Growing Up with Hellfire and Brimstone

Natural spirituality asserts a viewpoint guided by reason. Human nature and nature are the only texts. Many of us were raised with Hell as a fact. The religious leaders proclaimed, "God loves you; but, if you do not love him, he will torment you for eternity in a fiery bottomless pit." Fear of damnation ruled our lives. Salvation for most of us was seen as a way of avoiding this terrible fate. We worried that a non-belief in Hell might alienate us from our family and God. At some point, we began to doubt religous rituals and doctrines. Hell and love became an obvious dichotomy. The content of this book reflects a worldview. Historical events discussed are based on common knowledge. We are endowed with a natural spirituality demonstrated by compassionate empathy for our fellow human beings. Our task is to not allow outside forces conceal our natural spirituality. The Greek Logos(loh-gohs) is defined as the perceived wisdom evident in nature. We are all part of the Logos. The primitive concept of one group being chosen by a deity over all other groups has been destructive.