If supernatural punishment meted out by a creator entity to people after they die was a reality...
and the threat of it was intended as some kind of blend of coercion and deterrence [or warning]...
what would be the moral purpose of essentially keeping this reality hidden from those still alive ~ aside from unprovable assertions made by people reciting religious dogma?
Where is the "divine" and moral logic in this arrangement?
@fmf saidExactly who is doing this "hiding" of this information?
If supernatural punishment meted out by a creator entity to people after they die was a reality...
and the threat of it was intended as some kind of blend of coercion and deterrence [or warning]...
what would be the moral purpose of essentially keeping this reality hidden from those still alive ~ aside from unprovable assertions made by people reciting religious dogma?
Where is the "divine" and moral logic in this arrangement?
Refusing to believe something you've been told doesn't mean it's being "hidden" from you.
@suzianne saidExactly who is doing this "hiding" of this information?
Exactly who is doing this "hiding" of this information?
It'd be the creator entity supposedly meting out the supernatural punishment. Nobody living has seen any proof that these threats are about something real.
Refusing to believe something you've been told doesn't mean it's being "hidden" from you.
Told by whom?
People can't be expected to simply "believe something" because of assertions citing religious dogma.
-Removed-What's also interesting about the idea that there is some imperative to "believe something" that one is "told" by religionists is that what I am being "told" about supernatural punishment by, say, sonship is totally different from what I am being "told" about supernatural punishment by, say, Suzianne.
@fmf saidBut to your point, is it really being "hidden"?
Exactly who is doing this "hiding" of this information?
It'd be the creator entity supposedly meting out the supernatural punishment. Nobody living has seen any proof that these threats are about something real.
Refusing to believe something you've been told doesn't mean it's being "hidden" from you.
Told by whom?
People can't be expected to simply "believe something" because of assertions citing religious dogma.
@suzianne saidYes.
But to your point, is it really being "hidden"?
There is no evidence that it is real.
Assertions by religious people are not evidence.
Their certainty and earnestness do not lend any weight to their assertions.
Whether the supernatural punishment [exacted on the dead] is real or not is, for all intents and purposes, kept secret from those still living.
@fmf saidYour premise is flawed.
If supernatural punishment meted out by a creator entity to people after they die was a reality...
and the threat of it was intended as some kind of blend of coercion and deterrence [or warning]...
what would be the moral purpose of essentially keeping this reality hidden from those still alive ~ aside from unprovable assertions made by people reciting religious dogma?
Where is the "divine" and moral logic in this arrangement?
"Everlasting destruction" isn't a theory to be philosophically debated by the created.
Eternal separation from the life of God is a clear and unequivocal doctrine taught by Jesus, and clearly elaborated and collaborated on by the entire bible.
The scriptures are the final authority and the sole source of knowledge concerning eternal damnation and punishment.
Provision has been made for all to escape death.
@josephw saidThank you for the five assertions you have made here. Rather than addressing my OP, though, you seem to have simply illustrated what I am talking about instead.
Your premise is flawed.
"Everlasting destruction" isn't a theory to be philosophically debated by the created.
Eternal separation from the life of God is a clear and unequivocal doctrine taught by Jesus, and clearly elaborated and collaborated on by the entire bible.
The scriptures are the final authority and the sole source of knowledge concerning eternal damnation and punishment.
Provision has been made for all to escape death.