>>And you have not in any way changed my respect for the many many Christians I have known all my
>>life, who would have lovingly testified at your commitment hearing and prayed you got the help you
>>so desperately need.
>
>What is it I have said, Charles?
>
>(a) We are sinners. All of us.
>(b) We need Jesus.
>(c) Jesus alone saves people, and there is no other way.
>(d) Jesus calls us to live holy lives and
>(e) teach others about Him.
>
>How does this vary from other Christian testimonies?
>

Fairly mainstream so far. But you go waaay beyond that in your insistence on literal interpretation of the the English translation of a document assembled by committee from sometimes questionable source material.


>
>>I do not find your continuing to believe as you do at all disturbing - but I fear for a day when you might
>>stop as suddenly as you started. It is the existential danger for The True Believer.
>
>I pray that day never comes, for there is great warning in scripture about that eventuality (2 Peter 2:21). Jesus even speaks on this directly (Luke 9:62):
>"And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

I would worry more that the next step be following a guru, a political savior or (shudder) Scientology. A True Believer needs to give up his will to a Something Greater and if one light fails another usually takes it place.

>> That can be very traumatizing and I hope you are surrounded by loved ones who will be there for you if
>>that happens.
>
>On that day of the great white throne judgment, it will be those who did not believe who will be weeping and gnashing their teeth. They will know the truth at that time, having denied it here upon this Earth, taking comfort in the many around them who also turned far away from the truth. But on that final day they will be unable to stand any longer. The fruit of their denial will bloom into an eternal damnation.
>
>It is why I warn you and others about this now, here upon this Earth, that you may turn from that end and be saved. Here on Earth in this flesh there is forgiveness, because this is where Jesus came to save men. There is no other name, no other way under Heaven whereby men must be saved, but through Jesus alone. I preach His love and forgiveness that those who hear this message of salvation will repent and be saved. I pray truly you hear this message, Charles.
>
>
>>You have chosen never to mention family and friends and if they share your view of reality, but I hope there
>>are those who understand you and can help you if you ever need it.
>
>I pray you come to know the truth, Charles, for by your testimony it is clear: you are on the path of destruction God warned us about (denying Jesus Christ, which is denying Truth, and Love). That path of destruction winds up in only one place: Hell, for eternity. It's why God warned us ... so that none will go there because it is forever.

I'm afraid that in consigning me to the fiery pit you are not anywhere near the head of the line.

In my childhood Father Gallagher told my playmates who went to Saint Monicas that all of those of us who worshiped in buildings with empty crosses were surely going to hell.

Bishop Sheen, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Jimmy Swaggart, the Bakers, Oral Roberts and many others would all agree (for a whole list of reasons) that I am doomed. (along with all those whose checks bounce)

I'm sure somewhere the Mormons are baptising me or at least some of my ancestors just as a precaution.

I have no doubt Luther would have hated me as much as he did the Jews, I am guilty of being sympathetic to at least 20 heresies that could have meant a death sentence from Christian authority during a period of at least 15 centuries.

The Scientologists have declared me a Suppressive Person and any good Scientologist is forbidden to associate with me.

The salafi followers of Sha'ria would know me as spawn of Satan for my decidedly Sufi sympathies.

and there are still both extreme right wing and left wing groups in Turkey and other parts of the Middle East who would probably cheerfully kill me on sight if they were old enough to hold some long grudges. (though the salafi not so much as they were never really big in my heyday and never got to know me well enough to hate me)

So, Fire and Brimstone preaching isn't really at the top of my list for existential dread.

I know you believe your giving yourself up to all this insures you a seat at the table and a celestial pat on the head but remember that is also the belief of the billions who recite the shahaada five times a day. If they are right you're in big trouble and if you are right they are in big trouble. If Father Gallagher is right you are all in big trouble.

But if I'm right you'll all be fine.

(oh, and I think I'm cool with The Widow's Son.)