# Take this, you sinner bashing bastards! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 9, 2003, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531 "2003-01-09T15:37:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531/21 "2003-01-10T15:27:01Z")
Yes. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531/22 "2003-01-10T15:31:17Z")
But how? Does it not say in the Bible that drunks (paraphrased) will not enter? Not to mention liars etc? I’m not claiming anything here, just asking. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531/23 "2003-01-10T15:42:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by vanilla \* > **But how? > Does it not say in the Bible that drunks (paraphrased) will not enter? Not to mention liars etc?** Note that **Tris** didn’t mention Christianity in the OP, just Heaven. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531/24 "2003-01-10T15:46:48Z")
hmmmmm;) ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531/25 "2003-01-10T16:18:20Z")
Just my take on it. ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531/26 "2003-01-11T05:19:37Z")
I am a Christian. I do not believe that the parable is inconsistent with the nature of Christian Salvation as I have come to believe in it. Those not wishing to enter through this door, may find a door that denies those they feel uncomfortable joining in Heaven. But I wonder. If the Lord welcomes those you wish for Him to despise, will you then refuse to join Him? Tris ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2003, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531/27 "2003-01-12T12:37:16Z")
**Tris** : I’m an atheist in the sense of the word that I regard any supernatural entities or existence beyond the physical to be unproven and, therefore, regard religious beliefs to be a waste of my time. But I’m also a big fan of philosophical hypotheticals, and I’ve given the issue some thought after I read your great parable. I’ve come to the conclusion that I would be tempted to enter a gate that was expressly forbidden me, simply to spite any deity that would refuse my presence. I would also realize that spite is no way to spend an eternity, so I would give that door an absolutely nasty look and walk down until I found a door that had no restrictions on it whatsoever. I cannot accept an exclusive afterlife. When I was younger, I was a Protestant (Church of Christ in specific, but in reality a fairly non-denominational middle-of-the-road Protestantism with no specific emphasis beyond being a good person). I tried to reconcile my own philosophies, as I held them at the time, with what I was learning in Sunday school and from religious people around me. I came to the conclusion that at death, the soul separates into two distinct entities: Good and Bad. The Good is destined for Heaven, the Bad is destined for Hell (or perhaps nonexistence). Good people might only have a tiny little speck of Bad to lose, and bad people might only have a tiny little speck of Good to be saved, but everybody would split. Heaven would be a paradise for everyone because nobody would be burdened by an unworthy element. The implication of my former belief is that in everyone, there is a part that is worth saving, whether or not it actually is saved, and a part that is not worth saving. I still think that, but without the religious aspects. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Trari\_de\_Reeson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Count\_Trari\_de\_Reeson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Trari_de_Reeson)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2003, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531/28 "2003-01-12T14:19:00Z")
So your idea of Heaven is place for adulterers, thieves, drunks, and other sinners, as long as they accept that behavior in others? Interesting idea. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2003, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531/29 "2003-01-12T15:40:20Z")
They did not suffer for behavior; they suffered for people. ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531/30 "2003-01-13T03:29:24Z")
\*\* Count Trari de Reeson\*\* said: [quote] So your idea of Heaven is place for adulterers, thieves, drunks, and other sinners, as long as they accept that behavior in others?\*\* \*\*Don’t forget the atheists, faggots, and Mormans! Wouldn’t want to forget them. It just wouldn’t be Heaven without those guys. Oh, yeah, and the Harlots, and tax collectors, and publicans, too! ## Tris “The Way of Heaven is to benefit others and not to injure.” ~ Lao-tzu ~ ---
**Author:** ![heresiarch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@heresiarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heresiarch)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531/31 "2003-01-13T06:14:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Count Trari de Reeson \* > \*\*So your idea of Heaven is place for adulterers, thieves, drunks, and other sinners, as long as they accept that behavior in others? > Interesting idea. \*\* They didn’t get to Heaven because they accepted each other’s behavior - they got there because they chose to support each other in love instead of letting condemnation split them apart. Nice story, **Triskadecamus**. ---
**Author:** ![JerseyDiamond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8491ac/32.png) [@JerseyDiamond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerseyDiamond)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531/32 "2003-01-13T06:16:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Count Trari de Reeson \* > \*\*So your idea of Heaven is place for adulterers, thieves, drunks, and other sinners, as long as they accept that behavior in others? > Interesting idea. \*\* Sounds more like Hell to me. Unless these people repent, they cannot be in Gods presents. Then again, if you don’t believe the Bible and you make up your own rules, anything goes… ---
**Author:** ![JerseyDiamond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8491ac/32.png) [@JerseyDiamond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerseyDiamond)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531/33 "2003-01-13T06:17:53Z")
replace presents with presence…sorry ---
**Author:** ![grendel72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/91b2a8/32.png) [@grendel72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grendel72)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531/34 "2003-01-13T06:19:45Z")
Well if that’s hell, **Jersey** , we know where all the best people are going to wind up. Personally, an eternity with judgemental prigs on all sides of me sounds more like hell. ---
**Author:** ![samarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531/35 "2003-01-13T06:21:48Z")
> [@](#): > > Sounds more like Hell to me. Unless these people repent, they cannot be in Gods presents. You mean “presence”? That’s your opinion. Who are you to judge? > [@](#): > > Then again, if you don’t believe the Bible and you make up your own rules, anything goes… And what is the Bible if not a bunch of made up rules? ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531/36 "2003-01-13T06:22:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JerseyDiamond \* > \*\*Sounds more like Hell to me. Unless these people repent, they cannot be in Gods presents. > > Then again, if you don’t believe the Bible and you make up your own rules, anything goes… \*\* Well, being in a room with you and your “perfect” brethren would be nothing short of hellish to me. Now, could you take your sanctimonious Stepford ass to service your moronic husband. ---
**Author:** ![Klaatu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Klaatu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Klaatu)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531/37 "2003-01-13T06:31:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JerseyDiamond \* > \*\*Sounds more like Hell to me. Unless these people repent, they cannot be in Gods presents. > > Then again, if you don’t believe the Bible and you make up your own rules, anything goes… \*\* That of course would be in your own humble opinion I assume. Many people in this world get along fine without having to define their lives according to whatever “Bible” you speak of. ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531/38 "2003-01-13T06:41:00Z")
As an atheist, I’ve thought about God quite a bit. I thought, well, what if I had proof, real proof that God exists, would I believe? Yes. And then I thought, what if I had proof, real proof that God is as JerseyDiamond suggests, would I worship him? No. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531/39 "2003-01-13T06:47:04Z")
> [@](#): > > Sounds more like Hell to me. Unless these people repent, they cannot be in Gods presents. Well, considering these were the kinds of people Jesus hung around with in his day, I guess you don’t believe he is God then, either? ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531/40 "2003-01-13T06:47:34Z")
What about blacks or women? The story said nothing about them. Surely those types of people wouldn’t be allowed into Heaven, would they? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-you-sinner-bashing-bastards/147531.md?page=3)