I found myself in a debate with a friend over a particular doctrine, namely, the existence of "Hell" in Christian teaching. One point that was introduced in the debate was this: the doctrine of an actual "HELL" does not profit anybody, so it should be discarded. The theory is, the Faith will not be harmed by dropping such a doctrine. "It isn't that big a deal."
Please show your reasoning in your answer.
2007-02-13 15:38:17 · 13 answers · asked by MamaBear 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In such cases as you're talking about, no, "truth" cannot be discarded. Once you admit that one thing was wrong, then all these things, which were based on faith become questionable.
2007-02-13 15:42:57 · answer #1 · answered by the Boss 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's a very interesting view point. Simply put: why debate the existence of hell among believers when it's existence is irrelevant by virtue of the fact the hell is not a possible destination.
The problem I see with that is that, for it to truly be irrelevant to a believer, that person cannot have any vested interest in the outcome for anyone else. Yet, as a Christian, if hell may exist you certainly would be obligated to at least care that it may become someone's eventual end point.
So, I suppose I think it is a big deal. You shouldn't use hell as a tactic to scare others to sharing your believe - that's not belief, but covering one's bases. However, if hell exists then you're obligated as a Christian to at the very least help anyone wishing to avoid it to find an alternative.
2007-02-13 15:45:51 · answer #2 · answered by Greg H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion questions are hard to answer because religion is base on belief and not on hard cold facts like science. What you want to know is if we can get rid of the notion of hell. Yes and no. I mean from a science point of view no one has been able to prove or disprove the existence of hell. Same as aliens abducting people. So from a science point of view believen in alien abduction is about the same as believing in hell because there is not enough evidence about either. I know a lot of people will disagree with this but let them come forth and show the evidence. The best they can do is show all the writtings about hell. Yes, the existence of hell is well documented but its like saying that middle earth or that castle where Harry Poter goes to school exists since it is also written in a book.
That was the science view but, we most also consider the religious view. Part of religion is base on doctrines. The existence of hell is part of a lot of religious doctrine. If you start doubting about one doctrine then whats stopping you from doubting about other doctrines. So, to some religions the existance of hell is very important. It is also important as a way of hope. We all hope that at some point evil doers get their just deserves. How, will society behave as a whole if everybody knew that there is no punishment of any sort? Not a pretty picture.
Yes, different religions have different views on hell. The Christians believe that when you go to hell you stay there for the rest of eternity. Other religions say that you go to hell for only a certain amount of time in which you pay for your sins. After that you ascend.
In the end what really matters is your own personal beliefs. Maybe to you hell is not important but, it is very important to others. So, just because your denomination thinks there shouldn't be a notion that doesn't mean that other people should not be allowed to believe in it. Like I said in the beggining, religion is based og belief so let those who want to belief in something be happy in what they belief.
2007-02-13 15:52:55 · answer #3 · answered by mr_gees100_peas 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Christian definition of hell is "a place where God is not". With that in mind you can discard the traditional "Hell" image, and not suffer any for it. The idea is that even on earth God is still every where. Hell is not about suffering, but about finally being somewhere God is not.
Personally I think that if an idea that is considered true it can be discarded only when the person is ready to release that idea. If that person is not ready then problems can occur. Like wars starting kind of problems.
2007-02-13 15:42:28 · answer #4 · answered by anamaradancer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As you can see from other answers to your question, some have already decided to discard what was originally accepted as true. It is not a question of whether it can be done or not. It is always done, is being done now, and will be done over and over again. The problem lies in that SOME people will discard it and OTHERS will make it the most vital element of their faith. This results in all of us not knowing for sure.
(Karl Barth, a popular theologian, believed that all humans would be saved and nobody would go to Hell...so who knows?)
2007-02-13 16:05:57 · answer #5 · answered by 1nine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be honest, i'm not sure if it would be classed as skinny dipping or not. Here's why. Many years ago my mates and i hired a little tinnie and went on the harbour for a spot of fishing. I got massively sea sick and after projecting heaps of burley into the water from my guts i begged them to let me off somewhere and come back for me later. They dropped me off on a beach and i instantly felt better. What to do? i thought. I went for a little walk. I rounded a small headland and wouldn't ya know it, it was a nudist beach! I kept walking past all the nudies and they all gave me filthy looks like i was some kind of perverted bloke who'd come to perve on them. So what did i do? I nuded up too! Layed in the sun for a while, went in the ocean for a bit and then got dressed and went back to where my mates left me. Is that classed as skinny dipping? Hey, don't judge. I hadn't done it before and i haven't done it since. But when in Rome, do as the Romans do, right?
2016-03-29 05:46:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you can truly "discard" it without disproving it. You are just tabling it because you are unable to deny it's validity.
You say it does not alter faith.....without hell what destiny would you be saved from? Without hell what would be the motivation for believing in something more powerful than humanity? Without hell the devil will have no final destination..he will continue to walk this earth? Without hell what will be changed in the future of those who believe?
2007-02-13 15:54:22 · answer #7 · answered by dixiemade 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should know better than to argue about anything religious related with a Christian. It will get you nowhere. And if truth has been proven to be truth...then it will always be truth and nothing else. Whether it's disregarded or not is another problem. People disregard the truth all the time!
)o(
2007-02-13 15:45:43 · answer #8 · answered by rhiamon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The faith will not be harmed?? Without the fact of hell, everyone would presumably be saved and go to heaven, therefore the faith would be utterly useless! Who would need the faith if those who hold the faith and those who reject it will both enjoy precisely the same eternity!
2007-02-13 15:45:15 · answer #9 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Truth is NEVER expendable. The notion that we can discard truth soley because it doesn't suit us is not only counter-productive to our purpose, but is completely without basis to whatever we happen to be debating.
2007-02-13 15:51:44 · answer #10 · answered by W3TOD 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋