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What is the origin of the belief that Satan tortures the unsaved in Hell?
There's a thought that Satan (the devil) tortures the unsaved in Hell.
For example, a brief search revealed a website wherein a member posted the following:
I think of Satan more of a psycopath who wants people to follow him not God. He wants to…
user900
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Has the Catholic Church ever opposed interracial marriage?
A fun refutation of gay marriage supporters who say on Facebook:
Not too long ago cross-racial marriages were not allowed, supposedly by God.
would be to say, well that's not my church so what do I care, they should have been Catholic to begin…
Peter Turner
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Why did this Early Version of the Watchtower Magazine include Crosses, and what do these other Symbols on the Magazine Represent?
The following is "Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence, October 1, 1907."
I was under the impression that symbols (especially crosses) were not allowed in the church. "Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Jesus was crucified on a stake, and…
The Substitute
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According to Catholic teaching, was Joseph and Mary's marriage a true marriage?
Well, I've read in several articles, and if not mistaken also in canon law, for a marriage to be valid, there has to be consummation (intercourse). However, since, if I'm not mistaken, by Catholic teaching (Virgin) Mary and St. Joseph never had…
An old man in the sea.
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What explanations have scholars proposed for the rejection of the Didache from the Canon?
The Didache (full text) is an early Christian document giving advice on various "practical matters" such as how to baptize, when to fast, how to celebrate the Lord's Supper, etc. It's hard to date, but generally scholars think it was contemporary…
ThaddeusB
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Why was Jesus afraid/agonizing in the Garden of Gethsemane if the Spirit of God isn't one of fear but of power?
The scene of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane has confused me for a time. How could Jesus be overcome with fear or anguish or what-have-you when his Spirit is one of power and self-control, not of fear?
Luke 22:42-44 ESV “Father, if you…
LCIII
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Did Augustine believe in Purgatory?
Purgatory was one of the doctrines the Reformers reacted most strongly against, though many Reformers claimed Augustine of Hippo as being in agreement with their theology. Did Augustine teach a doctrine of purgatory?
Mr. Bultitude
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How would they know if Timothy was circumcised or not?
During Paul's second missionary journey, he meets Timothy and wants to take him along on the rest of his journey. The Bible makes a special point about Timothy being circumcised to avoid offending the Jews:
Acts 16:1-3 (NASB)
1 Paul came also to…
jimreed
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In the NPP, if Paul's "works of the law" are only circumcision and diet, how is Galatians 3:10 interpreted?
One of the implications of the New Perspective on Paul (NPP), as I understand it, is that Paul's teachings regarding the "works of the law" (in Galatians 2:16, for example) are meant to refer only to "boundary marker" laws, that is, laws like…
Nathaniel is protesting
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Do any theologians argue that in the Fall, Adam sacrificed himself out of love for Eve?
I've heard a few Christians say, perhaps half-jokingly, that Adam only ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden because he realized that it was the only way for him to stay with Eve. By this they seem to suggest that Adam only sinned out of a…
Nathaniel is protesting
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How widespread is panentheism within Protestant schools of thought?
I'm confused about what panentheism is. The Wikipedia article and the few mentions of it here on Stack Exchange both indicate that some Christians identify as panentheists and some don't. I'm guessing it largely comes down to how you define it, but…
Mr. Bultitude
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When did "he descended into hell" become part of the Apostles' Creed?
There seems to be much more debate over one clause of the Apostles' Creed than the entire rest of it put together, and that is the "descent into hell" (or "hades") clause, also known as the "harrowing of hell." I've noticed that some Protestants…
Nathaniel is protesting
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How has apostolic succession been "unbroken" in the wake of depositions, antipopes, immorality, and simony?
In studying the history of the papacy one discovers all sorts of events that are interesting when considered in the context of apostolic succession from St. Peter until today, including, but not limited to:
Instances of popes being involuntarily…
Andrew
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Should Catholics silently hum the Tetragrammaton when they're supposed to sing it?'
I was telling the kids in my Catechism class yesterday that we don't pronounce God's name anymore in hymns during Mass. They were a tad taken aback, especially since apparently they're supposed to sing some song at their school containing the Holy…
Peter Turner
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Are Catholics allowed to leave marriage in order to become a monk or nun?
In the catholic doctrine, is it allowed to leave a marriage and become a monk or nun? Are there any magisterial documents that treat this topic?
Edit: Are there any options e.g. for a specific application of the Pauline privilege? What about the…
Karel Macek
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