The fires of Hell are real and eternal, Pope warns

The Times (UK) ^ | March 27, 2007 | Richard Owen

[NavyCanDo]

There was a poll done once of those who profess to be Christian, and I don't remember the numbers but I remember there was a disturbing number of them who did not think Hell is a literal place, including those who were in the Clergy. I am glad the Pope spoke up.

[ArrogantBustard]

I never realized that your church taught you that heaven and hell are not real...

The very quote you post REFUTES your claim that the Church teaches "heaven and hell are not real..." Did you even read it?

[pgyanke]

I have a strong feeling you write for the MSM. That is the only way you could feel vindication in lifting half of a sentence which agrees with what you have written and hit me over the head with it. Where we disagree is that Baptism must be received consciously and in faith. Just as birth brings you to your earthly family, so Baptism enters you into God's family. Adults must make a conscious decision because they must come to God and can refuse God's grace... an infant is an empty vessel to be filled.

[Frank Sheed]

You never had a chemistry set as a kid, did you? Every kid knows that sulfur burns with an amazing blue flame:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfur

[Riverman94610]

Well,if all you say is true and I am not saying I think it IS,then that famous Curtis Mayfield song is defintely applicable-
If Theres a Hell Below,Were All Going to Go!
I am not a person who takes The Bible literally.I do read it a lot and much is very inspirational and just basic common sense.Yet I simply cannot take every word at face value.I am a critical thinker and do not accept ANY book or idea without deep analysis and a healthy dose of skepticism.

[rollo tomasi]

http://www.leaderu.com/offices/billcraig/docs/craig-bradley0.html

Good debate on the subject if you ask me. Dr. Craig touches on some of the things you bring up.

[Frank Sheed]

2. Some years ago, it declared its belief to be that hell does NOT exist, which means members of this church don't have to worry about this issue.

Hope you/they are not "unpleasantly" surprised postmortem.

Frank

[RightWhale]

Why would a loving, omniscient God create a soul that He knows before its creation will,

Job asked questions like that. That's all the answer you will get.

[Maceman]

There comes a point where additional hotness is kind of beside the point, don't you think? I mean, how much more pain can there be once you've gotten hotter than the sun? Kind of like trying to light a candle that's already lit.

I'll let you know when I get there, since I do not believe in the resurrection, although I am profoundly grateful that our nation was founded by people who mostly did.

I do believe in God though, but I obviously cannot claim to be a Christian.

Pray for this well-meaning but imperfect sinner anyway, if you find a spare moment. Thanks.

[USMMA_83]

Only a god with an ego could belive in Hell.

[Riverman94610]

Oh,then I am definitely OK by those standards.
Of course I don't think living in the US is comparable to Hell!
Though sometimes it seems comparable to living in a lunatic asylum.

[beancounter13]

Infant baptism does not "impose the gift of salvation upon the child" --it merely provides spiritual nourishment to newborn. Parents are expected to feed, clothe, and care for their children, and that includes caring for their spiritual wellbeing.

The child can only "choose" Christ when he or she obtains the age of reason --around age 7 when First Communion is offered.

[pgyanke]

I will pray for you. May God be merciful to you and may you hear His call to His Table.

[ElkGroveDan]

Not sure how old you are but having grown up in LA in the 70s, I can honestly say that what you have now is nothing. It's been years since SoCal has had a 220 PSI day.

Back when I was GranadaHillsDan you could look East a cross the Valley and never see the San Gabriel Mts all summer long. From where I lived looking South across The Valley you would be looking DOWN on top of the inversion layer - a grayish blue that appeared as though we were on the shore of some great inland sea. After a 10 minute bike ride to the store in July or August my lungs would fell like they wanted to burst and my eyelids would twitch uncontrollably. Now that I think of it, I guess I already had my time in hell...and I didn't even realize it.

[Maceman]

Thank you.

[wtc911]

gracias.

[USMMA_83]

Yes, that's the same or similar question Job asked. The, then Jewish god, got very angry at the question. On further thinking, the Jewish god decided to come down to earth and live like a man and suffer like Job. Only then did the Jewish god understand the suffering of Job.

"Father why have you forsaken me?!?" Well, that was the same question Job asked. It was after that question that god forgave man for his sins forever. Christ is the answer to Job's question.

[Cementjungle]

Some of my lib friends have said that they would prefer to go to Hell, because "that's where all the cool people will be".

[USMMA_83]

How will you feel when you see them all in Heaven and realize that God is not as judgmental as you obviously are?

[Maceman]

The debating society have arrived.

It have?

(signed)

The Self-Annointed FR Grammar Police