Thursday, April 14, 2005

The Hope of Hell.

Is the Dalai Lama going to hell? I had dinner one evening with a priest who told me he had preached a sermon on this subject. He told me the Dalai Lama is the most Christ-like person he ever met. Hell is one of those subjects many folks who have been around fundamentalists want to avoid for they have been abused by some nonsensical ideas of hell and what constitutes one’s path to the eternal fire. I’ll never forget the guy on my college campus with the huge cross and a painted banner that had arms and hands reaching through the flames attempting to escape hell. He seemed happy to tell us that we were going to burn if we did not repent and believe like him. I hope he was wrong, for twenty-five years later I am still glad that I did not join his tribe.

Some would say that hell (Sheol) is the eternal lake of fire that lies beyond the river of Styx and is reserved for those who reject God; the place for unrepentant sinners. How does one reject God? Do we reject God in thoughts, words, or actions? Do I reject God if I vote to go to war? Do I reject God if I don’t stand out against racism? Do I reject God if I don’t make a stand for health care for children? Do I reject God when I stand by and allow people to be hated and ostracized for the sexuality? How does one reject God? Scripture teaches that if I say that I love God yet hate my brother that I am a liar and the truth is not in me. If I say that I love God and hate my fellow human that would mean that I was rejecting the teachings of Jesus. Is that the same as rejecting God? The Dalai Lama said that compassion is not religious business, it is human business, it is not luxury, it is essential for our own peace and mental stability, it is essential for human survival. Sounds like a dude who has spent some time with Jesus.


What prevents me from splitting hell wide open? Just say the magic words? What does it mean to follow Jesus?

I may be persuaded if it were for those who talk about people burning in hell didn’t seem so gratified and jubilant about the fact that those who think differently would be going there.

I once read that religion is for those afraid of going to hell and spirituality is for those who have been there. If hell is the real deal then I need God to rescue me. I think there is hope in the concept of hell. Yes, I hope hell exists. Not so my enemies will go there. No, I hope hell is the place reserved by God where evil is consumed and is no longer a reality in the world. If hell is the incinerator where the rubbish of hate, fear, greed, and evil is permanently scorched and consumed then I vote for the hope that hell offers.


3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Religion is for those who are afraid of going to hell and spirituality is for those who have been there."
-- So true, so true.

2:59 AM  
Blogger c said...

Rick, I liked your spin of hell. I wonder if Jesus, when he talked of judgment, didn't do so in a redemptive manner, as if hell is not about destruction, but renewal. Good stuff. And I love that quote from Becky...who is that from?

3:28 PM  
Blogger Obi-Mac BakDon said...

That's beautifully done Bro

5:50 PM  

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