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4 years ago ::
Jan 19, 2008 - 10:07PM
#1
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I'm wondering what are the views of other maltheists regarding life after death.
My own view is that the notion of eternal punishment/hell fits in well with the notion of a malevolent God. It is not hard to rectify the two. Indeed, I suspect the traditional teachings regarding eternal punishment lead many people into a sort of quasi-maltheism -- even if they don't have a name or label for their beliefs.
Personally, I expect that I'll be in hell after I'm dead -- whatever that means. To simply cease to exist at the moment of death would suggest a mercy and compassion that my vision of God lacks. . . .
However, since it seems to be a fact that -- malevolent God or not -- some people seem to have pleasant, enjoyable lives, it does not seem out of God's character that some sort of eternal paradise might also exist. A malevolent God might even enjoy randomly picking people out and allowing them admission into heaven -- much like the randomless of earthly life, in which good things sometimes happen to seemingly "unworthy" people -- with the stipulation that they could be sent "down below" at any time. . . .
Just a few thoughts. I'd be very interested in others' views.
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4 years ago ::
Jan 19, 2008 - 10:32PM
#2
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For me like Paul Z., I believe God is a liar. I suspect hell is an empty threat and heaven is an empty promise. I assume when I die, my ashes will just be reabsorbed by the earth. I plan to be cremated and have my ashes scattered.
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4 years ago ::
Jan 20, 2008 - 1:51AM
#3
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I figure god would do whatever an individual would consider the worst possible eternity. for me it would be an eternity of having to kiss his ass.
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4 years ago ::
Jan 20, 2008 - 3:12PM
#4
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whichone, that's really interesting. Why do you believe that? Do you think God is actually not powerful enough to torture someone eternally? If he is powerful enough but chooses not to, doesn't that make him a little less malevolent than he otherwise would be if he DID torture everyone forever?
Thanks very much for your response.
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4 years ago ::
Jan 20, 2008 - 3:13PM
#5
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moyzo1, do you believe you WILL be spending eternity kissing God's ass, then?
Thanks for your response.
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4 years ago ::
Jan 20, 2008 - 4:58PM
#6
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I believe that a malevolent god would simply send people who didn't kiss his ass back to Earth over and over until they give in to his egotism.
If I get to see him face to face, I'm going to attack him.
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4 years ago ::
Jan 20, 2008 - 5:20PM
#7
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[QUOTE=ThePhoenix216;227697]I believe that a malevolent god would simply send people who didn't kiss his ass back to Earth over and over until they give in to his egotism.[/QUOTE]
That's a really interesting idea, thanks for responding.
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4 years ago ::
Jan 20, 2008 - 6:02PM
#8
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his followers in my family already forced me to do so. I figure that he will simply keep doing the same and find some other torture if I refuse.
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4 years ago ::
Jan 20, 2008 - 10:49PM
#9
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Tom,
I am really tired from all the work that I did today. I was going to answer your question, but suddenly found that it was hard to get even two brain cells in my head to act together.
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4 years ago ::
Jan 20, 2008 - 11:34PM
#10
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[QUOTE=whichone;228373]Tom,
I am really tired from all the work that I did today. I was going to answer your question, but suddenly found that it was hard to get even two brain cells in my head to act together.[/QUOTE]
whichone, I totally understand . . . I'll look forward to your answer if and when you're so inclined . . . now go take a nap !
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