. Of course, Dante, in his infamous "Inferno", added "fuel to the fire", so to speak.
When the Ekklesia was overrun by the State/Church (unholy) alliance during the realm of Constantine, all manner of people became part of Christendom overnight... and they merged pagan teachings and practices with those of the Ekklesia -- special "temple" buildings, special "clergy" class, special days to worship, special rituals to perform. It was no longer seen as a family of God, but as a humann-run hierarchy... it went from organic to organized. And, the people had to be kept in line... what better way to do so than to borrow from pagan teachings about hell-fire -- to threaten the people, using fear to motivate them into obedience. What a terrible way to enter a relationship with the God who loved them enough to die for them.
What sort of God would teach us to love our enemies (& who said Himself, "forgive them, for they know not what they are doing"), all the while intending to torture His own enemies for all eternity...?
How could I ever love or trust a God who supposedly created some people just so He COULD torment them forever...?
And how could I trust a God who wasn't powerful enough to bring people to a place where they would see the truth about Him, and have the option to choose Him?
I've come to believe that God is both all-powerful, and all-loving, and so I believe He will save everyone eventually...
And this concept would've shocked and perhaps threatened me just a couple of years ago...!
Shalom, Dena
poster:Dena
thread:799425
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20070227/msgs/814539.html