Carlton Pearson's church, Higher Dimensions, was once one of the largest in the city of Tulsa, drawing over 5,000 worshipers every Sunday. But several years ago, scandal rocked the church. Bishop Pearson didn't have an affair. He didn't embezzle money. He sin was seen by many as being even more unforgiveable: He stopped believing in hell.
As a result, Carlton Pearson was cast out of the church and labeled a "heretic." In his new congregation, instead of preaching sermons of fear, fire and brimstone, he now preaches about God's love and inclusion.
Bishop Pearson believes that everyone is destined to go to heaven. Hell, according to Bishop Pearson, is "completely out of character with what we know about God. ...(It) didn't originate with Christianity or even Judaism, but with pagan religions."
In his new church, Bishop Pearson welcomes homosexuals and people of all religions.
"When love, healing, tolerance and justice cease to be the cornerstone of the Christian faith, it is not the non-Christians of the world who are damned. It is Christianity itself---Christianity deserves better. Christ deserves better."
Amen, Rev. Pearson.
The number of inclusionists, UR folks, whatever you choose to call them, is growing daily.
Posted by: Don Rogers | August 25, 2008 at 02:48 PM
Hell lives in the fear of those that cast him out of the Church.
On the other hand, as a result of those people that expressed their hatred,
Rev. Pearson's message of love and inclusion has become more pronounced.
Posted by: Hari Rajagopal | September 16, 2008 at 03:38 AM
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Posted by: RamonGustav | August 28, 2010 at 01:50 PM