I know the bible specifically states that it does, but I really have trouble believing it. It doesn't seem to make sense, because:
A: If god wants to love all his children and be united with them, why would he seperate a group of them out for all eternity?
B: What purpose does it serve? Punishment is meant to teach a lesson: doesn't it amount to sadism to punish people for all eternity? All I can think is that it would be a warning to others.
C: How could someone who loved their neighbor as they loved themself, and especially, loved and prayed for their enemies (the basic ideas of being living a Christian life), ever be truly happy in heaven knowing that somewhere people were suffering an eternity of torture? Wouldn't they have to lose the very qualities that got them into heaven in order to be happy?
2006-10-30 13:30:46 · 13 answers · asked by devmorg1 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I know someone will bring up Hitler, and how could good people possibly tolerate being in heaven with him. I honestly don't know how to answer this. He can't have been entirely evil: insane, yes. I'm not saying hell shouldn't exist: people deserve to be punished for their sins. Maybe the "fire" burns their sin? I'd imagine that would be quite painful, and maybe the more you sinned, the more punishment you have to endure before being forgiven?
2006-10-30 13:35:49 · update #1
The fact god loves us does not prevent him from torturing us for all eternity. Haven't you ever strangled a cat for scratching you?
2006-10-30 13:48:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well thought out insight to a wrong conclusion. There is no such thing as eternal damnation. Thats a mans decree....not gods or the devils. Realize this as the truth and you will be better able to see him. God that is. The Bible can be as good a tool for a life (in some areas of existance...not all but some), as any kind writen word to cheer someone up or make someone feel good. But know that the Bible has been changed countless times by men, holy men, guardians, whitchs....and a various other groups.
So...would be a good idea and try not to analyze the Bible so closely. Thats how you shoot off with wrong conclusions.
2006-10-31 01:53:37 · answer #2 · answered by mark M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is an excellent question, one that doesn't have an answer, save the weak rationalizations Christians espouse.
They often say it was because of Adam's original sin. However, it does say in the bible that a child is not to be punished for the sins of his/her father. Also, if it is the case that we are being punished for what Adam and Eve did, then it is only because god set us up for failure. He knew what would happen, but let it happen anyway, just so billions would suffer eternal damnation, including people born before the birth of Jesus, and those who lived and died without ever hearing the supposed "good news." That means they burn forever due to bad timing.
Mighty unfair, isn't it.
2006-10-30 21:37:22 · answer #3 · answered by abulafia24 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contrary to popular belief, I would have to say that there is no eternal damnation, I don't believe the bible should be taken literally on all accounts, I believe all of the talk in the bible about fire, brimstone , etc.. is a permanent destruction of the body, meaning after you die you cease to exist. And those who follow God's law will have eternal life.
2006-10-30 21:46:54 · answer #4 · answered by Gary R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A: God does love all of His children. He gave us a chance to be with Him by sending Jesus to die for us.
B: The punishment could be viewed as symbolism: maybe they're not being punished literally, but it would seem like a lake of fire to know that, for all of eternity, you can never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
C: See my response to problem B.
2006-10-30 21:35:21 · answer #5 · answered by Nowhere Man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why does punishment in general exist.
God gave us free will, some choose to be evil, would an all loving God punish us all by removing free will, for the sake of those that choose evil.
However an all loving God is a just God as well, because an all loving person must have a concept of justice. it is because of this that damnation exists.
2006-10-30 21:40:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A. We are all CREATIONS of God, we are not all his children.
B. What are people learning when they get a life sentence of a death sentence??? Punihsment does teach a lesson but thats not really what its for. We have punishment to equal things out in the interests of justice.
C. Are we responsible for everybody? Do they not have freewill? Have you seen the way most of them act towards us!?!?!?! Now try asking that with a straight face again lol.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 6:23
2006-10-30 21:35:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eternal damnation exist but not in the sense everybody imagines it to be.the bible states that sinners will be erase from the book of life!that is different from hell.hell really do exist but it is man made!that sounds crazy,right?
God never meant to punish His children eternally.those who do nat make it to Heaven will be erased from the book of life in the end.that is, all the consciousness acquired during your sojourn on earth will be taken away from you and you will cease to exist!that is how it was planned from the beginning!hell is a man made concept that has taken on form.therefore hell does exist,but it was not created by God!
2006-10-30 21:54:13 · answer #8 · answered by hecteck 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus forces no man to love him. People go to hell because they want too. The children of God that make it in, will not know anything about their loved ones being in hell, however the people that are in Hell will see and hear their loved one in Heaven, greatly adding to the horror of hell.
2006-10-30 21:38:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
How is eternity in hell a fair punishment for sin?
http://www.gotquestions.org/eternal-hell-fair.html
How can a God of love send anybody to Hell?
http://christiananswers.net/q-grace/hell-and-god.html
2006-10-30 21:33:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋