Search

[Yace]

Looking at it this way, if God is merciful and forgiving, why should people end up in hell and dwell in it forever?
Could it be just a constructed idea in religion so as to keep people in check of their behaviour?

[Afrowin]

Being merciful and forgiving does not mean people should be left unpunished when they purposely do what is wrong.
We get punished by our parents when we go in the wrong direction, yet they love us. People go to jail when they commit a crime.
The only problem I have with religion is different religion enforcing their faith on others and claiming they will end up in hell if they don't follow a particular religion.

Knowing and doing the wrong thing could fetch you hell but it's not about the religion you choose to follow.

[KrackAaron]

You may need to remove that 'forever' you included, because not all religion believe that hell will be forever.
Afterlife in Judaism let us know that hell wouldn't be forever, just a place for people who lived immoral lives while on earth to stay for a while, it is temporary not forever according to Judaism.
Why people emphasize on it is what I don't understand, focus on now and be a good person.

[Bigowl]

1) Could be unreal and just a very useful measure to keep humans in control of their behaviour.

2) Could be real but not in the way a lot of people view it or not in the way some religion portray it.
Might just be a place like another earth that will be uncomfortable for people over there to live, where they'll need to always struggle hard to get basic things, and not like a place of torture or burning in a fire.
It's like saying be good so that you wouldn't need to be struggling when you should be resting and relaxing eternally.
I believe we do not need to be good people because of the fear of hell, just be good because it's good. It shouldn't be that hard.

[Lomakrel]

There's hell, the philosophy of "if God is merciful, he shouldn't put anyone in hell" is just false and an excuse some are digging so that evil people could be more evil, some people are so cruel in this world they deserve to go to hell.
God being merciful shouldn't make you be full of callousness and immoralities. The reason for you ending up in hell is your evil deeds not because God isn't merciful or forgiving or will no longer be merciful or forgiving.

[Urguy]

Hell in the sense of - If you do not practice a particular religion, you are going to end up in hell--- NO (It depends on your good and bad deeds).

Hell in the sense of - If you're morally good, good to everyone, not being wicked and you do not practice a particular religion, you'll still end up in hell--- NO (You'll not end up in hell)

Hell in the sense of - If you're a evil person and you are busy covering up with religion or you do evil secretly and do good things openly, you will be pardoned and not end up in hell--- NO (You'll end up in hell)

Hell in the sense of- If you remain good in all manners with whatever kind of religion you practiced or without you even practicing any religion when alive, you're going to heaven and those who were evil, secretly, openly or in both ways will go to hell--- Yes.
However, the concept of hell being a burning fire  might not be real, it would definitely be an inconvenience place to be, which could include in terms of weather and every other thing.
Whether the hell will be forever or not? Let's just be good humans and leave that to God almighty.

[Yace]

There's hell, the philosophy of "if God is merciful, he shouldn't put anyone in hell" is just false and an excuse some are digging so that evil people could be more evil, some people are so cruel in this world they deserve to go to hell.
God being merciful shouldn't make you be full of callousness and immoralities. The reason for you ending up in hell is your evil deeds not because God isn't merciful or forgiving or will no longer be merciful or forgiving.

Even Jail term ends. Why should hell be forever?
You may want to say there's life imprisonment or those sentence to death but no one dwell in jail forever.
Even some of those sentenced to life imprisonment sometimes get pardoned.

[Damadom]

It is just to control the behaviour of people and it's a great construct. I personally don't believe hell is real.

[Lomakrel]

Even Jail term ends. Why should hell be forever?
You may want to say there's life imprisonment or those sentence to death but no one dwell in jail forever.
Even some of those sentenced to life imprisonment sometimes get pardoned.

We may look at it from that angle and say the eternity could depend on the gravity of the individual's sin on earth, perhaps some people would be there only for a short time while some would be there for longer time and so on. But you people should stop making it be like God has to forgive all evil that humans do even when they know it's evil quite alright and still choose to do it. You keep destroying the life of others so you could enjoy the world and you think you wouldn't pay for it when you die because God is merciful and forgiving...keep dreaming.
If only you know how evil some people are, you'll realise they deserve that hell.

[Vamvick]

Hell in the sense of - If you do not practice a particular religion, you are going to end up in hell--- NO (It depends on your food and bad deeds).

Hell in the sense of - If you're morally good, good to everyone, not being wicked and you do not practice a particular religion, you'll still end up in hell--- NO (You'll not end up in hell)

Hell in the sense of - If you're a evil person and you are busy covering up with religion or you do evil secretly and do good things openly, you will be pardoned and not end up in hell--- NO (You'll end up in hell)

Hell in the sense of- If you remain good in all manners with whatever kind of religion you practiced or without you even practicing any religion when alive, you're going to heaven and those who were evil, secretly, openly or in both ways will go to hell--- Yes.
However, the concept of hell being a burning fire  might not be real, it would definitely be an inconvenience place to be, which could include in terms of weather and every other thing.
Whether the hell will be forever or not? Let's just be good humans and leave that to God almighty.

What do you think about those who are evildoers and finally go to christ to repent like christianity preaches, where do you think they'll end up?

[Urguy]

What do you think about those who are evildoers and finally go to christ to repent like christianity preaches, where do you think they'll end up?

As for me, this depends greatly.
Although I'm not a Christian.
Does the person realize how terrible those evil acts were with all his or her senses and how badly those acts could affect others and yet chose to go ahead with doing evil?

Does the person regret genuinely or deeply feels remorse from within his or her heart truly?

Only God knows where he'll put those kind of people but I'll say we shouldn't expect that kind of person to enjoy all the benefits that the genuine good doers from the day one on earth would enjoy even if the person (one time evildoer) doesn't finally find him or herself in hell,
God is always fair.

Now, it's the person's repentance that matters not the religion he finally fall back to, that's very important to note. Religion could guide his or her remaining path on earth but it's the relationship between him and God after the repentance that matters.

[Vamvick]

As for me, this depends greatly.
Although I'm not a Christian.
Does the person realize how terrible those evil acts were with all his or her senses and how badly those acts could affect others and yet chose to go ahead with doing evil?

Does the person regret genuinely or deeply feels remorse from within his or her heart truly?

Only God knows where he'll put those kind of people but I'll say we shouldn't expect that kind of person to enjoy all the benefits that the genuine good doers from the day one on earth would enjoy even if the person (one time evildoer) doesn't finally find him or herself in hell,
God is always fair.

Now, it's the person's repentance that matters not the religion he finally fall back to, that's very important to note. Religion could guide his or her remaining path on earth but it's the relationship between him and God after the repentance that matters.

Some people feel they can always go back to God to ask for forgiveness after committing sins and atrocities if they do not die untimely so they are free to pile up sins as much as they can live long to ask for forgiveness when they are approaching the death stage.

[Lomakrel]

Some people feel they can always go back to God to ask for forgiveness after committing sins and atrocities if they do not die untimely so they are free to pile up sins as much as they can live long to ask for forgiveness when they are approaching the death stage.

Now, that's the real definition of evil, knowing something is wrong, could lead to destruction of others and doing it. I'm not talking about small sins that could affect yourself only or that could affect another person in a very little way and asking for forgiveness afterwards.
Those you are describing think they could do evil and bribe their way to heaven. They're part of the reasons hell is created.

[Laviniah]

Some people feel they can always go back to God to ask for forgiveness after committing sins and atrocities if they do not die untimely so they are free to pile up sins as much as they can live long to ask for forgiveness when they are approaching the death stage.

How someone would think like this to begin with is what I do not understand😱

You really do not need to be good to others because of fear of hell or because of fear of missing heaven.

[Hamani]

No one has gone to the other side and come back. It could or could not be real. That shouldn't make anybody immoral or unethical.

[Alomatwi]

Many religious leaders have argued that, although hell is real but it's not eternity.

[Nelbunic]

Many religious leaders have argued that, although hell is real but it's not eternity.

That's because this is what some people want to hear, just like some people want to hear there's no hell so they can continue their evil.
Hell is real, even scientists have discovered some hell planets e.g 55 Cancri e.
What if that kind of planet is where those unrighteous people would finally be sent to?
Anyone who thinks there's no hell should keep deceiving him or herself.

[Ayochef]

Hell is real and it's forever for the unrighteous. If you like, continue your ungodly and unrighteous way and keep thinking you'll go away with it, when we all get to the other side, we shall see.
Be acting like y'all don't scold or intentionally punish others because you disapprove of their behaviour, even when they do not behave that way on purpose.

Not to talk of God giving you the free will to choose and you purposely choose evil. You can not escape your rightful punishment🤪, that doesn't mean God is not merciful or forgiving.

[Nathanmanie]

I understand this is posted in philosophy section for a reason, so, I won't like to quote scriptures. But you see, saying God is merciful and forgiving and so he doesn't need to put people where they belong is like saying, you catch a terrorist killing someone or some people dear to your heart e.g your entire family, you know you are well protected so the terrorist can do you nothing, you're safe. Yet, the next thing you say is you're not going to hand the terrorist over to those who handle crime because you are merciful and forgiving.
God gives free will to us to choose from, and if you end up going in the opposite direction, you're going to be judged accordingly, so heaven is real and hell is real.

[Umicto Darl]

Are you telling me all those people that like seeing others unhappy and derive joy from inflicting pain and suffering on others will not go to hell?
Hell no, hell must be real. I used to think the same way, but as I get older, I discover the devil resides and has different mansions in the hearts of many people, this set of people must end up where they belong, which is HELL.