Nice to finally see a civilized theological discussion going on over the Net. I can't count the number of times I've seen these things get out of hand.

Patrick, I didn't think you were positing some sort of proof for/against God, I was commenting on the "confining God to one religion" bit. And Christians don't consign people to Hell on an individual basis -- it's not an active condemnation process; God sets up the rules, and whoever fails, fails.

It might seem unfair or unjust to us. I don't like every rule, but I chose to live by them. I know if I were God I'd probably do things different -- same for all of us. Personally, I'd rather Ghandi ended up in Heaven through some kind of "morality loophole". But like you said, we have no say in the matter.

I was probably unclear with the bad apples bit -- I was referring to your comment on Jimmy Swaggart, definitely one of recent Christianity's most embarassing Bad Apple. My point was that EVERY religion has a list of people that we think shouldn't get into Heaven, but they claim will; as well as a list of people who won't get in that we think should get in.

And of course, I recognize bin Laden is an extremist at odds with most of Islam. According to my studies of the Qur'an (and my Islamic roommate's studies), he has grossly misinterpreted some of the tenets of the Islamic faith. But a good number of Muslims believe the same way he does, if not his methods; he and his followers certainly think they're going to Heaven. But I really only brought him up for the "bad apples" point.

Naturally, everyone's free to think or believe as they seem fit. Though no matter what you believe, you'll always find someone who wants to change your mind.