This American Life - Carlton Pearson - "Heresy"

Liken

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I found this audio story in one of the skeptic blogs I follow. As an atheist I nevertheless found myself completely absorbed by Pearson's fall as a prominent religious leader, and the the ideological conflict between moderate and radical ideas that unfolds in the story--for example Pearson's idea of "inclusion" vs. traditional conceptions of evangelism and salvation. It's an extremely interesting listen.

From the "This American Life" website:

Prologue: Carlton Pearson's church, Higher Dimensions, was once one of the biggest in the city, drawing crowds of 5,000 people every Sunday. But several years ago, scandal engulfed the Reverend. He didn't have an affair. He didn't embezzle lots of money. His sin was something that to a lot of people is far worse ... he stopped believing in hell.
Click to expand...

Any thoughts?

Liken
 
When i was a Xian, long long ago, I did not believe in hell either. The teachings used to support hell (alleged to be from jesus) sound more like recycling than hell. Jesus also said things like "the kingdom of god(heaven) is to be found within". The whole heaven and hell thing was a conspiracy generated by the followers of jesus. ;)
 
I found that audio file via somebody at Scienceblogs.com via the combined feed.

Isn't it just fascinating that when a reverend decides to tell his flock that nobody goes to hell, they all up and desert him? The essential spice of Abrahamic monotheism still seems to be the fun of believing everybody else is going to Hell.
 
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