Dr Rick

Yeah, that's the downside to the whole thing; burning in hell just because you're Jewish/Protestant/Muslim/Hindu/Morman/Buddhist/whatever just isn't a positive experience.

Rick

Amos

But Rick, such fears can only be born out of ignorance because if hell is opposite to heaven and they can't get to heaven they would not have the option to go to hell available to them either.

Amos

What makes you conlcude that Amie? The Church is the envy of the world for good reason and Debbie is just being honest with herself, which I agree, is commendable.

Notice the "uncontional love" she received without strings attached while others stuff "salvation messages" in shoe-box presents that were donated by others.

Amie

Hi Amos
the problem was in my wording. I should have said "It is unfortunate that more here dont have positive experiences to share" which is what I was trying to say...
personally I see that there are positives within the church and I am glad to hear about them when they happen. But many here have had negative experiences which have contributed to bad feelings for catholicism and that is unfortunate.

Amos

Hi Amie, I know, there are not many honest people on this board.

sullster

That some people are decent and help others is an innate characteristic independent of a medieval system such as the church. Groups like the church always like to claim that helping others is their main purpose and indeed many members of the hierarchy innately do just that, but the church lies.

The essential underlying mission of any religion is the recruitment of more believers. Everything else falls away from this primary motive. The theological stings are always attached to that helping hand. The implantation of the nothingness of other-worldly superstition is the hand in the glove of compassion.

Human compassion for others is an innate nature prevalent to differing amounts in the human brain. Compassion from a religious basis is a lie.

Amos

You are right sullster, lots of good people in this world and helping others is best done without rewards and worst of all are promises made about heaven.

But you are wrong in the above. The Catholic Church has no recruitment teams and people who wish to join are required to take an introduction course (RCIA).

Ronin

Then again ~ the aspect that is the *religious dogma* of whatever 'cult' is that which is the complete load of bullshit and all this...

is secular (non-religious).

The specifically negative aspects recounted on this thread is precisely this 'heaven and hell' nonsense...complete with Sky Fairy Prime, supernatural malarky and human representative pervo con-men.

~ wake up already.

Ronin

They came to my door just last week, Amos. Granted, mormons and baptists are the heavier 'recruiters', however, *all* godites seem to be immersed in this 'witnessing' crap...despite your assertions.

Sabine Grant

Caro Ronin.... I do not purport to be tolerant or compassionate but intend to grow in that direction.

I suggest you present yourself as a model of compassion and tolerance towards the very people you so persistantly judge. Your statements may become more valid to them then. And your level of credibility with them might increase.......you can then pertain to truly enlight and influence them by your personal example.

We would not call it character if it were so easy !