Hell Is for Other People Me: Boy,

Hell Is for Other People

Me: Boy, you're here a lot earlier than usual.

Stranger: Yeah, I have a hot date tonight: hopefully, tonight's the night, if you know what I mean (Winks).

Me: You're sexually active?

Stranger: What do you mean by that? Of course I'm sexually active, why do you ask.

Me: Oh. Well, because the other day you mentioned going to church ... you said you were Catholic, right?

Stranger: (Laughs) Yes, I am...but that doesn't mean I can't have a little fun, you know? (Winks again).

Me: Aren't all unmarried Christians supposed to be celibate though? I thought premarital sex was a mortal sin ... "fornication," right?

Stranger: Yes, it is, but we all sin because human beings weren't created perfectly; only God is perfect.

Me: I'm sorry, but I don't really understand...as a Christian, aren't you supposed to refrain from all sexual activity except in marriage? Don't you worry about being punished for your sins and going to hell instead of heaven if you sin during your lifetime?

Stranger: (Laughing) First of all, God is about love, not about sins and punishment. Second, human beings are flawed and not perfect the way God is, so God doesn't expect you to be above all sin. Anyway, that's one of the reasons we go to Church...to confess our sins and pray for God's forgiveness, to absolve our sins. You should come sometime to see, it's really quite beautiful you know.

Me: I'm sorry; I hope you don't mind these questions, but I'm genuinely confused about this...

Stranger: Not at all (Laughing). One of our tasks as good Christians is to spread the word; I'm always happy and proud to discuss my faith. You can ask me anything you want about it.

Me: OK. From my limited understanding of Christianity, or Catholicism, I thought that repentance is something that requires a "repentant heart," and not just an apology, so to speak.

Stranger: That's right. God doesn't expect any of us to be perfect, just to do your best and to love him. God knows that we're all sinners...he just expects us to try our best to avoid sinful things that tempt imperfect people, to the best of our ability.

Me: Yes, I understand that...but let me ask you something...

Stranger: Go right ahead.

Me: You said before "hopefully tonight's the night," about your date tonight, right?

Stranger: (Laughing) That was just a figure of speech though, I don't really know about all of that...

Me: I understand, but here's my question. Let's just say that you do "get lucky" tonight and that everything goes great in that regard...

Stranger: OK, and?

Me: Is that going to be a sin that you have to confess in church on Sunday?

Stranger: Yes, premarital sex is a sin, so it requires a confession to be absolved by God.

Me: Please tell me if I'm getting too personal, but do you have condoms just in case?

Stranger: Yes, of course I plan to get condoms before (Laughing). That's a completely different thing though...we're talking about God and sins here, not about safe sex...

Me: Yes, but that's not why I'm asking. Let's say you get a box of condoms tonight and you "get lucky" enough to use one or two with your date tonight...

Stranger: (Laughing) Yes, OK...

Me: That would be a sin that you would have to confess on Sunday, right?

Stranger: Yes, I already answered that though...

Me: I know, but here's the thing...when you confess for the sin of premarital sex this weekend, are you also going to call up your date and tell her that it was all a big mistake and that you don't want to do it again? And are you going to immediately throw out any condoms left over, and so forth?

Stranger: Well, if I commit a sin, I will confess, but no (Laughing)...I don't really think I'm going to call her the next day and tell her it was a big mistake or throw out any condoms...

Me: You're going to see her again and bring condoms again?

Stranger: (No longer laughing) Look, I'm not perfect...God knows that OK? I can't predict the future because I'm not God, OK? Only God knows what the future holds...

Me: You sure you don't mind discussing this?

Stranger: (Now forcing a smile) I told you I don't mind discussing my faith, but I don't see your point...you keep asking me the same thing after I give you my answer...

Me: I'm sorry if I'm not making myself clear...here's what I don't understand...

Stranger: (Seemingly annoyed) Yes?

Me: I know people can't predict the future...

Stranger: Right...only God can...

Me: But you just said you're buying condoms before your date...that means you're pre-planning, or, at least, hoping that you will get the opportunity to do something later today, that you already know is a sin, beforehand...

Stranger: (No longer even feigning a smile) Yes, so what's your point?

Me: If you "get lucky" tonight, you're going to confess the sin of premarital sex on Sunday, but you're "probably" going to make plans after your confession to see her again later in the week, and you're "probably" going to make sure you have clean sheets on your bed and a supply of condoms in your drawer for your next date...

Stranger: (Annoyed) Yes, so what?

Me: Well, how can your confession be sincere, or reflect a "repentant heart" if, all the while, you know that you have plans to "probably" commit the exact same sin all over again and you're pretty much planning on it? How's that a sincere confession?

Stranger: I already told you that God knows we human beings aren't perfect, OK?

Me: So, you're not worried at all about being punished for your sins in the afterlife? You're not worried about going to hell for them?

Stranger: No. (In a slightly raised voice) I already answered that too...God knows what's in your heart, OK? God doesn't judge you just by your sins...he considers your life in the totality of all your actions, both the good and bad, OK?

Me: So, how's that any different from someone like me who doesn't believe in any specific "God" with whom I have to communicate or declare as my savior, but figures that if there is any type of God who judges us at all, he'd only looks at things like how we treated other people (and other living creatures), and would never "punish" us, much less "eternally," for just living our lives without causing harm to others, and so forth?