What is the point of hell?

[Nails74]

Yes, I used to. I went to a catholic Sunday school and made it to my first holy communion. Then started thinking too much.

So then you might remember some of the 10 commandments?...or is that what you just told me?

 

[ChristianT]

The 10 commandments show us what God values.

Think:

Countries have laws such as no killing, freedom of speech. From that, you see thy value life and freedom. Same with God.

You see from the commandments that God values integrity, honesty, respect, being content, life, love, trust, and more. Why? Because His character reflect these things. He is compassionate, honest, content, and He values children that trust Him and rely Him as any parent would. Also, he values justice. Even though God's loving, He's also a righteous Judge. He is right in punishing us. For disobeying Him when He tells us to do something, instead of "going to your room," or spankings, you get death. It's not like "don't lie or die" but because these things are not edifying for humans not helpful behaviors, they openly go against what God wants. Truthfully, for children of God, death is not a problem because He provided a gift of mercy, but just because we have a mediator as Job wanted, life isn't cherry pie. It's just, death has no power over Jesus' name.

Peace

 

[mentalkitty789]

The 10 commandments show us what God values.

Think:

Countries have laws such as no killing, freedom of speech. From that, you see thy value life and freedom. Same with God.

You see from the commandments that God values integrity, honesty, respect, being content, life, love, trust, and more. Why? Because His character reflect these things. He is compassionate, honest, content, and He values children that trust Him and rely Him as any parent would. Also, he values justice. Even though God's loving, He's also a righteous Judge. He is right in punishing us. For disobeying Him when He tells us to do something, instead of "going to your room," or spankings, you get death. It's not like "don't lie or die" but because these things are not edifying for humans not helpful behaviors, they openly go against what God wants. Truthfully, for children of God, death is not a problem because He provided a gift of mercy, but just because we have a mediator as Job wanted, life isn't cherry pie. It's just, death has no power over Jesus' name.

Peace

He is a crazy parent, imagine if your mother took you to the basement and tortured you for not doing what she said.
And while he might say those things, his deeds speak to the opposite. Sending two she-bears to kill 42 children, flooding the world, telling his favored tribe to kill every man woman child and animal, but keep the virgins?
Why doesn't he say rape is wrong, what about slavery? In fact it is promoted in the bible and it was used to justify slavery in the states.

 

[ChristianT]

He is a crazy parent, imagine if your mother took you to the basement and tortured you for not doing what she said.
And while he might say those things, his deeds speak to the opposite. Sending two she-bears to kill 42 children, flooding the world, telling his favored tribe to kill every man woman child and animal, but keep the virgins?
Why doesn't he say rape is wrong, what about slavery? In fact it is promoted in the bible and it was used to justify slavery in the states.

in so many ways. I'll talk to you...Saturday. I'm sure someone will help you with these misunderstandings before then. If not, see ya there. Bye.

Peace

 

[oi_antz]

Yes, I used to. I went to a catholic Sunday school and made it to my first holy communion. Then started thinking too much.

There is nothing wrong with thinking What is particularly harmful is believing bad thoughts, which you seem to have a bit of trouble with. Just takes practice. Maybe you have a form of depression, have you thought about that? God makes wonderful promises and renders very fine judgment according to the bible. If you don't see it in that light then obviously there is some negative pattern in your thoughts. Perhaps you need to remember that Jesus holds the keys to death and hades, and He lives so you can get to know Him as a personal friend and savior just like His disciples have done since His resurrection. Do you know what that means? It means you can actually ask Him what you are doing wrong that would deem you fit for eternal destruction. Don't be too lazy to make that effort.

 

[mentalkitty789]

I did make that effort when I was younger. I prayed, and what returned was silence.
There are times I consider that I might have depression, but I'm 17 so I wouldn't be surprised. Either way, I don't see how that has anything to do with the point I'm trying to make.
Since I don't believe in the bible I don't really 'believe these bad thoughts'. I'm just confused as to how some people seem to believe it.

 

[oi_antz]

I did make that effort when I was younger. I prayed, and what returned was silence.

God is found in silence. God tells us to be still. I have experienced your vantage point, I was not able to recognize God for years until one day I surrendered to Him and do you know what I found? That He had been with me all along!

There are times I consider that I might have depression, but I'm 17 so I wouldn't be surprised. Either way, I don't see how that has anything to do with the point I'm trying to make.

I currently receive treatment for depression, I recognize negativity in your thoughts. It has everything to do with why you believe what you believe about God, bible, faith.

Since I don't believe in the bible I don't really 'believe these bad thoughts'. I'm just confused as to how some people seem to believe it.

We certainly do need to view it in the right light to understand it. That light is the light of Christ, it is a gift that only God can give. You cannot obtain the light of Christ by performing empty rituals.

 

[bling]

He is a crazy parent, imagine if your mother took you to the basement and tortured you for not doing what she said.
And while he might say those things, his deeds speak to the opposite. Sending two she-bears to kill 42 children, flooding the world, telling his favored tribe to kill every man woman child and animal, but keep the virgins?
Why doesn't he say rape is wrong, what about slavery? In fact it is promoted in the bible and it was used to justify slavery in the states.

There are actually a lot of different questions here.

Eternal life is promised to believers and not to unbelievers, so unbelievers do not last “forever’ in hell, but because degreed of punishment are shown to be fair hell is a place of punishment for different amounts of time ending in annihilation.

The “Love” shown to those that are annihilated was shown prior in all that God did to help them to accept His charity (forgiveness/grace/mercy/Love). That all God did included allowing Christ to go to the cross, tragedies of all kinds, other people going to hell, and sin itself. They that go to hell have repeatedly refused God’s Love and show no desire to be Loved totally unselfishly and unconditionally.

This Godly type Love is all there is in heaven, so these people that have been rejecting this Love would not be happy in heaven.

You have to believe in hell for it to be a motivation to help you accept God’s Love, so it is we, former nonbelievers, that needed additional motivation (supplied by hell) to accept God’s Charity (Love). The nonbeliever does not believe in hell so it does nothing for him, but if he allows himself to believe, hell can help motivate him to respond quickly to God’s invitation (Love).


There is also the issue surrounding man’s objective: Obtaining and growing Godly type Love so he can Love god and secondly others with all his heart, soul, mind, and energy.

The only way that Love is obtained is through accepting God’s Love in the form of forgiveness, as Jesus taught us “…he that is forgiven much will Love much…” So that means we need to be “forgiven of the Largest debt God can create to Love much (Godly type Love). That debt is shown with hell.

 

[Faulty]

The lake of fire was created for the devil and his angels.

If God is your Father, you go where He is. If you are not His, then Satan is your father, and you go where he will be at that time.

Quite simple really, you just go home.

 

[mentalkitty789]

The lake of fire was created for the devil and his angels.

If God is your Father, you go where He is. If you are not His, then Satan is your father, and you go where he will be at that time.

Quite simple really, you just go home.

But who allowed Satan to 'give birth' to me, and who created Lucifer to begin with, and who created the lake of fire that he was sent to?
That is quite the dismissive way to look at such a pointlessly sadistic fate.

 

[oi_antz]

But who allowed Satan to 'give birth' to me, and who created Lucifer to begin with, and who created the lake of fire that he was sent to?
That is quite the dismissive way to look at such a pointlessly sadistic fate.

What made you presume that your father is the devil?

 

[mentalkitty789]

What made you presume that your father is the devil?

This guy said that. I presume my daddy was a person, just like his daddy, and his daddy before that.

The lake of fire was created for the devil and his angels.

If God is your Father, you go where He is. If you are not His, then Satan is your father, and you go where he will be at that time.

Quite simple really, you just go home.

 

[oi_antz]

This guy said that. I presume my daddy was a person, just like his daddy, and his daddy before that.

He didn't say that you were the son of the devil. He said if you were. Have you read the story of the prodigal son? Important to note that the son rejected the father. That is what you appear to have done. Notice that the son was foolish to do so and was even at the point of death when his only option was to beg his father to employ him. Do you remember that story? If I were you I would be asking for biblical proof of everything you are told. Some people will lead you astray if you believe the wrong thing.

 

[mentalkitty789]

Well quite frankly I would already be astray by any Christian's standard. I'm an atheist after all. I try not to make claims about Christianity, only respond to claims given to me. I don't believe in the faith so why would I? I might repeat statements that another believer has given me, but if they don't apply to what you believe, simply say so. That, and I guess I just misunderstood what he said.
While I technically reject the father, I don't believe the father ever existed beyond the concept in people's minds. So yeah, I reject the claim that said God even exists, I'm not rejecting or accepting him in any sense until I accept the claim he exists.
This is getting off topic though.

 

[oi_antz]

Well quite frankly I would already be astray by any Christian's standard. I'm an atheist after all. I try not to make claims about Christianity, only respond to claims given to me. I don't believe in the faith so why would I? I might repeat statements that another believer has given me, but if they don't apply to what you believe, simply say so. That, and I guess I just misunderstood what he said.
While I technically reject the father, I don't believe the father ever existed beyond the concept in people's minds. So yeah, I reject the claim that said God even exists, I'm not rejecting or accepting him in any sense until I accept the claim he exists.
This is getting off topic though.

Yes well you seem to have that luxury for a while, it is called ignorance. Notice this verse:

Hebrews 9:27
27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

It means that eventually we meet the maker. The books are open at that time. Anyhow we are certainly off topic. What you seem to be suffering from is a misunderstanding of God's judgment. It would do you well to remember this verse:

Revelation 1:18
I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. (Jesus Christ)

And these verses:

Leviticus 20:10
‘The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death.

10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours?[j] Has no one condemned you?”

11 She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and[k] sin no more.”

Matthew 12:7
But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.

Do you see that Jesus is a benevolent king? Why would you choose to reject Him? I don't see in your nature that you are malicious, therefore I don't believe you are a child of the devil. I believe you are a child of God but that you have become disillusioned, which is probably due to having been misinformed. Your OP and the responses you have received indicate that you don't understand the purpose of hell or the nature of Jesus' righteousness.

 

[Miss Elly]

Quite frankly I don't know if I would accept or reject the offer of eternal life. So long as I wasn't alone, and had someone I cared about, or an off switch when the pain of losing everyone I cared about came and went too many times to bare.
I'm not making any choice other than the claim that the Christian God exists. If I don't believe something exists, why would I care about any claims about hell, unless they damaged the validity of the claim? Which from my perspective it does.

Edit: Although those concepts of eternal life are literal eternal life, not the concept of the afterlife.... Great now I'm thinking of Dr Who...

You don't have to make a choice. Rejecting God's plan of salvation IS your choice and you needn't worry about inheriting eternal life, but eternal damnation. Jesus would be your best friend if you would let Him.

 

[mentalkitty789]

Do you see that Jesus is a benevolent king? Why would you choose to reject Him? I don't see in your nature that you are malicious, therefore I don't believe you are a child of the devil. I believe you are a child of God but that you have become disillusioned, which is probably due to having been misinformed. Your OP and the responses you have received indicate that you don't understand the purpose of hell or the nature of Jesus' righteousness.

Well my problems with Christian Faiths in general go beyond the concept of hell.
Do I see Jesus as a benevolent king? Not really, I see him as a figure head being used by God, unless you believe they are one in the same. Then he is god, and I would consider him as malicious, sadistic and manipulative.
If you would like to talk about my general hang-ups with faith, send me a pm or an im over skype or Aim.

You don't have to make a choice. Rejecting God's plan of salvation IS your choice and you needn't worry about inheriting eternal life, but eternal damnation. Jesus would be your best friend if you would let Him.

I can't help that there is no evidence for this salvation, so I do not believe in it. I can't reject something I don't believe is real to begin with. Well it is real, but not beyond the concept.

 

[oi_antz]

If you would like to talk about my general hang-ups with faith, send me a pm or an im over skype or Aim.

I don't think that's the right way to address it this time, I will continue to watch your comments though to see whether there is an opportunity to correct a misconception. I hope you find what you are seeking

 

[razeontherock]

I thought I would ask other people, preferably those of faith, what they believed the point of hell was. It is one of the concepts that drove me away from Christianity, well one of the many. Just because it comes off as excessively cruel and violent, and pointless in every way.

I actually commend you for pondering the question!

Next to no one gets out of hell, and they are suffering for all eternity. Torture that does not end.

Your statement implies that some might get out?

It just doesn't add up to the claims of love and peace at all, to me...

I encourage you to realize that the answer here, what you're seeking, is "to know God." I would consider it disrespectful to even attempt to give you a pat answer here. It would be disrespectful not only to you, but also to the nature of the of the question, and it's scope. Instead of attempting to spoon feed you like you were an infant, I'd rather think you can cut up your own meat and digest it.

God gave me a pretty unique experience that's relevant here:

http://www.christianforums.com/t7474493/

That thread never developed to the point of stating purpose, and truthfully 25+ years after the fact the input of some on that thread helped me further understand what God was doing when I was about your age.

You can't post there, but you can read the OP for a starting point, and discuss here ...

 

[razeontherock]

Do I see Jesus as a benevolent king? Not really, I see him as a figure head being used by God, unless you believe they are one in the same. Then he is god, and I would consider him as malicious, sadistic and manipulative.

I have a thread pondering that very idea, and you can post there:

http://www.christianforums.com/t7609827/

I'd be curious to see your thoughts. You might be curious to see if they can hold up to logical scrutiny?