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With all do respect--and I do appreciate your graciousness on this thread--my beliefs stem from the church founded by Christ himself, and the concept of purgatory has been around a lot longer than any protestant denomination. I respect your beliefs, but I do not share them. And I am done on this thread. Regards and best to you.

JMJ: ...my beliefs stem from the church founded by Christ himself...

No. Your ideas are merely the religious ideas of men and some self-serving traditions that eventually developed because the Bishop of Rome became so powerful over the centuries. You believe in the traditions of men. We believe in the Word of God.

...and the concept of purgatory has been around a lot longer than any protestant denomination.

The mythical purgatory was invented by Origen. He also cut off his testes for religious reasons. Not exactly a strong testimony to the soundness of his thinking. Although Origen has always been rightfully suspected of devious theology and strange readings, he still holds a place in the history of the Roman chruch, largely because to finally repudiate him would cast serious doubts upon his invention of Purgatory.

But Purgatory, combined with indulgences, was a fantastic fundraising machine for the Roman hierarchy for many centuries. Slick marketing, a steady revenue stream and far more profitable than licensing monks to practice sodomy in the summer months.

Hey, ex-, always love to read your stuff...