Posted by Pronger [pronger] on November 03, 1999 at 03:38:33 {eZOTANvCI6P6iqioOwugeCYZfINPhI}:
In Reply to: **Response to AF: Part One posted by Cygnus on November 03, 1999 at 02:55:06:
Cygnus said:
"But do most JWs really believe that God will kill 2 billion Indians and Chinese? Even Indians and Chinese who somehow come to believe in Christ apart from JWs?"
I had always wondered that myself when I was a JW, but it was explained to me by the elders in my congregation that Jehovah would use angels to direct Jehovah's Witnesses to individuals in those nations that had the proper heart condition. The remainder, even if they've never heard of Jehovah, would be destroyed like the children in Sodom. The reason being was that due to the religious and cultural upbringing, they were already beyond hope for becoming "true Christians" and they were already too corrupted like the children of Sodom.
I was never able to accept that explaination. I couldn't see how a supposedly loving God could slaughter billions of people who have never even heard of him.
I do find it interesting that it seems the organization is softening it's stance on who will be saved and who will be destroyed.
Do you think that someday this may lead them to returning the "Universal Salvation" belief that Russell held?
Matthew