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JoeVig
Guest
Heard an interesting comment on EWTN today. All Souls day: all souls in Purgatory pressing up against the gates of hell keeping it closed. Quite an image.
Just saying
Just saying
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dshix
Guest
That’s a bit of an odd comment, considering that the souls in Purgatory are not at all experiencing the most serious pain of Hell (eternal loss of God) and they don’t even have a physical body nor does Hell have physical gates, so they can’t “press up against” anything in the way described.
And the souls in Purgatory don’t keep Hell closed - God does!!
Is there a bit more context in the comment that made it meaningful?
And the souls in Purgatory don’t keep Hell closed - God does!!
Is there a bit more context in the comment that made it meaningful?
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JoeVig
Guest
Do you see everything so literally? My i bet you challenge every doctrine of faith. Its just imagery.
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dshix
Guest
Haha. How do you reach the conclusion that I “challenge every doctrine of the faith” by my comment which is simply making observations about rather doctrinally questionable imagery? Quite a leap of logic you made there.
No, I don’t think everything should be taken literally. Note that I asked for more context in regards to the imagery brought up by the OP. There is definitely a place for creative imagery as a way of enriching one’s spiritual life.
However, I find that the more closely imagery reflects reality, the more useful it is. Imagery which departs from reality in order to inspire some sort of emotional response can be useful for a short time, but in the long run it is pretty superficial and does not lend itself to deeper spiritual growth. As an example: the imagery of little baby cherubs flying around with their little wings and helping people with their troubles is a pretty one. But it does not portray very well the awe-inspiring dignity and power that the angels have, and the very important role they have in fighting off demonic attack.
No, I don’t think everything should be taken literally. Note that I asked for more context in regards to the imagery brought up by the OP. There is definitely a place for creative imagery as a way of enriching one’s spiritual life.
However, I find that the more closely imagery reflects reality, the more useful it is. Imagery which departs from reality in order to inspire some sort of emotional response can be useful for a short time, but in the long run it is pretty superficial and does not lend itself to deeper spiritual growth. As an example: the imagery of little baby cherubs flying around with their little wings and helping people with their troubles is a pretty one. But it does not portray very well the awe-inspiring dignity and power that the angels have, and the very important role they have in fighting off demonic attack.
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JoeVig
Guest
totally agree
Unfortunately for me, and my apologees to you, I drive a truck, so usually when i stop i make a quick check or post. But because my time gets cut short so do my responses. Then they come off short, frank, or rude. That is never my intention. As you see here im done for the day and had more typing time.
Peace
Unfortunately for me, and my apologees to you, I drive a truck, so usually when i stop i make a quick check or post. But because my time gets cut short so do my responses. Then they come off short, frank, or rude. That is never my intention. As you see here im done for the day and had more typing time.
Peace
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dshix
Guest
Thanks. You’re very candid. 
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