Catholicism

Dear Readers,

Another delicate post, much like my post about Jehovah's Witnesses, I will talk about Catholic beliefs and why I am not Catholic. It is my sincere desire to not misrepresent the Catholic church or Catholicism. If there seems to be any misunderstandings on my part, please feel free to correct me. I am not above amending something that I have misconstrued. Unlike my post about the Jehovah's Witnesses, I could not find a direct website from them, thus Wikipedia was my main source of information. Therefore, I have all the more need for your comments to make sure that my understanding and information is correct.

Like with my other post, I will focus on the three questions of the soul:

Where did I come from?

Why am I here?

Where am I going?

The Catholic church, an umbrella term I am using to refer to Catholicism in general, is comprised of an organization based around priesthood authority. Claiming lineage of this authority primarily through Peter, and therefore Christ Himself, passing down to Linus (2 Timothy 4:21) as the first recorded Pope (arguably Peter, but since he is still referred to as Saint Peter it is Pope Linus as the first Pope), then to Anacletus, Clement, Evaristus, Alexander, Sixtus, Telephorus, Hyginus, Pius, et cetera.

Under the pope are Cardinals, Bishops, Priests and Deacons. This is based much after the organization depicted in 1 Timothy chapter 3 minus the Cardinals, who are basically superior Archbishops.

It is interesting to point out that in the same chapter where this organization is set forth, there are also stipulation that are unmet in the Catholic church today, including Bishops being the "husband of one wife" (1 Timothy 3:2) and Deacons as well (1 Timothy 3:12). This seems contrary to the current practice of celibacy required for the station of Bishops and other clergy. However, I must admit that though this seems to be a requirement, it does appear to be closely related to the "forbidding to marry" as warned about in the following chapter (1 Timothy 4:3).

Alas, this brings us to the doctrines taught. Though they teach from the Holy Bible, many of their practices and doctrines come from tradition and other liturgy written and formulated by former Popes and other leaders, including theological counsels.

Saint Birinus Catholic Church link

One of the most famous of these counsels was that of Nicaea. From the counsel was created the Nicene Creed which decrees the nature of God as the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, Spirit of God) all as one being in order to stand apart from the polytheistic (multiple god) religions of Greece and Rome.

Madonna (Virgin Mary) from All Saints Catholic Church St. Peters, Missouri

With this monotheistic (one god) extreme of combining the Trinity into one, other doctrines were set forth, including prayers, sacraments, and other forms of worship. One of the many forms of worship that other Christians often view as idol worship is prayers to Mary the mother of Jesus and various Saints. However, in the course of my research I have been able to discern why this isn't so, or at least, why Catholics do not view it that way.

Adam's Creation by Michelangelo Sistine Chapel Censored

God created the world ex nihilo (out of nothing) in 6 literal days. Though, Catholic consign that evolution may have been the means of creating the first human body (Adam), God is responsible for creating his soul.

After Satan's fall, he tempts Adam and Eve into mortal sin. Mortal sin being unpardonable after death while venial sin is more forgivable. Baptism washes away mortal sin, thus with the fall of the human species, children have to be baptized to remove this original sin. Yet, this does not remove their agency.

Infant Baptism

While children, through baptism, have been cleansed form the original sin, there is a second conversion at 13 in which an individual expresses a personal willingness to serve God and thus, essentially, renew their baptism.

Though mortal sin can only be forgiven in this life through confession, penance, and a priest conferring absolution, venial sin can be forgiven after. This, therefore, allows for death bed repentance and thus salvation. According to Catholicism, when we die we are taken to God for judgment where we are set into one of three states of being.

Catholic Heaven as depicted in Simpsons season 16 episode 21

There is heaven (Mark 14:62), where those who are free from sin are raised in a state of "unspeakable joy that lasts forever" (wiki).

Depiction of Dante's Infero

Then there is hell, a state of eternal misery burning in fire and brimstone (Revelation 20:10). Even though I find interesting the depiction of hell in Dante's Inferno, the description of nine circles is inaccurate according to Catholic theology. In this terrible state are all those who die with mortal sin remaining such as unbaptized babies, murderers, adulterers, et cetera.

Purgatory scene from 1999 The Haunting

Lastly, there is a temporary state of purgatory, where people who die with venial sins remain until they are purged by penance and prayers of others still living, on their behalf. Once they are cleansed, they are finally released to heaven or dragged down to hell. I like how this was depicted in the movie The Haunting, where an evil man clung onto children, thus holding them in purgatory with him until the demons finally dragged him down and released the children into heaven.

But what does this have to do with the "idolatry" of Saints? Because heaven is alive and well now, those who die and go there are currently alive and with God. Thus, prayers to Mary and other Saints are more like phone calls to someone not in the room. Also, with the doctrine of Jesus Christ, the Mediator, being one with God the Father, there is no mediator to plead for us in mortality other than the Saints. Wherefore, praying to Saints to ask God for blessings on our behalf is the only help we can receive beside from God directly.

With this knowledge, it also makes sense why Pope Francis recently talked about how having a personal relationship with Christ can be dangerous (youtube). It appears woven into their beliefs that without others you are alone. Without Saints pleading to God on your behalf, without friend and family at church praying for you after you die, or receive constant absolution from priests then your efforts by yourself, as an individual, could leave your soul in jeopardy.

Now that I have talked about their beliefs and even defended the Pope, lets answer the questions at hand.

Where did I come from? Our bodies are essentially those of an animal though in the likeness of God having a spirit uniquely created by God at our birth.

Why am I here? Our purpose is to not sin and worship God.

Where am I going? Depending on how well I did not sin and worshiped God, I either go to heaven or hell, everlasting bliss or misery respectively. There might be a brief stay in purgatory, but eventually it would be one of these two places.

Not having any memories before this life, personally, I could live with my mortal body being created at birth and God creating my spirit at that time, but mortality seems rather pointless, just scraping by to live and commit no grand sins in order to make it to heaven. Then in heaven, yes it is ultimate bliss, but what is the point?

It seems as though most of the incentive to keep from sinning comes from not burning in hell fire for eternity. As it stands, according to Catholicism, I would be damned to hell because I have not been baptized by their authority and thus being cleansed from the original mortal sin. It is interesting, however, to note some of that power and authority as laid out in the Holy Bible. Matthew 16:19 is Christ addressing Peter concerning the keys of authority He gives him, "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

As anecdotal evidence, while on my mission I had an opportunity to talk to a Catholic who clearly had talked to missionaries before. He politely turned my companion and I away, but before closing the door he added that the "keys" to bind and loose are found in the Catholic church. I knew what he was referencing because as a missionary, we talk a bit about how the keys are restored and families can be bound or sealed together for all eternity. Thus his comment intrigued me. In all of my research of the Catholic church I have not found what they would use this authority for (if they indeed had it).

With confession and absolution it seems as though they openly exercised power to "loose" people from the binds of sin on earth and in heaven, but what do they bind? Catholic marriages are till death do they part, so they bind on earth, but NOT in heaven, where everyone is like an angel of God (Matthew 22:30) having no spouse or children but are all brothers and sisters or children of God. I truly do not know what they "bind" on earth and heaven and therefore it appears as though they do not in reality have this authority to which they profess and claim.

To sum up, though I do not think the Catholic church is God's church on the earth, I do find their desire to serve God by being proper Christians, and even their desire to pray and try to help those who have passed on to be admirable. Yet, their idea of the purpose of life leaves me much to be desired, including the results of the afterlife. It boggles my mind that God would create a spirit for a new born baby or infant only to damn it to everlasting fire and brimstone for simply not being born to a Catholic family. This philosophy portrays a God that performs much for pointless and futile reasons. Alas, with this viewpoint I recognize my bias and advise others to follow their own hearts and to pray, asking God, to learn and know truth for themselves.

Love,
Jacobugoth

Previous: Jehovah's Witnesses

Hellraiser, Evil Dead

Dear Readers,

This is a much darker post because I will be taking quite a bit about the demonic realm and my understanding of it. Yet, I hope that an increased understanding can be gained from this. Because of this darker nature and some of the pictures and subject matter, I am putting up a WARNING for MATURE CONTENT! My subject today are the demoniacs from Hellraiser and Evil Dead.


Hellraiser Puzzle Box Image Link

First up is Hellraiser. Now, for those who are unfamiliar with this movie franchise, Clive Barker created a very intriguing new world. The premise is that there are puzzle boxes created that when opened, summon Cenobites or demon possessed bodies to drag the summoner to "hell".

storypick.com hell Image Link

I put "hell" in parenthesis because hell needs to be defined. So, hell to most Christians is an eternal everlasting pit of fire that awaits non believers after this life. However, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we compare hell to two different things. First, the state of unbelievers after death. this is a first judgment in which a spirit is either received into paradise or spirit prison (hell). Most Christians settle this as heaven or hell. However, spirit prison is more like purgatory for spirits. The real, ever lasting, hell would be what Mormons call Outer Darkness. This is where the Devil and his angels will dwell for eternity with those select few who become Sons of Perdition by denying and fighting against Christ while having a full perfect knowledge of who He is. Thus, denying the Holy Ghost place in their hearts.

Admittedly, in the LDS Church, there is one more place or state of being that could be considered hell. This would be the Telestial Kingdom, though it is technically still part of the Kingdom of Heaven, this is where the murderers and adulterers go. I talk more about this in my Bleach Blog about the kingdoms.


Hellraiser Labyrinth Image Link

So, what is hell in Hellraiser? It is a separate dimension, like the hell dimensions form the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. This dimension is called, The Labyrinth. It is basically a giant maze filled with corridors of the damned.

Cenobites Image Link

The rulers, and the eventual evolution of these damned souls, are the Cenobites under the direction of the Leviathan. I define Cenobites as demon possessed humans because, in Hellraiser 3: Hell on Earth, the Cenobite Pinhead begins to have his former human self, or his human spirit, Captain Elliot Spencer try to help stop the demon possessing his body from creating hell on earth. Clearly there are two separate entities inhabiting each body, a demon and the host spirit who was "worthy" of hell.

Another classic line of these Cenobites is wanting to "experience" other's flesh. Because demons never have and never will have bodies of their own, they experience sins, pleasures, and pains through us. This is further verified with the demoniac named Legion from Mark 5. He "... always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones." (Mark 5:5). They enjoy the pain we feel because they can never experience pain for themselves, the same with pleasure. However, like an addict, they are never satisfied with their own flesh, and want to torture others as well, again to "experience" their flesh.

It is for this cause that when the puzzle box is opened, the Cenobites come forth from the Labyrinth to drag the sinner to their world. I also find it of note worth importance to mention that the one who gives the sinner the box always tells them that the box was always theirs. Though, I do not think that in the moment our choices are set in stone, God does know the end from the beginning and does indeed know who among His children will be saved. Does that mean that He is exempt from having to offer each and every one of us the opportunity to choose Him? No. Indeed, they only reason any of His children would not return to His presence is if they reject Him and their Savior Jesus Christ even after having every possible opportunity. Simply put, they have to prove what God already knows.


Dr. Manhattan from the movie Watchmen Image Link

A second way of thinking of this, or explaining it would be with Dr. Manhattan from the DC movie Watchmen. he simultaneously sees his life from beginning to end. This made it difficult for Laurie Jupiter aka Silk Spectre II, his girlfriend, to understand him. Even though he knows everything that will happen to him, including Laurie's admitting that she cheated on him with Nite Owl II, it is not real until that very moment. A way to compare this would be if you know you are going to get fired at work, yet the full impact of your emotions and feelings to not strike quite as potent until your boss tells you that you are fired. It is truly amazing how much weight of emotion there is in a moment, as opposed to simply ideal or knowledge in the mind.

It is this way that these sinners own the puzzle box, though their life was always meant to cross with the box, it takes receiving the box to solidify that choice and feel the full impact of their life long actions. Another curious point to make is that the box "wants" to be opened and that it is the "desire" that calls the Cenobites. Now, this is simply my speculation, but wouldn't it be interesting if the box houses the demonic spirit that is wanting to possess the sinner's body? Thus the box would want to be opened. Also, the sinner's desire to "experience" new highs of pain and pleasure.

Hellraiser Leviathan Image Link

Anyway, the Leviathan's place in all of this is yet a mystery, as far as I am aware. My own suspicions is that it is the vessel or cage for Lucifer himself. I find it interesting that in the LDS version of the scriptures, the heading for Job 41 says that the Lord is describing His powers as similar to the Leviathan's. However, when I was simply reading this chapter on my own, I saw the possible correlation with the Leviathan and Satan. Read it for yourselves and see the comparisons from your own perspective. As for me, Job 41:34 said it simply "... he is a king over all the children of pride." This brings me to a quick point I would like to make, money is not the root of all evil. That saying or cliché is false. Pride is the root of all evil and is the source of all sin. For more information on pride, you could check out my Pride Post.

Frank raising from the dead Image Link

There is one last element of Clive Barker's Hellraiser world I would like to comment on before I wrap it up. A major aspect of the sinners being damned is if living blood falls upon the place or object they were dragged to this hell, that blood acts as a source of life to raise them again in the "real" world. This aspect made for a very intriguing scene when Frank came back from hell. I must admit, it was pretty awesome and gruesome. Alas, though the sinner is now in the "real" world of Hellraiser, they need more blood to become stronger. Thus, the sinner coaxes others to commit murder to give them blood. However, no matter how rejuvenated the damned person becomes, they cannot regrow their skin. Thus, they kill and claim the skin of the one helping them. "...and thus we see that the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell." (Alma 30:60).

Now that I have covered the Hellraiser world, I would like to declare what the Labyrinth is. For simplicity, it is a hell dimension. However, in a drawn comparison with true reality, it would be outer darkness. This is where the Devil and his angels abound and after the final battle following the millennium, those Sons of Perdition who now have resurrected bodies will be cast into this never ending darkness to be tabernacles or vesicles for Satan and his angels forever. Never dying in their perpetual agony which they have chosen for themselves. "...for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world." (Alma 34:34).

Well, after rambling on about Hellraiser, I would like to quickly talk about Evil Dead.

Deadite Ed Getley from Evil Dead 2 Image Link

In Evil Dead the Cenobites from Hellraiser are now Deadites. Again, they are demon possessed human bodies, yet, as with Evil Dead 2, Ash exhibited how he still had his own spirit. Indeed that evil spirit which possessed him continued to play a part in his life, unrelentingly striving to retake its former house (Ash's body).

Ash's possessed hand from Evil Dead 2 Image Link

Deadites cannot be killed by normal means, indeed the only way, seemingly, to stop them is by dismembering and or burning their bodies. Like Dracula's line from Hotel Transylvania about getting staked in the heart, "Well, who wouldn't that kill?".

Possessed hand from Idle Hands Image Link

However, even the dismembered body parts can act on their own. Much like the hand from Idle Hands, these limbs act like they have a mind of their own. Like a demonic version of Thing from The Adams Family.

Patrick Swayze moving a penny in Ghost  Image Link

Alas, in my own hypothesis on how our spirits interact with our bodies, through brain tissue or at least the central nerve cluster in the brain, this would be impossible. However, as far as I know, spirits can interact with object in the physical world, though this requires much energy. Like the emotional energy used in the movie Ghost. With this kind of spiritual physical interaction, it could indeed be possible for a spirit, even a demonic spirit, to interact with and use a dismembered hand.

Now, with all of the time-traveling, alternate timelines and inter-dimensional stuff, including Ash's mechanical hand, I am leaving that to the reader to figure out, or I might use it in a post about Back to the Future... I am not sure yet.

Anyway, I hope that you have enjoyed this blog post, whether or not you have seen the movies mentioned. Feel free to leave a comment below. Luckily we know that good will defeat evil, God will win, but like Dr. Manhattan, maybe this knowledge does not feel real until Christ actually comes again. Yet, I assure you, Christ will come again. I know this to be true.

Love,
Jacobugoth

Bleach 4: Kingdoms and Fullbring

Dear Readers,

Since I have covered the majority of Bleach lore in my first three posts, which you can find here: Bleach 1, Bleach 2, Bleach 3. I will endeavor to point out some of the fun little details of the series, specifically the kingdoms. I will also include a fun little doctrinal surprise as pertaining to the Fullbringers. This post just implies basic knowledge of the series: what hollows and shinigami are. There are SPOILERS for the Fullbring arc, so consider yourself warned.

I will begin with Soul Society, which is the realm, or dimension that the shinigami reside in. Though the spirit world is technically on earth with us (Gospel Principles Chapter 41) this other dimension or realm could be compared to the Kingdom of God. Some reservation needs to be included to this comparison. Though I am comparing the structure of this kingdom with God's Kingdom, the quality of life, and behavior of individuals in Soul Society do not reflect the glory of God's Kingdom.

In Soul Society, there is a place called Rukongai (wandering soul city) which is divided into districts. This is where those righteous beings and children of God would wind up after death. They exist as individuals in homes and as friends (again using the ideals of the Kingdom of God). Like how Christ said that there are many mansions in the kingdom of God (John 14:2). I would compare the Rukongai, or Rukon District as it is commonly referred to, as the lesser Kingdom of the Celestial glory. For, after the Millennium, the earth will become Celestialized and will be the home to Celestial beings for ever (Doctrine and Covenants 88:19-20). Yet, in the Celestial glory, "there are three heavens or degrees" (Doctrine and Covenants 131:1). The lowest degrees would reasonably include those who live righteous lives and are willing to abide a Celestial law (Doctrine and Covenants 88:22) but may not have entered into the covenants necessary for the highest degree (Doctrine and Covenants 131:2).

The Rukon District surrounds Seireitei (court of pure souls), which is a city that can be compared to the New Jerusalem (Revelations 21:2).

Seireitei is a walled city that houses the armies of the shinigami. These walls are made of sekkiseki (spirit reducing stone walls), which absorb any spiritual attacks, from shinigami and hollow alike. Thus making a city that can never be destroyed (Daniel 2:44).

This wall has four gates, one in each cardinal direction. The west White Road Gate, south Red Hollow Gate, north Black Ridge Gate, and the east Blue Stream Gate. The New Jerusalem has twelve gates, one for each of the tribes of Israel (Revelations 21:12-13). There are three gates in each of the cardinal directions, very similar to these gates of Seireitei.

At each gate there is a gatekeeper, usually portrayed as giants. These I will like unto the angels that stand as sentinels for the Kingdom of God (Journal of Discourses 2:31).

Inside of this walled city, are 13 divisions. Now, I realize 13 is traditionally an unlucky number and quite associated with the Friday the Thirteenth movie franchise, but it is quite close to 12. As in the twelve tribes of Israel. Thus every division or tribe, has its portion for an inheritance.

Then there is the Central 46. This is a group or council that resides within Seireitei and lead them. Making decisions and administering orders. I will admit, my comparison is a slight leap, but 46 reminded me of the 144,000 talked about in the book of Revelations (Revelations 7:4-8). The 144 thousand are High Priests chosen out of the tribes of Israel, 12,000 from each tribe, to be set as rulers and guide the rest of the "multitude" (Revelations 7:9) under the direction of Jesus Christ, who is to rule and reign upon the earth (Revelations 20:6, Articles of Faith 10).

Christ and God the Father will also reside upon the earth. I think that it is significant that the temple is compared and referred to as the House of the Lord. There will not be a temple in the New Jerusalem, for God the Father, and the Son Jesus Christ shall be their temple (Revelations 21:22). The temple could easily be compared to the Soul King Palace in Bleach. The deity in the Bleach universe has the title of Soul King. He is surrounded and protected by the Royal Guard who could be compared to those who will inherit the highest level of the Celestial Kingdom. For, they have power like unto Ichigo. Now, the Soul King Palace does exist in another separate dimension from Soul Society. This can be compared to those in the other degrees of the Celestial Kingdom not having an increase (Doctrine and Covenants 131:4). There is also a special key that is required to enter. This key was sought after by Aizen and was his main purpose for trying to destroy Karakura town.

The "key" is called Oken (Royal Key). The key's location is kept secret, and is only passed on verbally from one Captain-Commander to another. The Captain-Commander is the head captain of the 13 shinigami divisions. I think that there can be comparisons made here with the signs and tokens of the priesthood (Journal of Discourses 2:31). There is another way to enter the "world" of the Soul King Palace. They can create their own Oken. That is why Aizen wanted to destroy Karakura town. Like in the creation of his hogyoku, it would take sacrificing countless spirits of high spiritual strength. It was Aizen's evil plan to try to take over the Soul King Palace and place his thrown above God.

Now, back in Soul Society, the Central 46 distribute orders from the Soul King and the Royal Guard, as well as their own orders via jigokucho (hell butterflies). Now, the translation of "hell" from the name distracts from the point I want to make. I would consider these butterflies as promptings sent from God through His channels of authority unto us. Promptings can be light and gentle as a butterfly landing on your finger or shoulder, and can be ignored or shooed away. Or, they can be listened to, and you can receive and act upon the order or commandment you have been given, thus becoming and instrument in God's hands. Also, though the prompting is given through these means, it often comes by the voice of the Spirit.

These jigokucho also allow shinigami to pass between the Human World and Soul Society. The shinigami use their sword or ausuchi like a key to open a senkaimon (world penetration gate). This doorway allows them to enter the Dangai (parsing world). This "world" acts like a buffer dimension, void, or space between the effectual Kingdom of God and the other kingdoms (Luke 16:26).

Within the Dangai, there are two forces, the koryu (wrestling flow) and the kototsu (wrestling surge). The koryu causes the walls, floor and ceiling to flow and ooze, thus trapping beings who try to enter without a butterfly within its grasp. The flow also has a time attribute, which Ichigo exploited before his fight with Aizen. I will compare this to the time lost, or regret that we will have after this life, if we did not live our lives in a way that would allow us to enter the Celestial Kingdom.

The kototsu is nicknamed The Cleaner. It is almost an entity, more like a machine, that "surges" through the Dangai cleansing it of those beings that were stuck. Some aspects of the Dangai that do not have names include the tunnel system, which acts like a maze signifying the necessity to take the correct path or way back to God (Matthew 7:13-14) and the darkness that fills its corridors. The darkness is particularly significant, because the Cleaner is headed by a bright purifying light, like a charging train. Those who are unworthy, or unready to enter the Celestial Kingdom often fear the light. They fear God's presence because of their shame. Indeed, like Alma in his deepest despair wished that he could become "extinct" (Alma 36;11-15) so does the Cleaner dissolve or disintegrate those it cleanses.

There is also a Dangai for the hollows. Only, theirs is void and black. No ground, no sky, no restraints, just emptiness. This is very similar to the despair of those souls "in prison" (ADD Citation). For I have likened hollows to spirits who have fallen victim to sins and greed in life, and have become consumed by it in death. This Dangai is the void between their world and the Human world, and symbolizes what they pass through to enter their world. Darkness, loneliness, with no sense of direction or purpose.

The only way to cross this Dangai is to create a pathway using your reishi to cross on. Similar to having to use one's own will to cross and escape despair.

Hollows enter the dangai through a garganta (rip portal). Usually like a rip in space, it can represent the rip in their heart and soul. Or, for arrancar, it is almost like a mouth opening up. A great maw representing their hunger.

Now, this is where doctrine gets a little confusing. Though I have compared hollows to unrighteous spirits, and have described the entrance to their world in such a dark way, their world, Hueco Mundo, was originally compared to the moon. Indeed, in the beginning of the series the hollows seemed to manifest out of shadows on the moon's surface. Though Hueco Mundo is in a different dimension, it was continually compared to the moon, in a quite metaphorical sense. the hollows themselves live on the forest floor of Hueco Mundo. The Gillian counterparts wander around reaching the boughs because of their height. The canopy of the forest creates a shell that is covered in sand, creating the deserts and white complexion of the moon. Only the higher level hollows are found on the moon's face, or rather, Hueco Mundo's desert.

Since the Terrestrial Kingdom is compared to the glory of the moon, this is a fitting comparison... though, the requirements are off and need to be more expounded. For the final judgment, those who inherit the Terrestrial Kingdom are good righteous people, who do not accept Christ's gospel in their mortal lives when it is preached to them, but accept it after this life (Doctrine and Covenants 76:72-78). They are morally good people who don't delight in sins, but don't want to live the higher, Celestial law. These have the blessing of receiving Christ's presence from time to time, but not the Father's. Thus people could be in "spirit prison" and receive the Terrestrial glory if they repent.

A good comparison is Nelliel. Though she is technically an arrancar and not a hollow, Ichigo found that despite once being a hollow, and residing in Hueco Mundo, she was still a good person. Thus the hierarchy of hollows, though I compared them to the levels of corruption, can be compared to some kind of hierarchy within the Terrestrial Kingdom.

For those who are familiar with the Plan of Salvation, you might know that next comes the Telestial Kingdom, the lowest of the three degrees of glory. This I will compare to the Ether world, also called Hell or Underworld in this Bleach universe. The spirits who reside here are called togabito. They were once spirits who, because of such sinful unrepentant atrocities such as murder, they became hollows, and upon final judgment, when they should have been cleansed or judged, they are instead dragged into the Ether world.

Indeed, the very Gates of Hell manifest themselves, and a Kushanda, or hell guardian, impales the individual and pulls them into the depths.

The Kushanda also lurk throughout all the levels of Hell, munching and torturing the togabito, only to have the togabito raised again, still trapped. Very much like how spirits we allow to influence and possess us in this life, will do the same in the next life (Alma 34:34).

There are five levels to the Bleach Hell. Similar to the lore of Dante's Inferno and its nine circles of hell. In essence, both are comparisons to the degree in which the individual enjoyed their sins in mortality. The worst in the lower levels, and the lesser in the higher levels. A Satan influenced mirror or counter of power, reflecting the ascending power of Christ. Indeed, there is a diversity in glory, "as one star differs from another star in glory" (1 Corinthians 15:41).

Bleach's first level contains several white blocks, almost like apartment buildings, in which insane togabito wander aimlessly. These have given up fighting, and just live distressful forever. I would like to note that those in the Telestial Kingdom are never truly happy, for they have traded their chance at true joy for other delights. Renji described the reishi or spirit matter of this world as being so "strangled" that those with normal spirit sensitivity would go insane. I would like to compare this with placing a shaolin monk, who has been spiritually guided and sheltered all his/her life, and then place them in a war zone. How out of place they would feel? How horrified by the atrocities occurring around them? Indeed, it would drive them insane.

The second level includes stone lilies upon the surface of a vast ocean. At the center of each lily is the pierced skeleton of a Kushanda. If the Kushanda are the representation of the possessing spirits, then it can represent how the togabito stay dry from baptism with the false, frozen, imitation of beauty presented them by their false gods. For mammon, or the treasures and pleasures of the physical world, can become a cruel master (Matthew 6:24).

From here, the last three levels are rather redundant.
Yellow lava

A fiery stone temple with yellow clouds and rain

And red lava with pedestals and a re-spawning pool.

All of which can be compared to the pride and pains of hell, which have been compared to a unquenchable fire whose smoke ascends forever and ever (Revelations 14:10-11). Though they are in the depths of Hell, they raise themselves upon the mountains, in their holy places, and set themselves upon pedestals to bask in their selfish glory.

Some last few notes about Bleach Hell: the togabito' spirit rot for the light and knowledge they could have had is taken from them and they are left to become stagnant and decay. They are subject to the second death, spiritual death, or rather, they are dead as pertaining to things of the Spirit (The Guide to the Scriptures: Death, Spiritual)

They have chains binding them forever to Hell. They cannot be broken except by the celestial powered Ichigo, though, at that stage Ichigo also was given power over Hell that allowed him to manipulate the chains of hell that he broke. There are chains of Hell, which Satan uses to lead us slowly into hell (2 Nephi 1:13, Alma 12:6).

Lastly, the togabito can have power as well, indeed, compared to the power most of us have in mortality, it is beyond all description (Doctrine and Covenants 76:89).

So, now that I have discussed the different kingdoms, it is time for that doctrinal surprise I promised. The fullbringers are a group of humans that are able to manipulate spirit matter, or reishi. This gives them certain abilities like being able to manipulate water into their mouths (Above).

They can also influence the ground and air allowing them to leap great bounds, and even run in the sky. Interestingly this causes sparks or a flash of green light.

Now, this ability is based upon real laws and doctrines. I went into great detail on the subject of Intelligences in my blog post Glory of God is Intelligence, so if any of you are interested in learning more about this doctrine, I advise you read that post.

 In a quick summary directed for this explanation: Intelligences are described as the light of truth (Doctrine and Covenants 93:21-30) and are essentially raw consciousness. They are the little "I am" inside of each of us. Cogito, Ergo Sum, I think, therefore I am (Socrates). Brigham Young said that, "...matter is capacitated to receive intelligence"(Journal of Discourses 7:2-3). Spirit is matter (Doctrine and Covenants 131:7-8). The earth, and all things were created spiritually before they were physically formed (Moses 3:5).

Thus, all things, the earth, air and water, all have spirit and intelligence. This means that the elements can obey (Helaman 12:7-8). This ability falls under the authority of God, for it was by His authority and His command that the world was organized (Abraham 4:1) and formed by the Son (Moses 1:33). That authority, or priesthood, is called the priesthood key of creation (The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood by Dallin H. Oaks). We will not hold that key in mortality. I am not sure if Christ held that key in mortality, though with His role in the pre-mortal life and the miracles he performed during His ministry leads some suspicion that He did.

It is absolutely clear that He and we can use that authority delegated from someone who does hold that key. For truly He had the ability to transmute water into wine, and multiply fish and bread to feed multitudes.

Thus, it makes a little more sense that Ichigo was able to learn how to fullbring after he comparatively received celestial glory. It is by the same principles, that Fullbringers are able to manipulate matter such a way. Though, they do not seem to need proper authority to do so.

Going beyond the ability of speaking to and influencing matter, they have the ability to awaken spiritual powers of and object. It is usually an object very close to them, that has had a great emotional impact on their spiritual welfare. Thus, the spirit of the object is influenced by the fullbringer's spirit and manifests in a power that is unique to the individual and the object.

For Ichigo it was the Combat Pass he received when he became a substitute shinigami. It was with him through thick and thin, and represented to him the power he had lost.

Now, Sado described awakening this power as having pride in the object, or pride in what it means to the individual. I also did a blog post on Pride, and I find that is a very improper term to use when talking about something you care much for. Indeed, a better term is honor. The fullbringer honors the object for what it has done, and the emotions embedded therein. In return, the object honors the user, and works more efficiently. For Sado, he honored the skin and strength of his body that God blessed him with.

Orihime honored the hairpins her brother gave her.

As Ichigo grew stronger with his fullbring abilities, the powers of the Combat Pass began to reflect Ichigo's former power of a shinigami,

And finally that of his wrapped Final Getsuga.

Then, when Rukia helped him regain his former shinigami powers, the fullbring power added unto him, making him even stronger... because of his honor.

"...honor, which is my power..." (Doctrine and Covenants 29:36)

I hope that you have enjoyed my Bleach blog posts, and that you have found them illuminating to your understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Part of why I have written these posts was to show that we can make those things we find interesting or entertaining into ways to further our understanding of gospel doctrines. I have also written them to invite people with similar passions to come closer to Christ and understand what miraculous blessings and opportunities the gospel of Jesus Christ offers us. If you do not have the gospel in your life; seek, study and learn from the scripture, including the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrines and Covenants. If you truly desire to learn and better your lives, you can also meet with the LDS Missionaries either through a local congregation or through www.mormon.org

I truly hope that the understanding and testimony that I have gained over the years will help bring people closer to Christ, and bring happiness into their lives.

I close with a special thanks to bleach.wikia.com for their detailed information, as well as Tite Kubo the creator of Bleach.

Love,
Jacobugoth

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