I read again yesterday one of the more humorous aspects of atheism. A girl (young woman?) who was clearly confident in her original and well thought out world view (sarcasm) was mocking someone, anyone actually, who was afraid of spending eternity in hell. The idea that fear should kick-start a commitment to Jesus was, to her, unthinkable, shameful, embarrassing even disgusting. Well, of course. To make any decision just because you fear the consequences is childish and way uncool. A Bright would never make a decision based upon fear. Although -
Stand safely on a tall ladder? Only an addle brained human would not.
Look both ways before you cross the street? Duh!
Dress for rainy weather? It’s up to you, but . . .
Lock your doors at night? It’s the prudent thing to do.
Plan for retirement? How clueless would you have to be to not prepare?
Eat healthy? That’s a no brainer.
Don’t walk down the train track with your ear-buds at full volume? Pfft!
Stay out of burning buildings? Mmm, ya. I think so.
Use a match to test if that smell is natural gas? Not a chance.
Avoid tigers in the jungle? Sure. Makes sense.
Worry about where you’ll spend eternity? Are you crazy? What a stupid thing to do.
People like Hugo are absolutely certain, beyond any doubt that there’s nothing beyond the grave. Why waste one second thinking about it? Fear eternity in hell? What a silly thing to suggest. Accept Jesus’ offer of salvation and avoid eternity in hell? That would mean that I was allowing fear to influence my decision and a Bright would never, ever do that.
Tell me Hugo, I understand your certainties - I can quote them for you if you’ve forgotten what you’ve said - but could I ask, If hell exists, and if what Jesus taught about hell is true - IF - only IF, would you be damned for eternity?
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The idea that fear should kick-start a commitment to Jesus was, to her, unthinkable, shameful, embarrassing even disgusting.
ReplyDelete'Unfounded' would be enough; no need to insult people (if that's what she really said...)
Well, of course. To make any decision just because you fear the consequences is childish and way uncool.
Hum, no... you're wrong. I doubt anybody thinks like that. I certainly don't.
All your examples are valid. I would not use the word 'fear' for all of them though (fear of rain?) but I get the idea.
Tell me Hugo, I understand your certainties - I can quote them for you if you’ve forgotten what you’ve said -
No need to quote me, what you said here is correct. I am 'absolutely certain, beyond any doubt' that there’s nothing beyond the grave.
Slight precision though: philosophically speaking, there is nothing for which I am absolutely certain besides my own existence, and I wish there was something beyond the grave, but that's other stories...
but could I ask, If hell exists, and if what Jesus taught about hell is true - IF - only IF, would you be damned for eternity?
Yes!!!!
Here, just to make sure : I deny the Holy Spirit.
(I hope that does not offend you that I commit the worst Biblical sin on purpose...)
Can I ask you what was the point of this question? You still doubt that I am being honest with you? I am glad you want to verify though.
Hugo,
ReplyDeleteOnly blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable. The Biblical account that is given is to attribute the work of the Holy Spirit to the Devil.
You can't do either since you don't believe in either so you are safe on that account.
But not the obvious one I'm sorry to say...
Christ Centered Teaching
www.godcamedown.com
Actually denial of the Holy Spirit is the only unforgivable sin, I am pretty sure about that. You say it's blasphemy? So I do commit it I guess since I honestly believe that the Holy Spirit does not exist. I don't consider it denial simply because that would assume that it exists in the first place, but if the story is true, I am screwed, no doubt about it.
ReplyDeleteMay I also ask why you comment on a random August 2011 post?