Ticket to Heaven?

Question

There is a site, http://www.reserveaspotinheaven.com/, that is selling kits that "guarantee" you getting into heaven...it's a gag gift type of thing, but some people are kind of upset. From the story on foxnews.com (I know it's foxnews, don't hurt me) "I think they're basically securing themselves a first-class ticket to hell for doing that and mocking God," she told the DJs. "Obviously, they don't have a genuine relationship with God or know anything about Christianity, because they're completely ruining it." --a woman named Amber calling in on a radio show.

Are you offended, or do you find the gifts funny? If you're not offended, what do you think about this part of the article?

"About one out of every 10 e-mails that come in complains about the idea, he said; most mention the Bible. To date, no one has written in the name of Islam, Judaism or any other religion aside from Christianity, Kim said."

source http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,316538,00.html

What do you think?

Sure, but no one (except maybe Martin Luther) was angry about indulgences back then. Why are people angry now?

People weren't required to buy the indulgences, but many, many, many did. If they were against it, they didn't even have to say anything--just not buy them. Yet so many did.

Answer 1

I can see why some Christians would be offened as it dose parody protestant theology and franly I think it's funny.
I could actualy see some televangilist doing this as part oftheir ministry. Salvation is about a path and course of life it repintance is the start not the end.

Answer 2

It's been done before. During the Crusades, Christians were guaranteed a place in heaven for sending an infidel to hell.

Or, what about the Sale of Indulgences? The Church sold 'get out of Hell free' cards for a hefty price.

Nothing new.

"Sure, but no one (except maybe Martin Luther) was angry about indulgences back then."

Wrong. Many were unhappy with the Church's practices, but since the Church controlled all aspects of daily life, no one said anything.

Luther just happened to be the 'rebel' who gave a voice to those without one because he was a short-tempered jerk who didn't give a damn what anyone thought.

Answer 3

Psycho, even Luther didn't disagree with indulgences at first. Read the 95 Theses--He was upset by the blatant and fantastic way in which they were being promoted and sold by Tetzel, but he absolutely believed in them, and even said that those who preached against them were evil.

His thinking DID change on the issue--but over time. He grew increasingly more radical--in fact, if I remember, he even promoted polygamy for awhile, before a scandalized follower convinced him to hush up about it. My point, though, is that most people were NOT upset about indulgences--not even Luther, at first.

Theses 71, for instance, says: "He who speaks against the truth of apostolic pardons, let him be anathema and accursed!" Pardons refers to indulgences. Luther accepted the practice, but decried the ways in which it was used.

It's true that many were upset about the Catholic Church at the time--and people DID speak out against it. Thomas More, Erasmus--but the chief bone of contention was the very decadent and lavish lives led by the Popes.

Answer 4

I think it's kind of funny and I'm sorry for those who are gullible enough to think they can buy their way into Heaven. Those who believe in an afterlife should also believe that living a good life and doing good deeds would be the things to do.

Answer 5

I think they are playing on the gullibility of many Christians, and will probably make a few bucks on the deal.

Personally, I'd rather have tickets to the next Allman Brothers Band concert that comes to town.

Answer 6

you know the idea of a free ticket to heaven is probably Satan best tool, do you know how many people are satisfied that they said some magic words and never really find Christ. and do you know how many people don't even bother of the premises that if its too good to be true then it can 't be true. the truth is faith is what saves us, but if you are truly saved you will not continue to live in sin. you may backslide sometimes but you will realize what you have done and feel guilty about it,and try not to repeat it. and being saved does not pay any debts that you must pay to society.

Answer 7

Suri:
Daughter, there have always been and always will be these kind of people making fun of the Faith with their ridicule; don't waste time or energy on these sad cases, turn in over to God.
Instead use your time to tell everyone about the REAL ticket to Heaven , JESUS CHRIST.
Fr. Benjamin

Answer 8

I feel very sorry for anyone who would think it funny to make a joke or gag out of something as serious as where you will spend eternity. If they had accepted Jesus as their Saviour, they wouldn't find it funny either. It is encouraging people to laugh off the most serious subject in their lives.

Answer 9

Anyone who is foolish enough to believe in this nonsense deserves whatever he gets.

Answer 10

I don;'t know about the tickets to Heaven....Almost anybody can be a Christian, but Jesus was telling everybody that only very, very few make it to Heaven...

Matthew 7:13-14 (Jesus said) "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

And of the only FEW WHO FIND the narrow gate not all of them will be able to get in...

Luke 13:23-24 (NIV) Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" He said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.

On top of that you need to hate your own family to follow Jesus!

Matthew 10:34-37 niv
"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
your enemies will be the members of your own household.' "Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves a son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS…! HO…! HO…! HO…! Oops, sorry… that was not Jesus! If it weren’t for Santa the Christian Christmas is full of innocent Jewish Baby boys that had to be slaughtered when Jesus was born!
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Luke 14:26 (NIV) Jesus Christ said, "If anyone comes to me and does not HATE* (*Greek=”miseo”=to abhor!) his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple."

Luke 14:33 (NIV) In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

Mark 10:28-30 (NIV) Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!" "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age [RIGHT NOW!!!] homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--and with them, persecutions and in the age to come, eternal life.

Hey… how about giving Jesus a big hand for his good incentive payable in this lifetime to follow him? The acid test comes when Jesus finds out that you are neither hot nor cold and pukes you out of his Holy Belly... (Revelation 3:16) and on top of that the Bible tells you that only a dog goes back to eat his own vomit! But what the heck! Christians love Jesus, anyway!