Have you ever noticed how vicious some of you guys are?

Yes, I see what you mean. You posed the question an hour ago, and already have 5 thumbs up and 5 thumbs down. So people are torn about your questions. In general, I think people are good. In a Biblical sense, we are all created in the image of God, which is naturally good. Though Paul says we are born sinners in need of redemption. How is that possible, if we are modeled after God? Technically, this is a philosophical argument, like the one that takes place in Children and Fools: A twisted tale of the Vienna woods. I think everyone sins, but not many deserve going to Hell.

It seems like we are not on an even playing field. We have the A&E Christians, the second hand oral tradition christans, then the christians that read the bible but need a strategy guide vs the armcahir athiests, the rebels, the scholars, and a repeat of the chrsitian types above but athiest.

Then there are people that play the insecurity card. Some people try to shame others for being insecure with their beliefs. I sure hope someone is insecure. False security makes good slaves and soldiers.

People who do that are just insecure in their own beliefs. If they see anyone going against them, the first thing they'll do is try to force their beliefs on you. I guess that these people are trying to convince themselves that the person deserved to die so they do not mourn. Deep inside, they're probably breaking and they think they'll look like they come out on top by saying so. And you're right, Jesus, or as I call him, Prophet Issa (PBUH) would not approve at all. He would most likely pray for the people slandering the unfortunate dead person as well as the deceased.

Your argument is by far one of the most logical and rational and it is not faulty in the least. The people who think you're being too sentimental lack kindness and empathy to a certain level, and cant see the point. Congratulations, you're probably one of the last.

I'm a Muslim and my mother is a Muslim convert. She was a Buddhist before. Quite a number of her siblings are still Buddhists. My grandparents - her parents - are still Buddhists. I've witnessed my great grandparents died a disbeliever (Buddhists) and I was grief-stricken, knowing that I know how God is going to treat them. And lately, my grandma's health has been volatile/unstable and thus, I notice how sad my mom is. That's why I love learning about humanities; i.e. religion, history, etc and that's why I am here in the first place - not about preaching at all, but just to help as much as I can (although I know not much at all), in clarifying misunderstandings about my religion, Islam. And it's just plain sad that there are people out there who keep on bashing other people's religions, not just Islam, and refuse to at least try making an effort to understand what a religion is all about. I'm a Muslim. And that's that. I believe that there is no god but God, and Muhammad is His messenger. But, at the same time I also respect each and every single human beings whose life is regarded as a sanctity in Islam. I just hope that people would do the same to me and many of my innocent Muslim brothers and sisters who believe in moderation in religion just like the Prophet (peace be upon him) himself taught.

In conjunction with this Eid, I pray that the world will learn to accept Islam and that we can all live peacefully and harmoniously in mutual respect and tolerance. And you know what, in my Eid prayer and mosque service this morning, I almost dropped some tears (or maybe I did) when I appeared before God, imploring for His grace not just for myself, but also for all mankind.

God knows best.

Happy Eid al-Adha and Happy New Year 2007.

Peace and Love.

=)

I think this is why people say "May God have mercy on your soul." Thank God - literally - we are not the ones to judge people's actions, intentions, and hearts! I see no problem with feeling pity for those who are lost. I think that's a very compassionate thing to feel.

Also, remember there are no tears in Heaven. All will be made clear and you will understand.

PS Jesus IS alive today!

Your logic is quite right. There are times when we all get a bit testy but some are worse than others. We all need to take a break from time to time. I believe that JESUS is probably not pleased with any of us since we all sin and fall short of the glory of GOD". Have a great Lord's Day!!

Eds"

Hell is the main reason I left Chrisitianity, and I know many others who feel the same way. It's just too cruel and I don't think most people realize or care.

Jesus, though, spoke of hell more often than any other prophet and even cursed a tree for not carrying fruit out of season. I don't think it would bother him one bit.

You can not save your own soul let alone that of another.All that can be done is to share the word and trust God.The whole of the earth is condemned and this life is a curse.Those who love the world-this is the only heaven they shall see.Those that hate the world-this is the only hell they shall see.

Just remember, the number of Christians has been dwindling, and magnificent cathedrals are standing empty in Europe, while the number of Muslims there continues to rise. We are in another Crusade time, but the Christians are really in trouble this time, because there is no Prince Eugene of Savoy or strong Catholic Spanish leadership or other leaders in Europe who would stand up for the Christian faith. They have all sold out to the economically important EU. Business is now more important than God and the Christian faith in Europe. Remember also that Jesus would have been a Palestinian Jew right? By now he probably would have been displaced anyway by the governmental situations over there, so I'm not sure what he would say, but I'm assuming he would be doing a lot of turning the other cheek, but still dusting the dirt from his sandals. He said for his disciples to write off negative influences by shaking the dust from their sandals after leaving bad situations, and since I believe Saddam was an example of just such an influence, if I follow the Bible's teachings, then why should I worry that he is gone? We're not supposed to. Jesus was a rebel and I love him for it. I think people often just put him on a pedestal instead of truly appreciating what an important and radical rebel he really was. And, Hell is only a valid concept for those believing in God, so realize that even if you might live in the Bible belt, that area is shrinking. As far as Saddam is concerned, which I think is what your question is really in reference to, he is, whether the Sunnis like it or not, this world's/generation's Hitler or Stalin, and it would be wise to remember that fact when asking for personal leniency for him. I don't usually agree with corporal punishment, but sometimes when people enjoy acting like brute animals and perpetuate this behavior out of those surrounding them, when they have proven themselves non-repentent for sorry personal behavior, obstinent, and bellicosely belligerent to anyone in authority other than themselves, there is not much the caring of this world can salvage. People have to deal with the consequences of their own mistakes, and Saddam has evidently done just that. He's lucky he even had a trial. He's lucky he lived three long years, while the families of his victims got to listen to him continue to defy the world, their pain, and their common sense, for the sake of his own ego, cronies, and personal greed. Sometimes, though many true pacifists will sure disagree with me, the rest of us are just a bit better off without such a vicious presence among us. The way to happiness is to limit negativity. Rightly or wrongly, I think a negative soul has now been distinguished from our presence. This shouldn't be made into a religious faction issue by any means, but I'm sure that that is what will probably be done over there. I'm hoping once people find out that the boogie man really isn't going to come back and terrorize them once again with electric shocks and tattoos and the like, they will be able to settle down and actually get that fledgling government going in high gear. I think there is actually a good chance there might be peace in the Middle East, unless of course a neighboring country's leader, such as the President of Iran, decides there is truly a new power vacuum and he just has to try to fill it. We will see. I just hope our troops see a positive difference in Iraq's population's attitudes now that Saddam is dead, and that they can come home soon. America always gets into wars trying to defend some underdog around the world somewhere. The Iraqis need to get their situation stabilized internally, so our troops can finally come home. Our troops are not theirs, they are ours. How long are they going to depend on them? Just remember that people are people, and from the sounds of your question, you are young. Study why the theory of Communism failed...because you are dealing with people is what I say. People are fickle and weak, but many still believe created by a loving God. Sure we make mistakes, but we live to try another day. Yes, I agree with you that people can appear vicious, but what side are you looking from? From Saddam's victims' side, or those now protesting because their psuedo-messiah has been hanged? Just be careful when evaluating the evidence in any situation ok? Good luck to you in your personal future! We’re all in for the usual rocky ride until we die!

Every single one of us has done,said or thought something vicious of another person at sometime in our life, so if that is entry into Hell, then were all going.