Why doesn't the LORD just take his trusty handbasket?

Question

... and gather up the angostics and the athiests, Wiccans, Pagans, Muslims, other non-Christians, etc., throw them in and send them to hell already?

Riverotter - But the Colorado Rocky Mountain high, I've seen it rain and fire in the sky. The shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullabye. Let's go there instead! Then I can enrage the mountains too! The starlight will be singing hard rock by the time I'm done there!

Me? Scare wittle animals? No! Not Gunning4Jesus, not him! Never! If you want to scare something take it to the Creation Museum and show it the bloody lamb exhibition.

Y'know, I remember the day in '97 when John Denver died. I was working at a bookstore and the assistant manager, knowing I am a folkie fan, came up and told me gently that I might want to read the front page of the paper. I tell you, I saw that headline and burst into tears. Luckily, the assistant manager was an awesome guy and he just led me to the back room and let me cry it out a bit. Bad for customers too, I guess, standing there in the middle of the Sci Fi/Fantasy aisle, crying my eyes out. I had always liked Denver and "Rocky Mountain High" especially had always moved me deeply, but I was actually surprised at my response. It was so sudden - one second I was fine and the next I was in pieces. I realized then that I really loved John in the way anyone can love someone who's touched their lives even though they've never met.

He made mistakes as we all do but his songs were a beacon of light and hope. My friends and family still tease me about turning up the volume on "Annie's Song" whenever it comes on the radio. What a great man, and what a terrible loss.

Answer 1

Hey G4J (you sexy thang), because God loves us just as much as you and there's not enough room in a handbasket. Trust me. I tried stuffing another guy in one this afternoon, and I had to use a plunger just to get his feet to finally squash down (whew).
Besides, you Christians made up Hell, somewhere around the 4th or 5th century I think, and you can keep it. I'm going Home where it's cool and green and shady, just like in the John Denver song.
You're welcome to come along but you'll have to behave -- you'll frighten the animals and then the trees will get cranky (no one likes a cranky tree.)
Blessings.