1. The Ethics of Hell

Comment #54802 by lowell4068 on July 9, 2007 at 2:15 am

Pretty good video, I have seen a few others similar to this one. The issue of hell, I think, is quite obviously irrational when one uses common sense and their own logic, as explained in the video. I do believe the idea of hell was invented as a religious recruiting tool and an attempt to psychologically abuse its members into submission by way of terrorism. Obviously this idea is extremely effective, and why not? It certainly terrified me in the days when I assumed it to be true. I remember wishing passionately that there was no God, hell, or an afterlife at all because I was all but convinced hell is where I was headed no matter what I did. I find it interesting in my own experience that I was happily willing to forfeit any paradise or existence after death to be free of a possible hell. I think the reason why the concept of hell is so important to religion is because it is so effective. Heaven has always been a wonderful motivator to believe in God and join up with religion but the threat of hell clinched a significant percentage of otherwise non-believers and middle of the roaders.

2. Richard Dawkins and Alister McGrath

Comment #54788 by lowell4068 on July 9, 2007 at 1:24 am

Absolutely wonderful article...Mr. Dawkins is brilliant. I, too am baffled by the seemingly contradictive claims that God does not directly interfere with his perfect creation, yet ocassionally he does by saving someone from death or some other undesirable circumstance. Mcgrath said little, if anything that qualifies as a satisfactory response to that in my opinion. He seems to dodge the obvious logical inconsistencies regarding the subject by rationalizing that it is psychologically and emotionally beneficial as well as being a natural reaction to be thankful and want to rejoice. I'm certain Mcgrath realizes that it is a blatant contradiction and chose to sugar coat or justify that type of illogical thinking by turning our attention to the psychological and emotional benefits of it. It appears to me that he is saying it's ok to be irrational or that it is irrelevant in light of the emotional benefits it may provide. While I would agree that, in this isolated situation, the only important thing may very well be that a life was spared, but the problem, to me, is that this contradiction, while it may be helpful to an individual in a crisis, is believed and taught, quite often among believers of God, to be truth in general. I suppose I have rattled on too much already, thanks for giving me an opportunity to say a little something.