Fear of hell

[ElizaJ]

We make heaven or hell here on Earth. After death our spirit returns to Spirit.

[Megan]

I used to be terribly afraid of hell due to religious teaching. Finally I just "had it out" with God, sort of like Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump, and after that I wasn't afraid of God any more.

Bottom line: I think better of God.

A Mind that could conceive of a Universe of this depth, beauty and precision can think of a better way to deal with contingencies. I just know it.

Best wishes on your journey.

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by joshbickford

I've heard the bible used to make some pretty hilarious arguments before, but this one might be the best one yet.

why is that ?

[Gary]

Pickup and read, The Four Agreements, and The Voice of Knowledge by Miguel Ruiz. They will help with a new point of view.

To live on earth in the emotions of fear is to already be in hell. You can't go down from there.

Gary

[Matthew Shea]

Originally Posted by LauraC

why is that ?

Actually, your quote from John 5:28-29 contradicts your original statement. "those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgement" implies that a bad life can indeed lead to hell as a consequence of God's judgement. I would never call your argument hilarious, but Jesus himself warned of the dangers of Gehenna. As much as many people try to deny it, the idea of hell is central to Christian teaching as a consequence of not accepting Jesus. Interpretations of hell vary all over the map from a simple absence of God's presence to eternal fire and punishment ala Dante's Inferno, but the Bible is, in fact, clear on the existence of hell.

[The David]

Originally Posted by Matthew Shea

Actually, your quote from John 5:28-29 contradicts your original statement. "those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgement" implies that a bad life can indeed lead to hell as a consequence of God's judgement. I would never call your argument hilarious, but Jesus himself warned of the dangers of Gehenna. As much as many people try to deny it, the idea of hell is central to Christian teaching as a consequence of not accepting Jesus. Interpretations of hell vary all over the map from a simple absence of God's presence to eternal fire and punishment ala Dante's Inferno, but the Bible is, in fact, clear on the existence of hell.

The afterlife is presented in many different ways, though, depending on each part of the Bible. The OT is notably silent on the subject. Jesus speaks of 'Gehenna', which is quite different than the modern view of hell. The epistles do not mention hell, but rather destruction, which seems more like coercion than actual warning.