Or at least the ones that the Christians believe in.
Unless they can somehow reconcile infinite punishment for finite sin with "justice".
2007-11-16 02:24:06 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is a horrific belief system. I can't justify worshiping a God who is capable of torturing my kids for eternity because they misunderstand his will or require tangible evidence for belief.
It is abhorrent to me.
2007-11-16 02:32:14 · answer #1 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No! While I'm not in favor of "religious" billboards, what that says is fact. Life is short - less than 100 years for most of us, some considerably less. Obviously it's not the definition of "eternity" that you dispute, either. It's that you can't conceive of such a thing, not because of the "living forever in paradise" concept, but because you are confused about the "living forever in hell" concept. It's not so much "infinite punishment" as it is "infinite separation" from that which the individual did not want in this life. Which would be worse: living forever in a place where everything was totally disgusting to you, or having your life end? Ask someone who has a "life without parole" sentence.....many would rather be dead. That's what "heaven" would be for someone who in this life hates God or wants nothing to do with him. So God, in his mercy, doesn't force that person to be with him. He tries his best to win his affection, but if that person chooses to adhere to evil, when God destroys evil, that person will be destroyed as well. Punishment? Maybe for some who have lived a life of hurting and destroying others. But for the majority of us it would simply be a merciful solution so that we don't have to bare the agony of being with someone we don't like for the rest of our lives. I think that's the best example of justice I can think of.
2007-11-16 02:44:53 · answer #2 · answered by transplanted_fireweed 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I certainly can not think of a single thing that would warrant eternal punishment. How could justice demand that?
2007-11-16 02:34:43 · answer #3 · answered by in a handbasket 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is written, "With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand... " (2 Pet 3)
2007-11-16 02:32:46 · answer #4 · answered by whitehorse456 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have been asking myself this question.
The real issue as I understand it is that we all deserve hell because of Adam. God offering the gift of salvation is actually Him doing something that He didn't have to do. We are evil and deserve hell. Now the thing is that why even create us if it is known that we are evil and deserve hell? I don't know the answer to that. Another thing is if this is God's world then he makes the rules. If you play baseball and want 4 strikes instead of three it's not your decision to make. It is very frustrating to think that God is this strict but, I think that this is the message of the Bible. He requires obedience from us so that He can let us into His heaven. This is the testing ground. Salvation is available anytime and any place to any one.
2007-11-16 02:27:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
No, the billboard was just posting the truth. Believing what it says is up to you. in the end, it is your eternity and nobody elses.
2007-11-16 02:33:53 · answer #6 · answered by ReliableLogic 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
A JUST god wouldn't punish his creations with fundamentalists...
That's all the evidence I could ever need.
I'm lovin' it.
2007-11-16 02:39:12 · answer #7 · answered by Katie Couric's 15 Minutes... 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's proof that they don't read their own bible. The wages of sin is death, not eternal life.
2007-11-16 02:34:55 · answer #8 · answered by Mr. E 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is nothing more than senseless fear-mongering, period. That billboard should be burned at the stake.
2007-11-16 02:28:38 · answer #9 · answered by fierce beard 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
You are using comon sense... that's not fair...!!! This Q&A is on Religion and Spirituality! not common sense!
2007-11-16 02:47:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋