[Californiajones]

Well, I won't be praying for the dead, that's for sure. Kinda scary stuff. The Bible speaks against this -- it's called necromancy. "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" (don't see any mention of "purgatory" in this Pauline verse).

But for the departed heroes of the faith and of this nation, the best prayer I can think of is for their families and for God's glory to once again be held up over this God-kissed nation of ours. And don't forget to be praying for this election!

Our purpose on earth is to bring the kingdom's rule and reign to earth -- not to worry, wonder, pontificate or pray for the dead. "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven". Jesus said "Let the dead bury their dead". It's over once we die. The dead set a course for heaven or hell that can't be altered once they pass over -- and the dead cannot 'intercede" for the living on earth. Sorry -- that's Jesus's job and position with the advocacy of the Holy Spirit.

We Christians on earth are already "saints" because of His shed blood for us on the Cross-- so praying for the dead (even if they have been named "Saints" by the C. Church) is scary, weird and unnecessary. What would Jesus do? He certainly wouldn't advocate praying to his mom, who admits in her Magnificat that she is a sinner in need of a savior.

[F16Fighter]

The purification of Purgatory.

Call me a cynic, but I believe Christ's sacrifice was "purification" for believers.

[Thinkin' Gal]

All Souls Day and final destinations

Next Tuesday, Nov. 2, is more than Election Day... <<<

[fallon]

I have sympathy for the intention of the message of Amos, as it breaths the spirit of the scripture to live good and truthful.
As the article states: if you are privileged, to be complacent is a sin, be moved by the suffering of the poor; care for the victims -[here: ..the crucifixion of countries (...) and the persecution (...)]- or deserve bitter judgment.

The judgment is as usual in the biblical writing tradition -it's all about the truth- announced by the truthspeaker, the prophet, the guy who sees it. He is as much liked as a man with smart words and lofty demands is today. That's his burden, bearable as long as he isn't beaten out of town and has his next meal coming.

So I like the main message of AA Cunninghams contribution. Religion is a suit that can help to shape our life. Also the truth has many forms and we always have to agree on one. How holy was Jezus mother? Enough to be his mom in the bible.

When I look at all the assumptions in this article, then I have to wonder what is
religious about a number of them.

For example:

1
'We should only be satisfied with God.'
I agree, everything flows, we do not stay here, we know that.
(note: there is individual life on earth that doesn't die. It returns to baby-state and then starts anew. So cells have found at least one way to escape aging).

2
'we need to remember that we are citizens of Gods kingdom first'
Allright, Gods kingdom, a fitting name.

3, 4 and 5
'All Souls Day and final destinations'
'Jerusalem perfected at the end of time'
'when we stand before Him in judgment. He will ask what we did in specifics..'

These all lead to one question: 'Really, is that so?'
We know little about the things we see happen in our universe.
And religion is about the truth we agree on.

[Salvation]

BTTT on the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed -- All Souls Day, November 2, 2006!