I've heard it said that Hell was "created" Satan fell but that it is more of a "state of existence apart from God" than an actual physical place.
And yet Christ seems to repeatedly describes Hell in Scripture as an actual place. In fact, theologians throughout the centuries have actually posited it lies deep in the Earth. Fascinating, huh?
Does anyone know the Church's definitive teaching on this?
2007-08-16 13:07:15 · 8 answers · asked by Knight of Malta 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Donegal Rose: I clearly addressed this question to Catholics. I hope you will open your mind to the truth. It will set you free, girl!
2007-08-16 13:30:58 · update #1
The Church definitely states that Hell is a state of existence. Here is an exerpt from the Catechism:
"To die in mortal sin without repenting and accepting God’s merciful love means remaining separated from him for ever by our own free choice. This state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed is called ‘hell’ "(CCC 1033)
Regarding hell’s location, while individual theologians have offered "best guesses," the Church has NEVER made a definitive proclamation on the subject.
Let us wisely follow the advice of St. John Chrysostom: “We must not ask where hell is, but how we are to escape it!"
2007-08-16 13:16:31 · answer #1 · answered by Veritas 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It is debatable whether anything after death can be called physical.
No one really knows what hell is like. It has been described by people who have not been there as everything from flames to a frozen lake (Dante).
Hell is the state of complete and final self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed, reserved for those who refuse by their own free choice to believe and be converted from sin, even to the end of their lives
I like to think of it this way. The only way a person will go to hell is if they want to.
God in His (or Her) unlimited love has given us free will to choose. Our most important choice is to freely decide to accept or reject God's constant offer of spending eternity with Him in heaven. God will respect the choice to reject Him.
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1033-1037: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art12.htm#1033
With love in Christ.
2007-08-17 00:31:04 · answer #2 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it's both. I think that it's a state of mind when on earth, one can create their own hell, i.e. alcoholics, drug addictions and so on...But the actual hell, the place is for the gravest sins as in after you die. God stated that the only way you can go to hell is not beleiving in him or beleiving in him but cussing him out. Others, you will go to purgatory [like jail] but the length will depend on your sins...
2007-08-16 20:23:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Hello,
I was always taught that hell is a state of spiritual existence where you are separated forever from God which psychologically is worse than fire and brimestone.
Michael
2007-08-16 20:17:55 · answer #4 · answered by Michael Kelly 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it is most likely a state of exitstance for where your soul will reside if u are condemned. people say its beneath the earth because that is the most logical place for it to be. the same as saying heaven is up above the clouds.
2007-08-16 20:15:13 · answer #5 · answered by wannafanta321 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
As far as my comprehension can grasp it is both.
I am working hard to avoid learning.
I am hoping GOD does not send me there.
2007-08-16 22:57:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have always been taught that it's physical state.
2007-08-16 20:45:12 · answer #7 · answered by Perceptive 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
God, the devil and hell don't exist. They are all fables. Please learn to open your mind and think for yourself instead of beliving these fairy tales.
2007-08-16 20:20:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋