Posted on 11/18/2006 8:12:35 PM PST by Alex Murphy
Who does go to hell?
Many people don't believe in hell at all. Non-Christian faiths have their own take, of course. Judaism, the religion that birthed Christianity, teaches of the eternal nature of the soul, a divine judgment, and a mostly undefined "World to Come." But specifics are left up to God.
Islam is more like Christianity, with concrete traditions of paradise and hell. Who ends up where is a matter of how well the person submitted to God's will while alive. Hindus and Buddhists believe in karma and reincarnation, so the evil done in one life is atoned for down the road – a road on earth.
Modern Christianity has many answers to who goes to hell. On the one extreme are universalists who say that a loving God could leave nobody in eternal torment. On the other are strict Calvinists who say that God picked a small elect for paradise before the world was created, and everyone else is simply stuck in the Handbasket to Hard Times.
The Christian discussion generally starts with this passage from the Gospel of John: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
But how does Jesus decide who he'll take to the father – and who he won't? Not every Christian claims to have a straight answer.
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
You mean this isn't hell?
Icon of The Final Judgment
The Damned
The too-close-to-call-but-it-doesn't-look-good...
I have been googling for a photo of a sculpture by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. It is a photo of a sculpture called "A young man damned." Bernini could communicate such dynamism with stone it was chilling. The man had just been judged and it appeared the flesh on his face was trying to flee from the very bone structure supporting it. The every first time I saw the photo that image was chiseled into my memory. It is still there. Although it hasn't stopped me from sinning, it has popped-up at times when I needed to have the image before the eyes of my memory to redirect my feet to Penance and back to my walk with Jesus.
If you or anyone you know can find a photo of this sculpture let me know. I had it once but lost it and it is the most remarkable piece of sculpture. I don't think there is any doubt he is the master of Masters
"A Soul Damned" by Bernini.
This article is not suprising to come out because at this time of year, with the Christian church calander winding down of another year ( Advent starts in a few weeks ), the tradition in the RC Church to pray for the dead, and also of the times we are living in would bring interest in this special subject.
Are you trying to tell me that the old Chinese man who died, as a missionary was frantically pedaling his way up a mountain trail on his bicycle, is not going to hell forever? The missionary had heard of the old man's plight, but because of a flat tire could not make it to the village before the old man died. The old man, unfortunately, had never heard the word of God.
This is certainly an eyeopener!
Ho! So true!
I've always said that if you want true doctrine, you can either get 2 closely-reasoned paragraphs from the Catholic Catechism, or 10 minutes of incense-scented chanting from the Orthodox Liturgy.
Ho! So true!
I've always said that if you want true doctrine, you can either get 2 closely-reasoned paragraphs from the Catholic Catechism, or 10 minutes of incense-scented chanting from the Orthodox Liturgy.
"I've always said that if you want true doctrine, you can either get 2 closely-reasoned paragraphs from the Catholic Catechism, or 10 minutes of incense-scented chanting from the Orthodox Liturgy."
I'm going to steal that line!
A flow chart as an explanation of metaphysics?
I am afraid I do not find that something to be pleased with.
(Protestant) Minister Who Had Near-Death Episode Believes In Purgatory
Straight Answers: What Is Purgatory Like?
Do Catholics Believe in Purgatory?
Purgatory, Indulgences, and the Work of Jesus Christ (Discussion)
Prayer to Release the Souls of Purgatory
**the tradition in the RC Church to pray for the dead**
The entire month of November is dedicated to praying for the dead.
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