Creation of Hell

[beso]

Who created Hell?

My understanding is that it is not in the Bible. However it features strongly in the Qu'ran where it appears to be explicitly created by Allah (the Merciful?) to forever punish those who fail to exercise their free will to worship Him.

There seem to be three possibilities for the origin.

1. The Catholics get it from the Qu'ran.
2. Early Catholics created it and Mohammed liked the idea.
3. Those who wrote the Bible neglected to include it when transcribing the rest of the old oral myths the books are based on.

[naomi24]

The idea of Hell as eternal punishment did not exist within Judaism, but arose with Christianity, and was subsequently adopted by Islam, so number 2 is the right answer. It keeps the faithful fearful.

[Duncer]

Wharton - if I can help get you to a game I'd be glad to.

Many thanks for the good wishes for Linfield, but we need a miracle.

[Old_Geezer]

As I see it birdie, you're hoping you are right about not having an afterlife and that you can not experience death.

[naomi24]

OG, I don't think he's 'hoping' for anything. He accepts that he's going to die.

[keyplus90]

Another "worry" for the people about something they believe does not exist. Not so logical is it?

[jomifl]

Keyplus, who's worried?

[naomi24]

^^ That's what I was going to ask.

Keyplus, you really don't get it, do you?

[Khandro]

Both Heaven and Hell are real; they both exist in the mind.

[naomi24]

Lots of things exist in the mind but that doesn't mean they're real.

[mibn2cweus]

//Lots of things exist in the mind but that doesn't mean they're real.//

But they can seem as real and threatening to those who don't know what to believe and why. The dire prospect of hell is limited only by the imagination of those who are willing to accept in the absence of certain knowledge the beliefs that others are all to willing to promote in the hope of capitalising on their ignorance.

[birdie1971]

Old_Geezer - “... As I see it birdie, you're hoping you are right about not having an afterlife and that you can not experience death...”

Please re-read my earlier post about a person's ability to 'experience' death. From your post, it would seem that you have a fundamental misunderstanding about my opinions on this matter.

[birdie1971]

Keyplus - “... Another "worry" for the people about something they believe does not exist. Not so logical is it?...”

As others have already said, you really don't understand atheism at all do you? As a concept, it completely goes over you head.

[jomifl]

Khandro, they only exist as a concept,(along with the starship enterprise and your favourite Ming the Merciless) we've been here recently haven't we?

[jomifl]

Keyplus, I do have worries but not about god, My worries are about people like you who try to propagate ignorance ,fear and superstition and live in a hell of their own makng.

[naomi24]

Keyplus simply cannot comprehend that other people are not intimidated by the horrors that religion promotes. That, sadly, is the result of life-long indoctrination.

[naomi24]

Mibs, //But they can seem as real and threatening to those who don't know what to believe and why.//

True, but the ‘why?’ is more important than the ‘what’. If you want to rationalise your beliefs, rather than examine what you believe, you must examine your reasons for believing. First and foremost you have to ask the all-important question - ‘why?’

Gawd! What a mouthful! Confused? You will be! :o)

[Khandro]

//Lots of things exist in the mind but that doesn't mean they're real.//
Everything you are, everything you know, begins with the mind.

[naomi24]

Khandro, if you're making a point, I'm not understanding it.

[Khandro]

naomi; Do you see yourself standing in the Universe in a position of neutrality?

[naomi24]

Khandro, neutrality? With regard to what?