The Myth of Hell

originally posted by: Abednego


This is where the myth of hell is born for Christianity. Now, let be clear in something the eternal condemnation is for the devil, the beast and the false prophet. They were thrown into the lake of burning sulfur.
The others were thrown into a lake of fire. The text is very clear making a distinction between "lake of burning sulfur" and "lake of fire", meaning they are two different places.

Also notice that there are 3 different kind of death: death by sea, by death itself and by Hades. Obviously there is a symbolism that need to be study further.

I have never heard of there being two different Lakes of Fire/Brimstone before. I'm not so sure they are separate, but I do note that this Lake is NOT called Hell.

a reply to: Lazarus Short

I understand the issue. But we have to take into account what the writer was seeing. The writer saw two separates places, not the same one. That is why he describe them using different words.

The burning sulfur; Here the writer describe this lake of burning sulfur, that tells us that the writer knows what sulfur is. Also it burns different that just fire.

The lake of fire; Here the writer saw a lake of fire, but he does not describe it of been of sulfur.

And being so close in the same text
, it would has been better to write "...they were thrown into the same burning lake..."

a reply to: Ursushorribilis

Modern day Christianity preaches of Eternal Hellfire. In my opinion this concept of Hell was created to scare and convert people of different beliefs. Logically it just doesn't make sense. 1. The punishment doesn't fit the crime. 30 years of adultery, or whatever your vice is, doesn't equate to eternal Hellfire. 2. It's anti-christian. Christianity preaches love and forgiveness. Hellfire is in direct conflict with the entire message of Christianity.

No, modern day Christianity does not preach of eternal hellfire. Show me your NT source and then I will stand corrected.

The concept of hell was not created by the NT authors but was in effect prior to the NT era. Show me your source for making such a claim.

Thirty years of sin without repenting does equate a judgment of punishment whereas thirty years of sin and then repentance does not equate a punishment.

Christianity does preach love but love from the Creator is conditional. Sin and love are two opposites. If one has love for the Creator then that one can not deliberately sin and still have love for the Creator.

You left out the key in your thread. The key is "Repent"--

a reply to: Seede


No repentance comes after making a mistake... The key is seeing the patterns of ones volition that keep them making those mistakes then no repentance needed, one comes to see where and why they keep harming themselves and others and stops. Repentance is carrying guilt around why ask someone dead for it for over 2000 years? Go apologize to the person you wronged take responsibility for the action oneself by sucking it up and being an adult. Running and hiding from being a jackass to people and then only years later remorseful is the nothing I can do about it now where's some faith cause I am mentally tormented well asshole you deserve it.

We all do that's why it is best to handle your business proper and not run around hurting others out of greed or spite or you will wear those shoes of nothing again and again until you get the lesson. Wisdom comes at a price; those that hurt me get it in the way of kamma that sort of energy is a waste of my time so I dont ride the wave with them... theyll learn eventually and I dont have to be around at any point in that process... sure if they come back to apologize... cool keep it up I am sure youve hurt more than me, but I was over it when it occurred.

Well, I think the bible is quite specific about "hell".The "temptation" of Christ actually has Satan saying to Jesus on the mountain, while stretching his hand over the land, "I will give you dominion over all earthly kingdoms If you fall down and worship me". Now that, ladies and gentlemen, tells you one inescapable fact that Satan held the earthly kingdoms to give to Jesus. So with that information one has to agree that the land ruled by Satan is Hell therefore all earthly kingdoms are Hell.

a reply to: Ursushorribilis

Every famous person will be there lol

a reply to: Ursushorribilis

Eternal hell is the most disgusting doctrine ever foisted on people.

The biblical evidence for it is flimsy at best and is unsupported by the early church fathers.

It is the greatest heresy to claim that a loving all wise all powerful god either can’t or won’t save everyone (don’t even get me going on “salvation”).

a reply to: silo13

I really envy the religious in this way. You get to spend your whole life looking forward to thumbing your nose at the non-believers when you stand before the pearly gates and basking in the righteousness of your decision to dedicate your life to Jesus.

If i'm proven right I'll just cease existing, as will everyone else. Hard to go "neener neener" at somebody who doesn't exist as somebody who doesn't exist.

originally posted by: Slanter
a reply to: silo13

I really envy the religious in this way. You get to spend your whole life looking forward to thumbing your nose at the non-believers when you stand before the pearly gates and basking in the righteousness of your decision to dedicate your life to Jesus.

If i'm proven right I'll just cease existing, as will everyone else. Hard to go "neener neener" at somebody who doesn't exist as somebody who doesn't exist.

Well you're giving me attributes I don't have - spite for one - so you're already way off base.

I don't want ANYONE to go to hell - NO ONE. And neither does the Lord. That's why He's done everything possible (without removing free will) to give man a 'pass' if you like, to heaven.

It's not a hard thing to understand, but I will add, some people have hardened their hearts to the point where they're blinded to the truth. It's sad. Very sad.

a reply to: silo13

Would you damn your child to hell for eternity?

Anyone that would is evil and cruel. Your "God" doesn't get a free pass. So to agree with the concept of Hell is to agree that Your God is evil.

a reply to: Slanter

Just because you won't be going to hell doesn't mean you will cease to exist.
Theres no telling about the afterlife. Logically, hell just isn't one of the options.

a reply to: Seede

Your referencing the Bible. I don't view the Bible as having any authority. Use logic instead of religious dogma in your argument.

To be honest anyone with benevolence would have gone through the same punishments oneself... hence the being in heaven and hell business when one went to both and saw whomever there mentioned above. Not hanging out and watching the torture with satisfaction but be there in a yeah I know how it feels myself... if you want to run around acting like an "I am" there's consequences to that selfhood in the ignoring of all others. Not ignoring all others well, see ya in the other place...

originally posted by: Ursushorribilis
a reply to: silo13

Would you damn your child to hell for eternity?

Anyone that would is evil and cruel. Your "God" doesn't get a free pass. So to agree with the concept of Hell is to agree that Your God is evil.

I would not and could not 'damn' my child to hell. Only my child can make that decision. No one else.

Hell isn't a 'concept' - it's an all to real place.

As for my Lord being evil? Not even worth replying to it's so ignorant.

a reply to: silo13

You say that it's the child decision. But if someone "judges" you in the end. They are essentially laying down an eternal sentence. So yes, God would be responsible for every soul in Hell.

a reply to: silo13

Hell isn't a 'concept' - it's an all to real place.

This is correct... Gehenna...

A real place outside of the walls of Jerusalem, a literal garbage dump where the bodies of people who couldn't afford a proper burial were tossed... They used sulphur to destroy the bodies and whatever else was there... which is where the imagery of eternal burning came from... said fires burned day and night

a reply to: Ursushorribilis


it is the childs decision each and every one same as yours throughout life thats what freewill is or else there is absolutely no point and we are just self policing with made up ideologies in either case it is the same.

originally posted by: Ursushorribilis
a reply to: silo13

You say that it's the child decision. But if someone "judges" you in the end. They are essentially laying down an eternal sentence. So yes, God would be responsible for every soul in Hell.

No. Because of 'free will' we are all responsible for our own life and after life.

We would be nothing but puppets if that were not the case.

The truth is God does not want anyone to go to hell.

He offers a very beautiful and simple way to avoid such a fate.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Love your Lord with all your heart. Love your neighbour as yourself.

It's that simple.

The Lord is a Lord of justice.

Choose to believe, and you're all set.

But in the end? NO one will evade the justice of the Lord.

Pretty easy to be on the right side.

Just love. Try. Love others. Repent of things that are not good for you anyway - and only lead to a horrible life here on earth.

Believe.

It's not so tough.

originally posted by: Ursushorribilis
Modern day Christianity preaches of Eternal Hellfire. In my opinion this concept of Hell was created to scare and convert people of different beliefs.

Logically it just doesn't make sense.

1. The punishment doesn't fit the crime.
30 years of adultery, or whatever your vice is, doesn't equate to eternal Hellfire.

2. It's anti-christian. Christianity preaches love and forgiveness. Hellfire is in direct conflict with the entire message of Christianity.


What do you think?

God tells us in His Word, He is the source of all good things, life, love, hope, peace, gentleness, self control;

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Hell is just an eternal separation from God, therefore the opposite of all those things.

Not a place you want to spend eternity.

You do one bad thing you go to hell.
so then why bother doing good any more?
or do you Pay money to the church to get out of hell!
like the catholics...