I Find This Disgusting, Does NationStates?

[Lunchia Breakfastia and Dinnerista]

Clicky Link

So, Pastor Jerry Newcombe has said that only Christian victims of the tragic Colorado shooting are going to Heaven. Apparently, this is because America has lost it's fear in Hell. I cannot read this without feeling sick to my stomach. It really is, to my mind, diabolical.

'If a Christian dies early, if a Christian dies young, it seems tragic, but really it is not tragic because they are going to a wonderful place ... on the other hand, if a person doesn’t know Jesus Christ ... if they knowingly rejected Jesus Christ, then, basically, they are going to a terrible place.'

I find this vile, disgusting and insulting to the victims of the Colorado shooting. I don't know where Mr Newcombe comes from, but I pretty sure you can't insult dead people like that. Surely, after tragedy like this, the families and loved ones might turn to God for comfort and would be told that their loved one was burning in Hell. Then, after all he has said, he turns this tragedy into opportunity to covert people to Christianity.

'For those who are not ‘in Christ’ and see this incredible tragedy, this would be a good time for soul reflection and consider why have you not accepted Jesus Christ ... I would urge anyone who is not in Christ to repent of your sins.'

You've heard my opinion, now I want to hear yours. What does NationStates think?

according to christian teachings and the bible, he is in fact most certainly true, deal with it, its why i dont like abrahamic religions in the slightests

[Farnhamia]

And if all else fails having a Brony flag as a distraction works wonders

Hey look guys! Pony!

What they used to do was "Ecce! Vultures!" Vultures flying by was always a major distraction.

[Williamson]

Hey look guys! Pony!

What they used to do was "Ecce! Vultures!" Vultures flying by was always a major distraction.

thanks for all the advice

[Prussia-Steinbach]

Funny how a pastor doesn't know about the God. If somebody is a good person and lives like a good Christian should live besides beliving in God they to will go to heaven. He doesn't seem like a good person. He is the type of person that uses his faith to just say whatever they want. I hope he gets fired.

Bibilical source for all good people going to heaven?

[Socialist Monarchies]

Personally, I believe the only way to be certain of religion is to read all of the Holy books from at least the 5 major religions, and then make an informed decision on wat u want to be (if u want to be anything at all). And everyone will understand eachothers' religions because they've tried it themselves.

[Algaia]

Personally, I believe the only way to be certain of religion is to read all of the Holy books from at least the 5 major religions, and then make an informed decision on wat u want to be (if u want to be anything at all). And everyone will understand eachothers' religions because they've tried it themselves.

I myself am a christian and there for believe it is the only way to eternal life, however, I think you have a very good point, understanding is extremely important and if people actually got to know what others believed then perhaps there would be less fighting, violence, and wars.

[The Blaatschapen]

Hey look guys! Pony!

What they used to do was "Ecce! Vultures!" Vultures flying by was always a major distraction.

Damn broltures

[Salemland]

To make a clarification, I'm still totally against anyone who pretends someone in particular will go to hell. Not even Cain, Judas or Satan. We cannot know, because they were not yet judged. The judgement is at the End Times. Until then, any living person can repent themselves.

There is no End Times. Unless you count the Earth dying in 6 billion years-give or take.

That don't matter if there will be or not, I hope I will survive until then.

To answer to the original question, I don't believe in heaven. I believe in God. I read the Bible, and I didn't see anyone, Solomon or Paul, talking about heaven. In the Ecclesiastes, the writer explicitly state ''[There] is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol (the Grave), to which you are going.'' (Ecclesiastes 9:10) He even wrote something weirder :
Did I mention the word used for ''Vanity'' in this verse also means ''Soul'' and ''Breath'' in Hebrew? The word for ''Soul'' also means Vanity, ie. something passing, that will end and let nothing.

In the New Testament, when Paul is talking about the Kingdom of God, he talks about the resurrection, the nation of the End Times, after the defeat of the Devil. To my knowledge, except Abel (Hebrews 11:4) and Samuel (1 Samuel 28), there's no mention of someone ''dead'' doing anything at all (except those who resurrected and the others who never explicitly died). There's a brief mention in the Revelation that seems to state than all prophets of God who died, not only Abel and Samuel, are on the altar of God (Revelation 6:9). Apparently, they continue to exist by the faith, and anyone that doesn't have enough of it dies by soul, spirit and body all at once.

"This day thou shalt be with me in paradise"?

Not sure I follow, or how it's relevant to the topic.

Mistake of mine. There is one in the canon. According to one apocrypha, however, Jesus released everyone from hell (or sheol?), letting only Hades and Satan (the former is apparently the angel that holds the latter). He did all that being dead.

To answer to the original question, I don't believe in heaven. I believe in God. I read the Bible, and I didn't see anyone, Solomon or Paul, talking about heaven. In the Ecclesiastes, the writer explicitly state ''[There] is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol (the Grave), to which you are going.'' (Ecclesiastes 9:10) He even wrote something weirder :
Did I mention the word used for ''Vanity'' in this verse also means ''Soul'' and ''Breath'' in Hebrew? The word for ''Soul'' also means Vanity, ie. something passing, that will end and let nothing.

In the New Testament, when Paul is talking about the Kingdom of God, he talks about the resurrection, the nation of the End Times, after the defeat of the Devil. To my knowledge, except Abel (Hebrews 11:4) and Samuel (1 Samuel 28), there's no mention of someone ''dead'' doing anything at all (except those who resurrected and the others who never explicitly died). There's a brief mention in the Revelation that seems to state than all prophets of God who died, not only Abel and Samuel, are on the altar of God (Revelation 6:9). Apparently, they continue to exist by the faith, and anyone that doesn't have enough of it dies by soul, spirit and body all at once.

How then do you interpret the parable of the goats and the sheep, where Jesus separates those who have fed, clothed, and sheltered Jesus, and those who ignored him?

The last judgement, that happens after his return? According to the parable of the weeds, God asked the angels to don't touch bad people before the harvest (End Times).

[Tekania]

Clicky Link

So, Pastor Jerry Newcombe has said that only Christian victims of the tragic Colorado shooting are going to Heaven. Apparently, this is because America has lost it's fear in Hell. I cannot read this without feeling sick to my stomach. It really is, to my mind, diabolical.

No, it's because he believes that Christians only go to heaven, period.

[Erinkita]

Isn't the idea that only Christians go to Heaven one of the key ideas behind the religion? It's a horrible thing to believe, and this guy is a prick for using a tragedy as a platform for preaching, but the fact that he believes that isn't out of the ordinary. And isn't that depressing?

[Milks Empire]

Isn't the idea that only Christians go to Heaven one of the key ideas behind the religion?

Not necessarily.

[Salemland]

Mistake of mine. There is one in the canon. According to one apocrypha, however, Jesus released everyone from hell (or sheol?), letting only Hades and Satan (the former is apparently the angel that holds the latter). He did all that being dead.

Apparently, if you consider Jesus In Hell as canon, almost everyone go to heaven. If you use only the traditional Bible, there aren't many people, not even Christians. Those two points of view can be reconciled if we consider the various law explanations given in the New Testament : law wasn't the will of God but a keeper until the first coming of Jesus. At the second coming, nothing can be sure, 'cause he's not physically in this world, but... well, in Heaven.

[Not a pipe]

So, Pastor Jerry Newcombe has said that only Christian victims of the tragic Colorado shooting are going to Heaven. Apparently, this is because America has lost it's fear in Hell. I cannot read this without feeling sick to my stomach. It really is, to my mind, diabolical.

'If a Christian dies early, if a Christian dies young, it seems tragic, but really it is not tragic because they are going to a wonderful place ... on the other hand, if a person doesn’t know Jesus Christ ... if they knowingly rejected Jesus Christ, then, basically, they are going to a terrible place.'

I disagree with this, but I think he can have freedom of speech to say whatever he want even if it is not true.

[Neutraligon]

So then Jesus is in hell?

[Enatai]

It's his right to say it and to believe it.

Doesn't mean he's not an asshat, though.

It's his right to belive what he wants to, but I don't think he should be allowed to say it so publicly though.

That to me is... well, it's not quite as offensive as his statement, as completely stupid as it may be, but it's much more dangerous, ultimately. I'd much rather live in a world where I was free but in danger of being offended by differing viewpoints than a world where I didn't have to hear the viewpoints of others, but my own viewpoints could not be heard.

[Salemland]

So then Jesus is in hell?

I was talking about this.

No, he's in heaven. Still weird.

Edit :

This is complete stupidity coming from this Jerry Newcombe he's taking advantage of this tragedy! Trying to force people into become Christian. He says if you do not know Jesus Christ then you are going to a terrible place which is complete bull, If you do not know who Jesus Christ, then fair enough you are not going to a terrible place, But - If you do know Jesus Christ & reject him you are going to a terrible place. If you commit sin and you do not know it is a sin fair enough you are not going to a terrible place you are going to purgatory (purgatory is a kind of place of a test like an exam, if you pass you may enter heaven if not then 'A terrible place'.

You said it all, thank u. Also, Catholic is Christian, some ppl dont realise that, but it was the first sect of Christianity.

The first sect was gnosticism. It was even worse, good thing they are all dead. It can however be considered as a lesser heresy.

[Risottia]

No, he should be encouraged to say it publically. How else are we to know who are the assholes and who aren't? ...

Interesting idea.
I approve of it.

[The Nuclear Fist]

Fundamentalist shows himself to be a massive cunt. Can't say I'm shocked.

[Tekania]

Fundamentalist shows himself to be a massive cunt. Can't say I'm shocked.

The funny thing I always found about Fundamentalism (as it related to Christianity), is that the movement started as an ecumenical movement to unite different Christian factions despite differences of doctrinal opinions, and inclusive movement to look past differences.

[The Nuclear Fist]

Fundamentalist shows himself to be a massive cunt. Can't say I'm shocked.

The funny thing I always found about Fundamentalism (as it related to Christianity), is that the movement started as an ecumenical movement to unite different Christian factions despite differences of doctrinal opinions, and inclusive movement to look past differences.

More often than not, the worst aspects of the world began with benign intentions.

[The Blaatschapen]

The funny thing I always found about Fundamentalism (as it related to Christianity), is that the movement started as an ecumenical movement to unite different Christian factions despite differences of doctrinal opinions, and inclusive movement to look past differences.

More often than not, the worst aspects of the world began with benign intentions.

Like life *nods*

[The Nuclear Fist]

More often than not, the worst aspects of the world began with benign intentions.

Like life *nods*

Or tapdancing.

[OMGeverynameistaken]

They clearly never read his science fiction. If you thought Narnia had some heavy handed allegory in it...

Heavy-handed allegory? Have you ever read A Pilgrim's Progress? The allegory is so blatant that the main character is called Christian and the dragon-beast he meets is called Abbadon. I could continue but I'd just end up weeping.

In "That Hideous Strength" one of the characters is in direct contact with Jesus and employs the assistance of Merlin (possessed by angels) to fight the agents of Satan. Only Jesus and Satan are actually powerful aliens. And one of the characters meets God.

Not that it wasn't an entertaining book. As dystopian organizations go, the N.I.C.E scares me more than Oceania.

[Tekania]

The funny thing I always found about Fundamentalism (as it related to Christianity), is that the movement started as an ecumenical movement to unite different Christian factions despite differences of doctrinal opinions, and inclusive movement to look past differences.

More often than not, the worst aspects of the world began with benign intentions.

they saying does go, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

[Farnhamia]

Fundamentalist shows himself to be a massive cunt. Can't say I'm shocked.

I would rather you didn't use one of my favorite words as a pejorative.