Hell

[nailit]

FAO Theland and others of his ilk.
Born again Christians believe that unless we believe like they do that we are going to burn in some kind of hell for eternity. Can you please justify such an odious concept/doctrine? (this goes for muslims as well)
I genuinely struggle with this idea. I have a couple of evangelical friends who are the nicest people you could meet but I have to question their sanity when they wish this on unbelievers like myself.

[Tilly2]

He's probably tucked up in bed with his bible.

[Tilly2]

You feeling a bit better today, Nails?

[nailit]

And his Mathew Henry's commentry, trying to justify his belief in eternal torment for unbelievers....

[Tilly2]

You have lost me now. I'll have to bow out. :-(

[nailit]

Nah Tills, I'm as mad as ive ever been, just accept it now. I'm pi&&ed as a fart

[Tilly2]

Awwww!

[Tilly2]

That's your hell then?

[Tilly2]

Off now. See you later.

[Theland]

I am Christian who believes in Jesus' two great commands. Love God and love my neighbour. That's it. Now why does anybody find that offensive?

[Theland]

Why am I ridiculed for holding this belief?

[Theland]

God makes the rules and promises eternal life to those who follow those two commands, and eternal separation to those who don't. Therefore it is my duty to share this good news with others. Is that offensive?

[Theland]

Does your worldview and moral superiority justify your mocking and abuse?

[Theland]

Do you have a hypothesis to explain our existence and the origin of the universe?

[nailit]

//I am Christian who believes in Jesus' two great commands. Love God and love my neighbour. That's it.//
No, Theland. That is not it. You also believe that God is going to torture unbelievers with unimaginable pain for all eternity. You've quiet conveniently dodged the question but no surprise there.

[nailit]

//Why am I ridiculed for holding this belief? //
Because its bonkers.

//God makes the rules and promises eternal life to those who follow those two commands, and eternal separation to those who don't. Therefore it is my duty to share this good news with others. Is that offensive?//
Yes it is.

//Do you have a hypothesis to explain our existence and the origin of the universe? //
Personally, no, I'm neither a scientist or philosopher But if you wish to believe that man was created from a bit of dirt and that women were made from a spare rib then that's your prerogative.

[naomi24]

anneasquith, //respect each other, not difficult . //

I find it impossible to respect people who tell little children - and the naive – that unless they obey the rules they will be damned for ever more. What’s to respect in that?

[Theland]

Thoughtless opinionated responses. How sad.

[mibn2cweus]

If the shoe fits . . .

[Hazi-Hammenuhoth]

I think the question possibly misses the point.  For Christians it's not a case of wishing hell on others, more a case of wanting others NOT to go there.  The choice whether or not we will be there rests entirely in our own hands.  As some posts show, many have already made that choice, either by dismissing the concept of God from their minds altogether or making a mockery of those who have chosen instead to accept God's offer of forgiveness and full pardon from sin.  God does not desire the death of an (unrepentant) sinner, He is unwilling that any should perish but thay all should come to repentance.  He would have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.  Hell is reserved for those who think they know better than God and will escape Hell by ignoring Him in this life (dismissing the truth as a fairytale) and mocking those who have chosen to follow Him.  

[naomi24]

How dare you people deem yourselves qualified to impose notions of fear, fault and guilt upon the rest of humanity! Theland, if you’re looking for ‘sad’ look no further than Hazi-Hammenuhoth’s post above.