An I survived Christian Fundamentalism Rant: (Trigger alert, perhaps). Because I spent part of the evening listening to Biblical scholars discuss the existence of hell and then reading a book about the Americanization of Jesus, I had nightmares about Bible College. (Oh, Im sorry, did I say nightmares? I meant... memories. Le sigh.) My bottom line thought on this topic of the existence of hell is simply that Christianity without hell isnt Christianity (as we know it)... its... Judaism lite. (Jesus = Jew 2.0?) And, I vote yes, for that version. Oh, its not coming down to a vote? Just Biblical opinions? Ahh... sure, thats much more sacred. Sounds like Origen arguing with Augustine. Who is the better one? I forget who is running for President of Being Right about God this century... (Two men of different cultures with different perspectives? Oh no! How will there be an absolute?! Gasp). So... I think the Pharisees continue to be the folks who refuse to be challenged by the free-thinking and love-focused scholars within our culture. Youre welcome to enjoy the ironies in this status. I mean, Jesus Americanized, but his church still a dictatorship? Doh. We know full well, Jesus would have nothing to do with this hell thing... who votes for hell anyway? Oh I know, heres a better question - if there is no hell, why is there a heaven? Exactly. (And the atheists in the room cheer for the refreshing reality check). Life is today, folks. That is what is known. People who tell me about the afterlife (which are sometimes even dead people... More irony, youre welcome), tell me to deal with today and THIS life properly. So, I consider my sources quite educated on this matter, as opposed to living people with opinions. Call me crazy (Not an invitation, just hyperbole), but hell and heaven may be for those who are lazy-minded or heavy-hearted about Earth... and that is the saddest bunch among us all, regardless of our chosen spiritual practices or chosen beliefs. (Ahh yes, I said chosen. Just that helpful reminder that if our beliefs isolate us from others, we chose that socially and emotionally delayed way of engaging on Earth. Bam! A plug for social/emotional intelligence. Always comes back to that. Yes, I shall prepare my Ted Talk now... ;) ) Thus ends rant. And sure, you can quote me. Enlightened-ish by Gail Dickert
Posted on: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 12:51:59 +0000
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