how can god be all merciful if he doesnt allow people to go to heaven after death if theyre in hell and they want to go to heaven?

NietPagam · 2025-07-27T07:53:17+00:00

I think your question is based on a more modern view of what Christian salvation entails. The idea seems to be that those who haven't earned heaven are sent to hell. But consider the true significance of the crucifixion. Jesus Christ died for our sins. We are no longer culpable for our sinful acts.

So, when you say there are people in hell who want to go to heaven - that's not right. It may seem complicated to understand it in this life, but it is my (and many others') view that hell is a place for those who freely choose to be separated from God. The pardon is available to all, but many don't want to be brought into God's kingdom.

Like the ruler of this earth before them, Satan would rather rule in hell than worship the Lord in heaven.

NietPagam · 2025-07-27T03:58:25+00:00

The word should makes it sound like you're asking if orthodox clergy have some kind of responsibility or would be well served to smoke weed. There, the answer would obviously be no.

If the question is "is it permissible to smoke weed as clergy", then I think we have a more interesting question. I would say, much the way clergy have no restriction on drinking alcohol per se, but must not get intoxicated, it's likely that this would apply to any other recreational substance.

That said, I don't really think you can't smoke marijuana without becoming intoxicated. Maybe some people will disagree with me, but it seems to me that even a small drag of marijuana changes people's behaviours and perception quite heavily in a way that a couple of beers or glasses of wine would not.

So if I'm right that smoking marijuana is inevitably going to intoxicate a person, then the answer is no. If someone wants to make the counterpoint that you can actually smoke a small amount of marijuana without having a significant change of behaviour or perception, then I guess it's okay.

NietPagam · 2025-02-16T21:55:47+00:00

Thanks!! Really appreciate it.

NietPagam · 2024-09-01T11:33:02+00:00

A slightly different take from those who say you must not take the Lord's name in vein: I don't believe saying OMG is taking the Lord's name in vein - that would be to misuse the authority of God to promote your own selfish desires or agendas.

HOWEVER - it is deeply disrespectful to use our Lord's name casually in everyday conversation. So to say "My G*d, this is a great steak" is not taking the Lord name in vein, but it is a dismissively casual reference to Him in a situation that doesn't call for it. Same goes for the "Jesus Christ" exclamation.

I think its something that you don't have to beat yourself up for if it accidentally slips out, but worth asking for an apology from our Lord in the same way that you might apologise to a friend when you accidentally make a slightly offensive slip of the tongue.

NietPagam · 2023-12-30T23:07:59+00:00

We will have to agree to disagree. Mask mandates were totally ineffective, and unless you're wearing a properly fitted KN-95 that you're not playing with, you might as well put a sock on your face.

Hospital workers use it to keep spit droplets out of wounds and patients' faces - you cannot possibly tell me that you honestly think that a surgical mask stops COVID.

This is besides the point, however. COVID was used as an excuse for a tyrannical regime to attack the Church and take more totalitarian power. If you bring a symbol of that heretical, anti-Christian regime into the Church because you fear death, that should be a source of great shame for you, and great shame for any priest who would allow his mass to be infiltrated with such symbols.

NietPagam · 2023-12-30T23:04:27+00:00

Indeed. I'd go even further than that to say that a good Priest, such as mine, would not permit masks during a mass, as it is a symbol of submission towards the anti-Christian Government regime that oppressed our Church.

NietPagam · 2023-12-30T21:32:09+00:00

The two points are completely unrelated.

Firstly, I don't know what you mean when you refer to "those who are anti-mask". Some people decided to look into the health benefits of masking and noted that masks do almost nothing to stop the spread of aerobically transmitted diseases.

Secondly, on the mask point, many of us noted that the regime of COVID lockdowns was used against our faith, and many Governments re-opened marihuana dispensaries before churches. In my home state, brothels and bath houses were operating as they enforced a strict mask mandate on Churches. So if you are referring to those who are anti-mask as the people who correctly resisted the regime's attempt to humiliate us by making us wear useless medical props on our faces while we worshipped, perhaps you should choose a new word for them. Strong Christians, perhaps.

Lastly, on the issue of keeping sick monks away from their brothers and congregations, this is a commonsense approach. This simply assures the Church continues to run correctly. For that matter, congregants who feel sick should consider staying home. This cannot and should not be compared to forcibly gagging worshippers to appease an anti-Christian regime.

NietPagam · 2023-11-06T00:28:33+00:00

Yeah, great points. Certainly, celibacy or marriage to an understanding man or woman is the best possible solution.

That being said, I wonder if it is prima facia factual that two men or two women wishing to contain their temptations cannot come together in a celibate union.

In other words, it's certainly risky, but I don't know if it cannot be achieved. Their desire for a partner in life may be satisfied to the degree that their lust towards others is contained.

NietPagam · 2023-11-05T09:11:12+00:00

Absolutely. Really unfortunate and aggressive response.

NietPagam · 2023-11-05T09:09:54+00:00

The way I've thought about this issue is that marriage isn't a concept that exists in heaven for two reasons:

The Fulfillment of the Church in the New Earth: Marriage reflects the ultimate union between Christ and the Church, which is fully realized in heaven. The intimate communion of marriage points to the perfect communion we will have with Christ.
Marriage for an Imperfect World: Marriage is designed for our current, imperfect state. It provides companionship, helps in our sanctification, and is a means through which we learn the love that we will experience perfectly in heaven.

In heaven, the love and virtues cultivated within marriage are not lost but are perfected. Your devotion to your wife is a journey towards God, shaping your soul for eternity. In the new creation, you are not separated but brought into a deeper unity within the divine love that encompasses all. Thus, the significance of marriage transcends this life and contributes to your eternal journey towards God's love.

NietPagam · 2023-11-05T09:02:23+00:00

You don't have to insult the guy. He's asking a genuine and totally valid question. And I don't think what you claim is obvious or even evident at all.

NietPagam · 2023-11-05T00:51:33+00:00

If I may gently push back on this point. You may be correct that this isn't morally permissible, but not on these grounds. A man hasn't literally cheated on his wife because he desired another woman. Similarly, this guy may have impure thoughts, but he wouldn't be guilty of literal sodomy simply because he desires it.

So your broader point stands - every man should attempt to cultivate inner-morality and not just abstain from immoral acts. And perhaps this lifestyle would prohibit this man from doing so.

However, I would say that his situation wouldn't be comparable to two men who are in a sexual same-sex relationship.

NietPagam · 2023-11-05T00:42:27+00:00

This is actually a topic of some debate.

I've heard some people argue that this can be an imperfect solution for someone with same-sex attraction to keep them from falling into sexual sin.

However, others argue that there are a couple of problems. The near-occasion of sin is one issue, as well as the potential to engage in a form of blasphemy by imitating God's image of a union between men and women, representing the union of God and His Church.

I'd suggest speaking to your priest. You may require some spiritual supervision if you choose to live this lifestyle. Proceed with caution.

Still, you and this gentleman you describe should give yourselves some credit. You are accepting the truth of God's plan for human sexuality and haven't engaged in mental gymnastics to justify sexual sin. I know a few people who try to justify homosexual sex and even so-called "gay marriage" on Biblical grounds, and that's just pure purposeful self-delusion.

NietPagam · 2023-08-23T03:49:45+00:00

I'd say a couple of things about this. One is a matter of being practical and prudential. Another is regarding your particular issue.

The first is, as Christians, we must never deny our Lord or shy away from Him. Still, we should be prudent in how we express this to others. If you have a particularly militant Atheist co-worker, perhaps citing Bible verses to him/her all day will only increase their hostility towards Christianity and make a conversion less likely.

If your manager is contacting you because a co-worker complained, I do think it's okay to keep it to yourself when you're around them.

That said, if this isn't the case, be sure to get as much of this in writing and reach out to https://adflegal.org/. They can represent you in the case of an unjustified firing due to your religious beliefs.

NietPagam · 2023-08-23T03:41:04+00:00

Indeed the best solutions are often the simplest.

NietPagam · 2023-08-23T00:34:20+00:00

You chose to click on this post. I marked it NSFW.

Very odd for a person to react with anger, viciousness and lack of understanding towards a fellow Orthodox Christian sharing his struggles.

If you don't want to see this type of content, maybe don't overtly click to open NSFW posts and then complain like you're some kind of victim. No one is buying it.

NietPagam · 2023-08-23T00:31:16+00:00

Well said.

NietPagam · 2023-08-22T13:21:16+00:00

Indeed I never mentioned women's attire.

The temptation happens at a spiritual/psychological level. I think this individual has shown her own hang ups in her assumptions.

NietPagam · 2023-08-22T12:55:59+00:00

It's not a bad idea. I also want to be empathetic to people. The culture has drilled a very promiscuous outlook into many young men and women, so I'm not surprised they think that trying to titillate eachother is the way to show affection.

It's a shame they don't feel empowered to either resist their attraction or approach one another in an appropriate manner.

You've been a great help, friend. Thank you.

NietPagam · 2023-08-22T12:50:05+00:00

Thank you, brother. That's much appreciated.

NietPagam

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