Evening star., 1947-10-22
Practical Religion Considered


TO the Editor Of The Star:
Referring to Edmund K Goldsborough's letter
"Simplifed Religion Wanted" in The Star Of
October H. would like to suggest that nearly
1000 years ago such a practical religion as
Mr.. Goldsborough wishes for was established.
This religion has been, Is, and will be sound
because 1t Is built upon a rock" It's rules are
strict, but adherence to them repays in incom-
parable peace and happiness. j. P. w.
To the Editor Of The Star:
Edmund K. Goldsborough is right in appeal
ing for something more practical" than con-
signing the wicked ito everlasting torment in
the hereafter" as religions answer to the
worlds pressing problems. He also is right in
attributing these pseudo doctrines to the
threats of theologians," for of course the Bible
does not support such a monstrous prospect
even for those who devote their lives to re-
bellion against God. The fallacy of endless
torment came from the imaginations of men,
not from the pages of Holy Scripture
On the subject Of something more practical"
1t always is heartenng to note the impressive
simplicity of the Bible as its prophecies direct
our minds to coming events and how Jesus
calls us to prepare for them. For example:
Come unto Me-" IT will give you rest; "If ye
love Me, keep My commandments; II will
come again; "Inis same Jesus shall SO
come in like manner as We have seen Him go
into heaven; THE dead in Christ shall rise
first; Every eye shall see Him; Behold,
come quickly" DONALD F. HAYNES.
To the Editor Of The Star:
am afraid Edmund K. Goldsborough and
his friend H. B. B. are in for q rude awaken
ing agree, God Is life" now and eternal,
but only for those who choose His way.
We can't "just simply love each other and
laugh and live and work and play together
in harmony" while the devil constantly is
stalking about stirring up hate, contempt
and all evil.
God continually Is wooing man to Him and
desires that none should perish, but He will not
force man to His will. So man is left free
moral agent. He'll is the depth of moral de-
pravity. So one may be in state Of hell on
earth. However, the hell here will seem as an
Eden compared with the hell in eternity. y
"Christ is the answer"
(MRS9 BERTHA v. SEIFERT.
To the Editor of The Star:
Two letters printed in The Star, October II
and IS, seem to attribute the worlds ills to
failure of religion. The Christian doctrine
Of hell seems especially the point Of complaint
It Is worthy OF note that our LORD Jesus
himself revealed to us the eternal punishment
Of unbelievers. Would either Of the writer's.
who apparently are hurt by the thought OF
human suffering, .endure what Christ endured
to save us from it? II not, how dare they
oppose themselves to Him2 What He endured
to save us FROM hell "a temporary state) and
the lake Of fire (the eternal state of the los)
Is vividly set forth in the Bible.
,-,Is1 ,l,nk
Christ has done for us in this world and we
believe what He taught about the hereafter.
It is dreadful to think how much worse off the
world might be without the teaching that
apparently is so distasteful to the letter writer's
and If there Is no eternal punishment, there
is no eternal bliss. The only reliable authority
| (the Bible) lays equal stress on the two The
person who robs us Of the fear Of one also robs
u Of the hope Of the other.