(A Christian based, but non-Christian viewpoint)
They are biblical allegories:
The Father is God: The progenitor; the creator of all things; the unmoved mover, the Absolute constant; seen yet unseen, known yet unknown.
The Son is – Me! (each man) I am the son, the one through whom God lives and loves. The one whose life gives meaning and purpose to the universe.
The Holy Ghost – The ministering spirit, the comforter, the one through whom life newly emerges. My wife (each woman).
Then what is hell? Hell is separation from the one you love! No fire or torture is greater than to be lonely seeking after a lost loved one. And, thusly, we create our own hell each time we speak a word of separation from another. And for this reason, if no other, it is not possible for hell to be forever. Because no matter who you are or how evil a life you lived, there is someone who loves you and shares your pain of separation and even if it takes an eternity, He will rescue you.
As distasteful as that may sound to some that a person like Hitler can eventually get to heaven, a mother still loves her son, though he be a mass murderer. Do you like the Christian heaven better? EVERYONE, good or bad, who does not believe in Jesus goes straight to hell, where all those in heaven look down from their clouds watching the sinners suffer. Sounds like a bunch of sadists.
I am not suggesting that there would not be a heavy price that he'd have to pay, but again, according to the Christian idea, if he confessed and professed a belief in Jesus before he died, regardless of his sin, he would be in heaven right now.
What is Sin? Sin is the act of inflicting pain on the heart of another. In the Bible, Adam and Eve “sinned.” What did they do? They inflicted pain on the heart of God by rejecting His guidance and followed the usurper. Though grievously wounded, God as our father-creator, is determined to rescue us even as we continue to reject His guidance and love. Though you do not believe in God, He more than any, believes in You. (Cum dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum.) - St. Augustine
And there in lies the meaning behind the tales of the lost lamb and the prodigal son.
I seek with Reason; I live with Joy; I create with Hope; I die with Fulfillment. Say Amen!
2 comments:
"Because no matter who you are or how evil a life you lived, there is someone who loves you and shares your pain of separation and even if it takes an eternity, He will rescue you. And though you do not believe in Him, He more than any, believes in You."
Does this include Hitler? Not being a smart ass, mind you, but if this is the case then that means the truely evil human in history has a chance for salvation? Why? He made his decisions, I would much rather see him as the mammal he is than to bequeth the ethereal kingdom upon him. He would get there before a homosexual according to evangelicals, totally illogical.
The same with Leibniz's "This is the best of all possible worlds because YOU (anyone) is here." That is great on the surface, but that means not only because Michael Shea is here, that is good; but again because Adolph was too, hmmmm... not so good.
God shares the pain of separation from Adolph? I just can't picture that scenario. Its much like saying the Indonesians miss being joined to Australia.
Daniel, yes it does. As distasteful as that may sound to us, a mother still loves her son, though he be a mass murderer. Do you like the Christian heaven better? Where all those in heaven look down from their clouds watching the sinners suffer, sound like a bunch of sadists.
I am not suggesting that there would not be a heavy price that he'd to be paid, but again, according to the Christain idea, if he confessed and professed a belief in Jesus before he died he would be in heaven right now.
Of course, mute point because you are an rational-empiricist.
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