Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Chili · 07-08-2004, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinger

the Bible contains no specific language regarding a purgatory.

Except that the Gospels take place in purgatory and the Revelation in heaven.

Harry Bosch · 07-08-2004, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeda

When I attended a fundamentalist church, we were taught that everyone is responsible for the knowledge they had. In other words creation bore witness of the creator to the heathen. They could still put thier faith in God, through thier witnessing of the heavens, etc.

In hindsight, I wonder then why we spent so much money on missions?

As for babies, there was an age of reason (generally around 7, though specific to the intelligence of the child). Before that it was assumed, although there is no indication in the Bible, that they would be saved.

Our church did not practice infant baptism, so that wasnt an issue.

So, if an infidel worshipped a river god, that he though created the heavens, and he had no knowledge of Jesus: would he get into heaven if he died? I agree with you, the Missionaries would cause many of the Pagans to go to hell by spreading the knowledge! I get a funny picture in my mind of villagers fleeing the Missionaries if they knew that the Missionaries were spreading information that could lead them to hell!

Chili · 07-08-2004, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinger

So, if an infidel worshipped a river god, that he though created the heavens, and he had no knowledge of Jesus: would he get into heaven if he died? I agree with you, the Missionaries would cause many of the Pagans to go to hell by spreading the knowledge! I get a funny picture in my mind of villagers fleeing the Missionaries if they knew that the Missionaries were spreading information that could lead them to hell!

The interesting part is that missionaries send the villagers to hell when they play a hokus pokus on them (ie. the sinners prayer and its reinforcement performed by slithering crafty missionaries). Once one of them feels the 'fire burning within' he will be the 'living proof of the power of Jesus' and soon become an aid to the missionairies and that is how they get their foothold in a village.

Zeda · 07-08-2004, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinger

So, if an infidel worshipped a river god, that he though created the heavens, and he had no knowledge of Jesus: would he get into heaven if he died? I agree with you, the Missionaries would cause many of the Pagans to go to hell by spreading the knowledge! I get a funny picture in my mind of villagers fleeing the Missionaries if they knew that the Missionaries were spreading information that could lead them to hell!

Yes. Which is why it makes no sense then to send missionaries if you really believe this. If you ask me, I think my church taught this and the age of reason thing, not because they believed it, but because they realised how unfair just sending them to hell would be.

One of those inconsistancys I didnt pick up on til years later.

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