I have no doubt that matter is inherently corrupt, but I enjoy wallowing in it anyway.
I am not, and never will be, a Christian. The whole edifice seems premised on something I don't believe in, namely original sin. When I heard about this in Sunday school it struck me as totally bogus, and I haven't changed my opinion since. I couldn't possibly worship a God who would condemn people to damnation for something they didn't do.
Even if you do believe in original sin, the notion that a blood sacrifice would be necessary to expiate it is totally preposterous. God is omnipotent. If God wanted to redeem people, it would require nothing more than the desire to redeem them. Why crucify anybody, least of all your own son?
Without original sin, no need for redemption, and the whole drama becomes all too human. I do believe there was a man named Jesus, who preached a message unpopular with the authorities and paid the price, as have many others in history. Beyond that, I really don't care much for the whole package. Too harsh, too judgmental, too exclusive, and too authoritarian. If I have to be something, I'll be a pagan.
If Emile is right, well yes, I'm damned. But I'm willing to bet that when Emile finally comes face to face with the creator, assuming there is one, he's going to get a big surprise.
Steve
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