You never really learn anything so how could it be punishment? usually with punishment you are sent somewhere for a short amount of time to ponder and truly feel sorry for what you did. So in that case hell can't be punishment but eternal damnation for not believe in god. sounds pretty mean to me.
2007-04-23 07:29:28 · 22 answers · asked by Banana tree 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It serves as a threat.
Religions really have no factual basis, so they must use emotional manipulation instead. Two complimentary devices they use are the promise of reward in Heaven and threat of eternal punishment in Hell. People are naturally afraid of death and can't usually come to terms with just not existing afterwards. So, it is easy for religions to use this to gain converts.
2007-04-23 07:32:56 · answer #1 · answered by nondescript 7 · 6⤊ 3⤋
Punishment is an action that is unpleasant to a person in response to unwanted or disobedient behavior. It is basically a penalty for wrong doing.
There is not necessarily an "I'm sorry element" to punishment. It is normally swift, painful and in some cases eternal. There are so many different variations on the word that it can mean different things in regards to religion/government/law/ psychology/negative punishment/positive punishment etc. You just chose a different implication.
In some religions if you do not believe in GOD then you will be punished by being sent to hell. Eternal damnation is your punishment. You do not have to believe that. You have free will so choose what you feel is the right thing to believe but
do not mock others for their beliefs.
When you think about it - I've rarely heard of a punishment that is good. So why don't you choose the other end....your reward is eternal happiness. Would you take that?
2007-04-23 07:34:32 · answer #2 · answered by whaleaway 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
the factor of eternal punishment lies in its opposite, eternal peace with God. Plus, it is the way God made it. Arguing against something God does is like attempting to alter the suited score of SuperBowl 20 wherein the Chicago Bears beat the hot England Patriots. The Patriots will by no ability win that activity no remember how lots you elect them to, rant and rave approximately it, or attempt to alter the checklist books. It basically would not do you any good in any way, shape, or form. My chum, i wish you're making a decision for Jesus quickly. bear in mind, this is all approximately faith, believeing interior the God you could no longer use your senses to narrate to.
2016-10-13 07:07:01 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It actually makes total sense. It is just like the person on the street who walks up behind you and tells you to give them all your money. Without the threat of a gun or knife you would not give them anything. Well the church is no different, only they legally can threaten you with eternal damnation in hell if you don't give them all your money, oh and believe in some stupid moron they call God. But really it is all about the money for the church. And if that is not the case, when was the last time that you ever saw a church not want money? Never.
Back to your question, it also is not logical for Satan to punish you for eternity, when he would therefore be doing what God wanted to you. But since God and Satan don't see eye to eye, then why would Satan do anything that God wanted?
2007-04-23 07:44:55 · answer #4 · answered by corona001500 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I do not believe in hell and damnation. A psychic wrote a book on this subject and explained it very well I thought. I just wish I could remember the name of the book or the author. But she said, we have all agreed to be born into this life , to do something for God and that this time we have is here is very short. We actually live on another plain right here just above this one we just can not see it. We are all guaranteed by God we will come home again after this life. I want to believe this but as we all know the religious community threatens us to damnation for believing in psychics. Most of us have been brain washed into these thoughts, but I would like to here more about this way of thinking makes more sense to me.
Also why does the Catholic church feel the need to bless peoples houses to keep out spirits if there are none? I love talking about the after life,but everyone I know refuses to talk to me about it. This is the fear of God theory again. Lets keep this subject open. Thanks for the question.
2007-04-23 07:50:10 · answer #5 · answered by Cassy 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Most Christians don't really understand what will really happens after death, because an Apostacy occurred (all the priesthood holders - the Apostles - were killed off) and many doctrines of Christ were lost or glazed over.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the compelte Gospel of Jesus Christ, restored through angelic ministration and prophets of God. The explanation that I give comes from this church:
What you said: "usually with punishment you are sent somewhere for a short amount of time to ponder and truly feel sorry for what you did."
Your description of punishment IS the nature of the punishment that God "gives". Punishment does not last indefinitely. "Hell" is a temporary state of spiritual agony that people suffer because their consciences torment them. Through faith in Jesus Christ, our consciences can be cleansed, and we don't need to "pay the price" for the things we have done wrong.
LDS believe that after everyone has either accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour, or rejected him and paid the price for their sins (ie everyone has a conscience purified from guilt), they are assigned to "a kingdom of glory". This is an eternal assignment, because we receive eternal bodies (at the ressurection) according to the particular state of glory that we are worthy to inherit.
As such, LDS do not beleive in "hell" in the same way that other Christians do. Even the vilest sinners, who completely reject Jesus Christ, will still spend eternity in a beautiful place, progressing as much as they are able. The key point here is that people get to choose their place in eternity by their own actions and thoughts. Eternal progression is the aim of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
2007-04-23 08:01:09 · answer #6 · answered by MumOf5 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
yeah i agree, its sounds mean, waaaay too mean for a god. think about it, if god is all knowing and all seeing meaning he understands everything far better then we ever could then why would he be so pig headed as to damn a person to hell for eternity for ANY sin. if i as a human being with my little feeble mind can comprehend the fact that a person can be punished for a wrong doing and learn that he did something worng and feel remorse for it then deserve to be free again then why wopuld god not understand this? also if god is a loving god as he is said to be then how could he damn people forever? again i am just an imperfect human being, i DONT love everyone and i am not understanding of all things yet i have more compassion and mercy then god himself? i wouldnt damn anyone to hell for ETERNITY, thats a loooong time to suffer horrable things and there is nothing that we as humans with our little minds could do to deserve an eternity of suffering as "punishment" i do not beleive in eternal damnnation because i know that if there is a god he is not a jealous unreasonable creature, if he is then he is imperfect and he is not a god therefore he has no claim on my soul, i'll tell HIM to go to hell (-:
2007-04-23 07:37:44 · answer #7 · answered by None 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋
First, I don't think God so much punishes people who don't repent as they punish themselves when they finally realize how much He loves them and how they rejected that love.
Second, there are only two other alternatives:
1) forcing people to "love" Him, which makes a mockery of love and free will and would result in something that was no longer human; and,
2) annihilation, which would be an affront to man's intrinsic value as someone who was created in the image of God.
2007-04-23 07:52:51 · answer #8 · answered by Deof Movestofca 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Eternal punishment is a phrase used by one translation, or 2.
It is OK, but not the best rendering.
Nobody goes to a fiery hell to be tormented forever.
That is a lie that christendom has kept alive.
Our choice is not heaven or hell.
Our choice is life eternal or eternal non-existence.
That's why a phrase like 'everlasting cutting off' might be deemed a bit better.
Please note Romans 6:23
"The gift God gives is everlasting life. . ."
If someone says 'no thank you' then its not life in hell.
Its no life at all.
2007-04-23 07:37:46 · answer #9 · answered by Uncle Thesis 7 · 2⤊ 4⤋
IT IS A SCARE TACTIC OF THE CHURCH, sorry I don't mean to yell, but ppl can't get it through their thick skull. It's to control people by fear.
When I was a boy they told me, I'd go blind if I masterbated, well, I can see 20/15.
2007-04-23 07:58:22 · answer #10 · answered by Lucian Black 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋