Hell

[HoosierGal]

I mentioned “going to hell” to a friend, and his response was:

The Bible doesn’t mention Tartarus, the translative term for “hell.”
The Greek term “hades” is equal to the Aramaic term “sheol”; they both mean “dirt pit” or “grave.”
Some English Bibles incorrectly translate these terms as “hell.”
So, the worst you can do is to end up in a dirt pit, which is the fate of almost everyone.

What is the Catholic response to this?

Thanks!

 

[stephe1987]

Catholic View:

Is Hell Real or Not?

The WTS also maintains that everlasting punishment is a myth and a lie invented by Satan. Hell is merely mankind’s common grave, and is definitely not a fiery torture, according to them.

According to Scripture, if one is in hell, “he shall be tormented with fire and sulfur . . . the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever, and day and night they have no rest” (Rev. 14:11). This is an “everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41). Jesus tells his listeners of Lazarus and the rich man, where the rich man dies, and is “existing in torment . . . he sees . . . calls out . . . ‘I am in anguish in this blazing fire’” (Luke 16:19-31). As a further illustration, Jesus stated that hell is likened to Gehenna. This “Valley of Hinnom” was located southeast of Jerusalem, and was used as a garbage dump where trash and waste were continuously burned day and night in a large fire. Jesus informs the listeners that hell is like this, “where the maggot does not die, and fire is not put out” (Mark 9:42-48). It is the place where the wicked are sent, and from this “everlasting fire” (Matt. 18:8) will come “weeping and the gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 8:12). Now if hell were “a place of rest in hope” as the WTS teaches, then it is odd that Jesus would choose such contradictory illustrations to convey this. Lastly, Revelation 20 calls hell a “pool of fire . . . [where] they will be tormented day and night, forever and ever”—all who are not in the book of life. So, if one’s name is in the book of life, one enters heaven (Rev. 21:27). If it not in the book, then a literal hell awaits.

Source: catholic.com/library/Stumpers_for_Jehovah_Witnesse.asp

catholic.com/library/Hell_There_Is.asp
catholic.com/thisrock/quickquestions/keyword/hell

 

[COPLAND_3]

I highly recommend this litteralchristianlibrary.wetpaint.com/page/Heaven%2C+Hell%2C+and+the+Afterlife

 

[Cat_Herder]

The Bible doesn’t mention Tartarus, the translative term for “hell.”
The Greek term “hades” is equal to the Aramaic term “sheol”; they both mean “dirt pit” or “grave.”

The Bible mentions Gehenna, or the “the lake of fire that burns with sulphur,” (Rev. 19:20) which is the “hell” you were thinking of (which is not hades/sheol/Purgatory).

 

[GEddie]

The Hades of Luke 16 definitely was not a “dirt pit.”

The fate of human life in the afterworld was somewhat cloudy in Old Testament times; but by the time of our LORD there was an understood expectation of eternal life, rewards, and punishments.

ICXC NIKA