The Foster-Fathers of this pernicious doctrine

 But they do not realize that the dead are there, 

that her guests are in the depths of the grave.

Proverbs 9:18 NET

"The doctrine of the natural immortality of the soul. 

This also was derived from the pagan world, and the “Fathers of the

church” became the foster-fathers of this pernicious doctrine as a part of divine truth. 

*This error nullifies the two great Scripture doctrines of the resurrection and the general judgment, and furnishes an open door to modern spiritism. 

*From it have sprung such other evil doctrines as the conscious state of the dead, saint worship, MARIOLOGY, purgatory, reward at death, prayers and baptisms for the dead, eternal torment, and universal salvation." 

Uriah Smith