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,...
In fact, he did time in jail while he was the leader for arms possession and hijacking. Violence was common with this particular group, and in an effort to frighten and "intimidate" police, prison guards were killed by Hells Angel members in 1997. Eventually, Boucher was tried and convicted for orchestrating the killings (Editors). In addition, many other criminal investigations have turned up large amounts of money, weapons, drugs, and
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