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How can belief in Hell be moral?

In my many debates, the most disturbing prospect I've come across is the idea that Hell not only exists but is justified as a creation of the judeo-christian God. A place where people suffer for an eternity, never to be redeemed. How can people imagine enjoying the prosperity of Heaven while thinking that anybody will suffer unearthly pains for an eternity with no chance to repent? To believe that suffering is allowed on Earth by a God that is powerful enough to end it is one thing, but to think that God willingly and thoughtfully crafted a place for people to suffer greater pains for an eternity crosses a line for me that makes me suspect that some of these people are deeply disturbed or even sadistic. There isn't even a utilitarian use for Hell- a God who could bring these people around at any point leaves them to burn for an eternity in a torture chamber of his own design. Am I alone in this feeling that such a belief borders on indefensible? Is there a defense for people who believe this? Am I putting more thought into the subject than even the believers do?

sparklemuffin 4 Oct 2
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7 comments

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0

The idea of hell was the foremost cornerstones of Christianity that I just couldn't reconcile. It set me on my path to atheism.

gearl Level 8 Dec 7, 2017
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I think He'll is absolutely disgusting!!! I see it nothing more but a scare tactic. I always said the Christian belief was that of a bully one. The horror I was subject to as a small child. Now I'm strong and I will fight back for the horror I was put through as a child. I know now that Hell was made as a scare tactic and their Hell don't scare me anymore! I beat that fear a long time ago!

0

That's a great question. I've always wondered about that. How does christianity even survive? It's very hypocritical in that it already judges people who don't think like them , believing they are going to hell. Christianity shouldn't even exist since according to the bible , God says " judge not lest ye be judged. But you kind of have to judge to be a christian. What kind of person could think anyone is worthy of going to hell anyway?

0

I think its a convenient way to control people. Fear and threat. Using something like pain and suffering as a device is convenient for getting people to agree with you. It is obvious though if you really dislike someone, and believe in mythological worlds, then you would put those people in that place.... I think people just make up stories that illustrate their feelings about others. A concept like hell is not even biblical, its purely created by religion as a psychological control tool

argo Level 4 Nov 12, 2017
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The way I had it explained to me from the standpoint of a left liberal Christian was that there isn't any hell in the traditional sense, but that hell was eternal separation from God. Funny thing about that, the way I see it now is that, if there is life after death, then we're all gonna have one hella long party celebrating not having to be cooped up with that narcissistic tyrant for all eternity. Can anyone else say "Partyyyyyy!!!"

1

Hell is anything but moral, and theists know it. Apologist had to devise a way that made it our fault to take away the apparent cruelty that an all-loving being could not do. They spun it so that we're choosing to go to Hell. It's a load of kaka. It never stops to surprise me how far people will go to maintain their belief in this fairytale.

2

The only way I can think to wrap my brain around a moral reasoning for believing in Hell is as a deterrent. Essentially, the idea is that if believing in Hell prevents people from doing some great evil, then it's had a morally good effect on society. Essentially, a grown-up version of Santa's naughty list. Of course, this relies on having an "ends justifies the means" mindset, which is a moral debate in-and-of itself.

And yes, I think you are putting more thought into the subject than the vast majority of believers do. 😛

I agree; the only way in which Hell works on any moral level is as a deterrent.

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