Damned infants

errancy@atheist.tamu.edu errancy@atheist.tamu.edu
Sun, 7 Jul 96 16:09 CDT (00836795340, 960707165929_429130002@emout08.mail.aol.com)


In a message dated 96-07-06 17:48:32 EDT, you write:

DOUG
> Could someone refer me to passages in the bible, if any, which
>speak for and/or against the view that newborns get damned if they die?
>

DARREL

Here are a few they use, don't ask me to defend them:

John 3:3 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

3:18

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath no believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Mark 16:16

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Can a new born infant "believe"? Obviously not. Thus they must burn.

Recommended reading: Ingersoll's "What must we do to be saved". If the address hasn't changed it can be obtained at:

http://freethought.tamu.edu/freethought/ingersoll/

I have it and can e-mail it to people who don't have web access. It is excellent and not very long.

cheers,

Darrel

------------------- The Church once wore upon her hollow breast false gems, supposing them to be real. They have been shown to be false, but she wears them still. --Ingersoll, preface, The Ghosts