Now before I begin, let me say something in advance. I am not here to cast aspirtions on any particular religion. This is not a post about which religion is better or which one is right. None of you know which one is right, so don't start claiming to.
If this proves to be a 'flammable' topic, I would ask that a Mod removes it, or locks it, or whatever. My intention isn't to upset, decry or in any way castigate, excommunicate or generally hack off anyone with strong beliefs.
Given the above statements to be true and acceptable, I hope it's ok to post it. I'm going to anyway, so I hope it doesn't get me into trouble as it is done with the best intentions. I'm not allowed into the debate board (not enough posts, I haven't been 'bad' or anything) as yet, so here it will surely have to go.
Imagine the following scenario;
An islamic fundamentalist, a seventh day adventist, a baptist, a jehova's witness, a roman catholic and a jew all arrive at the Pearly Gates of Heaven at the same time (perhaps they were all on a plane together. don't laugh, it could happen)
St Peter casts a squint in their general direction and says, "Mr Weinstein can come in. He's Jewish and therefore is granted the delights of an eternity of joy by God's right hand. If the rest of you will kindly take one step to the left, you will be gently prodded with pitchforks by Beelzebub here in the general direction of Purgatory, whilst the Lord of Darkness decides your fate, depending on your beliefs."
Now what I don't understand (and the reason for this rather long-winded, but nonetheless enjoyable post) is this. If God (whichever one you currently subscribe to, if at all) is all-forgiving, then simply believing in the wrong one is hardly worthy of an eternity stuck on a spike, or being tossed in the fiery bowels of nothingness forevermore. If you recant on your deathbed, then you should get in to heaven, no matter what you've done. (and that can include all manner of beastly things) Why then, does it matter to God what you believe in. It's all the same God at the end of the day, right?
Right I'm stopping there. I could go on, but I can see people at the back starting to nod off.
Please, someone enlighten me. Need we really argue over the right religion? Can't we just agree to believe?
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