XPost: alt.books.cs-lewis   
   From: bree@bree.com   
      
   On 3 Oct 2005 19:56:31 GMT, Siwel Naph  wrote:   
      
   What is your cultural background?   
      
   /snip/   
      
   >confusing sincere belief with perfect/omniscient APPLICATION of   
   >sincere belief. My imaginary lands contain sincere humans, not sincere   
   >angels. Communists who sincerely believe in "from each according to his   
   >ability" are JUSTIFIED, by their sincere belief, in punishing those who   
   >do NOT -- again in their sincere belief -- contribute according to their   
   >ability. Christians who sincerely believe that homosexuality is sinful*,   
   >that women's place is subordinate*, that heresy is of the devil*, etc are   
   >similarly justified in THEIR punishment -- and more -- of homosexuals,   
   >"uppity" women, heretics, etc.   
   >   
   >*All these can be -- and have been -- justified from scripture.   
      
   Looking at the scriptures (and perhaps statements of the mainstream   
   leaders) seems the most objective way.   
      
   Lewis said something about having been very reluctant to accept the   
   doctrine of Hell because it was very "dangerous". Iirc  in HISTORY OF   
   ENGLISH LITERATURE IN THE 17TH CENTURY he connected it with the Christian   
   persecutions of heretics etc: such things could be justified by a sincere   
   belief that heresy was a contagion that could send many innocent people to   
   hell for eternity if not stamped out quickly. So there's a point of   
   doctrine that encourages persecution.   
      
   The Vedic religions (Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism) have a doctrine of   
   'universal salvation'. Eventually, after enough rebirths, everyone will get   
   to the right state (or non-state, as the case may be :).  So there's not so   
   much motive to persecute. Any damage heresy can do, will be temporary.   
      
      
   Bree   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)