WhatDoYouThinkAboutHell

What do you think about Hell? I believe in it, but feel physically sick even typing about it now. Let's use this page to discuss our emotions and thoughts about hell.

I'm challenged by the idea that Jesus talked about it a lot more than we do. This gets me thinking, what did he say about it? The impression I get is not all the medieval stuff about complicated tortures, but a place outside - like being outside the party and never being able to go in. It's terrible because you're cut off from all goodness, light, fun and love. It's hard to imagine why God chooses to go to great lengths to bring some people in, and yet leave others outside, but I reluctantly believe he does.

I don't really know what I think about what hell is like. I believe in it. But there are so many images about it - the whole fire thing obviously a popular one. I don't feel awful typing about it but I do get very upset thinking that some of the people I care about a lot are going to go there and STAY there: that's something I find really difficult about Christianity.

Yes, I think this is the number one stumbling block about Christianity today not only for people who aren't Christians but for people like me who are. It's like I can't hold the whole thing in my head at once. Either I can believe confidently in the abstract, what Jesus says about hell and how we deserve it and how we've been rescued from it and that ultimately we'll see that God is right and fair and perfect, or I think about my life in the world now, and struggle with the fact that my life seems hopelessly frivolous in the light of eternity and my friends and family heading for hell and NEVER getting out. I couldn't live with myself if I really had both in my head at once - I'm so useless at praying or acting on what I believe. It's not surprising it's one of the first things to go or get loosened up, when people doubt things in the Bible. One thing I clutch onto is the knowledge that God is in control and He knows I can't do everything - 'He knows that we are dust' - He knows how lousy I am. But why can't I do better??? (I must add tho that the same applies to Heaven - I can dwell on it or I can live my life but it's very hard to do both at the same time.)

I will not claim to have thought about hell in great detail but then I don't see it as something we should reflect on in great detail.

The way I see it is that I don't want to be there and will do as the bible suggests in order that it won't happen. This conveniently points me to a relationship with Jesus which is what I want to happen.

However the final judgement is up to God and I will let him decide and leave that up to him and him being righteous will do what is right. It is not my worry whether others will be going to heaven or hell in terms of the decision made by God or the decision to believe since everyone is given free will to decide on their own.

Do you think I'm on the right track, being to naive or just plain wrong? ~

Well, it is my worry where my family and friends will be going, and I've got some responsibility towards them, even if I don't make the decision.

A lot of what Jesus said about hell refers to it as death (in contrast to life in him). Perhaps it is just an end to life.

• That would be nice, I'd honestly love to believe it. However, there are several occasions where I find it hard to understand Jesus that way. For instance, Mt 8.11-12, 18.8-9, 22.13, 25.46, Luke 16.19-31. What do people think about this?