[Das Outsider]

It's a bit like "liberal guilt" - liberal guilt turns your conscience to mush, Catholic guilt, well, it can have a similiar effect if you are thin-skinned.

Without overstepping my boundaries here, I think a lot of it is in the congregation's perception of the doctrine.

Let me put it to you another way: If Jesus Christ died once and for all, for all men, in all times, to put you in right standing with God the Father, where is the need to dwell in guilt feelings?

If you've ever read a biography of Martin Luther--or perhaps seen the recent movie, "Luther"--it's clear what constant guilt can do to a person. Instead of moving closer to God, they run away; they begin to hate him--perhaps question why they are being condemned.

[Irish_Thatcherite]

I think you are right!

[sionnsar]

it's clear what constant guilt can do to a person. Instead of moving closer to God, they run away; they begin to hate him--perhaps question why they are being condemned.

Fascinating! At the risk of introducing seriousness to the Undead Thread, perhaps this is the element I missed trying to understand an Orthodox writing called ?"River of Fire"? in which the Western church was accused of hating God. (Ko & Ag, we can take this backchannel to FReepmail if need be.)