Converting believers. (gospel, beliefs, hell, preaching, church)

[jeffrey]

Nutshell, I can't speak for other people. All I can speak for is myself.

[Darkdale]

Originally Posted by nutshell

We believe ours is a message that helps bad people become good and good people become better. Is it really so offensive?

Not at all offensive, though I find that a strange ideology. It's just that Heathenism isn't about good people or bad people. It's just about people, about living, about family, about friendship and about courage. We don't preach about moral imperatives and right vs. wrong, and our gods don't punish us for making mistakes. Our gods don't even get angry at us when we do. No angry god. No sin. No punishment. Just life and our love of it.

Being a heathen is about having the courage to live your life and to accept the consequences. Though, the joys of the worldview we tend to keep to ourselves. Most people can't even imagine a worldview that doesn't include sin, eternal punishment or eternal reward.

[may]

Originally Posted by nutshell

What about authority? Did God give authority to certain individuals to act on his behalf on earth? Where are those people now? Do you get this authority by going to a religious seminary or is it something more than this?

matthew 24; 45-47
Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so. 47 Truly I say to YOU, He will appoint him over all his belongings................ yes i believe he did apoint a faithful slave on the earth ,and that slave class was given great responsibility

[Ulver]

Originally Posted by Darkdale

Not at all offensive, though I find that a strange ideology. It's just that Heathenism isn't about good people or bad people. It's just about people, about living, about family, about friendship and about courage. We don't preach about moral imperatives and right vs. wrong, and our gods don't punish us for making mistakes. Our gods don't even get angry at us when we do. No angry god. No sin. No punishment. Just life and our love of it.

Being a heathen is about having the courage to live your life and to accept the consequences. Though, the joys of the worldview we tend to keep to ourselves. Most people can't even imagine a worldview that doesn't include sin, eternal punishment or eternal reward.

For that you can thank Paul's theology dominating Christianity & the actions of Charlemagne and later Catholic evangelists.

NP: Darkthrone- Blaze in The Nothern Sky