An hypothetical regarding Hell

[Pavlos Maros]

Imagine a world where God announces that "Hell" has been permanently closed, and that everyone, regardless of their actions or beliefs, will go to heaven. This proclamation raises a fundamental question: without the threat of punishment, would people still worship God?
Would you?

I know for many believers, worship is not merely a transaction to avoid hell, but an expression of love, gratitude, and reverence for the divine. Faith is often driven by a personal relationship with God, where worship serves as a means of connection and spiritual fulfillment. For these individuals, the closure of hell might not diminish their devotion, as their worship is rooted in something deeper than the fear of punishment.

However, the concept of hell has historically served as a moral compass, deterring individuals from immoral actions and reinforcing societal norms. The absence of hell could lead some to question the necessity of adhering to moral or religious laws, potentially weakening the motivation to act ethically.

Human nature often gravitates toward self-interest, and without consequences, some might feel less compelled to uphold justice and morality.
Could this be you?

A friend once said to me If it wasn't for his fear of god, he could kills someone. I replied "I have no fear of a god and I could not kill any one."

The statement that "when justice breaks down so do the populace" reflects a concern that the removal of divine punishment could lead to social disorder.

Being a humanist, (but to the theist, technically an atheist.) I know that nothing would change for me. Mainly because the best places to live have the least amount of religious adherents or there isn't a theocracy ruling them. They are ruled by a secular government. A god and it's morality doesn't come into question.

 

[Luce NDs]

I like the concept of fight r flight in the case you have listed on being able to kill someone ... image facing a brute in a narrow passageway that believes they are God and can do anything!

Does one fight like hell or run off? Free choice! To do the great escape might pose a system with fewer scars ... thus the potential is recorded in the quantum chance category! That's a blip in a large expanse ... potentially ultimate ...

Would make for a great legend though for the one claiming to win ... as these scripts are always recorded by winners the way they like to hear the end ... a terminal condition!

 

[Jae]

Imagine a world where God announces that "Hell" has been permanently closed, and that everyone, regardless of their actions or beliefs, will go to heaven. This proclamation raises a fundamental question: without the threat of punishment, would people still worship God?
Would you?

I know for many believers, worship is not merely a transaction to avoid hell, but an expression of love, gratitude, and reverence for the divine. Faith is often driven by a personal relationship with God, where worship serves as a means of connection and spiritual fulfillment. For these individuals, the closure of hell might not diminish their devotion, as their worship is rooted in something deeper than the fear of punishment.

However, the concept of hell has historically served as a moral compass, deterring individuals from immoral actions and reinforcing societal norms. The absence of hell could lead some to question the necessity of adhering to moral or religious laws, potentially weakening the motivation to act ethically.

Human nature often gravitates toward self-interest, and without consequences, some might feel less compelled to uphold justice and morality.
Could this be you?

A friend once said to me If it wasn't for his fear of god, he could kills someone. I replied "I have no fear of a god and I could not kill any one."

The statement that "when justice breaks down so do the populace" reflects a concern that the removal of divine punishment could lead to social disorder.

Being a humanist, (but to the theist, technically an atheist.) I know that nothing would change for me. Mainly because the best places to live have the least amount of religious adherents or there isn't a theocracy ruling them. They are ruled by a secular government. A god and it's morality doesn't come into question.

Hell's closure wouldn't diminish my devotion, as my worship and ethical living are rooted in friendship with God and a response to his grace. The moral and social order would continue to be upheld by the Holy Spirit's power and Scripture's guiding principles

 

[Luce NDs]

Hell's closure wouldn't diminish my devotion, as my worship and ethical living are rooted in friendship with God and a response to his grace. The moral and social order would continue to be upheld by the Holy Spirit's power and Scripture's guiding principles

Sounds like Kierkegaard's burning passion for an ephemeral wisp in his dreams ... leading to burn out! Nebulous stuff ... thus glowing apparitions in deep places ... some even declare the psyche to be a deep mined ... disposed of all resources! Thus psyche is departed ... it goes with avarice ...

Thus that old adage ... be very cautious when wishing! You could be switched out of existence ... like nothing doing! It stopped ...

 

[Jae]

Sounds like Kierkegaard's burning passion for an ephemeral wisp in his dreams ... leading to burn out! Nebulous stuff ... thus glowing apparitions in deep places ... some even declare the psyche to be a deep mined ... disposed of all resources! Thus psyche is departed ... it goes with avarice ...

Thus that old adage ... be very cautious when wishing! You could be switched out of existence ... like nothing doing! It stopped ...

Believe it's important to ground our desires in Scripture's eternal truths.

I believe that true purpose is found in a friendship with God, who's steadfast. Our desires must be directed towards God, who alone can satisfy the soul.

The psyche being mined and depleted speaks to the dangers of relying solely on our own grasp. Let's seek God’s wisdom.

The cautionary note about wishing aligns with the biblical principle of seeking God’s will above our own.

Dreams are fleeting and can lead to burnout if not anchored in God's nature. By aligning our wishes with God’s will, we find true purpose

 

[Luce NDs]

Believe it's important to ground our desires in Scripture's eternal truths.

I believe that true purpose is found in a friendship with God, who's steadfast. Our desires must be directed towards God, who alone can satisfy the soul.

The psyche being mined and depleted speaks to the dangers of relying solely on our own grasp. Let's seek God’s wisdom.

The cautionary note about wishing aligns with the biblical principle of seeking God’s will above our own.

Dreams are fleeting and can lead to burnout if not anchored in God's nature. By aligning our wishes with God’s will, we find true purpose

Then there is that reach of scripture that states that the light of the stories of JeZus were so great that these books would have no room on earth ... thus that out of here sense ... BPD ... causes considerable dissonance among the simple straight liners! Mores to be expanded on than Mort's probabilities ... stimulated by Estrous ... rousing? The great mysterious power thus transcended space ... dip thung ... some say th' unque 's folly ... grief curve?

 

[Luce NDs]

There's even a quote from Shakespeare somewhere that stated hell is empty because all the demo's are here!

Is that mine d'raining? Only a well Jack ... bottomless item 'f curiosity ...

 

[Waterfall]

In the case of Christianity, it isn't Hell that "sets the bar", it's Jesus....IMO.

 

[Mendalla]

In the case of Christianity, it isn't Hell that "sets the bar", it's Jesus....IMO.

Which makes sense. In our legal system, prison doesn't set the bar, it's where we put people who fall short of the bar. The legal code sets the bar. And a judge can decide for mercy/leniency in applying that code, which sets another bar.

Hell = prison
The Law = legal code
Jesus = judge opting for mercy

 

[Pavlos Maros]

In the case of Christianity, it isn't Hell that "sets the bar", it's Jesus....IMO.

I understand that however would you like all and sundry spending time with you in heaven. That includes me. Lol.

 

[Waterfall]

I understand that however would you like all and sundry spending time with you in heaven. That includes me. Lol.

All sins being considered equal (except for one in Christianity) I don't see why not.
We all have a lacking definition of what "heaven" really is, it's defined within our limited knowledge....and what we've been told. Having never died before I am mainly ignorant other than what has been. passed on. Perhaps "heaven" is eternal peace offered from peace being kept within the framework of our own minds and what we allow into it? It might be hard to "sleep" when we allow darkness to engulf us....or hurt others.
But I obviously don't know for sure from experience, but I can hope.

 

[Mendalla]

I understand that however would you like all and sundry spending time with you in heaven. That includes me. Lol.

That's called universalism and has actually been an idea in Christianity almost since the beginning. Usually a minority and sometimes written off as a heresy, but basically it says Jesus came to save all mankind and that all will come to God/be in Heaven eventually. There might be a purgatory of some form to cleanse us of our sins, but no eternal Hell.

There used to be a Universalist Church of America (19th-early 20th century) but they merged with the Unitarians to create the modern Unitarian Universalist Association. The meaning of universalism in that context has changed since the UUA is no longer considered a Christian denomination and mostly don't believe in sin and judgement. In fact, the UU congregation I attended probably had more secular humanists and practicing Buddhists than any kind of Christian. For modern UUs, "universalism" tends to mean universality of truth rather than universality of salvation.

 

[Jae]

In the case of Christianity, it isn't Hell that "sets the bar", it's Jesus....IMO.

Jesus’ earthly ministry shows love's ultimate example. He calls us to reflect his character.

Love's our actions' guiding principle. It’s about letting Jesus' love transform us.

We're inspired to live out our faith in practical ways. Our mission's to make Christ's love known, showing others the difference that Jesus makes in our lives

 

[Jae]

That's called universalism and has actually been an idea in Christianity almost since the beginning. Usually a minority and sometimes written off as a heresy, but basically it says Jesus came to save all mankind and that all will come to God/be in Heaven eventually. There might be a purgatory of some form to cleanse us of our sins, but no eternal Hell.

There used to be a Universalist Church of America (19th-early 20th century) but they merged with the Unitarians to create the modern Unitarian Universalist Association. The meaning of universalism in that context has changed since the UUA is no longer considered a Christian denomination and mostly don't believe in sin and judgement. In fact, the UU congregation I attended probably had more secular humanists and practicing Buddhists than any kind of Christian. For modern UUs, "universalism" tends to mean universality of truth rather than universality of salvation.

Traditional Christian doctrine stresses the importance of individual response to God’s grace.

Universal rescue's hope inspires us Christians to share the Good News with urgency, believing in the need for personal transformation

 

[BetteTheRed]

I have no belief in Hell, and not much of a belief about Heaven, and I'm closer to an a-theist than a theist, really. So, any change in formal theological positions around Hell (and if I'm not mistaken, the UCCan may not even have a position) would not affect my spiritual life at all.

 

[Jae]

I have no belief in Hell, and not much of a belief about Heaven, and I'm closer to an a-theist than a theist, really. So, any change in formal theological positions around Hell (and if I'm not mistaken, the UCCan may not even have a position) would not affect my spiritual life at all.

People find meaning in various ways. Your approach to spirituality testifies to your individuality.

Your journey's your own

 

[Mystic]

the biblical Hell is a realm of self-chosen separation from God.--a realm of both retributive and reformative justice based on the principle of like attracts like.
As such, it is an educational mirror that makes its resident aware of what life would be like if everyone around them shared their core desires and thoughts could not be hidden. In that sense, consignment to Hell is based on personal choices, values, and desires, and if and when the residents of Hell evolve spiritually, they can escape Hell for heavenly realms. As famed evangelicaL Oxford scholar, C. S. Lewis, succinctly puts it, "the gates of Hell are locked from the inside."

Supporting prooftexts can be provided and discussed upon request.

 

[Pavlos Maros]

I loved that last bit, it caused me to chuckle. Thanks.

 

[Jae]

the biblical Hell is a realm of self-chosen separation from God.--a realm of both retributive and reformative justice based on the principle of like attracts like.
As such, it is an educational mirror that makes its resident aware of what life would be like if everyone around them shared their core desires and thoughts could not be hidden. In that sense, consignment to Hell is based on personal choices, values, and desires, and if and when the residents of Hell evolve spiritually, they can escape Hell for heavenly realms. As famed evangelicaL Oxford scholar, C. S. Lewis, succinctly puts it, "the gates of Hell are locked from the inside."

Supporting prooftexts can be provided and discussed upon request.

Your idea that Hell serves as an “educational mirror” is insightful, suggesting that even in separation, there's a chance for rescue. C.S. Lewis’s quote encapsulates the notion that our choices shape our spiritual journey.

Your post invites reflection on how our values affect our spiritual state. It reminds us that God's justice's reformative, aiming to guide us back to a good path

 

[Mystic]

Defensive nervous laughter is a common response of an atheistic bias poorly informed by Scripture.