Is O.J. Simpson Evidence of What is Wrong with Religion?

Rilaly
A thought provoking question.

I believe when Jesus said "it is finished" as He died on the cross, He was saying the price has been paid for sin, even sins as heineous as those committed by OJ.
If OJ on his death bed repents and asks forgiveness in Jesus name, I believe he will be saved.
Both Justice and Mercy are satisfied.
I for one may not consider this "fair" but you can't argue that it's unjust. The penalty has been paid.
When I sometimes find myself wishing that God would pass judgement on folks I see as major league sinners,(or those who just annoy me) I stop myself and remember that I am also a sinner, who is also dependant upon God's mercy to save me from His judgement.
I have to remember the words of my savior "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" It is the great distinction of the Christian faith that we are not saved by our own works, or by our own righteousness, but rather by the finished work of Jesus Christ. You ask in your artical is this what is wrong with religion? On the contrary I think it is what is right with Christianity.
God Bless.

I appreciate your comments, and I hope you--or anyone who reads my comments--does not see me as a man challenging another's faith. I am just a curious man in search of answers to the dilemmas that plague me.

I respect your well thought out answer, but as you say it doesn't seem fair to those of us who have attempted to live to the highest ideals that He should judge us on our merit. The Bible and Jesus did say we are all sinners, but are all sins the same? Man devised his laws based on the Bible and the Ten Comandments, and these laws are based on varying degrees of sin. Is my request for forgiveness for the petty wrongdoings of my life treated the same as O.J.'s. Or if the same principle were applied to Stalin or Hitler would they be granted the same degree of automatic forgiveness based upon one moment of clarity?

Since our judicial system seems to be in a great deal of chaos, many of us religious folk count on the ultimate judgement day as a great equilizer. We see the positive judgement on us living a good and decent life as a reward. If-- and I apologize for the use of such a flimsy word--there is a loophole in God's basis for judgement, can we really say that Heaven is such a grand reward? If they let O.J. and Hitler and Stalin in, it would seem to me that they'll let anyone in. If that is the case, all matters being equal with these three, where's the reward for living a just life?

Nope I don't see you challenging my faith but only asking valid questions. Questions which I admit I have struggled with in the past, and to some extent still do.
While I believe, in theory, in a death bed conversion, I also believe that God being omniscient knows the true heart of men.
He is not fooled by a last minute legal maneuver.
I believe that we are saved by Faith through the Grace of God. and that in itself is a gift from God. However if a man has faith you should see some evidence of it in his works. I believe we do good works out of appreciation for what God has done for us, not to earn our salvation. I do not think you are going to find Hitler or Stalin in heaven although I do think there is still time or Simpson. Remember Moses was a murderer back in Egypt (or at least committed manslaughter).
David was an adulterer and a murderer, Saul who later became Paul had the blood of many Christians on his hands. That These people were not only able to find redemption but were also used to advance Gods kingdom on earth shows that he can truly bring good from evil.

I also believe that there will be varying degrees of rewards and punishments handed out in the last judgement based upon how we used the gifts God has given us.

One last thought which you may find a bit of comfort in as you consider the apparent unfairness of this.
If I remember correctly it was Abraham who said "Shall not the judge of all earth do right"
I Believe He will and when we see His justice we will have nothing to say but Amen.