How is it that some Christians don't believe in hell?

Question

The eternal nature of hell is stressed in the New Testament. For example, in Mark 9:47–48 Jesus warns us, "It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, where the worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched." And in Revelation 14:11, we read: "And the smoke of their torment goes up for ever and ever; and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name."

Hell is not just a theoretical possibility. Jesus warns us that real people go there. He says, "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few" (Matt. 7:13–14).

How can some Christians not accept the fact that Jesus taught about hell?

In case anyone might be interested, he Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, ‘eternal fire.’ The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs" (CCC 1035).

http://www.catholic.com/library/Hell_There_Is.asp

Answer 1

I liked your other picture better.

I believe.

Answer 2

Ok I dont have my bible so I cant remeber the exact texts Im talking about at the moment, but I will post them later....
Im a Cristian and I dont belive in hell, the reason, well in Proverbs and Psalms it says the dead feel nothing when they die and have no conscience of anything. Not the good or the bad just dead people in general. The word in the Old Testament for the place people were people were put when they died was sheol, which transelates basically to a hole in the ground. In the New testament, an OT scripture is quoted that has the word sheol in it and it is transelated into greek as hades, which is the word transalated as hell in the greek scriptures. It is note worthy that later after Jesus has died, when they mention where he was, they use the word hades, and even after ascending to heaven Jesus thanks God for not abandoning him in "hades". So if hades or "hell" is a place of suffering that would suck. It is also noteworthy that Revelations is quite a simbolic book and they way I figure it, the verses in Matt and Mark are aslo symbolism because if not then when Jesus would have been in hell for three days. I belive that the "hell" fires that Jesus talks about are a symbol of eternal destruction not suffering. Like I said earlier, I will post the actual scriptures later, I dont have my bible with me at the moment.

Answer 3

You cannot feel good when you don't know how bad feels. There must be a Yin and a Yang. Light and Darkness. Black and White. Fire and Water. Earth and Wind. There is balance everywhere. I'm not Christian, but I know how they work.The smart ones who did not mess up the religion with quotes and stories were philosophers. They saw balance in nature everywhere. They heard wild stories from travellers about a supreme being and an afterlife, but only heaven. They saw balance in nature, so why not in the afterlife? They theorized of Lucifer, the ferry keeper, Charon in Greek Mythology, Davy Jones from seamen's tales, the one who took you from this life to the next. They beleived that it was only separation, not torture. Over centuries, this became hell fire and damnation.

Answer 4

1. Because they simply did not believe the Bible.

2. 'Some religious person' teach them they can pay a sum of money to avoid hell.

3. Because too many famous person said that, "There are many ways to go to heaven".

4. Because they believe in religion and not believe in God. Christian is not about religion, its about relationship with God.

P.S - In the bible, Jesus taught more about hell than taught about heaven. (Simply because that horrible place was not created to tortured human, but devil instead. ITS SPECIALLY CREATED FOR LUCIFER & FRIENDS!)

P.S.S - For those who don't believe in hell, careful...There will be NO second chance! Ever..

Answer 5

Perhaps it's one of the problems which are raised with the internet. Where a person can access information that is totally bunk. All a person has to do is make something sound and look scholarly, without any research which may be considered respectable.

Answer 6

I believe in hell, just not in the fire and brimstone hell that many Christians believe in. I believe that hell is an eternal separation from God and Jesus Christ said that it was fire and brimstone to explain that we will have to go through when we are separated from God.

Answer 7

Hell is a terrible place to believe in, and only those that delight in the torment of others can believe such a ridiculous place exists.

Answer 8

Some people think God is to good to send them there. The Bible also say's he is a God of wrath as well as a God of love to all the children of disobediance.

Answer 9

You're talking about people who claim the name and don' live their faith or know their bible at all.... Kinda like someone who drives a car and has never read the drivers manual and doesn't know the rules and imformation.......NOT to worry there WILL be a test... 8-)

Answer 10

That seems impossible.

Maybe they dont believe that they're going to hell... but if they are a Christian and believe in what the bible says... thsi is very unlikely!

Answer 11

Its odd, isn't it? I'm not Catholic (Pentecostal here) but I often wondered how some Christians pick and choose which parts of the Bible they want to believe and apply to life.