Pro.

Just as we are now seeing in the Middle East, the power of mass communication is causing ideologies that were held for years to be uprooted.  Informed "Evangelicals" will not be able to "hold onto" the elitist view that Christians alone are elected by God for eternal reward.  They are learning more about the uncertainity of many ideas in our tradition (that were believe to be certain), as they are meeting very thoughtful people (like themselves) who come from other religious traditions.

The publication (in lay person accessible form) of neurological studies will change the way most people understand human consciousness.  IMO the notion that consciousness is separate from the brain, and can survive death, will increasingly be seen as absurd.

Mar 6, 2011 -- 7:26AM, Dutch777 wrote:

www.nytimes.com/2011/03/05/us/05bell.html?_r-1

Pro? Con? Indeterminate?

Enjoy.

Comments welcomed.

I am pro. I have been for a while as well., Ever since I got re-saved.

Mar 6, 2011 -- 11:43AM, Nino0814 wrote:

Just as we are now seeing in the Middle East, the power of mass communication is causing ideologies that were held for years to be uprooted.  Informed "Evangelicals" will not be able to "hold onto" the elitist view that Christians alone are elected by God for eternal reward.  They are learning more about the uncertainity of many ideas in our tradition (that were believe to be certain), as they are meeting very thoughtful people (like themselves) who come from other religious traditions.

The publication (in lay person accessible form) of neurological studies will change the way most people understand human consciousness.  IMO the notion that consciousness is separate from the brain, and can survive death, will increasingly be seen as absurd.

This question goes beyond the scope of this discussion, so don't bother answering it. Just consider it: Is it not possible that instead of the brain being the source of conciousness, it is not the opposite?

Also, consider this. To the being that created all, the seen and unseen, how dificult is it for Him to preserve one's conscousness after death?

Mar 6, 2011 -- 3:18PM, Dutch777 wrote:

I'm "pro" and have been for some time.

Universalism is not a single, narrow position; it has nuances, all  of which drive the fundies into a mouth-foaming frenzy.

I like that.

My version of Universalism is a cross between Calvinism (4 point calvinism) and Universalism. In my view, the elect are those who God predestined to salvation from before the foundations of the world. The reprobate are consigned to hell for a time. But hell is not permanent or eternal. The punishment will fit the crime. For a man who has only committed a finite lifetime of finite sins, infinite punishment is far from just. And one of God's fundamental attributes is being Just.

I'm going to have to go with 'Con'. I'm going to stick with the catechism on this one. Everyone is free to reject or receive Christ into their lives as Lord and Savior. As for someone who NEVER heard the message, I think they would be saved if they lived a virtuous life, but as for someone who outright rejected Him, someone who just said "Screw this, I'm not wasting my time being a Christian anymore blah blah blah", I believe the answer is below.

Q.     What do we mean by heaven and      hell?

A.     By heaven, we mean eternal life      in our enjoyment of God;
by hell, we mean eternal death in our rejection of God.

Mar 6, 2011 -- 5:22PM, Nino0814 wrote:

Mar 6, 2011 -- 5:07PM, GRobit625 wrote:

I'm going to have to go with 'Con'. I'm going to stick with the catechism on this one. Everyone is free to reject or receive Christ into their lives as Lord and Savior. As for someone who NEVER heard the message, I think they would be saved if they lived a virtuous life, but as for someone who outright rejected Him, someone who just said "Screw this, I'm not wasting my time being a Christian anymore blah blah blah", I believe the answer is below.

Why do you believe it? 

If someone decides to live their life without God, such a person should spend eternity being punished in hell?  Never (ever) being reconciled?  

Jesus died so we wouldn't have to die a second death, if we believe in Him and His teachings. Now, I don't know what happens between each and every person who has passed away at their judgment. I believe at that moment, the individual and God will hash that out. Only God knows what is truly in that person's heart that decided to live without Him. But that has just been the teaching as it is in the Bible that hell and heaven is eternal.