Louisiana is such a special state.
These true Christians might be like true Scotsmen. It is the logic of this pastor that "proves" true Christians died for their faith close to 2000 years ago. The big problem at that time is Jesus and his followers were mostly Jewish. True believers had not invented the Christian yet. LOL
I would like a list of those christians, I believe I have some property in heaven for sale.
I say, go for it, die for your savior trump!
Typical Xian dumbassery. Nothing will stop them from glorifying their magical pal in the sky.
Those who die because they want we don't pray for their soul. It's an old Portuguese saying. I think it's appropriate for this situation.
I Have a feeling if some of them get it they will mind a lot. I have always been amazed at some of the most overtly religious people I know and their fear of dying as they become aware it is happening. When I compare that with my stoic atheist husband's attitude, it taught me they are not all that sure of their reward and or its existence.
I don't mind it either...just don't let any of them go out in public. No wonder studies show that the smarter you are the less religious you become. Just sayin'.
how can I help them achieve Rapture?
Would a Rupture be okay instead?
I'll give the pastor some credit. Christians believe in an afterlife so I can understand it if they don't mind dying. It's selfish because their families and communities will still be alive possibly needing their support but from a Christian point of view I guess it makes sense.
Would you agree that the offering plate is a reason to keep the pews full?
@HippieChick58 Absolutely.
@CommunityTom Having spent too many years as a good church lady, I know that the budget is one of the most concerning items in church council discussions. You have to have a healthy budget to keep the Sunday School program running so you can bring up and in the next generation of givers and tithers. People give less when they don't attend regularly. Gotta keep those pews full to meet the budget.
As long as they don't go to the hospitals and use up resources for other people, then sure, why not?
Sigh. Religious fuckwits are incapable of learning ... it goes against their religion, you see.
Are people willing to die for ideas? You bet they are, and whether it's a self-immolating Buddhist monk, an Islamic extremist suicide murderer, or a fundie Christian attending church in the middle of a pandemic, martyrdom is, in their minds (and those of their supporters), the highest form of devotion. Beliefs have consequences.
I think in many cases they only say they are willing to die for ideas. They are really secretly thinking they will be one of the favored of God who are saved.
@DeCryingShame You're probably right. There's a difference between playing Russian roulette with a single shot derringer and a revolver with many empty chambers. More than 900 people drank the cyanide-laced punch at Jonestown--the single shot derringer, but only a fraction of the Life Tabernacle Church are likely to become ill, much less die from the virus. The moral issue in both cases, however, concerns decisions made for others who have little choice in the matter--what about the children?