Good points. I’ve settled on Romans 1 as my anaswer to the perennial “But what about the________ people? Do you really think God would send them to Hell for not knowing?”
Romans 1 says men knew and KNOW but suppress the truth. If a tribal man does not suppress the truth, I’m convinced God will reveal Christ to Him. The Spirit is not limited by geography or language. Some Muslims report being given a vision or dream of Jesus that led them to Him. Once in faith, the miraculous likely recedes because “the righteous shall live by faith”. The point is God can save anyone, ANYWHERE, if they are open to His Son.
Indeed...most people do not get in a hateful lather over a fairy tale. Their response is usually “it’s the idea we hate.” Back to square one with them...”They are just ideas so what are you so worked up about.”
Then the conversation goes into “well if there is a God why is there suffering.” So you have to point out that if God is responsible for the bad why not give credit for the good? They never answer that and then call God a ‘bully.’
Then you have them. It’s about His ‘Rules’ they don’t like. So about this time you know in the conversation the “God does not exist” meme fails because you just found out they don’t like Him.
No one goes through all the trouble and emotion atheists do to combat an idea they think is a fairy tale. So yes, this confirms what the Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 1.
Actually investigated and documented at both ends (New Mexico and Spain.) The Indians had seen her numerous times, but she never left her cloister.
“Once in faith, the miraculous likely recedes”
I think you’re on to something there. As Pope St. Gregory wrote, “There are in truth three states of the converted—the beginning, the middle, and the perfection. In the beginning, they experience the charms of sweetness; in the middle, the contests of temptation; and in the end, the fullness of perfection.”
Absolutely agree!