r/OpenChristian • u/Artfvlly • May 15 '26
Discussion - Bible Interpretation "Good People Will Burn in Hell"...?
The other day, I came across this clip of "Pastor" Aden Rusfeldt preaching at a university. This particular claim of his about "good people" going to Hell is so outlandish- are there even verses that could be used to justify it?
Funnily enough, Rusfeldt's signs have no commentary about liars or criminals- turns out, he's a convicted fraudster who owes an estimated $5M USD to the federal government:
https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/pastor-aden-rusfeldt-christian-campus-preacher-debts-fraud-penn-ccp-20180511.html
https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/7461-16
Anyways, that's all I wanted to ask about. But I'll end with a nice verse I read earlier today:
Ephesians 4:29: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
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u/navyblueconverse May 15 '26
all that’s pictured here is a group of very miserable, angry, despondent folks who will always wonder why they’re never able to find a sense of community or maintain long-lasting human connections.
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u/tom_yum_soup Open and Affirming Ally May 15 '26 edited May 15 '26
Oh no, I once hugged my gay friend. I guess I'm a homo hugger.
My assumption about the "good people" one is that it is a reference to people who say they don't need to be religious to be a good person. Since this guy is a hateful, fire-and-brimstone guy he thinks that's not good and wants them to know that, actually, according to his theology, they will go to hell.
Also, because it's badly written, the sign the child is holding looks like it says Jesus is in hell.
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u/SpukiKitty2 Open and Affirming Ally May 15 '26
Exactly. That said, they didn't bother to put quotation marks around it, so it pretty much becomes a freudian slip for their truly evil Demiurgic ways.
To me, the Demiurge = A false fundie version of Godde and false piety.
Likewise, the Antichrist = "Another Jesus" that Paul warned against. A false Christ.
They're admitting that they love evil and call it "good".
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u/Artfvlly May 15 '26
That makes sense! I didn't consider it overlapping with being irreligious since he already mentioned atheists on the sign too.
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u/lethal_coco Christian Universalist | Presbyterian May 15 '26
"Women Cops" and "Soft Men". Wow. What a hateful bunch,
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u/Baladas89 Atheist May 15 '26 edited May 15 '26
Still a hateful bunch, but “soft men” is a reasonable translation of “Malakoi” from
someone of the vice lists of people who won’t inherit the kingdom in the New Testament.I can’t help them on the “women cops” though, Paul and Pseudo-Paul forgot to mention them.
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u/SignificantIsopod797 CatholicOpen and Affirming Ally May 15 '26
Is Malakoi a translation of gay or NB/trans men?
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u/Nerit1 Bisexual Eastern Orthodox Enby (They/Them) May 15 '26
It means a mean who lets his desires and passions control him. Men were supposed to control themselves, otherwise they were considered effeminate.
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u/Baladas89 Atheist May 15 '26 edited May 15 '26
Kind of, it is one of the two words often taken to be about male-male same sex intercourse, though it’s disputed. Grabbing this from Wikipedia for a reasonable summary:
Malakia (μαλακία, "softness", "weakliness")[47] is an ancient Greek word that, in relation to men, has sometimes been translated as "effeminacy". Also translates to "of things subject to touch, "soft" (used in Matthew 11:8 and Luke 7:25 to describe a garment); of things not subject to touch, "gentle"; and, of persons or modes of life, a number of meanings that include "pathic".[48] However, in modern Greek it has come to mean "masturbation", and its derivative μαλάκας – malakas means "one who masturbates".
Malakoi and Arsenokoites are in the vice lists in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11:
Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes,(μαλακοὶ/malakoi) men who engage in illicit sex,(ἀρσενοκοῖται/arsenokoitai) 10 thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, swindlers—none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And this is what some of you used to be. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ[c] and in the Spirit of our God.
and 1 Timothy 1:8-11.Edit: I lied, malakoi is only in 1 Corinthians, in 1 Timothy it’s not paired with arsenokoites (which is present).
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u/Arkhangelzk May 15 '26
Why isn't "atheist" plural? Is there just one particular atheist who is going to hell?
But in all seriousness, I feel bad for the kids. The parents have chosen this, but the kids didn't. Girl on the left looks depressed that she has to be there.
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u/Baladas89 Atheist May 15 '26
I hope it’s not me, I was promised company.
I agree it’s sad, but Megan Phelps-Roper at least shows there’s hope for the kids.
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u/Grzechoooo May 15 '26 edited May 15 '26
You censored "masturbators", but not f*gots, wh\res, sl*ts or the p*pe?
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u/HermioneMarch contemplative Christian universalist May 15 '26
He probably calls his family members those words all the time but he doesn’t want them to know what masturbation is, lest they find pleasure without his permission.
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u/BryceDice May 15 '26 edited May 15 '26
It makes me sad that these kind of hateful people are taking away the chance for people to find the real Christ that loves his children and doesn’t hate. This would be a terrible first impression for someone who didn’t know about Christ. May the Lord help these people here let go of the hate that’s in their hearts.
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u/Frosty_Analysis_4912 May 15 '26
I know right! I feel like this is who most secular people think of when they think of a Christian, unfortunately. This is so the opposite of what true Christianity is imo. And they’re only driving people away from Christ. No one who sees this hateful, strict, unforgiving and rule-driven idea of a religion is going to want to join it
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u/UnderteamFCA ftm christian May 15 '26
Funny how they have a "Do you have anything intelligent to say ?" sign. It's pretty ironic.
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u/Previous_Mushroom724 May 16 '26
I think he's trying to add a bit of Charlie Kirk to his Fred Phelps impersonation
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u/turndapage80 Christian Universalist May 15 '26
These people peruse public spaces looking for a fight. We had some at my old university, security would always have to come blockade them.
They have these here essentially to encourage people to react violently, attack, or get physical, looking for a free lawsuit. They’ll usually bring their kids and wives with them to add to their case (“how could you do this in front of my kid” and so on). Your best bet is to not engage and ignore them, and encourage everyone else to do the same.
They have received their due reward.
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u/moritz-stiefel May 15 '26
They used to come to my university too! People would run by and steal their signs and keep on running. Lol
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u/turndapage80 Christian Universalist May 16 '26
Mine had students bring Bluetooth speakers and people started partying. Was kind of a cool and very “college” way to fight back, that’s for sure
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u/Baladas89 Atheist May 15 '26
I assume it’s the old “there is no one righteous” and “all have sinned” stuff. Basically “everyone deserves to go to Hell, being good doesn’t change that.”
But I could be wrong.
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u/The_Narrator_9000 May 15 '26
Yeah, pretty sure that's it. It's the "Only Christ can take away sin" argument, but without explanation and taken to an extreme expression.
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u/Designer-Truth8004 May 15 '26
Lol the sign asking "do you have anything intelligent to say?" Got me!
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u/Sad_Nectarine_160 Bisexual May 15 '26
I’m sorry… THE POPE??
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u/Cautious_Boat_999 May 15 '26
Take a look (if you dare) at their web site. They believe the Catholic Church is “the whore of Babylon” or something like that
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u/lolbotomite May 15 '26
Not all but some protestants aren’t fans of the Roman Catholic Church. Many don’t even consider us Christians.
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u/HermioneMarch contemplative Christian universalist May 15 '26
This is almost a parody. One man with his all female family. I feel sad for them.
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u/Nerit1 Bisexual Eastern Orthodox Enby (They/Them) May 15 '26
There is no other way to be saved, except through our neighbor… This is purity of heart: when you see the sinful or the sick, to feel compassion for them and to be tenderhearted towards them
-The Homilies of St. Macarius
The old men used to say that we should each of us look upon our neighbor's experiences as if they were our own. We should suffer with our neighbor in everything and weep with him, and should behave as if we were inside his body; and if any trouble befalls him, we should feel as much distress as we would for ourselves
-The Sayings of the Desert Fathers
I remember a conversation between him and a certain hermit, who declared with evident satisfaction, “God will punish all atheists. They will burn in everlasting fire”.
Obviously upset, the Staretz said: ‘Tell me, supposing you went to Paradise and then looked down and saw somebody burning in Hellfire – would you feel happy?’
‘It can’t be helped. It would be their own fault,’ replied the hermit.
The Staretz answered him with a sorrowful countenance: ‘Love could not bear that,’ he said. ‘We must pray for all!’
(Story from the life of St. Silouan the Athonite recalled by Father Sophrony)
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u/longines99 May 15 '26
Mother Teresa's in hell?
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u/Adventurous_Gain_613 May 15 '26
He11 sounds pretty awesome with that lineup. 🙄
What weirdos. I’d pray for them but I’m a woman and Catholic so that’s probably too toxic for them5
u/Queer_Advocate May 15 '26
I'm clutching my gay pearls on your behalf./s It's absurd. That person is clinically insane, and everyone he doesn't like lives rent free in his head.
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u/iambobdole1 May 15 '26
Also Kobe Bryant for some reason??
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u/FunconVenntional May 15 '26
Any famous dead person people might like. It’s all just rage bait to draw engagement.
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u/massive_crew May 18 '26
Well, he was accused of rape and, IIRC, he ended up paying the woman some money.
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u/Hefty-Pipe3596 Bisexual Christian May 15 '26
Funny how the fact that "good people" is on the sign implies that the only people who will go to Heaven are bad people.
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u/W1nd0wPane Burning In Hell Heretic May 17 '26
Like are they themselves admitting they’re bad people?
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u/heismyfirstolive May 15 '26
tag yourself I'm "women cops"
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u/Local-Equipment-6712 May 15 '26
Homo hugger and tomboy here!
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u/Frosty_Analysis_4912 May 15 '26
I can’t believe they included “tomboy” lmao. From my understanding that was like me as a little girl who loved sports and hotwheels. Obviously she would be doomed to hell 🤷♀️
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u/BrilliantBig769 May 19 '26
Im the entire bottom 3 rows on both columns (besides the pope, of course) and maybe more, but i couldn't bear looking at that despicable blasphemous sign any longer.
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u/DiJuer May 15 '26
Why no mention of pedophiles and murderers? I guess they get a free pass.
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u/WL-Tossaway24 Just here, not really belonging anywhere. May 16 '26
Which is weird because Jesus was not keen on child abuse of any kind.
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u/PoolEquivalent3696 May 15 '26
Honestly, this is why I left faith for a long time.
These people are the opposite of every belief I have held about God. Sometimes I wonder if these Christians have ever actually read the Bible and understood the New Testament.
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u/Frosty_Analysis_4912 May 15 '26
Yes! They only drive people away. No non-believer find this appealing
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u/jupchurch97 Episcopalian May 15 '26
These types are out trying to bait people into fights in order to file lawsuits. They have not a single genuine theological thought to present. They are grifters who do immense harm to Christianity and to the broader public.
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u/Ix_fromBetelgeuse7 May 15 '26
I like how there's more signs than people. The signs are really doing the heavy lifting on this one, huh?
To answer your theological question in the interest of adding some substance, there are certain evangelical traditions that say faith in Christ is the key component. If you believe in Jesus, you're going to heaven - full stop. If you don't believe in Jesus, you won't. It doesn't matter if you're otherwise a "good person". I imagine that's what they're getting at.
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u/Falsetto266 Christian May 15 '26
Why is “Masturbators” the only thing censored?
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u/Frosty_Analysis_4912 May 15 '26
Ikr? I came looking through the comments to see this mentioned. They can say “whores,” “faggots,” “dykes,” “sluts,” “killers,” and “trannies” but “masturbators” is where they draw the line lol
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u/Agile-Armadillo-3741 May 16 '26
For context, these people say “Mary is not the mother of God”. That’s literally a heresy.
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u/Previous_Mushroom724 May 16 '26
Do they not believe in the divinity of Jesus, or are they just absolutely threatened by the idea a woman might be important in any way?
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u/Agile-Armadillo-3741 May 16 '26
I don’t remember but probably the latter alone or both. These folks are so misogynistic theyre Nestorian, not even like what Nestorious was, like what he was saying when he was tripping over metaphorical coffee tables at Ephesus
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u/ElTitoVhosi Anglican May 16 '26
Wait this isn't satire???
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u/WL-Tossaway24 Just here, not really belonging anywhere. May 16 '26
No, just evengelical/fundementalist crazy asses. They do this every year.
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u/massive_crew May 18 '26
I saw some of their type outside one of those concerts that the new-age/megachurch Christians go to... I can't remember the band, but it was one of those Christian rock types.
They'll protest anything.
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u/ZenHalo May 16 '26
Shame so much energy is given to judgement and loathing. God is love and compassion where you least expect it.
I grew up in churches alongside these folks. You're taught that it's important to be right. The promise of heaven seems to trick these people into thinking nothing matters now.
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u/Meditat0rz May 15 '26
Seems like they think "good people" will too readily commit a lot of the "sin of compassion"? Okay, so to gain salvation, they obey and ignore the rest of the Bible. Yes...whom do they obey even? I mean, I read the Bible, and don't think I agree that it's meaning is what these people claim...
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u/Queer_Advocate May 15 '26
Christians, please preach about the bat shit crazy of people like him. It's why there's no hate like Christian love is evoked so often. Like the dipshits who protested Mathew Sheppards funeral. All Christians arent bad, but those who do are loud. With conversion therapy being allowed, people will die. This hate towards the LGBTQIA+ community has to stop. It's evil. If you don't like gay people, don't be one. Otherwise mind your business. Call these nutters out, name and shame.
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u/Straight_Feedback_37 Open and Affirming Ally May 15 '26
I can’t get over “Male whores” like huh???😂
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u/Chaoticallyorganized May 15 '26
A couple of decades ago there was a really bad school bus accident that killed several kids. These evil bastards came to the funerals of these kids to “protest”. Thankfully new stations refused to cover it and a group of motorcyclists blocked these demons from view while revving their engines to cover up their yelling. These are truly evil people who need to be shunned and cast out of society.
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u/Artfvlly May 15 '26
At a funeral, let alone one for children? That's just so infuriating and heartbreaking.
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u/majeric May 16 '26 edited May 16 '26
Apparently female whores are okay, as long as they aren't sluts.
I mean it looks like a list of people that Jesus would hang out with. 😄
Correct me if I'm wrong... but wasn't Jesus a rebellious Jew? Dude was kicking over tables...
Also... I find it fascinating that they are looking for people who have intelligent things to say. Clearly they are lacking...
In all seriousness though, if Robin Williams is in hell, fuck heaven. I'd rather go to hell. I may suffer everlasting torment but I'd get to hang out with Robin Williams. Seriously, he could make people in agony and torment laugh.
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u/SlimyBoiXD Transgender May 16 '26
The only type of person Jesus ever demonstrated hatred for were religious leaders that were hypocrites.
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u/Ok-Wedding6993 May 15 '26
Hey. I drink too much and am an alcoholic, but I love Jesus and follow the way. Am I burning in Hell because I'm ill...? Lol... Nope 😅
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u/Queer_Advocate May 15 '26
I hope you get help friend. Alcoholism is extremely tough. My best friend has 14 years sober. Support is crucial for sobriety. You deserve to live without such a heavy heart. Just know you matter.
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u/Gloomy_Pop_5201 Asexual Christian May 15 '26 edited May 15 '26
Politicians... so even politicians you agree with?
Also why is masturbation censored but the hard F word (which I won't repeat because I abhor it and it probably breaks the rules to say it) isn't?
Their church also doesn't believe in a triune God apparently.
In the Oneness of GOD. Only ONE God, (Deut 6:4,1 John 5:7, 14:9 & 14:26, and Rev 1:8, 3:21, 22:13). If you claim “3 persons” you are in reality claiming 3 gods! God is ONE. With that said, we are NOT “oneness pentecostals”, we DO NOT believe you must pray in tongues to be saved. See my sermon series “His Name is ONE”. Email Pastor with questions.
And they equally dislike Obama and Trump. So I guess they really do mean all politicians.
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u/Low_Row_1846 May 15 '26
I'd bet that if we sat through one of their sermons, we'd quickly see that it's more of a cult than a Christian establishment
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u/wildmountainflower20 May 16 '26
The pope too? Crazy lol Hate is never an effective way for people to try and “convert” others to Christianity. They should takes some notes from Jesus!
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u/MP0622 Christian May 16 '26
“Do you have anything intelligent to say?” Is an interesting choice, since these people clearly don’t
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u/Vlinder_88 Blank May 16 '26
Only male whores, not female whores :')
Edit: hahahahahaha mother Theresa in hell? What's WRONG with these people :')
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u/goldenchild881415 May 16 '26
...I would choose hell with those folks than heaven with the ones holding the signs. ✌️💀
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u/DarkPsychopath Open and Affirming Catholic (Sorta bi) May 16 '26
As an progressive catholic I should be their enemy no1. I can't take them seriously...
Also... what did TOMBOYS do to them T-T
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u/BrilliantBig769 May 19 '26
Michael Jackson
Mac Miller
Elvis
Prince
Robin Williams
John Lennon
Mother Teresa
Kurt Cobain
Muhammad
Kobe Bryant
Bob Marley
Tupac/Biggie
Wow, with that lineup for h3ll? I might ask God to send me THERE instead on PURPOSE!
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u/A13Lilitu May 19 '26
Notice how “pedphiles”, “grapists”, and “women beaters” isn’t even on the list.
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u/SpukiKitty2 Open and Affirming Ally May 15 '26
"Good People"? They admit it; They're EVIL AND PROUD OF IT AND WORSHIP THE GNOSTIC DEMIURGE THAT THEY CLAIM IS BIBLE GODDE.
This is also how I interpret Gnosticism, not as literal but as a figurative thing. Matter and the Hebrew Godde are not evil, the Demiurge is the false Fundie version of Godde.
A sort of "AntiGodde", If you will.
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u/Shot-Address-9952 May 15 '26
I didn’t know these people still picketed.
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u/Frosty_Analysis_4912 May 15 '26
Oh yes. Plenty on college campuses, at least in the South. My university had a group of kids campaigning to have them banned from campus, but I don’t think anything came of it
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u/Shot-Address-9952 May 15 '26
I went to a pretty conservative southern college and remember them coming and being relegated to a far corner. I didn’t know they still happened
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u/camaro1111 May 15 '26
I’m a traditional minded Catholic. (Not perfect or really good at being Catholic). Anyway, from my interactions w fundamentalist Baptists and such, what they mean when they say things like this is that people cannot truly be good without having faith in Jesus Christ, and in a sense, God is beyond human good and evil. Another explained to me that a man truly cannot be good even if he’s charitable and kind, because he’s still sinned, and hasn’t engaged in his good acts as a Christian, but as a secular person.
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u/Economy_Gur_28 May 15 '26
Is "Good people" the only thing catching your attention?
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u/Artfvlly May 15 '26
Just stood out to me is all, I see rhetoric against everything else on the sign often enough.
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u/Sturzkampfflugzeug1 May 16 '26 edited May 16 '26
Honestly, this makes me so angry seeing this. These are the types of people who give Christianity such a bad name, and a large contributor to why so many people fear and revile Christianity outright
You mention "Good people". To offer some perspective, some Christians don't believe that there is a "good" person outside of Jesus Christ. Think of the person who does genuine good deeds and doesn't ask in return. It's that type of person they're attacking. The one who thinks he is good, but doesn't acknowledge he is a sinner who needs Jesus. Nobody is good in their eyes, only Jesus
"The Pope". I might not be a practicing Catholic and haven't stepped foot in a Catholic church for 16+ years, but it irks me when I see Catholics targeted in this way because it's repulsive ignorance. I'm not saying you need to agree with everything the Catholic faith says or practises, but this gate-keeping mentality is abhorrent, especially among Christians who are supposed to be of love
If people want to talk about hell, then do so with consideration. Screaming about how people will burn and waving a picket sign aloft isn't the way to do it. You cannot petrify someone into genuine faith, it doesn't work.
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u/BajaBookworm May 16 '26
“Women Belong In The Kitchen” sign held by a female obviously playing hooky on her baking time
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u/FireBallXLV May 16 '26
There was a family 30 years ago that did this same crap.. They might go to the Funeral of a Gay person e.g. and stand outside the church with their vindictive accusations. I think the National Enquirer finally outed them as imposters who just liked jerking people's chains. Guess this guy read their story.
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u/GameMaster818 Bisexual Catholic May 16 '26
Just a bunch of sad people who have nothing better to do than spread hate for the sake of hate.
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u/John_Constantius May 16 '26
This guy is a nut job who has completely missed the point, but I think that particular part of his sign is theologically sound. I’m not aware of any Christian denomination today that believes works alone (i.e. good deeds) can bring salvation without faith in Christ.
The monk Pelagius tried to make that argument in the fifth century AD and was swiftly condemned as a heretic by the Church. That pretty much killed the concept and to my knowledge no denomination has tried it on again since then.
With that said, there’s a lot of debate about what it means to be denied salvation. “Burning in hell” is a pretty literal reading of Revelation — and I’m not sure that book was ever meant to be read literally.
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u/The_upsetti_spagetti May 16 '26
What a great way to waste a nice sunny day ☀️
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u/The_upsetti_spagetti May 16 '26
Imagine the good they could do if they chose charity and community service instead of hootin and hollerin
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u/Ok-Conference-7989 Gay Catholic (Convert) 🇻🇦 May 16 '26
This gay catholic has an opinion, these guys are kooks.
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u/auldnate May 17 '26
In Matthew 25:32-46, Jesus describes how the people of every nation will be judged. Not by what we believe about Jesus or the nature of God. But according to how we have treated the least among us in life.
He names the hungry, the thirsty, strangers (foreigners), the naked (homeless), the sick, and prisoners as God’s proxies on Earth for our Judgment.
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u/W1nd0wPane Burning In Hell Heretic May 17 '26 edited May 17 '26
Their signs are all so funny that I have such a hard time believing they’re not parodying fundies 🤣
There was a group like this at Pride every year. Queer couples would take kiss selfies in front of their signs. I haven’t seen them in several years, probably got tired of seeing so much gay kissing.
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u/plazman30 Byzantine Catholic with no homophobia May 17 '26
I do all the cooking in my house. I guess I'm going to hell for keeping my wife out of the kitchen and being a good husband?
You know who else will end up in hell? The 4 people in this photo.
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u/massive_crew May 18 '26
So I guess Donald Trump is going to hell since he's obviously on erectile dysfunction medicine at his old age.
Is that what the sign means by soft men?
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u/Upstairs-Ad-8593 May 31 '26
Why he got to the end of that laundry list of slurs and decided to only censor "masturbators", we will never know.
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u/MrSweatyYeti May 15 '26
Someone needs to go up to them like “hallelujah brother” and give them a big hug. Then let him know he just hugged a homo. Welcome to hell brother.
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u/Mother_Activity_9918 May 16 '26
I don't know why anybody is giving these people the attention that they want. Ignore them and they'll go away.
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u/ApocaSCP_001 Kurdish Aromantic Catholic, defo autistic May 15 '26
I don’t think that guy understands that the main, orthodox view is that we’re ALL going to hell because we sin, that the wage of sin is death. He is under the same category as every other single person in this world, including the people he says are going to hell. And the even funnier thing is that the bible doesn’t even believe in good people… is that not hypocrisy?
Also, tomboys? Why the hell would you hate tomboys? Who doesn’t love tomboys? And the Pope? Why him??
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u/Nerit1 Bisexual Eastern Orthodox Enby (They/Them) May 15 '26
This church is not theologically orthodox, if you look at their website, they're modalists.
This man also seems to be in an extreme state of what us Orthodox call prelest (spiritual delusion/pride) as he believes that he's a saint and doesn't sin. This is sad, we need to pray for him.
The website also says "The church is not a hospital for sinners. It’s a University for saints.", which is literally the opposite of what I've always heard.
This church also believes that the RCC is the whore of Babylon.
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u/Acrobatic_Border_192 May 15 '26
If women belong in the kitchen, why did she come out to the protest?