Robert L. Short, argues that the typical portrayal of God - and the ideas of heaven and hell- by mainstream churches is incorrect and not in line with Biblical teachings, the concept of a heaven that only some can enter, and the alternative of a burning eternity in Hell, presupposes God not as a being of love, but an entity who torments people out of pure sadism, and as such, is more likely to drive people away from Christianity. Short argues that the Bible provides that all persons get into heaven (not just a select few), and the hell the Bible speaks of is not a place one goes to after one dies, but the suffering one goes through while alive if they become separated from God. This misreading of the Bible is the type of error, Short argues, that for those who believe in the goodness of people, would therefore be more likely to encourage them to choose atheism. "If I had to believe in that sort of monster God that most mainstream churches are proposing, I'd still be an atheist, too."
2007-11-28
04:52:07
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Religion & Spirituality