which also provides you with loads of free resources for study of the Bible, particularly in the original languages.

I will make the comment though that your reference to Christians seems to be directed towards a particular variety, the more evangelical and/or the legalistic minded of the mainline church perhaps. There’s a pretty broad spectrum of beliefs under the title Christian these days. A fundamental Baptist wouldn’t have much in common with a Congregational church goer but they’d both call themselves Christian.

I’m Christian and I agree. I didn’t check your links but I trust that for those that need to look through those resources they will.

Fantastic article.

Sincerely,

The Character

Today, Christians show barely any (if any) love for those who contradict their beliefs and teachings.

it is how it is done, running around calling people crazy or a false prophet or this or that or name calling is not contradiction, not done properly anyhow,

I have had proper debates with people like steve

I’ve actually written an entire book on this topic–”Hell? No! Why You Can Be Certain There’s No Such Place As Hell,” (for anyone interested, one can get a free Ecopy of my book at my website: http://www.ricklannoye.com), but if I may, please allow me to add to your many good points from the many I share in my book.

If one is willing to look, there’s substantial evidence contained in the gospels to show that Jesus opposed the idea of Hell. For example, in Luke 9:51-56, is a story about his great disappointment with his disciples when they actually suggested imploring God to rain FIRE on a village just because they had rejected him. His response: “You don’t know what spirit is inspiring this kind of talk!” Presumably, it was NOT the Holy Spirit. He went on, trying to explain how he had come to save, heal and relieve suffering, not be the CAUSE of it.

So it only stands to reason that this same Jesus, who was appalled at the very idea of burning a few people, for a few horrific minutes until they were dead, could never, ever burn BILLIONS of people for an ETERNITY!

True, there are a few statements that made their way into the gospels which place Hell on Jesus lips, but these adulterations came along many decades after his death, most likely due to the Church filling up with Greeks who imported their belief in Hades with them when they converted.

I especially appreciate your emphasis on personal study rather than “spoon feeding” readers.

I left the church in part because I like to sleep in on Sunday mornings lol. But for real because the growing lack of love, compassion, and charity I saw in the church.