Heaven & Hell

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"Hell is an invention of the church ... The catholic church doesn't like the people to grow up." (John Shelby Spong, retired Episcopal bishop from Newark, N.J., interviewed by Keith Morrison on Dateline, NBC, 8-13-2006)

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John Shelby Spong, whose books have sold more than a million copies, was bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark for 24 years before his retirement in 2001. His admirers acclaim him as a teaching bishop who makes contemporary theology accessible to the ordinary layperson — he's considered the champion of an inclusive faith by many, both inside and outside the Christian church. In one of his books, "The Sins of Scripture: Exposing the Bible's Texts of Hate to Discover the God of Love" (San Francisco: HarperOne, 2005), this visionary thinker seeks to introduce readers to a proper way to engage the holy book of the Judeo-Christian tradition.

A committed Christian who has spent a lifetime studying the Bible and whose life has been deeply shaped by it, Bishop Spong says he was not interested in Bible bashing. "I come to this interpretive task not as an enemy of Christianity," he says. "I am not even a disillusioned former Christian, as some of my scholar-friends identify themselves. I am a believer who knows and loves the Bible deeply. But I also recognize that parts of it have been used to undergird prejudices and to mask violence."

A visiting lecturer at Harvard and at universities and churches worldwide, Bishop Spong delivers more than 200 public lectures each year to standing-room-only crowds. His bestselling books include Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism, A New Christianity for a New World, Why Christianity Must Change or Die, and Here I Stand.

Bishop Spong's extensive media appearances include a profile segment on 60 Minutes as well as appearances on Good Morning America, Fox News Live, Politically Incorrect, Larry King Live, The O'Reilly Factor, William F. Buckley's Firing Line, and Extra. Bishop Spong and his wife, Christine Mary Spong, have five children and six grandchildren. They live in New Jersey.

• http://www.johnshelbyspong.com/

(c) 2006 NBC
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Category:

Education

Tags:

• heaven
• and
• hell
• christians
• christianity
• bible
• catholic
• church
• catholics
• god
• jesus
• pope
• fundamentalism
• episcopal
• bishop
• john
• shelby
• spong

[michaelcordeiro12]

This was a coherent response from a religious person. Although, it seems his ideas could fit in a pantheistic view... As an atheist I'm happy when people don't lie, this man didn't.

[DRnab1983]

ok .... i thought i d never say this .. but i like this bishop

[itelect22]

@Douglaslid thank you douglaslid, indeed I do that is why i know where Gods treasure is and I can assure it is not with proud men but within his church he began 2000 years ago the Holy Catholic Church, salvation belongs to everyone but those who reject and refuse to except Gods 10 commandments and his love will not enter into his kingdom. If you have the faith of a Mustard seed why do you doubt, why can't you see what God sees. If the Holy Spirit is within where is your trust in Jesus Christ!

[Douglaslid]

@itelect22 "may you receive the faith of a Mustard seed". Thank you but I probably already have the faith of a mustard seed :0))

[itelect22]

@Douglaslid It is only meaningless because you do not have any faith. Read Gospel: Mk 4:26-34 gives us renewed hope when Jesus declares that even a person with faith as small as a mustard seed can achieve great things for the glory of God . Faith is after all, not only about believing and acting as we do so as disciples of Christ, but also asking God for pardon for our transgressions and forgiving our neighbors for their own weaknesses. Douglasid may you receive the faith of a Mustard seed

[itelect22]

Gods exisitence is real for the very reason why you question it and doubt it, if it was not real you would not doubt or even acknowledge its exisitence. Therefore, the very reason why we know that GOD exisits because he created man and woman in the same image and likeness as God. Adam and Eve were our first parents and they were disobedient to God by given in to the serpent and eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Rejecting God here on earth leads you to eternal damnation in hell.

[AugustosMaximus]

Hello, i am God and i say that this Bishop is parcialy right.. He misses on the belive that there is a Heaven...and this is not true. And now i will create a rock so big and so heavy that will kill myself. Goodbye!!

[Douglaslid]

@itelect22 "Hell is real". The ultimate self-fulfilling prophecy. It is only real if you want it to be. Accept we are just part of a wonderful universe, not special, not chosen, it really is liberating for your mind. You can actually take responsibility for your actions without fear of punishment or hope of reward.

[me25422]

@itelect22 why should I believe you? or scripture?

[itelect22]

@me25422 BECAUSE all of the scriptures given to us in the BIBLE says there is a heaven, purgatory and HELL. Without GOD in your life here on earth you will not have any life in the next. YES THATS RIGHT HELL EXISITS, You choose Jesus Christ NOW here today and be sorry for your sins you will be less likely to curse and reject Jesus Christ in the next life. MANY PEOPLE HAVE DIED AND EXPERIENCED THE AFTER LIFE AND COME BACK TO GIVE TESTIMONIES. JUST SEARCH IN YOUTUBE eg SONDRA ABRAHAM

[itelect22]

@michaelcordeiro12 Hell exists and its even stated in the BIBLE, the children of Fatima were shown hell by the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.. Dont be deceived HELL IS REAL.