Actually, I think predestination *is* misinterpreted gospel :) I hate Calvinism too. It makes me wonder how such judgmental people can dare to call themselves 'Christians' when Christ taught his disciples to talk to and help anyone who would receive them.

The direct logical consequence, if Calvinism is valid, is that God and Satan are the one and same entity - God is the source of all good and all evil - just like The Force in "Star Wars". It is that God is source of our sins and he makes us to commit sins and do nastities. While this explains the problem of theodikea quite nicely, it is a somewhat schizoid concept.

Another aspect I find extremely vile in Calvinism is that it denies the human being any possibilities on effecting his/her fate. Whether you go to Heaven or Hell is basically decided by God's whims comparable to flipping a coin, and there is absolutely nothing you can do to influence the outcome. So what is the point on taking responsibility of your deeds and actions? Calvinism seeds hypocrisy, double standards moralism and bigotry.

If I am to be asked, the image of God which Calvinists teach is that of an ego-impaired bully whose emotional life is on the level of average three-year old. I see no point on respecting such cosmic psychopath.

Clever, incisive words, Susanna....555