2007-11-08 10:07:34 · 17 answers · asked by F (*_*) 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes I do. While Christians affirm unequivocally that God is essentially good and loving, it must be emphasized that complementary to these attributes is the characteristic of justice. A loving being that ignored evil or that treated bad acts and good acts equally would not be good. Hence, if God is good, then God is also just - he must treat evil as evil. So, if any creatures merited the existence of hell, then God could remain essentially good and loving by giving them justice, even if that means sending some creatures to hell.
Another misconception has to do with how one is "sent" to hell. Often objectors claim that God randomly picks people to be damned as if on a whim. Additionally, they envision that the one sent to hell is absolutely innocent in the matter and had nothing to do with the outcome. On the contrary, Christians have long held that hell is a choice that is made by the one who arrives there (e.g., in Matt. 7:13-14 Jesus says those who choose the broad path walk to destruction). Essentially, then, God does not send people to hell. Rather, people send themselves.
A final misconception about hell is that it is a place of physical torment and torture. Rather, most Christians have understood these descriptions to capture symbolically that hell is final and utter separation from God's saving grace. Some Christians, like C. S. Lewis, take hell to be a real place where sinful people make themselves miserable. Similarly, thinking of heaven as a place of hedonistic pleasures is wrongheaded as well. In fact, those who choose hell would not enjoy the pleasures of heaven since those pleasures essentially flow from a right relationship with God.
2007-11-08 10:12:14 · answer #1 · answered by thundercatt9 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Yes, but it's not what most people think.
Those who do not accept the atonement of Christ, repent of their sins, and change for the better will have to suffer for their own sins. Like Christ's atonement it is an infinite suffering for a finite duration. This is Hell. Afterward we (All of God's children) will receive a place in one of 3 kingdoms of glory. The most faithful/diligent will go to the Celestial Kingdom, the moderately faithful/diligent will go to the Terrestrial Kingdom and the unfaithful/undiligent will go to the Telestial Kingdom. The Celestial Kingdom is unfathomably wonderful, the Terrestrial Kingdom is Paradise and even the Telestial Kingdom is better than our current mortal existence.
Imagine if you will a loving father pouring gasoline on his child and lighting them on fire. Imagine the loving father watching the child burn and scream in agony, not for minutes, weeks or even years but for Ions, forever. Imagine the loving father shutting the door and walking away. Some people really like the idea of the wicked burning in agony for eternity, but I just can't see God enjoying that. Our God is a God of justice and mercy.
2007-11-08 18:36:48 · answer #2 · answered by atomzer0 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I do believe that there is a hell. ANd we are not living in hell. Hell is far worst than this.
2007-11-08 18:12:54 · answer #3 · answered by Nikki 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Yes. In the words of Jean Paul Sartre, "Hell is other people."
[from No Exit]
So to the first poster who said the only way to not go to hell is belief in jesus. That sounds like your motivation for belief in god is out of FEAR of hell rather than because it makes the world a better place.
More thumbs down please...it only confirms my hypothesis that some Christians don't understand or like the truth.
2007-11-08 18:12:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
I do believe there's a hell and anyone can find the answer in the bible, here is one passage that refers to it
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where
" 'their worm does not die,
and the fire is not quenched
Mark 9:43-48
so you can imagine what this place is like
2007-11-08 18:21:15 · answer #5 · answered by theresnolie 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes.
but not in the way hollywood sells it to us.
it think hell is mere separation from God.
separation from God...i don't want to know what that's like.
we take our blessings for granted. but blessings are from God. now on earth, in this life, this is when you want to search and pray and seek God. because in the grave, where we are going, there is no working, or spending, or praying left to do. people will be held accountable for what we do in this life.
2007-11-08 18:19:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hell is a myth to scare the masses.
2007-11-08 18:14:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
yes, i do believe in hell.
2007-11-08 18:15:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hell is having to pay so many taxes here in the State of Kalifornia. But it sure is nice here.
2007-11-08 18:12:15 · answer #9 · answered by Zay Bones 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
It only exists in the deepest depths of the human imagination.
2007-11-08 18:12:52 · answer #10 · answered by Dendronbat Crocoduck 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋