Hellish theology on the fly: 1-27-12

It's so much fun, in a twisted sort of way, when politicians get into the business of theology and start drawing conclusions -- especially when those conclusions aren't up to them but are, rather, the prerogative of God.

Earlier this week, for instance, at a GOP presidential debate in Florida, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich started speculating about the ultimate, eternal destiny of Cuba's Fidel Castro.

Thus they broke Rule No. 1 (or so) for people of faith: Don't ever think you know the eternal destiny of anyone else.

But asked what his reaction would be when he hears that Castro has died, Romney answered: "Well, first of all you thank heavens that Fidel Castro has returned to his maker and will be sent to another land."

Another land? Hmmmm.

Then Newt Gingrich half-upped Romney by saying this: "I don't think Fidel is going to meet his maker. I think he's going to the place."

The place?

New (or Newt) putdown: "Go to the place, buddy."

Anyway, the piece to which I've linked you walks through some of the Mormon and Catholic theology about all of this and how Romney and Gingrich were just winging it -- to the slack-jawed amusement of many of us.

Where is Jeremiah Wright when we need him?

(Just so you know, I risked life and limb to get the photo here today. You're welcome.)

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REMEMBERING GENOCIDE

Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and my friends over at ReadTheSpirit.com have created this page of information about it. Worth a read.