We have a lot of christians and I think a lot of time people "presume" a lot of things about christians belief system that might not be so.
So for those of you that are awake at this hour...what is your take on hell? (No need to quote verses please) Just a straightforward: "do you believe it exists as a place of punishment for nonbelievers?"
Thanks!
2006-10-29 18:11:35 · 34 answers · asked by Black Parade Billie 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well, as Pooh Bear would say "Bother!" I was hoping to have my stereotypes smashed. So far...not looking hopeful.
2006-10-29 18:15:52 · update #1
No, I don't believe it exists as a place of punishment for nonbelievers.
First of all, the Christian religion seems to be all about forgiveness. Eternal Damnation seems to go against this.
Secondly, there are people in this world who because of where they live, have never heard of Christianity. It's baffling to imagine a God that would create such people and then damn them to hell for having never heard of Christianity.
Third, hell, if it exists, would be counterproductive. It wouldn't really be a good deterrent for people not to committ crimes because they know they are going to heaven anyway for being a believer. Those who really do end up in hell are simply suffering for an eternity. What if they repent in hell? Would they then be shipped back to heaven? If so, I think hell would be a very empty place. If not, then the forgiveness aspect of Christianity is violated.
Fourth, I don't believe in a heaven, for reasons I don't want to get into here because it has nothing to do with the question. Since there is no heaven, I don't think there is a hell either.
Note: not trying to offend Christians. Just stating my thoughts.
2006-10-29 18:13:29 · answer #1 · answered by red line 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes I believe in hell because I believe in opposites. Like up and down, in and out, back and forth. I believe if there were no hell (the Bible plainly states that there is) then we wouldn't really need a heaven. The deepest darkest hell would mean that heaven is indescribly awesome. The Bible says no eye has seen, nor ear has heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man how wonderful a place heaven is. And I also don't believe hell is just for punishment. No, I think hell is simply a place, a horrible place that people have put themselves because they rejected God. He is not punishing them, they just didn't want to be with Him, so they are completely and totally without Him. And to be totally without God is definately Hell. You can't imagine how many times a day God is bestowing mercy and grace upon you, you will never know until you are completely void of the presence of God.
2006-10-29 18:21:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have read the Bible several times and I don't get the idea that hell is punishment. More like some get to live in a nice neighborhood with a benevolent leader because they decided to be His friend. Others decide they want to strike out on their own in an environment they do not know much about. The result is they can observe others living in this free place and liking it but it is to late to change addresses. This might seem like punishment but actually it is freedom of choice and if you ask for a freedom you get it. to me this kind of freedom does not sound appealing. Outter darkness the lake of fire those are neighborhoods I do not want to live in, so I made friends with the owner of this great place.
I sin often, not proud of that but I do not want to and I ask forgiveness and I get it. Not like I am working in a sweat shop to live in a better neighborhood.
I think probably there are different levels in Hell (there are different discriptions)but it says they can all see what they missed. I think seeing what they missed is hell.
2006-10-29 18:30:30 · answer #3 · answered by ronnysox60 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some of us here are working on redecorating Hell so it will be more enjoyable. We're committed to the new water feature, but haven't really decided whether or not Hell should have an amusement park, or a campground with R.V. hookups.
We're not exactly sure how big the place really is, since it's just the figment of a deluded imagination, but we really thought it would be nice if the people who honestly think it's real had something better to look forward to in their afterlife...
-SD-
2006-10-29 18:17:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Virginia there is a Hell. Everyone will spend eternity somewhere. I've been blessed with going to Heaven. Those that haven't been reborn will go to Hell. It was made by God as a place of punishment for Satan and the rest of the fallen angels. We were never meant to go there, but some will. Those that have chosen to follow Satan will join him there.
2006-10-29 18:29:12 · answer #5 · answered by lost and found 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally no, but then I'm not a Christian myself. But I have to say this - how could a person be a Christian and NOT believe in hell?
For a Christian to say there is no hell, they are then questioning the total truth of the Bible, which does say hell exists. Once a so-called Christian begins taking parts out of the Bible which offend their sensibilities, where do they stop.
And how can a Christian start removing parts of the Bible without either calling God a liar, or questioning his infallibility? You either take the Bible in its entirely, hell and all, or you discard it in its entirety...no half-way marks allowed!
2006-10-29 18:22:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I do believe it and there are scriptures to back it up.
However there are those that don't want to believe it as if there is no hell then there is no penalty to pay for sin and no reason to accept Christ or what he done on the cross.
However if those that don't want to believe if they would just do a web search on fulfilled bible prophecy and note the date it was prophesied and the date it was fulfilled then they would know why Christians believe in the literal translation of the scriptures. The scriptures would have to be inspired by God and written by men inspired by God for these prophecies to be fulfilled with 100% accuracy...the odds of mortal man doing this on his own with out the inspiration of God are way way out there!
2006-10-29 19:41:25 · answer #7 · answered by judy_derr38565 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christ told the story of the beggar and the rich man. Since even the devils believe and tremble, it has more to do with actions and repentance than belief. Hell is described as a place of torment at some points and so I believe it is.
2006-10-29 18:16:08 · answer #8 · answered by waytooeasy67 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is my understanding that hell is a realm of eternal separation from God that exists not as an externally mandated punishment but as a place that souls go to by choice. That is, if people choose not to know God while they are alive in the flesh, then the manifestation of that choice in eternity is hell, or separation from God. For, really, why would someone who had no desire to know God while on earth be united with God after death? They have already made their choice. God honors that choice by allowing them to remain apart from him.
This is really about love. God loves people so much that he refuses to bind them to himself against their will. Love can let the beloved go. Hatred is the thing that clings to the beloved when he or she prefers to depart.
2006-10-29 18:18:35 · answer #9 · answered by Gestalt 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe when people die that are evil or big non believers will go straight to hell. Hell is a place of pain and suffering like nothing this world can bring it will be eternal pain for some. I believe when the second coming of Christ is here, the very evil of hell will die the second death meaning they will be erased from existence. And the others I am not sure about.
2006-10-29 18:16:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋