Another 95 Theses

15: For reasons nobody can really explain, the church condemns OALC members as hellbound heretics even though they adhere more closely to the teachings and social outlook of Laestadius, follow stricter behavioral norms, and practice confession as part of absolution much more consistently.

16: The supposedly heretical OALC is actually the more authentic form of Laestadianism, having received Raattamaa’s full support during the schism with the Heideman group.

17: The church writes off the FALC as “the last heresy,” despite the contribution to the schism from the church’s 1970s witch-hunt atmosphere, the traditional and forgiveness-oriented nature of the FALC’s current-day writings, and the FALC’s identical preaching of absolution.

18: Even a “heretic” who accepts the preaching of absolution from a church member is not accepted as a believer because of the circular argument that he is not part of “God’s Kingdom.”