winstonjen

Some theists refer to the "Age of Accountability" in the bible to excuse the slaughter of children. As far as I know, there is no biblical support for this - only assumptions. The closest thing I've read about is Jesus' parable where he claims that those who do not know about what the 'master' (clearly referring to god) wants will receive a lighter punishment. Does anyone else have any other references/information?

Ebonmuse

You're correct that the "age of accountability" doctrine is just an assumption. Not only is it never explicitly mentioned in the Bible, there's actually a verse that seems to argue rather strongly against it, namely 2 Chronicles 36:9:

This is well below the "age of accountability" as far as I've ever heard the doctrine described, and yet here we have an 8-year-old king doing evil. Ask the fundies to explain that one.

Dargo

There is one verse that is used to support the age of accountability. David and Bathsheba's first son was struck down by the sky daddy as punishment for David's sin of murdering her husband. In 2 Samuel 12:23 RSV "But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me."

They claim this verse proves David would see his son later in heaven. Some conservative theologians admit this verse may represent wishful thinking on David's part rather than being a promise from god. For that matter, the ancient Hebrews didn't seem to believe in an afterlife. Still, without the age of accountability theory, even fundie Christians realize that god isn't fair.

I believe the fear of infants dying and going to hell, is what caused the early Christians to start infant baptisms. Evangelical Christians don't normally do this, so they had to come up with something else to spare their young children from hell.

I would note that they believe the age of accountability is not a fixed age but represents a point were a child can come to an understanding of what sin is, what the wages of sin is, and how belief in Jesus can save. A child with a severe mental handicap would probably never reach this point. An person who dies without ever hearing about Jesus after this point is still bound for hell.

my dog earl

So what is a lighter punishment going to be? Is there a Hell "light" for those sinners? Maybe the Catholics were right about limbo after all.

Ebonmuse

I've always wondered how Christians derive such notions from this verse. As far as I can see, it's entirely compatible with a theology in which there is no afterlife and death is final.

winstonjen

Heh heh...maybe they're in hell for only half of eternity.

Postcard73

Another verse which seems to directly contradict the "age of accountability" concept appears at the end of the flood story (Genesis 8:20-21):

winstonjen

That also raises problems because the bible doesn't define 'youth', just as the bible is ambiguous in many other places as well.

Magus55

Nah, it doesn't contradict the age of accountability. The Age of accountability just refers to the responsibility placed on those who can't understand right from wrong. Has nothing to do with whether they are born sinful.

winstonjen

Strange. Doesn't the bible mention original sin? Isn't the basis of that the passing down of a person's sinful nature through generations?