2007-12-30 08:42:12 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Good Q. Actually, it is a misunderstanding of scripture to believe that God's punishment lasts forever.
See Doctrine and Covenants 19:6-12 - http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/19/6-12#4 for the explanation of this mystery.
The Doctrine and Covenants were revealed from the Lord to the prophet Joseph Smith (and a few other modern-day prophets), in order to clarify many of the teachings of Jesus Christ which were lost through corruption of the early Christian church.
See also "Testimony of Joseph Smith" for more detail about how God opened the heavens again, to pour down knowledge upon mankind
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bm/jstestimony
2007-12-30 08:56:11 · answer #1 · answered by MumOf5 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The concept you speak of, eternal torment in a burning Hell, is NOT scriptural. It predates Christianity and has no basis in scripture. Although some scriptures are used to say it exists, a study of the surrounding context or other parts of the bible explain that away.
The fact is that at Jeremiah 46:28, Jehovah God promised to punish the wayward Israelites to "the just degree", "in justice" "to the proper degree" (depending on what translation you look at). Why then would he not do the same for individuals?
Some thoughts for consideration:
- The Hebrew and Greek words for hell are sheol/hades respectively. Those words mean "the pit" or "the grave"
- God promises to toss SATAN into the "lake of fire", which some people say is hell. If Satan is there and in charge of hell, why is he said to be tossed IN it?
- Revelation 20 (verse I can't remember right now) says that HELL will be done away with forever, so how can it be permanent
2007-12-30 08:58:36 · answer #2 · answered by Q&A Queen 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think an infinite punishment is possible. But if it were, there's no finite action (or within the context of Christianity, no finite inaction) that could ever justify such a thing.
2007-12-30 08:53:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
In the circumstance of rape and torture of a child!
Anything other than infinite punishment is too little!
This goes any lurid hideous Abomination committed by one person against another innocent sentient human!
These worms could even beg for forgiveness from God.
But such scum will NEVER receive forgiveness from me!
Out side of that the punishment should fit the crime.
2007-12-30 09:58:37 · answer #4 · answered by Sly Fox [King of Fools] 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Under no circumstances of which I can conceive is it justifiable to punish someone infinitely for a finite action.
But it's justifiable for God to hold people eternally accountable for all of our "transgressions", it seems.
2007-12-30 08:45:40 · answer #5 · answered by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
When they have done something so terrible that the act must be balanced out by their eternal punishment. The only act I can think of is intentionally destroying every soul in existance, so that they no longer exist. If this were possible to do, only those beings above us have the power to do it.
2007-12-30 08:52:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ever hear that one Song by the Bare Naked Ladies. They deserve eternal punishment for inflicting that on the English speaking world's ear drums.
2007-12-30 08:48:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
We get a finite punishment for our finite actions. But since we are living in eternity and not realizing our 'goal' we continue to do sins unabated and therefore are always in perdition.
When we orient ourselves god-wards by associating ourselves with a real and living saint, then only the effect of our past lives and hitherto life sins are taken care of.
And what is sin? Sin means getting obsessed elsewhere other than God (Krishn to me).
2007-12-30 19:27:22 · answer #8 · answered by Vijay D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hell is a place where God is not. God will not be "punishing"
anyone.
You will spend eternity away from God with the rest of the unbelievers in a godless existence. Maybe you will like it
maybe not.
2007-12-30 08:46:52 · answer #9 · answered by G 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
It's not, and that is why I don't believe in an eternal, fiery hell. This teaching is inconsistent with a loving (or even just) God.
2007-12-30 08:53:44 · answer #10 · answered by frenzy-CIB- Jim's with Jesus 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋