I am asking a question about the nature of God. Why make hell a place of torment, like christians believe? Even in our system of justice, WE AMERICANS DO NOT TORTURE CRIMINALS. Our government is founded upon a belief on God, but we just put people in prisons for their punishment. TORTURE IS CONSIDERED IN-HUMANE. Is it arrogant of me to ask my Father in Heaven, "Why would you make the punishment so cruel?"
2006-08-14 05:31:46 · 22 answers · asked by WHITE TRASH ARMENIAN 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hell is not a place of torment. Do you really think that our Creator who is called a God of love in the Bible would torture imperfect humans? Answer this---if you knew someone who burned alive a friend of yours or even a close relative or they tortured them endlessly for a week or even a day, how would you feel about that person? Would you love that person? Would you have any respect for them? Well, that is how Satan the devil wants people to think about God. He wants to make God seem to be a cruel, unloving tyrant. The hellfire doctrine is a lie started by Christendom. The Bible tells us that hell is where the dead are laid to rest. All who die go to hell (grave).
Did you know that hell will soon be done away with--yes, hell will be a thing of the past. At Revelation 20:13,14 promises us_"And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death."
Death will bo no more and hell will be no more for without death, there will be no need for hell (graves) Does this not make sense?
God is love and we can be assured that he is not merciless or sadistic like the churches of Christendom make him out to be. When people say that God tortures humans, it makes Satan very happy. We need to prove Satan a liar.
2006-08-15 16:09:30 · answer #1 · answered by Micah 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Separation from the Lord, His love, our eternmal Home and our natural eternal spiritual niche (devotional service to the Lord) are the greatest sufferings while we are serving time here (for being rascals and rejecting Him) on this earthly "hell." We are in these temporary body-vehicles, and while within THAT imprisonment, we are suffering a form of hell, even if our false ego or personality is in denial of it. We are here because we do not remember Him or our spirit soul. Thus we are in this hellish life on earth. The Vedas also teach that it is hellish life and suffering while at any of the 7 temporary heavens too. But there is also description of 7 temporary hells in the Vedas.
So, the "hell" discussed by Christian denominations is watered down and more simplified than those teachings presented by the ancient Vedic teachings, although Dante's inferno does talk about the many LAYERS of hell. If you want to know some deep info on the many TALAS (hells), go to the link below.
Basically, the Vedas describe 7 temporary hells or TALAS (Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala, Patala) as well as 7 temporary heavens (LOKAS): Buvarloka, Svargaloka, Maharloka, Janaloka, Tapoloka and Satyaloka. Earth is in the middle of these.
And BTW, this country DOES torture its criminals as do most countires!
And if you want to understand "karma and suffering," see the link below too.
2006-08-14 05:58:22 · answer #2 · answered by gopigirl 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Separation from the Lord and hell are one and the same because we are meant to be in His association as His loving servants. When we choose to try and be separate enjoyers forgetful of the Lord, we suffer the consequences. We are then encaged in a material body with all its sufferings -- birth, death, disease, and old age, etc. But in the association of the Lord there is only complete bliss eternally. And even in this world, any person who becomes purified enjoys bliss equal to that of the Supreme Lord.
But I think your question is motivated by the Christian doctrine of an eternal hell. This is a concocted idea that Jesus did not teach. This nonsense came from men who wanted to control people for their own political reasons. There is no such eternal hell. Yes, you are right. Why would the Lord, who is the reservoir of all mercy, kindness, and love torment anyone? As you noted this is not even considered civilized behavior for humans. Everything material is temporary and always changing. Only the spiritual world is eternal and unchanging.
2006-08-14 06:02:45 · answer #3 · answered by Jagatkarta 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That is a very good question! These won't explain everything but I personally believe in a literal hell for two reasons.
1.God's justice is perfect and when His law is broken, the offense is to a much higher degree than when a criminal breaks civil law.
2. Jesus repeatedly warned of hell in the gospels in rather plain and matter of fact language. To not believe Him would be quite foolish and/or dangerous to our souls.
These two points barely touch the surface as to why hell will be so cruel. I don't undersatnd it fully but I can't deny it and water it down either.
2006-08-14 05:46:46 · answer #4 · answered by The Dave 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes God is a God of love, justice, and mercy, but there is another part of God which wrath and anger towards sin. That's why God is always warning people to change their lives, so that they will not experience His wrath. God gives every person the opportunity to get out of the way. However, if they choose not to it is because did do on their own. The bible says the God is a consuming fire. Anything that is not like Him will eventually be consumed by that fire. So, if people are living in sin and hold on to sin they get consumed in the fire. That's what hell really is. It is the place where people who are unrepented live consumed by the devouring Presence of God.
2006-08-14 05:44:49 · answer #5 · answered by super saiyan 3 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God is just. He is always fair and right.
People (Christians and non-Christians) do not know what it is like to live without God's care and blessings.
When we are thirsty, He sends rain. When we are hot, he sends wind. When we plant a garden, the harvest grows. God is actively caring for us right now.
Hell is not necessarilay a place of torment, but a place where no presence of God dwells. When people need relief, there will be no caring God to give it. When people desire friends, there will be none.
In Hell, everyone's punnishment will be just what they deserve.
But...God provides a deliverer from that place. Jesus Christ was provided. If you would not like to experience hell, then place your trust and faith in Jesus Christ.
Everyone falls short and deserves to go the Hell...even me... but in Christ you and I can be forgiven.
2006-08-14 05:42:42 · answer #6 · answered by Red-dog-luke 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Believe me, if you are separated from the love of god, you suffer. Without God's love you have hatred, murders, rape, pure evil, death even, torture etc. Satan was cast out of Heaven and therefore was destined for an eternity in Hell. Those who seek anything other than Jesus Christ in their lives ultimately follow Satan and turn their backs on God. Imagine if God turned His back on us. That is the way it will be for those who simply cannot accept the sacrifice God made on behalf of us to pay for our sin.
2006-08-14 05:42:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you ever had depression?
It is in the mind.
You can not get away from it.
Hell is the separation from God.
There you are in outer darkness, no light, no hope, no sleep, no medicine, no help, no people to talk to. No escape. No death.
All you hear is the screams of the tortured souls all around you mixed with your own.
You are left with the thought, why did I do this? It rings in your mind continuously. It is the fire of the mind.
This is the description, scary--if not ;you should be.
2006-08-14 05:46:29 · answer #8 · answered by chris p 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well now, this Father in Heaven has spelled it out for you from the beginning... he never created Hell for the people. He created Hell for the devil and his demons. God sent Jesus to die for us so we don't go in the place of the punishment... and has advertised this over and over form the beginning. Plus it says right there in the Bible... "choose life, so you may live"... I've read other people's comments that they WANT to go to Hell... Well, then.... After all it is a personal choice... The key concept here to keep in mind, is that hell was not meant for people. God never blamed or cursed man for sin. He blamed the devil, he cursed him, and the earth for sin, and for man's fall... but he never cursed the man. He spelled out the consequences and came up with a redemption plan... BUT! People make their own choices. Unfortunately as far as God stands, there is either heaven or hell. Like so many other things in life, you only get 2 choices. A wise man will choose heaven. Why so many opt out of heaven??? I don't know, I made my own choice. And FYI God is not changing his policy in how he deals with evil according to the American way... That really gave me a good laugh. Our justice system was founded upon belief in God, but we are not God, so in that perspective ewe don't apply torments, but rehabilitation programs and correctional facilities... Believe it or not, while you're alive you still have a chance to go to heaven even if you committed the ultimate crime and are on death row. But when you missed your last chance, your luck ran out... so to speak. Cuz in the afterlife the rules don't change as we deem to suggest it. As far as being arrogant, just by asking that question I don't think you are, but you know your heart and your attitude, if it's because you're searching for the truth, it's not arrogant, I am a Christian and still get mad at God... but without being arrogant or defiant... after all God wants to be your close friend. And this is normal friend behavior. And that's just because we're limited, and don't understand everything... as long as we're not defiant, God of all people understands exactly what's at the heart of this issue. Rule of thumb, attack the issue / problem, not the person.. and you're fine.
OK, so I don't get this, what's so hard to just accept Jesus and escape hell??? That's all you have to do, really. People come to Jesus for many different reasons and they do get the same reward. The promise of eternal life in heaven, and deliverance from sin ... and many blessings throughout your life... is that a bad offer??? Who wants to worry about hell when they got a ticket to heaven? OK, so you probably want to stay true to yourself and accept Jesus not like a coward, not just cuz you don't want to go to hell... I understand, that would make you an idealist.. Okay... All things aside... whatever the reason, why can't you just do it? I mean all this energy wasted on uncertainties, and questioning, and fear of death and wonder what if.... you can do so much better. I mean really... what keeps people from just accepting God? He never struck his children never tormented them... I think after all just weighing these facts, you're better off... Why do people choose hell... and are proud of it? It doesn't make any sense. People love sin more than life? Could be... I have no answer. I prefer heaven. And even if it turns out there's no heaven, I lived a brave life with a strong motivation, stayed healthy in body and spirit... So I'd still choose God. You can challenge God all you want while you're alive, but after you die, that's it! No more playing games. Think about it.
2006-08-14 07:00:48 · answer #9 · answered by Pivoine 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those seperated from the eternal love of God are suffering and in torment because they are seperated from God.
The punishment is "so cruel" because they reward is equally as great.
2006-08-14 05:37:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋