Hell

[Tom_Baum]

Remember, there are people that just want to pick and choose what they want to believe. There’s really no way of stopping people from doing that especially if they don’t believe in the authority of the Catholic Church. And the media is pretty good at finding ways to discredit the Church, which causes distrust in many people.

And of course, there are people that believe in God’s infinite mercy to the extent that they don’t believe He would ever send anyone to hell.

Actually, God has never sent anyone to hell, if one were to wake up in hell, so to speak, one would come to the realization that not only did they put themself there and have no one but themself to blame but that they built it themself.

Might be a good idea to think about taking one of the prayers said at Mass to heart, “Lord, have Mercy on us ALL”.

So many people speak of God’s Justice or at least their “conception” of God’s Justice but it seems as if not as many are concerned with God’s Mercy or even what God-Incarnate said on the cross, “Father, forgive them…”.

 

[hu324b]

My final post on this thread - I have to bring in private revelation - one in particular - the Virgin Mary at Fatima - most Catholics believe this visitation to be true - what was the first secret of Fatima - if you believe it was a true visitation then !!!

Its been interesting.

 

[Tom_Baum]

My final post on this thread - I have to bring in private revelation - one in particular - the Virgin Mary at Fatima - most Catholics believe this visitation to be true - what was the first secret of Fatima - if you believe it was a true visitation then !!!

Its been interesting.

Didn’t Mary ask the children to pray for those in hell?

 

[Pat_Payne]

Personally, Is Hell a real place, or is it a state of our eternal souls? I don’t know, I only know I have a burning desire not to gain first-hand experience

 

[Tom_Baum]

Personally, Is Hell a real place, or is it a state of our eternal souls? I don’t know, I only know I have a burning desire not to gain first-hand experience

Jesus gained “first-hand experience” by choice and it seems that He wasn’t especially looking forward to it but knew He had to do it and He did it.

Jesus took OUR sins to the cross for US and there was much more going on at the cross than just the physical.

 

[mikekle]

Hell is also the realm of the devil and all the fallen angels and they hate us because we are made in Gods image and will do all to try to destroy us - do you think they will just leave souls alone - not likely - Jesus says be afraid of the one who can destroy your soul in hell so its not just a state Satan and all the fallen angels can and will try to destroy souls in hell because of their hatred for mankind.

You make it sound like Satan and the other fallen angels run hell…when it was actually THEIR place of torment and punishment first, so they are in no better state than a human soul going there, and actually probably in worse state, as hell was DESIGNED specifically for them (not for mankind), and we all know humans and angels are 2 totally different types of beings.

Im on the fence about some of the details about Hell, mainly the question of physical bodies, the bible says when we die, our bodies stay here and return to dust, not go with us, and in the after life, we are ALL in spirit form, so Im not sure how a spirit can be tormented, or gnash their teeth, when spirits dont have teeth.

Another major concern for me… God created Hell for satan and the demons, after they committed the worst sin any being could possibly commit, satan managed to convince 1/3 of all the angels he was correct ( this is amazing in itself to me since these beings KNEW God and KNEW exactly what he was and was capable of), I wonder why God would bother to create a place for them…why would he not just turn them all to dust right there on the spot? Why go build a house for your enemy? And to send humans who sin to the exact same place as angelic beings who committed MUCH worse sins against God? does not make sense.

I have some other questions as well about Hell in general, but this is good enough for now

 

[johnnyc176]

“Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again.” John 8:11

Many seem to want to ignore that second part, Jesus spoke much about sin, satan and hell. I suspect for a reason.

 

[fred_conty]

As a sidebar, St. Faustina had a vision of hell, and she said she learned that most of the people who went there had not believed in it.

 

[thistle]

Why do some Christians not believe that hell is not a real place. Even in our Catholic church we have Catholics that don’t believe hell is a real place. The bible clearly describes hell as a real place - not to mention all the private revelation yet some people refuse to believe and want to come up with their own concept of hell. Jesus referred to hell as a place. When did this start happening and how can people contradict the bible. Does the church still believe hell to be a real place?I don’t think its changed, Is this a liberal view?

Hell is real and it is eternal separation from God so what difference does it make if its only a place, or only a state, or both?

 

[mikekle]

Hell is real and it is eternal separation from God so what difference does it make if its only a place, or only a state, or both?

Well, if hell is just separation from God, then there are quite a few people living today without God in ANY PART of their lives, so, for them, hell will just be an extension of their earthly lives…right? Some of these people appear to pretty happy and content, so, it may be possible, for some people Hell will be enjoyable for them.

 

[thistle]

Well, if hell is just separation from God, then there are quite a few people living today without God in ANY PART of their lives, so, for them, hell will just be an extension of their earthly lives…right? Some of these people appear to pretty happy and content, so, it may be possible, for some people Hell will be enjoyable for them.

They might think that but Hell is eternal suffering - can’t see anything enjoyable about that. They would be fools to think that Hell is simply an extension of their life on earth.

 

[mikekle]

They might think that but Hell is eternal suffering - can’t see anything enjoyable about that. They would be fools to think that Hell is simply an extension of their life on earth.

But if hell is basically a separation from God…if these people are already living a life without God in it, how would hell be any different?

 

[Nita]

But if hell is basically a separation from God…if these people are already living a life without God in it, how would hell be any different?

The difference is:**
People who have separated themselves from God while here on earth are still living in a world where God’s grace is present/manifested to them in the lives of others** – where they can still observe and probably even be the recipients of actions carried out by those who have not rejected God. I leave it to you to consider the absolutely manifold ways that grace could be manifested to them (eg. a news report about a kind deed, reading/hearing Christian truths, a charitable word from someone,…). Now, imagine hell where not one single one of those manifestations will be present – where there is no love, no truth, no kindness, no patience, no beauty… Only hate, lies,…
Separation from God who IS Love and the source of all that is good.
(I would say “total” separation except for the fact that God is the source of all human existence. He does not withdraw His gift of existence from anyone, ever.)

Hell will definitely be different from the earthly life of those choosing to live “a life without God in it”.

 

[Cromwell4]

Sorry, not true. A soul can never be destroyed. Hell/Heaven & inhabitants are eternal.

Our punishment or reward is eternal; that’s why it is so terrifying

 

[mikekle]

Sorry, not true. A soul can never be destroyed. Hell/Heaven & inhabitants are eternal.

Our punishment or reward is eternal; that’s why it is so terrifying

I think alot of people forget that hell was initially created for satan and the fallen angels and it is their place of punishment first and foremost…it is not like they are the wardens of the prison.

Furthermore imo, if satan and the demons can focus SO MUCH time and effort on corrupting mankind, then, it appears their ‘punishments’ are not that time consuming or intense enough to stop them from the desire to destroy mankind…so, if it is true for them, will it be the same for human souls?

 

[MrAugust]

OP, there is so much symbolism and so many metaphors in the Bible. You’re taking imagery and taking it too literally.

 

[bedan_elite]

Why do some Christians not believe that hell is not a real place. Even in our Catholic church we have Catholics that don’t believe hell is a real place. The bible clearly describes hell as a real place - not to mention all the private revelation yet some people refuse to believe and want to come up with their own concept of hell. Jesus referred to hell as a place. When did this start happening and how can people contradict the bible. Does the church still believe hell to be a real place?I don’t think its changed, Is this a liberal view?

It’s a real physical place at the core of the earth. Purgatory is not too far from it.

 

[ephesians2]

The difference is:**
People who have separated themselves from God while here on earth are still living in a world where God’s grace is present/manifested to them…

Now, imagine hell where not one single one of those manifestations will be present – where there is no love, no truth, no kindness, no patience, no beauty**… Only hate, lies,…
Separation from God who IS Love and the source of all that is good.

Hell will definitely be different from the earthly life of those choosing to live “a life without God in it”.

I agree. Hell cannot be experienced here on earth. God surrounds even the ungodly with graces (For He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:45)

Those who deny the existence of Hell deny reality. Jesus spoke more about Hell throughout His earthly ministry than ANY OTHER subject. Isn’t it like Satan to spread the lie that there isn’t going to be a Hell? The single most important subject Christ chose to preach about and Satan flat out denies it.

 

[Cruciferi]

Hell is definitely real. It exists as the exact opposite to Heaven. In Heaven you are in close union with God; however, in Hell you’re as far as possible from God. Everything has an opposite or a most different form. Hell is no exception.

Where did Hell come from though? According to Fr. Amorth’s books, demons claim that God did not create Hell for them but rather they created it for themselves. However, I find this highly unlikely as God must create everything and demons are incredible liars.

Instead, I have suspected that Hell may predate the existence of both man and angels. Actually, it predates the very creation of our universe by the “Big-bang”. Like Heaven which is full of every creature that loves God, Hell contains every creature that rebelled against God. This means demons and other creatures from other universes that are completely foreign to us are probably placed in the same area.

 

[Tom_Baum]

I agree. Hell cannot be experienced here on earth. God surrounds even the ungodly with graces (For He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:45)

Those who deny the existence of Hell deny reality. Jesus spoke more about Hell throughout His earthly ministry than ANY OTHER subject. Isn’t it like Satan to spread the lie that there isn’t going to be a Hell? The single most important subject Christ chose to preach about and Satan flat out denies it.

As far as “Hell cannot be experienced here on earth”, how could you possibly know this for a fact?

There, supposedly, have been those that have been given a glimpse of hell here on earth.

God may have His Reasons for someone to have an experience of hell, not just a glimpse, here on this earth and who are we to tell God that He can NOT do this?