Freethought & Rationalism Archive

04-08-2001, 01:00 PM

Quote:

If Jesus meant that unbelievers would be cursed to hell, rather than killed, when the Son of man was to come and judge the world, then that fate would be WORSE than death, for ALL would already be dead. Being cursed to the lake of fire for eternity seems a bit harsh for simple unbelief. It certainly is worse than simply being slain.

I have to disagree with this. As an atheist, I find threats against my life very serious, but I find threats of everlasting torment of my immortal soul after I'm dead entirely humorous.

04-08-2001, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SingleDad:
I have to disagree with this. As an atheist, I find threats against my life very serious, but I find threats of everlasting torment of my immortal soul after I'm dead entirely humorous.

The reason you consider humorous the concept of eternal damnation is because you are not a superstitious person. You and I don't have a belief in a "soul," but some do.

rodahi

04-08-2001, 03:10 PM

Sorry, I posted something about not being able to find this topic in another forum, but then found it in Open Religion. I swear it wasn't there...oh well (grin). Late,
Shaun

[This message has been edited by Irishbrutha (edited April 08, 2001).]

04-09-2001, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tercel:
You need some context: The whole point of Paul's letter to the Galations is that there are some people who are causing trouble with the Church in Galatia. They were probably Jews or Jewish Christians. These people were trying to get the Galatians to follow the OT Laws including circumcision etc. Paul spends the first several chapters of the letter explaining why Christ's death has done away with the Law and made circumcision unnecessary. He points out therefore that if the Galations decide to circumcise themselves then they are in effect denying Christ's removal of the Law. To those who are annoying them he suggests they go all the way, not only circumcising themselves but castrating themselves as well.
Paul is obviously not expecting those people to go and castrate themselves, and I am sure he is not serious in his suggestion. He is just making a joke at the expense of those annoying the Galations.

[This message has been edited by Tercel (edited April 08, 2001).]

I agree with you. Paul is in fact wishing that James the brother of Jesus, and those sent by James, would castrate themselves. This is nothing to do with unbelievers. It is the Jamesian faction Paul is battling against over table laws and circumcision.

[This message has been edited by james-2-24 (edited April 09, 2001).]

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04-08-2001, 03:10 PM	#23
Guest Posts: n/a	Sorry, I posted something about not being able to find this topic in another forum, but then found it in Open Religion. I swear it wasn't there...oh well (grin). Late, Shaun [This message has been edited by Irishbrutha (edited April 08, 2001).]

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