Conclusion

By Merle Hertzler

--------------------

Scott,

I am sorry that you felt we were talking past each other. I tried my best to establish a good communication.

It seems to me that you had a very difficult position to defend. I have found that the Bible is so full of errors that those who try to defend it quickly find themselves in an indefensible position.

It appears to me that you had a hard time staking out a position, and I can understand why. When one tries to make concrete statements about religion, one quickly finds it hard to defend those statements. Many apologists resort to fuzzy language and vague positions instead. Arguing with them is often like trying to nail jello to the wall. It may not have been your intent to avoid a firm claim, but it did seem to me that you were hesitant in staking out your position. What is required of us to be born-again and receive salvation? I have studied your writings in vain to find a consistent answer to that question.

I agree with you that we should both continue to seek the truth wherever it leads. And who knows where it will lead? Perhaps some day you will come to the conclusion I have, that there is no hell to fear; there is no eternal torment awaiting those who fail to meet the requirements of faith; there is no need to force ourselves to have all of the "correct" beliefs in order to escape damnation; and there is no need to sort through the contradictory pages of scripture to find salvation. Instead, we can set our minds free and can explore the world without the restraint of predefined religion. If in so doing we find no God, we can freely enjoy the universe without him. If we find a God, we are free to approach him without fear of first needing the bloody sacrifice of a savior and a born-again experience to escape his wrath. I find this life far better than the restraints of the born-again religion that you promote.

Of course, if there is indeed a hell to fear and eternal torment for the damned, then I suggest you study fully to make sure you are not mistaken on salvation--after all, you do say that many in Christianity our mistaken on this issue--and that you commit your life to keeping others out of that place of torment. But before you do that, please consider that there may be no hell to be saved from.

Thanks for your involvement in this debate. I think some people will find this debate helpful.

Perhaps someday I will be in your area. I would love to take you up on the dinner offer. Thanks.

I wish you well,

Merle