I don't believe anyone needs to be a theologian to discuss issues like heaven, hell and other fascinating religious topics. The fact is that most of us have some sort of "religious" upbringing, or at least, a few ideas about theology that come from all kinds of sources from religion class to pop-culture. In any case, I think we can all agree that religion is one of the most fascinating and controversial subjects to discuss; apart from politics.
But, I do have to admit that I was bit surprised with Bill O'Reilly in the last few days commenting and getting fired up about Time Magazine's cover article in reference to Pastor Rob Bell's new controversial book entitled: Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived. The fundamental questions O'Reilly debated on his program were: Why we should believe that hell exists and who should be there? O'Reilly then went on to say that the Roman Catholic Church -- which he called "my church" -- does not really teach that people of other faiths and/or denominations, like Gandhi, would be excluded from heaven.
I beg to differ. While it is true that the Catechism of the Catholic Church (promulgated in 1992 by Pope John Paul II) does speak of salvation outside the church, the official Church teaching continues to insist that there is only one true church and anyone who does not believe what it teaches and is not in a state of "sanctifying grace" and dies, is in fact, in danger of going to hell. In the Church's official teaching, this includes people who use any form of contraception, in-vitro fertilization, women who get their tubes tied (even after having several children), men who get vasectomies, people who are re-married and have not received a church annulment, homosexuals who live in monogamous and committed relationships, etc. etc. etc. These -- and so many other things -- are all considered "mortal sins" and dying with mortal sin in your soul means eternal damnation. That is, in fact, still what the Roman Catholic Church teaches. I would ask O'Reilly: Isn't that sending a whole lot of people to hell? You don't have to be Hitler or Stalin to be headed for hell in Bill's religious denomination.
What was perhaps most troubling about Bill O'Reilly's theological reflections is that he basically claimed that without hell the basis of the Judeo-Christian system falls apart. In other words, his fundamental premise was that if you are not afraid of hell, you are going to do whatever you want. So basically, it is "fear" that motivates people to do good and avoid evil. O'Reilly may have learned that in the third grade and it may have worked for him then, but I believe that true and authentic faith should motivate us to love -- never to fear.
As controversial as the "no hell" or "yes hell" topic is, I thought the most entertaining, yet a bit troubling thing, was to watch O'Reilly the theologian give us his reasoning for why hell is so important. The eternal and unconditional mercy and love of God was not mentioned once. And that was theologically very scary!
Debate video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rlrx5fHnky4
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Rob Asghar: How Gandhi-Hating Kills Christianity
YouTube - LOVE WINS - Rob Bell
Fear of punishment is one of the lowest levels of moral, ethical behaviour. Higher levels are seeking reward, going for the warm fuzzy feeling, and, at the top, doing the right thing just because it logically is the right thing to do.
My religion believes that the Goddess, who not only created the world but is the Earth, wants us to strive to be the best people we can be in intention and deed. We are rewarded with peace and fulfillment in this life. Bad actions and intentions rebound on us with increased intensity, causing more grief to us than they ever could to the person the original bad intentions/actions were directed at.
We respect life. We respect nature, and realize that we are part of a greater scheme of interaction. We each have our personal inner problems to overcome, and how we work at overcoming them is a mirror to our progress on a spiritual level. Nature is our sanctuary, and respect and love our mantras.
Scaring people into belief is not true belief. Instilling fear is not Godlike. Our dieties should radiate love and acceptance rather than fear and exclusion.
The official Catholic church doctrine shares many attributes with both orthodox Judaism and Islam in terms of rules, rituals, and judgments. The official church bears little resemblance to the church my mom has attended and given money to for the past 80 years.
Perhaps Mr. O'Reilly can explain his take on this biblical quote?
"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
That passage would scare the "hell" out of me, were I in his position.
Either that or he has somebody out there building a really big needle, and someone else breeding miniature camels.
There was apparently a side gate in the defensive wall of Jerusalem called the "Eye of the Needle". Gates in a thick fortress walls were often narrow zigzag tunnel-like passages, and this one was tight, designed for foot traffic. You could force a camel through it, but only if it were a rather patient and agreeable camel and completely unloaded of baggage. As the rich man would also have to be.
2) he doesn't think it'll apply to him because he is "special"
As controversial as the "no hell" or "yes hell" topic is, I thought the most entertaining, yet a bit troubling thing, was to watch O'Reilly the theologian give us his reasoning for why hell is so important. The eternal and unconditional mercy and love of God was not mentioned once. And that was theologically very scary! As you should. Be Afraid,Be VERY AFRAID!
What reason is there to believe if you have a seemingly more fulfilling and fruitful life without religion? The only reason I can see is that if I don't believe it, God places me in torture me for eternity. What kind of a belief is that? I have to be fearful or eternal punishment and not question OR ELSE......
What reason is there? Judeo Christian systems do fall apart without hell.
That's one HELL of a of a sense of humour there God!
Thank, er (Goddess?) that I dont believe in anything THAT patently absurd and lacking in ANY form of charity or compassion.
world.
Also Tom the cat, in one of the Tom & Jerry clips, is having a nightmare about going
to hell. - In other words, such fears of others can be taken very easy, they can even be
fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGcAQtFpeDM&feature=related
Hell for the company.
Heaven for the scenery.
I think this may be the paramount difference between all universal ideologies -- certainly between conservatives and liberals.