What do think of when you think of hell? Fire? The devil? A big party? Do you even think that such a place exists?
Hell is one of those things that we don't want to think about. I think it's because we think of hell as a place we'll end up if we do too many bad things, if we swear too often, or if we make serious mistakes. And really, who would want to dwell on the thought of eternal punishment? (But then again how many in my generation really want to contemplate anything involving an afterlife or God? They often brush off the idea of hell as one big party). Hell, I feel, is a natural subject to avoid.
Hell is not a place of fire that God sends you to. Hell is simply the absence of God's love. That's why in Dante's hell Satan was placed upside down encased in ice, far away from the warmth of God's love. Satan wasn't put there by God, he chose to go there, the place furthest away from God's love.
So why then is hell considered the place for everyone that's screwed up even in the slightest way? Where does this thought come from? Was it the midevial church? Was it just human nature to assume that some punishment must exist from a higher power? Was it the idea of the wrathful God of the Old Testament that sparked this? Or the translation about the burning garbage dumps outside of Jersulem in the New testament? Or perhaps a combination of all of them laid the base for this modern definition of hell? But the better question is why do we still believe this?
The usual consensus by a lot of "stricter" Christians I've come across is that without Jesus in this lifetime you're condemned to hell. I'm sorry but this, to me, is absolute bull. I understand the need to evangelize and I respect it, even though it's often done in a way I don't agree with. But honestly, would an all-loving God create a place for you to suffer? Would he put you there for something you've done but are sorry for?
The Answer: A resounding, logical no. Because:
1) God does NOT send people to hell. And God did not "create" hell. I'll repeat myself again: hell is the absence of God. That's right, God gave us this thing, I'm sure you've heard of it before, it's called free will. We, as his creation, have the freedom to choose. If we decided to turn from God (not a religion, but God), than we will be without Him. Hell is a choice we make.
2) God is a God of second chances and forgiveness. From what I've learned and come to believe, God knows a sincere heart when he sees one. That's right, if we are truely sorry and truly want live with God, in his light, God can forgive us. (I'm not Him so I can't say for a fact that He will, I can only say what I feel and know to be true).
3)We will be sorry, repent, and wish to be forgiven on the final judgement day. I believe that when God reveals Himself, even those on Earth that turned away from Him, or were never introduced to Him will want to be with Him. By seeing Him, the Truth will be revealed and our eyes will be opened. We will be able to see. And I find it hard to believe that many will turn away once they see.
And those who see God, but still do not want to be with Him, will live without Him. They will exist in the absence of God and His love, hell. For God gave us the choice and will not force us to live in His love with Him if we do not want to.
