Why believe in hell?

[Montalban]

To what end would one diliberately choose to believe in hell?

Because it's true... as much as that I 'deliberately' believe that I exist.

 

[Firebird73]

This is the topic of another thread thats out there, but Hell has been used down the centuries to instill fear in the ignorant.

 

[Montalban]

This is the topic of another thread thats out there, but Hell has been used down the centuries to instill fear in the ignorant.

Are you afraid?

 

[Ram]

To what end would one diliberately choose to believe in hell?

Those who beleive that God is a monster and heartless would choose in an eternal hell.

With the various religions represented on this forum, I would like to know what the different beliefs are. Is it called hell? Is it the same as Christianity's version of hell? What purpose does it serve to hold such beliefs?

In Hinduism, 63 types of hells have been described in the Markandeya Purana, so Hindus do beleive a hell exists. People who do a lot of evil things for which there exist no earthly punishment are supposed to endure hell. Some Hindus beleive hell to be a physical place, while most beleive that it is a state of agony, and in either case hell is not a place belonging to the physical universe.

In Hindu beleif, after each incarnation, a person may go to hell if he has committed a lot of atrocities for which no equivalent punishments exist. A suicide bomber who kills a thousand people cant be punished adequately in anyway, isn't, and may spend thousands of years in the state of place called hell. Such a person is sure to spend some or more time in hell - it is beleived to be a state of agony for the soul and knows why it is suffering and
a lesson for future. A lesson for not indulging in such actvity which separates one from God - a lession which will teach a soul to pursue God in future.

For smaller sins, he will undergo the effects of Karma on the terrestrial plane in the next or a future birth.

 

[indianx]

In our original scriptures, it's a mental state rather than an underground place full of flames and a red guy with horns poking you?

 

[AtheistPerson]

When scare tactics stop being used and people begin to think for themselves then the idea will be extinguished.

 

[looking4wisdom]

When scare tactics stop being used and people begin to think for themselves then the idea will be extinguished.

No, because the scriptures of Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and even Buddhism won't just disappear. All of the religions aforementioned have texts that refer to hell. The belief will never go away unless you burn all religious scripts. Better get started, atheistperson.

 

[Toboe]

To what end would one diliberately choose to believe in hell?

With the various religions represented on this forum, I would like to know what the different beliefs are. Is it called hell? Is it the same as Christianity's version of hell? What purpose does it serve to hold such beliefs?

It gives meaning to what you believe in. If you believe in hell then you have to believe in something or else you go to hell. If you don't then whats the point you could believe in what ever you wanted.

 

[e=mv^2]

To what end would one diliberately choose to believe in hell?

There are 2 possibilites. Either hell does exist or it does not exist. Your belief that it does or does not exist does not affect the outcome. Either it does or it does not.

Of course I suppose that someone can just go and find a group that teaches whatever it is that they choose to believe. Still the existance of hell will be unaffected.

Is it your position that the Bible is wrong on this? Do you feel that the Bible has been changed? How is it that you come to the conclusion that there is no hell?

 

[e=mv^2]

When scare tactics stop being used and people begin to think for themselves then the idea will be extinguished.

That sounds like a scare tactic to me.

 

[arunma]

I think that the atheist religion only survives because of its scare tactics.

In our original scriptures, it's a mental state rather than an underground place full of flames and a red guy with horns poking you?

Where does the Bible say that Satan is a "red guy with horns poking you?"

 

[Wonderfulcross]

I would guess you'd have to have a lot of hate in your heart to want others to burn for eternity for disagreeing with your theology. I don't, so I don't understand those who believe in hell. I think hell exists only in the minds of those who believe in it.

Who say we(Christians) want others to burn in Hell. As Christians it is our job to save people from this eternal torment. We're supposed to make disciples out of all the nations. (Matthew 28) If we wanted people to burn in Hell we wouldn't be christians because we wouldn't be like Christ. God wishes that none should perish.


Also, think about this. If there is no Hell, then Saddam Hussein, Osama Bin Laden and Hitler are going to the same place everyone is. In Heaven. Does this make sense?

 

[e=mv^2]

I would guess you'd have to have a lot of hate in your heart to want others to burn for eternity for disagreeing with your theology.

We do not want you to burn in hell. That is why we annoy you by trying to warn you about it. We want you to be in heaven.

 

[Cassiopeia]

Does the belief in hell help people stay on the straight and narrow? If so for how long? Does it give a sense of peace and security through a thought process that if you are doing good you won't go to hell?

Can the belief of heaven exist without the belief in a hell?

When someone chooses to believe in hell what does that do for them?

Telling someone if they don't follow Jesus and believe he is the only way to heaven that they are going to burn in hell is only creating a fear based follower.

What is joy? Can we feel joy while living in fear of hellfire and damnation?

 

[arunma]

I've got an idea. In response to the question of why we believe in hell, let's stop reasoning as to why it does us any good, and simply respond, "because Jesus said that hell exists."

 

[Cassiopeia]

I've got an idea. In response to the question of why we believe in hell, let's stop reasoning as to why it does us any good, and simply respond, "because Jesus said that hell exists."

Well that is an idea but I am not interested in just what Jesus had to say and I most certainly would like to see how people feel in response to it. Please don't invalidate my questions again Arunma...I certainly don't do that to you.

My questions are directed to understanding how the different religions view hell if in fact they even believe in hell and to understand the impact of it on them and their faith and their ability to worship.

 

[arunma]

Well that is an idea but I am not interested in just what Jesus had to say and I most certainly would like to see how people feel in response to it. Please don't invalidate my questions again Arunma...I certainly don't do that to you.

My questions are directed to understanding how the different religions view hell if in fact they even believe in hell and to understand the impact of it on them and their faith and their ability to worship.

But I'm not trying to invalidate the idea. You ask, "To what end would one diliberately choose to believe in hell?" The very question implies that we believe in hell because the doctrine serves some useful purpose to us. But that isn't true. We believe in hell because Jesus said it exists. What Jesus and the apostles say is what is important, and there doesn't need to be any other purpose to our doctrines.

 

[Rae]

If there is no Hell, then Saddam Hussein, Osama Bin Laden and Hitler are going to the same place everyone is. In Heaven. Does this make sense?

--Sure. Not to a vengeful human being, but to a forgiving, merciful, healing God who will cleanse all of us and welcome all of us into the afterlife? Of course. It's the only reasonable thing to believe, IMO.

God wishes that none should perish.

--Oh, well, then there's no hell. God's wishes come to pass in the end.

Can the belief of heaven exist without the belief in a hell?

--Yes.

 

[Cassiopeia]

But I'm not trying to invalidate the idea. You ask, "To what end would one diliberately choose to believe in hell?" The very question implies that we believe in hell because the doctrine serves some useful purpose to us. But that isn't true. We believe in hell because Jesus said it exists. What Jesus and the apostles say is what is important, and there doesn't need to be any other purpose to our doctrines.

I understand the point of view from Chrisianity in general. What I don't understand is why we as humans are so readily willing to believe that God would do such a thing? I recoil from the belief and I begin to question the interpretations from the bible. I am a parent. I do not wish my children to suffer for eternity.

I am human and if my compassion extends that way, then how much more does a Divine being have that ability. I hear alot about justice. Okay I believe in justice but I don't believe in tormenting someone for a long time. It seems sadistic.

I am not only interested in the christian view as I am very well aquainted with the belief having been Christian my entire life. I want to hear from other religions as well.

thanks

 

[Wonderfulcross]

--Sure. Not to a vengeful human being, but to a forgiving, merciful, healing God who will cleanse all of us and welcome all of us into the afterlife? Of course. It's the only reasonable thing to believe, IMO.
.

You're perception of God is like most people today. You picture Him as a flowery goody goody who loves everyone. He does love everyone but He is also just. At the gates of Heaven He is not going to say to Hitler,"Well, you destroyed 6 million of my chosen people, but that's okay. You never accepted me as lord and savior, in fact you tortured christians as well. But you may enter into eternal paradise with me." God will not cleanse us at the gates of Heaven so we can all get into Heaven. Then what was the point of this life? We're judged on what we do on this Earth in this life. He wishes that all will be with him in Heaven, but He left that decision with us.