why do we associate the word hell with the word down and the word heaven with the word high? do people really believe there is hell below us? how far below? is it in the earth? if not, then isn't it just as likely that hell is somewhere in the heavens as well? so when we look into the sky, is it safe to say, "somewhere up there, satan is looking down at us."?
2007-06-21 03:57:05 · 12 answers · asked by just curious (A.A.A.A.) 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The origin of the association to the word Hell comes from what it was a reference to. In old days, they used to pile the bodies of the dead when they had mass deaths (from diseases, wars or whatever) outside cities in huge pits in the ground and burn them. When Hell is referred to in context, as a lake of fire, it refers to this allegory. It is because the pits are in the ground that we refer to Hell being in the ground, or "Downward".
As far as why we refer to Heaven as being "UP", it is because scripture says Jesus Ascended into Heaven. Ascending is defined as moving in an upward direction, height wise.
Hope this helps...
2007-06-21 04:10:29 · answer #1 · answered by Simple Man Of God 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's too deeply (sorry!) entrenched (sorry again) in our language to change now. So many words, and the roots of longer words, are based on this metaphorical directionalism that there's no switching it except to emphasize the original position. It's like Tolkien making the Sun feminine and the Moon masculine: all it did was say "we switched them." It did not function as a change that was consistent with anything else.
Same goes for black and white. I feel bad about the idea that people with darker skin get associated with the metaphorical dark soul, but that's inevitable. And ironic, when you figure "Lucifer" means bringer of light. But it makes sense; you can only see the figure when there is a background. You only know the light is there by the contrast with the darkness around it. So Lucifer's real job is to make it possible to see the glory of God by providing a contrast, right?
There is another way in which dark skin being associated with wrongness in any way is ironic, in that the darker races evolved by getting more light, that is more sunlight, than those who developed lighter skin to make maximum use of the puny northern light.
Contrast and balance are part of Mother Nature's way. When we use them as symbols and metaphors, we have to take note of the limits of these correspondences, and not apply them where they don't fit.
2007-06-21 04:51:02 · answer #2 · answered by auntb93 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think the concept of hell being below us & being a "hot" place came from the fact that the earth spews hot liquid magma from volcanos. All superstitions are based on SOME reality..... even if that reality is grossly distorted.
Most people believe heaven to be in the clouds. Anyone who has flown higher than 30,000 feet in a plane knows that being above the clouds is an amazing sight. Even if you haven't, you can look up to the clouds & they look so soft & welcoming. Who wouldn't want to live up there on a soft fluffy cloud?
2007-06-21 04:06:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
According to Janet Martin Soskice (in Metaphor and Religious Language), it is the imperative of Christian-religious thought to use these metaphors as expression of belief.
That is to say, these notions of hell, heaven, etc., are so deeply meaningful, that words like "down" are more expressive and packed with meaning than a phrase like "where bad people go to be punished."
We have always believed in heaven and hell, in one form or another. We have also always expressed our beliefs in this form.
www.on2mobi.com
2007-06-21 04:04:31 · answer #4 · answered by on2mobi.com 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I do not know if hell is below us or above us, but I do want to stay so far away from it as possible.
2007-06-21 06:26:07 · answer #5 · answered by Nina, BaC 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Many languages have the same word for "heaven" and "sky". In French it's "ciel".
2007-06-21 04:04:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
What faith Batman replaced into/is. did not he constantly use "Ka-Powee" and "Ka-Blaaamm" in battling the evil Penguin or Riddler or Joker? i think of Batman replaced right into a peace-loving Buddhist, even with the undeniable fact that.
2016-12-08 15:26:50 · answer #7 · answered by kostenbauber 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because in the old days God was literally supposed to be up there in the clouds somewhere.
2007-06-21 04:01:10 · answer #8 · answered by EZSum 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Think about it:
1) Jesus 'ascended' into heaven.
2) If you deny Christ you'll be thrown into the fiery 'pit' of Hell. When one refers to pit, it usually means hole, or bottom, etc.
Nice Question =]
2007-06-21 04:04:11 · answer #9 · answered by A.P. 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
My location, like Dick Cheney's, is not disclosed. If you think there's a connection, you're right
2007-06-21 04:15:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋