Hell? No!
Recently the Pope has declared that there is no Hell.
And it's not the first time this stance has been promoted:
"It's worth noting that Francis is not the first pontiff to redefine the notion of hell. Pope John Paul II (link is external) also caused a stir when he rejected the concept of a literal hell as commonly understood. "
Other groups (such as the Jehovah Witnesses) have claimed that a 'proper' reading of the Bible does not support an idea of a Hell.
Yet, these groups find other ways to guilt, shame and threaten the members of their congregations.
I wonder what fear tactics the Catholics will use now.
And I still wonder what to do with the "lake of fire" that is mentioned in the New Testament.
Here is the article from which the above quote was taken.
I'm looking forward to hearing what you all make of this.
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I still can't believe people waste their time caring what the pope says or does. So many more interesting REAL things happening.
GoldenDoll
Level 7
Apr 2, 2018
0
In the paintings of Hieronymus Bosch we see the medieval notion of hell. Doubtless, how it must have captured and imprisoned the imagination at the time is all too apparent in his work. I wonder to what extent his paintings continue to exert an influence on those who believe in heaven and hell today.
ASTRALMAX
Level 8
Apr 2, 2018
0
Pope Frank is an interesting man. Many call him a fake pope, or the antipope. I wonder how a fake pope could exist considering they believe he is the holy babysitter appointed by God himself. Is it not blasphemous to question the man God himself chose to speak on his behalf? You and I both know all popes to be false, but it is intriguing to see catholics backtracking and falling over themselves to explain. I have always been rather interested in the catholics and the pope simply for their amazing ability to completely ignore their own contradictons.
LadyAlyxandrea
Level 8
Apr 2, 2018
2
And quite frankly I am particularly fond of Pope Frank. He is quite different from the only other pope I've known, ben. He tosses away the gold and jewels, favoring modesty. He grants heaven to gays. He supports the scientific community. He is the most liberal catholic I've ever heard of. A man of science and kindness as the pope? I believe if ever a believer of Christ truly followed his teachings it may be this man.
@LadyAlyxandrea meanwhile, if you'd just care to look a little away from the I Love Frank tv show, with Ethel and Fred in the corner perhaps, you'd see the same old Catholic reactionary policies in the developing world where it is expanding. Regressive policies on gay rights, contraception, family planning, child abuse reporting (or rather lack of it) gender equality, stem cell research, and just about everything else where progressive minds take us, not to mention the drilling into children guilt, sin, damnation, and eternal hell. All still going on, and indeed increasing, while the Frank Show in swing time draws the cameras away, with a succession of one-liners about gays, hell, and atheists - all nuanced by his handlers so nothing of any meaning is left, save for the fleeting headlines in the 24 hour news cycle, bereft of serious analysis. I know, I know, excuse me, right?
@David1955 Agree completely. The whole thing is just a media show of nothingness.
@LadyAlyxandrea - So he's not wearing the expensive calfskin shoes anymore? What a darling. Pity he can't use some of the billions of dollars the vatican owns from investments in banking, insurance, chemicals, steel, construction, real estate, to help the millions of catholics dying of starvation & illness in the world.
@GoldenDoll @david1955 just because I like him does not mean I'm blind to the abhorrent practices of the Catholic churh. Dial your hatefulness back a few notches, friends, we are on the same side at least. Fuck excuse me for acknowledging some good among the bad.
@LadyAlyxandrea you're right, point taken. I keep thinking that if there's anywhere where this Catholic spin should be called out, it's here on this site and this group. That's all. The mainstream just fall for it hook, like and sinker.
@David1955 I believe in acknowledging progress and good things because it doesn't mean condoning or ignoring the bad, but it encourages more of the good.
@LadyAlyxandrea well, I don't see progress, only media spin, and even worse a camouflage for regressive activities at ground level. So, we'll just have to politely agree to disagree I guess.
@David1955 as long as it's politely
It just enforces the fact that religion is a load of crap
LeighShelton
Level 8
Apr 2, 2018
0
Don't know whether you've noticed but the papal spin doctors have essentially withdrawn what he supposedly or allegedly said, or implied or suggested, just as they always do when his mouth runs off or he gets his script wrong. So hellfire and damnation is still good to go in Catholic land.
David1955
Level 8
Apr 2, 2018
1
It doesn’t matter much to discuss heaven and hell: I know that there are neither, as there is no god, except what lives in mythology. Mythologies, ancient as well as modern, are fascinating.
Sweetsari
Level 4
Apr 2, 2018
1
I reread my post: I mean that discussions on the subject can be fascinating. They just don’t matter, any more than Valhalla or Paradise
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