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It pulls me up short to find that my man Thomas Browne in his Religio Medici subscribes to a largely orthodox doctrine of Hell- you know, with God in his infinite wisdom and mercy consigning everyone he disapproves of to a place of endless torment. "O Thomas," I think, "How could you?"
But I suppose everybody could back in the 17th century. And if you had doubts you were liable to be tagged as an atheist and it was best to keep quiet about them.
At least Thomas does rather wistfully hope that the virtuous pagans- who died before they had a chance of accepting salvation through Christ (which is the only way of getting to Heaven)- may be accomodated in a somewhat comfier corner of the infernal regions.
But then I remember that there was a time- before I sloughed off the whole burden of orthodox Christian belief- when I struggled with the doctrine of Hell myself- and may well have preached about it in a stern and minatory fashion...
How odd that one can give one's alleigance to a God who is a tyrant and a torturer- and not feel ashamed of oneself- but I did- and Thomas did- and millions still do....
But I suppose everybody could back in the 17th century. And if you had doubts you were liable to be tagged as an atheist and it was best to keep quiet about them.
At least Thomas does rather wistfully hope that the virtuous pagans- who died before they had a chance of accepting salvation through Christ (which is the only way of getting to Heaven)- may be accomodated in a somewhat comfier corner of the infernal regions.
But then I remember that there was a time- before I sloughed off the whole burden of orthodox Christian belief- when I struggled with the doctrine of Hell myself- and may well have preached about it in a stern and minatory fashion...
How odd that one can give one's alleigance to a God who is a tyrant and a torturer- and not feel ashamed of oneself- but I did- and Thomas did- and millions still do....
