Quote by Meta:
The Mayan calendar doesn't necessarily predict the end of the world in 2012, it's just the end of the current cycle, the thirteenth b'ak'tun, and a new one starts right after.
I have also read some documents purporting that the actual date is December 21, 2036 and that 2012 was a mis-translation.
Anyway, as far as this chap's 23 minutes in Hell... I have a couple points to make.
Protestants like to make a big thing about a fiery place of torment but most of the time, especially in the New Testament, Jesus and his disciples are actually talking about Sheol which is a term from the Old Testament writers and prophets concerning the place/state where the dead rest and wait until judgment day. Some of the New Testament authors refer to it as Hades since they were writing in Greek.
This is in contrast to Gehenna, the place or lake of fire, mentioned in other parts of the Bible as a place of torment and destruction, which is stated as being or having been prepared for 'the devil and his angels'.
The name "Hell" is an appropriation of the word Helheim which is the Norse underworld--very similar to Hades except it had the stipulation that it contained those who died of weakness, cowardice, or just faded out from old age. The general consensus is that using it as 'hell' spread with the efforts to integrate paegan cultures and holidays into the burgeoning Catholic church in the Middle Ages.
You can believe whatever you want to believe, but you ought to be aware that when Protestant 'Christian' preachers start going on about 'Hell', they are actually mashing up a number of different concepts. One book is as good as the other for holding someone's words on a page but religion/spirituality is definitely something you should study for yourself, in as many versions as you can find, knowing that there are differences between languages and translations.
I remember reading most of this guy's book in a grocery store a few months back. The price tag on it? $19.99
Not bad for 23 minutes of... something.
I have also read some documents purporting that the actual date is December 21, 2036 and that 2012 was a mis-translation.
Anyway, as far as this chap's 23 minutes in Hell... I have a couple points to make.
Protestants like to make a big thing about a fiery place of torment but most of the time, especially in the New Testament, Jesus and his disciples are actually talking about Sheol which is a term from the Old Testament writers and prophets concerning the place/state where the dead rest and wait until judgment day. Some of the New Testament authors refer to it as Hades since they were writing in Greek.
This is in contrast to Gehenna, the place or lake of fire, mentioned in other parts of the Bible as a place of torment and destruction, which is stated as being or having been prepared for 'the devil and his angels'.
The name "Hell" is an appropriation of the word Helheim which is the Norse underworld--very similar to Hades except it had the stipulation that it contained those who died of weakness, cowardice, or just faded out from old age. The general consensus is that using it as 'hell' spread with the efforts to integrate paegan cultures and holidays into the burgeoning Catholic church in the Middle Ages.
You can believe whatever you want to believe, but you ought to be aware that when Protestant 'Christian' preachers start going on about 'Hell', they are actually mashing up a number of different concepts. One book is as good as the other for holding someone's words on a page but religion/spirituality is definitely something you should study for yourself, in as many versions as you can find, knowing that there are differences between languages and translations.
I remember reading most of this guy's book in a grocery store a few months back. The price tag on it? $19.99
Not bad for 23 minutes of... something.
This is right about where I stand up and start slowly clapping like I'm some 80's movie and slowly building momentum until I reach clapping fervency! lol
In all seriousness though, I do my best to never bash anyone's religious beliefs as I have formed mine, and right or wrong, I am entitled to them. M3ta has a way with words that really impresses me, (and he has a 3 in his name where an E should be!) and rarely, if ever, fails to make a concise and well thought out point.
It makes me want to see someone like Bill Wiese debate against an intelligent, "nonbeliever!" lol I'd pay $19.99 for THAT!
