This one always bugged me. My CCD instructor kept insisting it that Judas had “free will” and therefore his actions were sinful. But she refused to even address my question when I asked her “If this was all planned out by God, and forseen by Jesus, how can that possibly be free will?”
Well for most “Christians”, just the commandments prohibiting gay sex are still enforcable. :rolleyes:
Let me also add this advice for young Catholics. Never, never, NEVER ask the following question:
“Since the Virgin Mary never had intercourse, could she be considered to have been artificially inseminated?”
I got slapped, grounded, and lectured up & down for that (IMO) innocent question.
In religion class , which I nearly failed for my entire catholic education. (12 years)
I once found my hand straight up in the air, like an out-of-body experience. I was like, “What are you doing up there when you are suppose to be on my desk holding my head up?”
The teacher called on me. Whatever we were discussion, I cannot recall, but it had nothing whatsoever to do with anything.
I blurted, " What about The Jews?"
“What?”
“The Jews. When do we learn about The Jews?”
“You don’t need to learn about The Jews. They aren’t important.” ( or something very similar.)
I sat there thinking, " You tell that to The Jews."
In Jesus Christ Superstar, this is addressed in the end when Judas shows up in Heaven, dressed in white, singing his traitorous ( ) heart out. Obviously not canon, but this isn’t the first time someone gave serious thought to that question.
Didn’t Dante cover the Judas question as well? I seem to remember something about he didn’t go to hell because he betrayed Jesus or because he committed suicide, because those were both things God ordained. He went to hell because he *kissed * Jesus in the garden, before bringing in the guards. His damnable sin was hypocrisy - pretending to be faithful to Jesus while he was betraying him. And that he chose out of his God-given Free Will.
Also not canon, but I thought an interesting spin.
Similarly, the Roman soldiers had to do what they had to do, but they didn’t have to be nasty about it. Pilate had to destroy Jesus, but flogging him was his own choice. Perhaps it was those sins Jesus was asking God to forgive.
“If I wore a shit-colored uniform, could I say fatuous and stupid things, too?”
“How many times were you dropped on your head, sir?”
“Sir, would you please do me a favor and leave?”
“What is your degree in, sir?” (Specifying that one wonders whether the officer’s degree is in basketweaving is a bit too close to insubordination, though.)
“Can you tell me again, why I need to be trained on how to not to act like a drunken aviato- I mean an asshole idiot?” (After the Tailhook Scandal.)
“How old do you think I am?”
“Eighteen.” Even if it’s Bea Arthur asking.
“How much do you think I weigh?”
“A hundred pounds.” Even if it’s Star Jones asking.
And when someone asks “Do you have any questions?”, it’s usually NOT okay to ask “Is wrestling fixed?”
If I locked someone in a burning room, I would be considered evil, even if I let them out after a few minutes. God, on the other hand, will put people in a fiery pit of molten brimstone for all eternity for (according to my parents) such things as:
Depends on the religion. Here’s a rudimentary rundown for Catholics.
Not enough to earn eternal damnation as long as you ask forgiveness.
WE SERVE WINE AT MASS!! Half the priests I know smoke,
Nope, as long as you’re celibate. (see #1)
No way. It helps for the sacrament, but that doesn’t have to happen at the alter. Not worthy of Hades if you miss it.
Now, some other evangelical, fundamentalist sects, well they’re going to Hell no matter what they do.
Mom, How will you be able to enjoy heaven if you know all your children are burning in the torment of eternal hellfire? Will God erase your memory of your children so you can enjoy heaven? Wouldn’t that kind of make you a totally different person than who you are?
) heart out. Obviously not canon, but this isn’t the first time someone gave serious thought to that question.