THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 12, 1995 TAG: 9508130094
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Issues of Faith
SOURCE: Betsy Wright
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
THE READER RESPONSE on the issue of hell was overwhelming. Many wrote long letters explaining their views. Others left two and three phone messages. It's quite interesting to see the variety of beliefs.
From Elder Terry O'Leary, a Chesapeake member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: ``Perhaps a different view of hell is that it is not a place of punishment but a place of waiting for judgment day and for education. . . . Those individuals who have known God and have made some bad choices, over and over, without repentance or remorse in their hearts, wait for judgment day in `outer darkness.' They know what their judgment will be and . . . they wait with weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth.
``Those who, in this life, never had a chance to learn of God and Christ but, nevertheless, tried to do good to their best level of understanding are also waiting for judgment day. However, while they are waiting, they are being taught about God. In this way, they will have an opportunity to choose to accept God and become a part of God's salvation plan. . . .''
From Jane Harcum of Franklin: ``If heaven is forever, as we believe, then why is hell not forever? Where is the justice in hell being temporary? . . . If Satan is real, as I believe the Bible says he is, and if he is as evil as I believe his is, can you believe he'd ever relinquish his hold once one was a resident of his domain?''
From Michael Nixon of Virginia Beach: ``I totally agree with your article on hell. I'd only like to add that the meaning of the word sin is `to miss the mark.' If you consider the mark to be unconditional love - which is loving others no matter how they treat you or how they act, and accepting others for who they are as God does - then you are sinless. That's what Jesus Christ did. That's why he hung around whores, prostitutes, beggars, thieves and tax collectors.''
From the Rev. Kevin L. Wilson of Highland Baptist Church in Portsmouth: ``The bottom line is this: It doesn't matter whether we like it or not, it doesn't matter whether we believe it or not, there is a place called hell, and it is exactly as Jesus Christ described it. But you don't have to go there.''
From Joseph Kuehling of Chesapeake: ``I feel that one can prolong one's stay in the purging time because of a lack of empathy and then failure to forgive one's self. All the outside forgiveness in the universe does no good until one does, indeed, forgive the self.''
From G.D. Lewis of Virginia Beach: ``Before the spirit takes on human form, it is a part of the infinite body we call God. While in its mortal state, the soul experiences all the desires of the flesh, including the quest for power and material riches. After a given period of time has elapsed, the spirits that succeed in overcoming the temptations of the flesh are welcomed back into the infinite universe to share eternal love and peace. The spirits that succumb to man's weaknesses do not return to the infinite universe once they leave their shells. They suffer a most grievous loss, knowing that a few moments of human weakness has earned them an eternity of emptiness., As a result, these lost spirits roam the earth, taking on human form after human form trying to regain the precious status they once held. For only by once knowing heaven can a soul truly experience living in hell.''
From the Rev. Roger D. Mardis of South Norfolk Baptist Church in Chesapeake: ``(You) proved (you are) a `religious' writer and not necessarily a `Christian' one. Christians believe God's Word and take it to heart. Even in the case of judgment and the torment of hell. . . . Your modern day opinion, though popular, is biblically wrong.''
From William H. MacDonald of Norfolk: ``Whatever hell is, the main thing to emphasize is that we are safe if we are `in Christ.' He endured an infinite punishment for his people on the cross in order for us to receive eternal life nothing. If your view is wrong, you could have an eternity of torment trying to rethink your views.''
From Mildred Bryant of Virginia Beach: ``Your column (on hell) was of particular interest to me. I have heard your description of hell expressed only once before. Let me explain.
``My father died in May 1956. Not too long after that, I had a dream in which I met my father in a large meadow. I knew in my dream that he was dead, but there was no fear or surprise. He wanted to speak with me and tell me something important: There is a hell but it is not a place of perpetual torment. (He said) that you go through it when you first die. In it you see your whole life and have a complete understanding of all your actions and how they have affected other people. (You feel) the hurts you have inflicted and the sorrows you have caused.
``I have never forgotten that encounter. It is the only dream I have ever had that has lasted beyond waking. That was almost 40 years ago.'' by CNB