At what age and how do you explain Hell to your children?

[oyaji]

When I sat down to explain to my children that God loves them and that Jesus died on the cross to appease an angry God and to save them from this angry God, and that if they accepted Jesus as their savior, they would go to heaven, but if they didn’t they would burn in hell for an eternity…I just couldn’t do it. Right then it hit me as to how absurd the modern day teaching of hell is.

But what I really want to know, is how did you explain hell to your children, and at what age? I’m genuinely curious as to how you did it, since I could not.

 

[drac16]

I don’t have a child, but if I did, I would explain it at age 4. At that age, they’re able to understand the concept that punishment is the rightful consequence for sin and that they themselves deserve God’s punishment. Jesus died on their behalf so that they won’t taste Hell. I’d explain Hell by saying that it’s suffering that never ends. It’s like being alone and sad forever. They might not have an understanding of physical pain that lasts forever, so I’d touch on the emotional effects of Hellfire.

 

[dmar198]

When I sat down to explain to my children that God loves them and that Jesus died on the cross to appease an angry God and to save them from this angry God, and that if they accepted Jesus as their savior, they would go to heaven, but if they didn’t they would burn in hell for an eternity…I just couldn’t do it. Right then it hit me as to how absurd the modern day teaching of hell is.

But what I really want to know, is how did you explain hell to your children, and at what age? I’m genuinely curious as to how you did it, since I could not.

I learned about hell as part of my Catechism class in about second grade. We read and recited portions of the Baltimore Catechism every day, and one of them was this: 183. What are the rewards or punishments appointed for men after the particular judgment?

The rewards or punishments appointed for men after the particular judgment are heaven, purgatory, or hell.

184. Who are punished in purgatory?

Those are punished for a time in purgatory who die in the state of grace but are guilty of venial sin, or have not fully satisfied for the temporal punishment due to their sins.

The fire will assay the quality of everyone’s work; if his work abides which he has built thereon, he will receive reward; if his work burns he will lose his reward, but himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (I Corinthians 3:13-15)

185. Who are punished in hell?

Those are punished in hell who die in mortal sin; they are deprived of the vision of God and suffer dreadful torments, especially that of fire, for all eternity.

Then he will say to those on his left hand, “Depart from me, accursed ones, into the everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41)

186. Who are rewarded in heaven?

Those are rewarded in heaven who have died in the state of grace and have been purified in purgatory, if necessary, from all venial sin and all debt of temporal punishment; they see God face to face and share forever in His glory and happiness.

Then the king will say to those on his right hand, “Come, blessed of my Father, take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34) Learning about hell this way made it part of a routine. It was just another lesson in another week of lessons.

It’s also not shocking or unrealistic of dramatic; it’s matter-of-fact, the way hell ought to be presented.

 

[Gilly_flower]

I don’t have a child, but if I did, I would explain it at age 4. At that age, they’re able to understand the concept that punishment is the rightful consequence for sin and that they themselves deserve God’s punishment. Jesus died on their behalf so that they won’t taste Hell. I’d explain Hell by saying that it’s suffering that never ends. It’s like being alone and sad forever. They might not have an understanding of physical pain that lasts forever, so I’d touch on the emotional effects of Hellfire.

Suffering and eternal pain at age four? Well that’s not going to give them nightmares…

 

[Roseeurekacross]

Having grown up in an Italian Catholic family, knowing about hell and satan was nothing special or different. This knowledge went hand in hand with knowing God.

Don’t let evil convince you that your kids should not know till they are x age.

I wouldn’t say Jesus died on the Cross to appease an angry God.

Jesus died on the Cross to give us eternal life and take on a His shoulders, the sins of all mankind.

Just be honest.

There is God, there is Heaven. There were bad angels who are now in hell for eternity, as will be those who reject God.

But teach God and Jesus, the Trinity , is mercy. And forgiveness for people.

 

[GEddie]

I don’t have a child, but if I did, I would explain it at age 4. At that age, they’re able to understand the concept that punishment is the rightful consequence for sin and that they themselves deserve God’s punishment. Jesus died on their behalf so that they won’t taste Hell. I’d explain Hell by saying that it’s suffering that never ends. It’s like being alone and sad forever. They might not have an understanding of physical pain that lasts forever, so I’d touch on the emotional effects of Hellfire.

I imagine most children would have a hard time with anything being “for ever” – indeed, grown-ups do as well – but IMINWHO they’d relate to physical pain as much as to emotional. Everybody can relate to physical pain.

OP: Whatever your issues with the concept of Hell, it is not “modern day,” but is as old as the Church.

ICXC NIKA

 

[phil_at_dayboro]

Some things are better left to religious teachers , because we might mean well,
We teach the wrong way, it’s not alway easy to teach a child about something they
Can’t actually see or meet in person

 

[Bradski]

Suffering and eternal pain at age four? Well that’s not going to give them nightmares…

‘What if Mummy is naughty?’.

‘Well dear, she’s going to burn in hell fire for ever’.

My daughter’s MIL is Catholic. Is she ever said anything remotely like that to her grandson (she wouldn’t) she would never be allowed to see the kid again.

 

[Monte_RCMS]

I learned about hell as part of my Catechism class in about second grade. We read and recited portions of the Baltimore Catechism every day, and one of them was this: 183. What are the rewards or punishments appointed for men after the particular judgment?

The rewards or punishments appointed for men after the particular judgment are heaven, purgatory, or hell.

184. Who are punished in purgatory?

Those are punished for a time in purgatory who die in the state of grace but are guilty of venial sin, or have not fully satisfied for the temporal punishment due to their sins.

The fire will assay the quality of everyone’s work; if his work abides which he has built thereon, he will receive reward; if his work burns he will lose his reward, but himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (I Corinthians 3:13-15)

185. Who are punished in hell?

Those are punished in hell who die in mortal sin; they are deprived of the vision of God and suffer dreadful torments, especially that of fire, for all eternity.

Then he will say to those on his left hand, “Depart from me, accursed ones, into the everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41)

186. Who are rewarded in heaven?

Those are rewarded in heaven who have died in the state of grace and have been purified in purgatory, if necessary, from all venial sin and all debt of temporal punishment; they see God face to face and share forever in His glory and happiness.

Then the king will say to those on his right hand, “Come, blessed of my Father, take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34) Learning about hell this way made it part of a routine. It was just another lesson in another week of lessons.

It’s also not shocking or unrealistic of dramatic; it’s matter-of-fact, the way hell ought to be presented.

The Baltimore Catechism was well thought out and works well.

It was when religious education got away from the Baltimore Catechism [and took up coloring pictures and making posters] that our religious education system broke down.

Children no longer got the basics.

And if you don’t get the basics at a young age, then things start to fall apart for the older ones.

AND THAT IS WHY KARL KEATING STARTED UP CATHOLIC ANSWERS.

 

[pianistclare]

Glad you re-thought it. That “angry God” stuff is not correct.

You tell them at a young age that God created us to live with Him in heaven.
We disappoint God by disobeying Him, and we risk heaven. You mention being sorry for our mistakes and God’s forgiveness. Then you stop.
Period.
Each year, yo discuss a bit deeper,
It’s called a spiraling curriculum, and you introduce concepts more deeply as they mature and came understand.

 

[pensmama87]

Glad you re-thought it. That “angry God” stuff is not correct.

You tell them at a young age that God created us to live with Him in heaven.
We disappoint God by disobeying Him, and we risk heaven. You mention being sorry for our mistakes and God’s forgiveness. Then you stop.
Period.
Each year, yo discuss a bit deeper,
It’s called a spiraling curriculum, and you introduce concepts more deeply as they mature and came understand.

Yes.

My 6yo knows a little bit about Hell. We’ve described it in terms of being on God’s team - God loves us so much and wants us to be the best people we can. The Devil is angry and hates God, so he tries to stop us from being on God’s team by tempting us. But even when we mess up, God will forgive us. The Devil is just full of meanness and hate - he doesn’t actually want us to be happy. So Hell is not a happy place - it’s an angry, mean place for people who choose not to be on God’s team.

It might be overly simplistic, but it works for a 6yo’s understanding.

 

[ffg]

‘What if Mummy is naughty?’.

‘Well dear, she’s going to burn in hell fire for ever’.

My daughter’s MIL is Catholic. Is she ever said anything remotely like that to her grandson (she wouldn’t) she would never be allowed to see the kid again.

I hope she wouldn’t because it’s not Catholic teaching, as well as a stupid thing to say.

For the subject people should remember the puzzle test.

If they can barely do a 24 piece puzzle, they’re not going to be able to comprehend the complicated subject of Heaven / Hell with all it’s puzzle pieces.

Of all our kids, hypotheticals like the above, have never been asked when they were tiny. Kids are more interested in what they can have / do, like popsicles and video games.

 

[pianistclare]

Don’t underestimate children.
They wonder about things.
All.the.time.
How we adults handle those queries determines or undermines their ability to respond to instruction when they are old enough to attend formation classes.

 

[DeusExMachina]

As a personal anecdote, I first heard about somewhere called “hell” when I was seven years old, though it wasnt from my parents; it was actually from a classmate at school. I suppose here in the Bible belt it’s more common for children to learn about these things at a very young age, though IMHO that is not advisable.

I’m still much too young to have kids, but when I do, I would, depending on the personality of my child, would tell them around 10 years old at the latest, but no earlier than seven. Younger than that the concept of hell would likely scare them and lead to nightmares, which brings me to my next point: Do not, I repeat, do not,frame salvation/damnation as the workings of an angry God, for (besides opening the door for the trinity-splitting doctrine of Penal Substitution) that will dampen the spirit of ANY budding Christian, regardless of age.

 

[Samwise21]

I like Stephen Colbert’s answer.

I THINK THE ANSWER, ‘GOD IS LOVE’ IS PRETTY GOOD FOR A CHILD. BECAUSE CHILDREN UNDERSTAND LOVE … MY SON ASKED ME ONE DAY, ‘DAD, WHAT’S HELL?’ … SO, I SAID, ‘WELL, IF GOD IS LOVE, THEN HELL IS THE ABSENCE OF GOD’S LOVE. AND, CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW GREAT IT IS TO BE LOVED? CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW GREAT IT IS TO BE LOVED FULLY? TO BE LOVED TOTALLY? TO BE LOVED, YOU KNOW, BEYOND YOUR ABILITY TO IMAGINE? AND IMAGINE IF YOU KNEW THAT WAS A POSSIBILITY, AND THEN THAT WAS TAKEN FROM YOU, AND YOU KNEW THAT YOU WOULD NEVER BE LOVED. WELL THAT’S HELL—TO BE ALONE, AND KNOW WHAT YOU’VE LOST.

 

[pensmama87]

Don’t underestimate children.
They wonder about things.
All.the.time.
How we adults handle those queries determines or undermines their ability to respond to instruction when they are old enough to attend formation classes.

I have been asked some doozies, that’s for sure. :whacky:

There have been times I’ve said, “That’s something we can talk about more when you’re older,” but I do try to answer when I can.

 

[ANV]

I would be more worried about explaining to children life, death, hunger, suffering and having to face these no question, these things would be a lot more scarier than Hell.

 

[GEddie]

Indeed, Hell makes sense, but death does not.

 

[minkymurph]

I’m a coward - I took the easy way out - let the school explain it and wait for the questions.

My children attend a Catholic school and in the RE curriculum there is not a lot of focus on hell and the Devil. There would have been in years gone by but not now.

I think they are introduced to this concept around 9. The reason I think this is because when my eldest son was around 9 he came home from school and asked me if I believed there was a Devil. My answer was I thought there might be, but if there is we have nothing to fear as a child of God has nothing to fear from the Devil. He said he did not think the Devil existed. I asked him why and said he just didn’t think there was a Devil. I didn’t correct him as I didn’t see any need to labour the point at the time. He also asked me if I thought his Father would go to Hell because he didn’t believe in God. I said Hell was only for really bad people.

My younger son is pretty intellectual - he has autism. He has never asked about the Devil and Hell until 1 - though he’s more into my thoughts on how life on earth began. He started asking around 12 when he was studying this topic at the time. He asked me if I believed in God. I said yes and we had quite a philosophical discussion. At present he’s thinks God might exist but is not sure. He then asked if I believe in the Devil. I said if we believe in God we are obliged to believe in an ‘opposite number’ whom we call Satan, but I didn’t believe in a ‘Devil’ as such as this smacked a bit too much of Greek mythology to me.