[parenting] unconditional love and religion

[kettunainen]

I was raised Catholic and was taught that God loves us unconditionally.

If God loves us unconditionally, then why does Hell exist?

Comments

[squid_pants]

Hell doesn't exist. Neither does god obviously. There is no evidence for either of those hypotheses. God is a surrogate parent for those who cannot stand to leave a childish state and feel the need to have a strong parent to tell them what to do rather than actualize their own adulthood. Hell was formulated as a big threat to make sure you left all your property to the church after death and as thought control in life for those so weak and cowardly as to fall for religion

[kettunainen]

I think it's really unfortunate that so many people fall into the blame game as a result of the "devil made me do it" mindset. One of the things I appreciate most about paganism in general is its focus (as far as I can tell) on personal responsibility. I'm really grateful for it. And paganism/deism/my delusions/whatever has definitely added a hugely positive dimension to my existence.

:)

[insolent_cherub]

And to add to foxesdaughter

[squid_pants]

Heroine brings comfort to many people, but it's use no way to live your life.
The claim of all religions are absurd and highly improbable. The burden of proof does not lay with me, it lays with the ones making extrodinary claims.
Argument from antiquity or popularity are both completely invalid.
Religions all sparked holy wars, including the old "exception", Buddhism, therefore all religions are dangerous to survival.
I am contemptuous of all religions, I have not respect for them and they deserve none. All points are now countered and no appology to any religion or to anyone who fell for one will ever be forthcoming.

[macnacailli]

The Nazis, the Chinese in Tibet, and American big business show that freeing oneself from religion does nothing to make the world a less dangerous place - fanaticism and 'one true way thinking' (like you might be displaying) is the root of violence, not the content of whatever creed is been xenophobically espoused.

[squid_pants]

Nazi's, well, Hitler made many speeches saying the third reich was a christian reich. However, he also expressed contempt of the religious. Probably used the christian hook to gain popularity. You forgot Stalin, he's a favourite for this argument. But I didn't say that I had the right system, I said drop theism. Hell, I don't know the truth either, and I'm convinced there isn't a universal one.

[kettunainen]

mmm, opiates. my favourite!

[squid_pants]

They stay crunchy, even in milk!

[insolent_cherub]

Just because they are absurd to you does not mean they are absurd to others. That's the point I'm trying to get across. You are generalizing.

And I would say that religions that have managed to last as long as they have deserve some respect.

And as far as proof goes.
Faith is the whole point.

I'm through with this discussion.
All I have to say is wow. That's all. Wow.

[squid_pants]

Argument from antiquity is as invalid.
Enjoy your delusions.

[squid_pants]

Threats of extreme violence against my person on the subway for daring to read The God Delusion.
Oh, ummm, I'm a troll too.

[insolent_cherub]

Viewpoint. Exactly.
Not right. Not wrong. Just opinion.

[kettunainen]

it is, and I will. :-)

[macnacailli]

atheism could just as easily be seen as a way of avoiding relations with anythingthat might be bigger than oneself - and so perpetuating the fantasy of autonomy and self control in a world where we are so obviously not the sole governer of our fate. Our responses to life are still ours to manage, but choosing to be open to each other, the world and the sacred as made manifest in the world is a way of enhancing that.

I agree with Foxesdaughter - to which I would add that the theism you rail against seems limited to the Abrahamic model.