If it is, then why should atheists fear it?
2007-04-09 16:41:57 · 21 answers · asked by Weird Darryl 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The reason I asked this question is that I have seen many Christians express this belief. In my opinion, they're trying to get away from the fact that the Bible teaches that ANYONE who does not believe in God (excluding those unable to understand the gospel) will be cast into Hell and that they can't deal with that. Again, that's my OPINION.
2007-04-09 19:02:42 · update #1
There is no hell or heaven.
Do you really think that God created humanity to test them and then send the bad boys into hell?
Can this be a fair test?
What about the babies or children who die very early without knowing anything about life?
What about the rich girl who doesn't have to commit crimes?
What about the poor boy who has to steal bread to feed himself and his brothers?
What about the people who are mentally and physically disabled?
What about the animals and plants, aren't they alive, don't they have a spirit?
Does God test them?
Do they go into hell or heaven?
In this age of science can we still think that humanity is the center of the universe?
2007-04-09 17:04:09 · answer #1 · answered by survey taker 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Why would Atheists fear Hell, if they are so certain it does not exist?
Besides (and I don't mean to speak with any sort of biblical authority, just what I've gathered personally), a separation from God is a separation from hope, love, peace, and all that is good about life. God allows all these things, and God creates all these things, directly or otherwise. Without His influence, there is nothing but despair.
I think that, while the idea of physical torture of Hell is nothing but an attempt to approximate the torture of separation from God, total separation from everything that makes life livable, for all eternity and with no possible escape, is a torment as bad, if not worse, than anything even the most sadistic torturer could devise.
2007-04-09 17:00:05 · answer #2 · answered by agharo_jager 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I believe that eternal separation from God is, in fact, just what Hell is. It is impossible for human beings to understand what that means or what that feels like. We are designed to need God more than even our basic needs (food, air, water, etc). We understand what it feels like to be deprived of those things, but not how it feels to be deprived of God. There are descriptions of Hell in the Bible which are the result of not having God. There is a need there which we do not comprehend.
2007-04-09 17:00:46 · answer #3 · answered by lightperson 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Actually no, because hell is just common grave of mankind from which one can be resurrected to life forever in paradise on earth. But it is not a place where people burn forever. God is loving & would never do that to humans. So actually no one whether an atheist or not need to fear hell. I don't fear hell & I'm not an atheist.
2007-04-09 16:49:34 · answer #4 · answered by cedrpt#1fan 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If one considers God to be the source of all hope, anybody should fear loosing that.
On the other hand, atheists still should not fear it for that reason. How does one fear something they don't understand?
2007-04-09 16:48:56 · answer #5 · answered by greeiore 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hell is a separation from God but it is not eternal. ( Bible translations in English are wrong if they say so) No atheist is presently separated from God in this World. God is all around even if he is not recognized. God is Love and all that is good. That is why He doesn't hand out everlasting punishment. The Second Death is temporary separation which will cause burning in the souls of those who are subjected to it and that will consume them and all that is unclean about them until they are ready to enter God's presence. That is why it is called the Lake of Fire.
2007-04-09 16:53:20 · answer #6 · answered by out of the grey 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I don't fear it. Of course, since I'm an atheist, I don't believe in god or Hell, so you've answered your own question. But I think you knew that already.
2007-04-09 16:45:51 · answer #7 · answered by seattlefan74 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
God is love. Hell is very far from this love, and form acceptance, security, hope, mercy, and joy.
St francis was also very afraid of going to hell. But he told himself. Okay, If I'm condemned to hell, then I will glorify God in hell.
2007-04-09 18:39:41 · answer #8 · answered by the good guy 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In my experience, Atheists don't fear hell because they don't believe it iexists.
However, Jesus taught that it was (a) real and (b) a place of eternal torment, not simply a "separation from God."
2007-04-09 16:45:40 · answer #9 · answered by jbtascam 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
If you had any idea who and what God is, you would fear separation from Him more than anything in the universe.
I know whereof I speak. He let me experience separation from Him for a brief season, but now He has joined me to Himself forever.
2007-04-09 16:47:32 · answer #10 · answered by wefmeister 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋