Here's my question. Why do Christians believe that people that are sent to Hell are tortured for all eternity? It seems that if Satan is evil incarnate, then people who were evil in life would be rewarded for how bad they were. Wouldn't Satan just be doing God's will by torturing bad people? It seems kind of backwards to think that evil would punish evil people for being evil.
2007-11-26 05:27:26 · 19 answers · asked by ajfrederick9867 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Kel, when I mean rewarded, I don't mean Satan does good for them. What if everyone got a bottle of Whiskey and a prostitute upon entering Hell. That's not traditionally a good thing, but it would be reward for one who is evil. I think you just missed the point of my question.
2007-11-26 05:34:49 · update #1
Coz it says so in the bible? There's no logic in the concept, so don't even bother :) Depending on which sect you listen to, there's various reasons you'd go to hell for... my favorite being the guys with confessions (make one mistake, and die before confessing, and boom... eternal damnation).
Here's the thing tho... if heaven existed... and is what they claim it to be, I'd consider hell a viable option. I'd rather suffer than be stuck with a bunch of christians for eternity. What they consider a reward, I consider a punishment.
2007-11-26 05:44:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christians do believe in an eternal hell, unlike Hindus and Buddhists for whom the hells are temporary. Your logic is faulty regarding people who were evil being rewarded. Rewarded how, by being tortured for all eternity! How is that any kind of reward? Satan does not do any of God's bidding. For the time being Satan has dominion over the souls of the damned but he will be cast into the lake of fire when he is cast out of this world. Satan RELISHES torturing souls. He has a fundamental hatred of humanity as God's creatures. Assisting in the damnation of souls is his primary mission. Since he cannot harm God, he directs his hatred and violence against God's creatures. Evil does not punish evil people for being evil. Evil tortures lost souls because they are the children of God. It is out of hatred and jealousy that Satan torments the damned. There is no logic to evil - it is totally irrational.
VB8
2007-11-26 05:44:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with your thought process. However, HELL is described as the dominion of satan and often assumed to be the final place of punishment.
The final resting place for evil is the Lake of Fire (not Hell as it is traditionaly described). This is a place of eternal torment for ALL evil (this would especially include satan).
Our picture of Hell is driven by some ancient Greek and Jewish pictures but more so by Dante's Inferno (not a bad read but not Biblically acurate).
The first link below gives some 'decent' information. This site doesn't teach a theology about Hell (which is good) it just give resource information.
The second link is more laced with agenda but still has a good presentation for your question.
Good luck with your search
2007-11-26 05:39:04 · answer #3 · answered by Consider_This 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does seem to be a contradiction. Religion in general needs a concept like hell. It is necessary to illustrate the virtue of faith. I will point out though that evil people do evil things with little regard for whether the person on the receiving end is good or evil.
2007-11-26 05:32:32 · answer #4 · answered by Bryan 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are no rewards in hell, there is no love, no compassion, only hate, why is this so hard to understand, do you actually think that satan is going to applaud you and give you anything? People think just because they serve satan in this world, that he has a reward for you? Not only deceived here, but you are really going to be, if you end up there.
2007-11-26 05:47:12 · answer #5 · answered by †ℱαìtℎ7♥ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's like saying evil is rewarded with good....which is against Satan's nature. Do you really think Satan would do something nice for you??
2007-11-26 05:31:49 · answer #6 · answered by Blue Oyster Kel 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The idea of Satan running Hell, torturing people is not Biblical. It is an old Germanic idea the kind of crept into theology.
2007-11-26 05:33:54 · answer #7 · answered by PROBLEM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read the bible for yourself. Satan gets burned in hell forever and ever. Read The book of Revelations never mind start at the book of Saint John.
2007-11-26 05:37:46 · answer #8 · answered by mightyhookup 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You got a point.
I wouldn't go as far as to say they will be rewarded, but I'm not sure I believe that the "eternal torment" is as to be taken as it perceived. There is no loyalty amoung the evil and that is part of the punishment.
2007-11-26 05:32:20 · answer #9 · answered by Cherry Darling 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are many Christians who do not believe that eternal torment of the wicked is biblical. This belief has it's roots in the pagan belief of an immortal soul. The bible is clear that the wages of sin is death, it is not eternal life in torment.
2007-11-26 05:32:08 · answer #10 · answered by Mr. E 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋