The doctrine of men, to teach the ridiculous, spiritual terrorism of endless conscious torture by God of his own creation. This abomination has cause more spiritual failure, mental breakdowns and wars, human suffering in general than any other single sin or evil.
This doctrine is actually at the root of almost all evil in the world.
Not sure about "almost all", but I agree with the gist of this post. Teaching that God will torture you forever if you don't follow the instructions that some men have written down centuries ago, to those who believe it, causes a lot of problems. A lot!
Consider when a loved one dies "lost". Believers are required to believe that soul went to hell and will be tortured forever. And they have to believe that loved one deserves that endless punishment! There isn't even universal agreement on the "age of accountability" doctrine, if the loved one was a young child, nor on what that age actually is, even if the doctrine is true.
Furthermore, many believers don't really know if they themselves will escape that infinite pain. Many factors involved, but basically, they realize that there are many different and even contradictory methods of salvation, and they know they can't be sure they have picked the right one. Even if they guessed right, they can't be sure they followed the instructions correctly. Even if they did, they can't be sure they won't mess something up before they die.
Why aren't Christians depressed and in despair? Well, actually, some are. More than we know, I would guess. (Some can hide it pretty well. I know I did, usually.) And the ones that aren't? Well, good for them. But I think it indicates, for most such believers, they don't really believe everything they say they believe. It's the only explanation I can come up with, anyway.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Not sure about "almost all", but I agree with the gist of this post. Teaching that God will torture you forever if you don't follow the instructions that some men have written down centuries ago, to those who believe it, causes a lot of problems. A lot!
Consider when a loved one dies "lost". Believers are required to believe that soul went to hell and will be tortured forever. And they have to believe that loved one deserves that endless punishment! There isn't even universal agreement on the "age of accountability" doctrine, if the loved one was a young child, nor on what that age actually is, even if the doctrine is true.
Furthermore, many believers don't really know if they themselves will escape that infinite pain. Many factors involved, but basically, they realize that there are many different and even contradictory methods of salvation, and they know they can't be sure they have picked the right one. Even if they guessed right, they can't be sure they followed the instructions correctly. Even if they did, they can't be sure they won't mess something up before they die.
Why aren't Christians depressed and in despair? Well, actually, some are. More than we know, I would guess. (Some can hide it pretty well. I know I did, usually.) And the ones that aren't? Well, good for them. But I think it indicates, for most such believers, they don't really believe everything they say they believe. It's the only explanation I can come up with, anyway.
1.Leviticus 18:21
And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through the fire to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.
6.1 Kings 11:7
Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon.
18.Jeremiah 32:35
And they built the high places of Baal which are in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire to Molech, which I did not command them, nor did it come into My mind that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.’
It was a heathen practice of burning their children. Will God do that to His Creation? Of course, God will not.
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__________________ For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. (Romans 14:11- NASB)
1.Leviticus 18:21
And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through the fire to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.
6.1 Kings 11:7
Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon.
18.Jeremiah 32:35
And they built the high places of Baal which are in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire to Molech, which I did not command them, nor did it come into My mind that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.’
It was a heathen practice of burning their children. Will God do that to His Creation? Of course, God will not.
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Not sure how you can be so sure of that, given that God, according to the stories written and placed in the canon of scripture, has done many things that would have been unthinkable and evil had humans done them. And he ordered certain humans to commit acts that would have been horrible atrocities, if they had done them on their own volition and not under orders from God.
God's ways are not our ways.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Not sure how you can be so sure of that, given that God, according to the stories written and placed in the canon of scripture, has done many things that would have been unthinkable and evil had humans done them. And he ordered certain humans to commit acts that would have been horrible atrocities, if they had done them on their own volition and not under orders from God.
God's ways are not our ways.
Timmy,
Many things were attributed to God by men, even in the Bible, but they were mistaken, it was their perception but not necessarily the true.
__________________ For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. (Romans 14:11- NASB)
Hybrid Mode
