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For me, the idea that the little old Orthodox rabbis (and their wives) who were tortured to death by the Nazis are now being tortured eternally by God's agents (with the approval of Christ's worshippers) is the real obscenity.
Some years ago there was a similar series of Christian billboards along I-75 running through South Georgia. One in particular I remember had a rope with the words "Let go! I'll catch you!" I imagined the next one with Jesus slapping his forehead and saying "Oops!"
On a more serious note I used to buy into the idea that the fear of hell was needed to keep people from doing terrible things. Eventually I realized -- as you did -- that Christians were still doing terrible things despite believing in hell. I also met and got to know secular humanists and realized they were able to live ethical moral lives without the fear of eternal damnation.
(I grew up in an Alabama church as well, and my father has been a minister since I was 12.)
I have imaginary conversations regularly about the legitimacy of the Bible. Specifically, I want to ask where are the rest of the books? Where are the rest of the Jesus’ entourage’s stories? Also, why hasn’t there been any new stuff written all this time?
I am burning up to have these conversations in real life, and it’s killing me that these topics haven’t come up lol I just wanna get it off my chest! Then, I’ll be less likely to explode in front of my super nice, pious parents.
IDK -- Maybe that’s what open mic nights at the comedy club is for.
For me, the idea that the little old Orthodox rabbis (and their wives) who were tortured to death by the Nazis are now being tortured eternally by God's agents (with the approval of Christ's worshippers) is the real obscenity.
Some years ago there was a similar series of Christian billboards along I-75 running through South Georgia. One in particular I remember had a rope with the words "Let go! I'll catch you!" I imagined the next one with Jesus slapping his forehead and saying "Oops!"
On a more serious note I used to buy into the idea that the fear of hell was needed to keep people from doing terrible things. Eventually I realized -- as you did -- that Christians were still doing terrible things despite believing in hell. I also met and got to know secular humanists and realized they were able to live ethical moral lives without the fear of eternal damnation.
“Jesus said go into all nations and preach the gospel. We’ve got heathens right here on I-95!”
😭😭😅
We are the grandchildren of the witches you failed to burn.
This is such a good post! 
(I grew up in an Alabama church as well, and my father has been a minister since I was 12.)
I have imaginary conversations regularly about the legitimacy of the Bible. Specifically, I want to ask where are the rest of the books? Where are the rest of the Jesus’ entourage’s stories? Also, why hasn’t there been any new stuff written all this time?
I am burning up to have these conversations in real life, and it’s killing me that these topics haven’t come up lol I just wanna get it off my chest! Then, I’ll be less likely to explode in front of my super nice, pious parents.
IDK -- Maybe that’s what open mic nights at the comedy club is for.