How exactly do people "believe" in Hell?

[larmo8]

The very thought of an existence of an eternal torture pit, which awaits people for essentially vastly unclear and unpredictable reasons, is simply one of the most abominable concepts ever. On one end, it's absolutely disgusting for someone to threaten others that they would go to Hell, for not being religious or something no less , but then there is the overall act of being complicit in such a thing of evil.

If Christians or whoever actually believe Hell is real and they need to make sure we don't get sent to it, that is a abhorrently meaningless existence.

[Harbinger]

People aren't smart OP.

[Tamorlane]

"Scattered throughout the suttas are references to as many as thirty-one distinct "planes" or "realms" of existence into which beings can be reborn during their long wandering through samsara. These range from the extraordinarily grim and painful hell realms all the way up to the most exquisitely refined and blissful heaven realms. Existence in every realm is temporary; in Buddhist cosmology there is no eternal heaven or hell. Beings are born into a particular realm according to their past kamma. When they pass away, they take rebirth once again elsewhere according to the quality of their kamma: wholesome actions bring about a favorable rebirth, while unwholesome actions lead to an unfavorable one. And so the wearisome cycle continues."

The Buddha's eyewitness account of hell:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipit....130.than.html

"Then the hell-wardens throw him into the Great Hell. And as to the Great Hell, monks:


It's four-cornered & has four gates
set in the middle of each side.
It's surrounded by an iron fortress wall
and roofed with iron.
Its floor is made of red-hot iron,
heated, fully blazing.
It stands always, spreading 100 leagues all around.

[Jackal005]

We're talking about people who believe in virgin births, 900 year old people and Noah's ark. Don't expect logic.

[WarrNation]

We're talking about people who believe in virgin births, 900 year old people and Noah's ark. Don't expect logic.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

[Redfish225]

Cause potato.

[basement iron]

Relating to this topic I have always found it odd that a presidential candidate can talk all day about god/heaven and everyone cheers but talk more than two sentences about the devil/hell and that's career suicide.

[larmo8]

Relating to this topic I have always found it odd that a presidential candidate can talk all day about god/heaven and everyone cheers but talk more than two sentences about the devil/hell and that's career suicide.

I can at least understand people wanting to believe in Heaven, sort of. But not Hell.

[NewDayHappy]

I can at least understand people wanting to believe in Heaven, sort of. But not Hell.

What about Hitler? Jeffery Dahmer? 9/11 Terrorists? You don't think they are deserving of a Hell?

[MuzzieChik786]

What makes you think hell is eternal? Except for the select few?

If Christians or whoever actually believe Hell is real and they need to make sure we don't get sent to it, that is a abhorrently meaningless existence.

Can you explain the bolded bit please? Who defines what is and isn't a meaningful existence? I don't drink alcohol or go "clubbing" on the weekends. Does that mean I'm living a meaningless life?

I'm confused.

[Jackal005]

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

BIBLE: "Don't listen to people who employ logic"
RATIONAL PERSON: "Why?"
GULLIBLE/INDOCTRINATED PERSON: "OK God"

What about Hitler? Jeffery Dahmer? 9/11 Terrorists? You don't think they are deserving of a Hell?

But if there's a heaven shouldn't we all love those people? They sacrificed their own souls to hell while fast tracking numerous people to eternal paradise. Now that's a martyr.

Who defines what is and isn't a meaningful existence? I don't drink alcohol or go "clubbing" on the weekends. Does that mean I'm living a meaningless life?

I'm confused.

In the grand scheme of things, everyone leads a meaningless life.

[notorius1]

Cuz some book written by old dudes said so.

[TheJimmyRustler]

What about Hitler? Jeffery Dahmer? 9/11 Terrorists? You don't think they are deserving of a Hell?

So your belief in Hell is based on your need for people to be punished after death? Seems like a kind of wishful thinking.

In all probability those people you listed, along with all of history's killers, rapists, thieves etc are in the same place as everyone else - the ground.

[NewDayHappy]

But if there's a heaven shouldn't we all love those people? They sacrificed their own souls to hell while fast tracking numerous people to eternal paradise. Now that's a martyr.

Why would you love those people? They are sick.

So your belief in Hell is based on your need for people to be punished after death? Seems like a kind of wishful thinking.

In all probability those people you listed, along with all of history's killers, rapists, thieves etc are in the same place as everyone else - the ground.

The universe was created out of nothing is wishful thinking.

[TheJimmyRustler]

The universe was created out of nothing is wishful thinking.

Cool completely-unrelated story bro, never said that it was. I'll take you changing the subject as an admission that Hell essentially serves to give a feeling of karma and universal justice so that bad people don't have the option of getting off easy for atrocities, even though it could be exactly what happens.

[GreatOldOne]

Through repetition of religious tropes and emotional want of a universal (but poorly thought out) justice.

[CitizenVagrant]

You have to believe in Hell to believe in Heaven.

You have to believe in the Devil in order to believe in God.

Otherwise Good isn't Good unless there is evil to compare it to.

[NewDayHappy]

Cool completely-unrelated story bro, never said that it was. I'll take you changing the subject as an admission that Hell essentially serves to give a feeling of karma and universal justice so that bad people don't have the option of getting off easy for atrocities, even though it could be exactly what happens.

What point are you trying to make? I don't even understand what you're trying to say. I believe in a punishment, reward system. You believe that atheists get off for the crimes they commit once they die. OK? At least I live my life by a code that makes me a better person.

[notorius1]

The universe was created out of nothing is wishful thinking.

There really isn't evidence of much else.

[TheJimmyRustler]

What point are you trying to make?

Coming from you? lol

I don't even understand what you're trying to say. I believe in a punishment, reward system. You believe that atheists get off for the crimes they commit once they die. OK? At least I live my life by a code that makes me a better person.

You strive to be a good person because of the promise of reward/punishment, I strive to be a good person of my own volition with no belief that I'll be rewarded for doing so. Don't really think you're better than me in that regard.

[JetLife21]

What point are you trying to make? I don't even understand what you're trying to say. I believe in a punishment, reward system. You believe that atheists get off for the crimes they commit once they die. OK? At least I live my life by a code that makes me a better person.

You have to be following a code to live a honest and respectful life?

I do that shiet on the daily without any codes.

[Jackal005]

Why would you love those people? They are sick.

Or maybe they just wanted to send all those people to heaven, so were really doing them a massive favour.

Even with the torture the end result was a fast track to eternal paradise. I'd probably let someone torture me for a bit if I knew I was going to go to eternal paradise afterwards.

The universe was created out of nothing is wishful thinking.

Ok so things can't come from nothing, so where did God come from?

[notorius1]

Ok so things can't come from nothing, so where did God come from?

God is uncaused.

[Jackal005]

God is uncaused.

Well that's awfully convenient, isn't it?

[PowerOfWisdom]

What makes you think hell is eternal? Except for the select few?

.

selected few ?
according to Islam, majority of World population is gonna burn in hell forever.

People who are aware of Islam and chooses not to follow Muhammad can't enter heaven. Let alone atheists.
Hell is not eternal for rapists, ****s (i am not taking a jab at Muhammad, no offense), murderers, thieves but it is for people like me who are against Jihad and reject Islam.

Barely selected few.

[NewDayHappy]

Ok so things can't come from nothing, so where did God come from?

All I have to do is prove the supernatural, if something came from nothing, I've proved the supernatural hence something coming from nothing has not been observed in the natural world.

EDIT:

Something coming from nothing hasn't been observed. =)

[NewDayHappy]

You have to be following a code to live a honest and respectful life?

I do that shiet on the daily without any codes.

Morals in the western world today have been derived from Christian Judaic notions. Without the Abrahamic God as your backbone you would not know up from down.

[MuzzieChik786]

selected few ?
according to Islam, majority of World population is gonna burn in hell forever.

People who are aware of Islam and chooses not to follow Muhammad can't enter heaven. Let alone atheists.
Hell is not eternal for rapists, ****s (i am not taking a jab at Muhammad, no offense), murderers, thieves but it is for people like me who are against Jihad and reject Islam.

Barely selected few.

Source please? Because I can tell you, you're wrong. I read the Qur'an every morning. So let's discuss your sources.

[notorius1]

Well that's awfully convenient, isn't it?

Its just a metaphysical necessity bruh.

[perunkas1980]

What's the fuzz about hell is all about ? We are there already.