Do you believe in Hell?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So no one thinks we have to account for our sins ever? We can live our lives any ol' way and then just go to sleep?

Do we have to believe in fairy tales in our to behave ourselves well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So no one thinks we have to account for our sins ever? We can live our lives any ol' way and then just go to sleep?

I think we account for them here on earth. And I think we probably do account for them after we die. But not by spending eternity in "hell". I think we probably keep trying until we finally get it right. We return to work on the things that we didn't get right the last time. We are on this planet to learn to be more loving and more compassionate. But that's certainly not Biblical...just my thoughts.

and this is based on what?

NP. I'm guessing it's based on nothing more substantial than your delusional beliefs. The bible is not authority for anything. It's a book written by humans. I can write a book right now spouting my views. Who cares.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you die, you just die. There's nothig afterwards. You don't get rewards for being good or punishment for being bad. Why do you all need to cling to an imagined afterlife to make your lives on earth meaningful? You all sound so sad.

Many people were taught to believe these things as children, and in many ways, our majority Christian society supports these beliefs, so it can be hard to look at them with adult eyes.

How above it all you are with your adult ways.

Sorry but people who believe in heaven and hell sound incredibly childish away. It's a step above believing in Santa and his list of who's naughty and nice. Really, it's the same damn thing. Probably it's a step below believing in Santa because at least people grow out of that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you die, you just die. There's nothig afterwards. You don't get rewards for being good or punishment for being bad. Why do you all need to cling to an imagined afterlife to make your lives on earth meaningful? You all sound so sad.

Many people were taught to believe these things as children, and in many ways, our majority Christian society supports these beliefs, so it can be hard to look at them with adult eyes.

How above it all you are with your adult ways.

Sorry but people who believe in heaven and hell sound incredibly childish away. It's a step above believing in Santa and his list of who's naughty and nice. Really, it's the same damn thing. Probably it's a step below believing in Santa because at least people grow out of that.

Aw, and we had such a nice break from this line of bigotry over the last week or so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you die, you just die. There's nothig afterwards. You don't get rewards for being good or punishment for being bad. Why do you all need to cling to an imagined afterlife to make your lives on earth meaningful? You all sound so sad.

Many people were taught to believe these things as children, and in many ways, our majority Christian society supports these beliefs, so it can be hard to look at them with adult eyes.

How above it all you are with your adult ways.

Sorry but people who believe in heaven and hell sound incredibly childish away. It's a step above believing in Santa and his list of who's naughty and nice. Really, it's the same damn thing. Probably it's a step below believing in Santa because at least people grow out of that.

Aw, and we had such a nice break from this line of bigotry over the last week or so.

How is it bigoted? If I believed in Santa as an adult, you'd think I was a weirdo. How are you not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you die, you just die. There's nothig afterwards. You don't get rewards for being good or punishment for being bad. Why do you all need to cling to an imagined afterlife to make your lives on earth meaningful? You all sound so sad.

Many people were taught to believe these things as children, and in many ways, our majority Christian society supports these beliefs, so it can be hard to look at them with adult eyes.

How above it all you are with your adult ways.

Sorry but people who believe in heaven and hell sound incredibly childish away. It's a step above believing in Santa and his list of who's naughty and nice. Really, it's the same damn thing. Probably it's a step below believing in Santa because at least people grow out of that.

Aw, and we had such a nice break from this line of bigotry over the last week or so.

pp is blunt, but there is nothing bigoted about these remarks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you die, you just die. There's nothig afterwards. You don't get rewards for being good or punishment for being bad. Why do you all need to cling to an imagined afterlife to make your lives on earth meaningful? You all sound so sad.

Many people were taught to believe these things as children, and in many ways, our majority Christian society supports these beliefs, so it can be hard to look at them with adult eyes.

How above it all you are with your adult ways.

Sorry but people who believe in heaven and hell sound incredibly childish away. It's a step above believing in Santa and his list of who's naughty and nice. Really, it's the same damn thing. Probably it's a step below believing in Santa because at least people grow out of that.

Aw, and we had such a nice break from this line of bigotry over the last week or so.

How is it bigoted? If I believed in Santa as an adult, you'd think I was a weirdo. How are you not?

A major difference is in societal acceptance. Society accepts and largely expects adults to believe in god and heaven. Society does not react that way to adults believing in Santa. However, it's not like there are adults who believe in Santa are hiding their belief to avoid having people think they are weirdos (at least I don't think there are!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you die, you just die. There's nothig afterwards. You don't get rewards for being good or punishment for being bad. Why do you all need to cling to an imagined afterlife to make your lives on earth meaningful? You all sound so sad.

Many people were taught to believe these things as children, and in many ways, our majority Christian society supports these beliefs, so it can be hard to look at them with adult eyes.

How above it all you are with your adult ways.

Sorry but people who believe in heaven and hell sound incredibly childish away. It's a step above believing in Santa and his list of who's naughty and nice. Really, it's the same damn thing. Probably it's a step below believing in Santa because at least people grow out of that.

Here's the thing - I am not an expectant mother nor am I trying to conceive. I don't have children in private school. I also don't have kids in Montgomery County Schools. I don't typically hang out in those forums and I never post there. If you are not a person of faith or a spiritual seeker, why are you here? One of two things has to be true - Either you are just mean-spirited and are here to troll which says a whole lot more about you than it does about anyone else. OR, you are a person feeling conflicted. If the latter is true, spend some time in meditation and/or prayer. If you read the religious forum, take what you works for you and leave the rest.

No one is trying to convert you to their side. You don't need to post nasty responses just for the sake of being nasty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you die, you just die. There's nothig afterwards. You don't get rewards for being good or punishment for being bad. Why do you all need to cling to an imagined afterlife to make your lives on earth meaningful? You all sound so sad.

Many people were taught to believe these things as children, and in many ways, our majority Christian society supports these beliefs, so it can be hard to look at them with adult eyes.

How above it all you are with your adult ways.

Sorry but people who believe in heaven and hell sound incredibly childish away. It's a step above believing in Santa and his list of who's naughty and nice. Really, it's the same damn thing. Probably it's a step below believing in Santa because at least people grow out of that.

Here's the thing - I am not an expectant mother nor am I trying to conceive. I don't have children in private school. I also don't have kids in Montgomery County Schools. I don't typically hang out in those forums and I never post there. If you are not a person of faith or a spiritual seeker, why are you here? One of two things has to be true - Either you are just mean-spirited and are here to troll which says a whole lot more about you than it does about anyone else. OR, you are a person feeling conflicted. If the latter is true, spend some time in meditation and/or prayer. If you read the religious forum, take what you works for you and leave the rest.

No one is trying to convert you to their side. You don't need to post nasty responses just for the sake of being nasty.

I don't "hang out" here. I found this through the "Recent posts" section. It was a question addressed to anyone and I can answer however I want. This is not an application-only social club it's an anonymous forum. Get a grip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a Christian. I do not believe in hell, at least not in the way people have been coerced into believing. If you take the time to research the original Biblical text you'll find that nothing like "hell" is ever mentioned in the scripture. Here's a really easy to read link with some examples. http://www.thehypertexts.com/no%20hell%20in%20the%20bible.htm Do some research on the original meaning of the words that were later translated to mean "hell". They aren't even close.

The Hell we are warned about today didn't exist in Biblical times. "Hell" was created by powerful people as a means of control. Nothing more. Think about it logically. If you are a Christian, you know that God is all good. All loving. All compassion. He created you out from an abundance of love. As your Creator, He/She is incapable of causing you pain. Is there anything one of your children could do - anything at all - that would cause you to send him to an eternity of suffering an pain? God's love for us is even greater than the love we have for our children and for each other. He is author of love!

Fundamental Christianity is nothing short of religious abuse. I believe it has damaged many, many people (like the pp who is terrified of hell). Christianity is wonderful! Christ was a living example of God's perfect love. To be a Christian means to be "Christ-like". What could possibly be better than modeling your life after someone who was kind, compassionate, loving, forgiving, generous, enlightened .... All things we should strive to be. Being Christ-like has nothing to do with terrifying people into religious submission.

God is All-good. All-loving. All-powerful. Love. Light. Perfection. Grace. He created you and wants only your highest and best.

Nice, but sounds like you've decided to believe what's most comfortable for you - no hell, and a loving god who provided no punishment to people who do not follow him.

NP. What's wrong with that. Not everyone was trained to believe in or grew to enjoy the concept of an authoritarian and punishing god.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you die, you just die. There's nothig afterwards. You don't get rewards for being good or punishment for being bad. Why do you all need to cling to an imagined afterlife to make your lives on earth meaningful? You all sound so sad.

Many people were taught to believe these things as children, and in many ways, our majority Christian society supports these beliefs, so it can be hard to look at them with adult eyes.

How above it all you are with your adult ways.

Sorry but people who believe in heaven and hell sound incredibly childish away. It's a step above believing in Santa and his list of who's naughty and nice. Really, it's the same damn thing. Probably it's a step below believing in Santa because at least people grow out of that.

Here's the thing - I am not an expectant mother nor am I trying to conceive. I don't have children in private school. I also don't have kids in Montgomery County Schools. I don't typically hang out in those forums and I never post there. If you are not a person of faith or a spiritual seeker, why are you here? One of two things has to be true - Either you are just mean-spirited and are here to troll which says a whole lot more about you than it does about anyone else. OR, you are a person feeling conflicted. If the latter is true, spend some time in meditation and/or prayer. If you read the religious forum, take what you works for you and leave the rest.

No one is trying to convert you to their side. You don't need to post nasty responses just for the sake of being nasty.

I don't "hang out" here. I found this through the "Recent posts" section. It was a question addressed to anyone and I can answer however I want. This is not an application-only social club it's an anonymous forum. Get a grip.

I didn't suggest you couldn't or shouldn't post here or anywhere else. I simply questioned your reasons for doing so. To inform? To share an opinion? To add to the conversation in some way? Or just to be mean?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you die, you just die. There's nothig afterwards. You don't get rewards for being good or punishment for being bad. Why do you all need to cling to an imagined afterlife to make your lives on earth meaningful? You all sound so sad.

Many people were taught to believe these things as children, and in many ways, our majority Christian society supports these beliefs, so it can be hard to look at them with adult eyes.

How above it all you are with your adult ways.

Sorry but people who believe in heaven and hell sound incredibly childish away. It's a step above believing in Santa and his list of who's naughty and nice. Really, it's the same damn thing. Probably it's a step below believing in Santa because at least people grow out of that.

Aw, and we had such a nice break from this line of bigotry over the last week or so.

How is it bigoted? If I believed in Santa as an adult, you'd think I was a weirdo. How are you not?

A major difference is in societal acceptance. Society accepts and largely expects adults to believe in god and heaven. Society does not react that way to adults believing in Santa. However, it's not like there are adults who believe in Santa are hiding their belief to avoid having people think they are weirdos (at least I don't think there are!)

There are a lot of different societies on earth -- some largely do not believe in God or heaven. I understand the US tends to the Christian side but I don't find that to be a reason to not view it as childish. A lot of things the majority likes are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you die, you just die. There's nothig afterwards. You don't get rewards for being good or punishment for being bad. Why do you all need to cling to an imagined afterlife to make your lives on earth meaningful? You all sound so sad.

Many people were taught to believe these things as children, and in many ways, our majority Christian society supports these beliefs, so it can be hard to look at them with adult eyes.

How above it all you are with your adult ways.

Sorry but people who believe in heaven and hell sound incredibly childish away. It's a step above believing in Santa and his list of who's naughty and nice. Really, it's the same damn thing. Probably it's a step below believing in Santa because at least people grow out of that.

Here's the thing - I am not an expectant mother nor am I trying to conceive. I don't have children in private school. I also don't have kids in Montgomery County Schools. I don't typically hang out in those forums and I never post there. If you are not a person of faith or a spiritual seeker, why are you here? One of two things has to be true - Either you are just mean-spirited and are here to troll which says a whole lot more about you than it does about anyone else. OR, you are a person feeling conflicted. If the latter is true, spend some time in meditation and/or prayer. If you read the religious forum, take what you works for you and leave the rest.

No one is trying to convert you to their side. You don't need to post nasty responses just for the sake of being nasty.

I don't "hang out" here. I found this through the "Recent posts" section. It was a question addressed to anyone and I can answer however I want. This is not an application-only social club it's an anonymous forum. Get a grip.

I didn't suggest you couldn't or shouldn't post here or anywhere else. I simply questioned your reasons for doing so. To inform? To share an opinion? To add to the conversation in some way? Or just to be mean?

Actually your post did suggest that. You're annoying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you die, you just die. There's nothig afterwards. You don't get rewards for being good or punishment for being bad. Why do you all need to cling to an imagined afterlife to make your lives on earth meaningful? You all sound so sad.

Many people were taught to believe these things as children, and in many ways, our majority Christian society supports these beliefs, so it can be hard to look at them with adult eyes.

How above it all you are with your adult ways.

Sorry but people who believe in heaven and hell sound incredibly childish away. It's a step above believing in Santa and his list of who's naughty and nice. Really, it's the same damn thing. Probably it's a step below believing in Santa because at least people grow out of that.

Here's the thing - I am not an expectant mother nor am I trying to conceive. I don't have children in private school. I also don't have kids in Montgomery County Schools. I don't typically hang out in those forums and I never post there. If you are not a person of faith or a spiritual seeker, why are you here? One of two things has to be true - Either you are just mean-spirited and are here to troll which says a whole lot more about you than it does about anyone else. OR, you are a person feeling conflicted. If the latter is true, spend some time in meditation and/or prayer. If you read the religious forum, take what you works for you and leave the rest.

No one is trying to convert you to their side. You don't need to post nasty responses just for the sake of being nasty.

NP. I came to this thread because it popped up on recent topics. Basically what you are saying is don't answer this question if you don't believe in Hell. All I want are yes answers to make me believe that my beliefs are acceptable. Everybody else keep your opinions to yourself. I get it. Why don't you just state that this forum and thread is only for those people who accept my thoughts and beliefs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you die, you just die. There's nothig afterwards. You don't get rewards for being good or punishment for being bad. Why do you all need to cling to an imagined afterlife to make your lives on earth meaningful? You all sound so sad.

Many people were taught to believe these things as children, and in many ways, our majority Christian society supports these beliefs, so it can be hard to look at them with adult eyes.

How above it all you are with your adult ways.

Sorry but people who believe in heaven and hell sound incredibly childish away. It's a step above believing in Santa and his list of who's naughty and nice. Really, it's the same damn thing. Probably it's a step below believing in Santa because at least people grow out of that.

Here's the thing - I am not an expectant mother nor am I trying to conceive. I don't have children in private school. I also don't have kids in Montgomery County Schools. I don't typically hang out in those forums and I never post there. If you are not a person of faith or a spiritual seeker, why are you here? One of two things has to be true - Either you are just mean-spirited and are here to troll which says a whole lot more about you than it does about anyone else. OR, you are a person feeling conflicted. If the latter is true, spend some time in meditation and/or prayer. If you read the religious forum, take what you works for you and leave the rest.

No one is trying to convert you to their side. You don't need to post nasty responses just for the sake of being nasty.

NP. I came to this thread because it popped up on recent topics. Basically what you are saying is don't answer this question if you don't believe in Hell. All I want are yes answers to make me believe that my beliefs are acceptable. Everybody else keep your opinions to yourself. I get it. Why don't you just state that this forum and thread is only for those people who accept my thoughts and beliefs.

your thoughts