Is hell a place of eternal torture? Why did God create such a place?

Answer 1

That really depends on your idea of torture.

To my step daughter torture is going without her cell phone for a week.

God created people to have free will, the ability to choose. In order to choose you need at least two choices and someplace to choose from. The choices are heaven and hell, the place we are at when we choose is Earth.

The word hell is derived from the Hebrew word Sheol, which is often loosely translated to mean "grave" or "pit". It really means more than that, it is the place from which there is no return where there is no praise of God. A "pit" the wicked are cast down into from which they do not return and where they do not praise God.

Sticking to the old testament a lot of people think of Sheol as just dying, being dead. These people are called "Sadducee" in the New Testament, this is a "denomination" of Judaism where they do not believe in the resurrection, just death.

This idea comes from stretching the translation of the word Sheol in two places, if I remember, in Job and in Ecclesiastes where it gives the impression that everyone, good or bad, goes into the pit. In Ecclesiastes this is open to interpretation and in Job, and well in my opinion, Job is feeling sorry for himself as is basically lamenting "everyone goes to hell, there is no heaven".

The majority of people believe that there is life after death, even the Jews of the old testament. Some believe stronger than others, but, life after death is a widely held belief.

Despite the rantings of the uneducated, Sheol is described best in the book of Psalms as an unhealthy and unhappy place where the wicked go and the repentant are delivered from.

I had occasion to visit Hell and it is anarchistic, in many ways like a prison. Like a prison it is a place that the people there have created for themselves. Satan "rules", but, it is more like he keeps the various people and groups fighting amongst themselves so they do not battle with Satan. I would not call it a democracy, it is more Darwinian where the strong survive, command, and the weak are more like slaves.

As some one pointed out there are what some might consider "luxuries" in various forms, but, they are not what most people would consider luxuries. These "luxuries" are in short supply and are fiercely battled over.

You could think of it as similar to Earth without the resources we have and without any form of government.

It comes right down to your choice, you can live by God's rules and live in God's house or you can live someplace else.

Answer 2

I don't think so. The ancient Egyptians had god's in control of the underworld. Often these gods exacted punishment on the dead for sins committed while alive. So Christians were late on the scene in attributing their God with such plans to torture. If you accept this pagan doctrine as truth, you actually solidify the concept of YHWH Jehovah as a blood thirsty, fiend who would gather pleasure from watching his creation writhe in pain and suffering. If you want to entertain that idea about your god, then you condone such behaviour. Now I must add this caveat to the above strong statement. Who's fault is it that millions of Christians accept this as their destiny, if not found worthy by God? Religion, religion, religion. Once again the interpretation of the bible message, can be massaged and worked around to almost any doctrine, dogma, religious leaders desire. My God (if he exists) would have nothing to do with any organized religion, sect, cult, or group. They all end up in the end proclaiming 'we know what God means'. They can claim but they cannot prove that they have any such 'truth' only surmise and conjecture, and guesses.

Answer 3

Only extreme love could create such a place and send people there for eternity after death. The very idea is so childish that it is unbelievable. However, it seems to scare a lot of christians.

Answer 4

Different denominations will tell you different things. Moderate or liberal sects may describe hell as a state of mind or emotion. Others would say that it is simply a seperation from God, while still others say that it means complete exctinction. Conservative sects will tell you (with disturbingly eager, loving detail) about the horrors and atrocities that you will suffer if you don't kiss God's ring and seem to enjoy using it as a threat to try to induce people into their churches...or as a way to dismiss non-Christians. (The ultimate revenge fantasy: "We're right and you're wrong, you'll see!")

In the end, no one knows anything about whether or not there is an afterlife at all. Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something.

Answer 5

I see it kind of like this: When you drive a car you are told not to speed OR you could get a speeding ticket. The ticket is the punishment for disobeying the law not to speed. It's a law not to steal and rob people. If a person steals and robs he/she knows they could go to jail. Each of the above is a warning. A warning not to do something, and if a person does it anyway, they know they could suffer the consequences. Hell is the consequence for unrepentant sin. We are told some things we should or should not do. If we don't follow our instructions, hell is what we could suffer. It's a warning and what not heeding the warning could cause.

Answer 6

Actually it depends on when you get there. If you go in winter, it is a lot like torture. Hell, Michigan gets a lot of snow and the roads are really icy. Now if you go in fall when the leaves turn all different colors, it is really a beautiful place to be. If you go, make sure you get your picture taken at the sign that says, "Welcome to Hell". We did.

Hugs

Answer 7

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I don’t think God has created this place in the strictest since of the word but, is merely a by-product of death.

When a person finally realizes that their ultimate destiny is not their assumed heavenly realm of things but the natural earthly realm of things may be somewhat of a torture, at least in the beginning. Accepting, the inevitable is what brings relief.
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Answer 8

yes hell is a actual place and it is eternal torment and fire and torture. god created hell for satan the fallen angel and all of those who are lost to wordly sin. the bible tell us of the 5 "i wills" of satan, book of isaiah chapter 14 , verses 12-17. he wanted to be above god and take over heaven. hell was created for satan and his imps.the soul never dies. accept jesus and ask god for forgiveness and spend it heaven or take your chance in hell with satan

Answer 9

Gospel of Barnabas
Chapter 136
When he shall go there all the devils shall shriek, and seek to hide themselves beneath the burning embers, saying one to another: "Fly, fly, for here comes Muhammad ;our enemy!" Hearing which, Satan shall smite himself upon the face with both his hands, and screaming shall say: "You are more noble than I, in my despite, and this is unjustly done!" As for the faithful, who are in seventy-two grades, those of the two last grades, who shall have had the faith without good works, the one being sad at good works, and the other delighting in evil, they shall abide in hell seventy thousand years.
After those years shall the angel Gabriel ;come into hell, and shall hear them say: "O Muhammad, where are your promises made to us, saying that those who have your faith shall not abide in hell for evermore?" Then the angel of God shall return to paradise, and having approached with reverence the Messenger of God shall narrate to him what he has heard. Then shall his Messenger speak to God and say: "Lord, my God, remember the promise made to me your servant, concerning them that have received my faith, that they shall not abide for evermore in hell." God shall answer: "Ask what you will, O my friend, for I will give you all that you ask."

Answer 10

He needed a place where he could throw away the bad clones