MDMD(3)--Just a thought

[jporter]

>Doug Millison wrote:
>>
>> At 4:47 PM 7/8/97, Steven Maas (CUTR) wrote: (about extreme predestination)
>> >Are you saying that adherents of this sect believe that no matter what
>> >they do in their lives it is predetermined whether they will go to heaven
>> >or hell?  What incentive does this give them to behave any way other than
>> >on their whims?
>
>And back to Doug:
>> Entering deep and murky waters here...I don't know the details of this
>> particular sect, but Paul Mackin's
>> >God has determined from all
>> > eternity whom He will save and whom He will damn, regardless
>> > of their faith, love, or merit, or lack thereof. (extreme form)
>
>>>>>And back to me: Is not this extreme form of predestinationwhat Pynchon
>>>>>latches onto as his metaphor for life here on
>earth. In other words, our poor preterite state is UNDESEARVED.
>
>                                P.

Not sure, being only a New Age type (damn crystals keep getting in my
visto!) and no theological expert, but I think what the Pynch is getting at
has more to do with life here on earth and is relatively silent with
respect to one's chances of reaching heaven after the big chill.

jody