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The Eastern traditions also hold this view, but do not follow Augustine.

Not true, friend.

MarMema, I certainly bow to your expertise in this, but am not sure which you mean is not true; do you mean the Orthodox do follow Augustine, or that they do not believe the majority of mankind will fail to be converted, or that failing to be converted results in eternal torment?

I eagerly await your clarification.

(Also, what are you doing on the sordid thread? Just kidding.)

Hank

Some Orthodox like Augustine (we're not very well set-in-stone except in matters of worship and the Trinity). I suppose I could be incorrect in this, but my experience has led me to believe our view is unique.

"It is the Church's spiritual teaching that God does not punish man by some material fire or physical torment. God simply reveals Himself in the risen Lord Jesus in such a glorious way that no man can fail to behold His glory. It is the presence of God's splendid glory and love that is the scourge of those who reject its radiant power and light."

Thus the Orthodox church rejects a God who punishes, but sees that separation from God is pain enough for those who chose rejection, once they see Whom they have rejected.

Some Orthodox believe that in the end God will have such incredible mercy that even those who rejected him will have another chance. This idea winds throughout Russian and Greek literature, particularly in folktales - such as Grushenka and her onion, a classic example of Orthodox belief put into a tale (Dostoevsky).