I got an interesting email the other day. Eric thought it would be cool if I posted it here! It really is a great read, and definately something for many to think about.
If you wish, leave a comment and let us know what you think!
Here is the link:
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/eamon-mccann/eamonn-mccann-what-if-mormons-are-right-and-catholics-and-protestants-wrong-13955402.html
Even reading the comments is fun!
1 comment:
I read that article and I thought it was pretty interesting. Here is my take on it:
I understand why people get so upset about baptism for the dead. If you belong to a religion that baptizes babies (if you are Catholic, for instance), then you must believe that once the rite is performed, you ARE baptized. Acceptance isn't really a part of the equation.
So to understand why they get so upset, you have to look at it from their point of view, not ours (where we believe that you must have an understanding of the gospel and a conscious acceptance of the procedure and all it entails). They believe that once the words are said, it's all over. Essentially they believe you have the power to change someone's religion, independent of their will or wishes. So you can see where they would get upset about someone messing around with the religion of their ancestors. Especially the people who died in the Holocaust - they died for their religion.
I'm not saying that this is correct, I'm just saying that I can see why people get so upset over it. They're not bad people. They just come with a different set of beliefs. That's why I think it's so great that the Church goes to such extra efforts to not offend and be understanding - even while they move the work forward.
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