do you think a merciful God expects a creation that is finite in its fundamental nature to be without flaws? you know what aliasing is in sampling theory right? you always get errors when you sample, even at planck length, most likely.

the logic of the catholic doctrine of universal guilt is a perversion of this understanding. the latin word "sin" doesn't mean "missing the target" it means "without" and what we are without, is perfection, which is impossible in God's creation.

you don't need time, with perfection, to mature something to an always better state. so there would also be no free will to decline the invitation, and that's what it is.

you don't worship idols, because you are wasting your time, and your life is a precious gift

you don't steal, because you are wasting everyone's time, destroying wealth

you don't dishonor your parents, because they did the best with what they had, mostly, unless they are sickos, of course

you don't lie, because lying wastes your brain in endless new fabrications that can't be used to learn anything new

you don't kill for personal gain (murder) because it lowers the wealth of your society

all of the 10 commandments, and the mandate of Jesus and the fulfillment of the law, are not cruel punishment. they are for your own good.

the reason i can't abide catholic (and its forks) doctrine is precisely because it contradicts the whole God is Love thing. no, i don't need an intermediary. i am called to pray on my own account and to use the gifts i was given to help make the world a better place.

the heart of the average catholic is in the right place but the superficial details, the doctrines, are outright lies.