Eternal Damnation In Hell.

[Atheist]

I understand that Jesus believed in eternal damnation and punishment, and that the sin against the Holy Ghost would never be forgiven in this life or the next. Do many modern christians believe this? If they believe the NT is true, then they should believe it. If not, then surely they are just picking out the 'best' bits, i'e' the bits that agree with their own innate decency.

[Guilbert53]

No such place as "hell" it is purely a mankind invention.

It is so the church can con people out of giving them money so they wont go to "hell".

Scammers

[jno]

///surely they are just picking out the 'best' bits, i'e' the bits that agree with their own innate decency///

of course they are, and why not? There are hardliners who think Christians should believe every word of the Bible - but quite a lot of them seem to be atheists.

[ChillDoubt]

The fact that there is a Stairway to Heaven and a Highway to Hell gives you an idea of estimated numbers!

As neither place exists(other than maybe the Trafford Centre a week before Xmas as a version of hell) I’m not even vaguely concerned.

[nailit]

//I understand that Jesus believed in eternal damnation and punishment//
As a young Christian, so did I. Ironically now that Im a non-believer I don't believe that the gospel writers (when having Jesus say something) had in mind the idea of eternal suffering as taught by the Christian church now. Things read different when read in the original language...Koine Greek in this case.

[Baldric]

It's Groundhog Day, . . . . . . . again ;o)

[AuntLydia]

No body knew what jesus thought. The bible was written at least 300 years after jesus died. Bit like me deciding to write about events in 1718 based on legends and fairy tales.

[Old_Geezer]

All hypotheses are subject to modification.
Is it fair to consider that process "just picking out the 'best' bits" ?

[nailit]

//The bible was written at least 300 years after jesus died//
No it wasn't. It WAS compiled into its present format ( the canon) that we now have but the gospels were written in the first century (and St Pauls letters were written before the Gospels) and of course the Old Testament was compiled WAY before that.

[Theland]

In my humble opinion, and with respect to other posters, Hell is simply explained by a continuation of existence, but separated from God.

Heaven is the continuation of existence, but in the presence of God.

That is my view.

[Atheist]

Nailit, I know I'm relying on Bertrand Russell, but I thought that Jesus did allegedly refer to unbelievers in him being condemned to eternal damnation.

[nailit]

//That is my view//
And of course you are entitled to it :-)

//Hell is simply explained by a continuation of existence, but separated from God//
Thought that the wages of sin was death, not continued existence?

[nailit]

Atheist...Bertrand Russell may have been relying (like Theland) on what the church taught.
Eternal damnation is not the same as eternal suffering.

[Atheist]

Nailit, I thought that 'Jesus' did refer to eternal burning and punishment. (according to the scriptures). I'm not an expert, as you might be.

[nailit]

Atheist, have you read the new testament for yourself?

[nailit]

Burning and punishment, yes. But not eternally suffering. Once you are burned then you are DEAD...no longer existing...forever. Eternally!
Not that I believe any of this stuff anyway so its all a bit academic.

[Atheist]

Nailit. No I haven't. I've been relying on old books. I'd better do my homework before crossing swords with you. (Mind you...old books?)

[nailit]

//I'm not an expert, as you might be//
Im no expert. Just someone who used to be a Christian of the 'born again' type who actually took time out to read not only the entire bible but (due to my natural curiosity) read widely on church history, other faiths, apologetic books etc and attempted to look at both sides of the coin.
I lost my faith but regained my mind :-)

[nailit]

//the sin against the Holy Ghost//
Not one Christian has been able to adequately explain exactly what this is to me either. You would think that God would have been a bit clearer about such a sin that could damn you forever....

[Atheist]

Nailit, can you explain why Russell was wrong in his comments about Jesus' alleged remarks? (Russell didn't give references in his book (Why I am not a Christian)so I can't talk with any authority myself.

[nailit]

//Nailit, can you explain why Russell was wrong in his comments about Jesus' alleged remarks?//
I read that book decades ago and cant remember much of it. (if any).
If I knew what comments then perhaps I could respond better.
A lot of Christians, at least, interpret the remarks (attributed to jesus) according to the English translation of the Greek new testament without understanding the nuances of the language or time in which it was written.
For instance, the word 'hell' is translated from 4 different words in the bible, all of which have a different meaning but all translated as just 'hell'.
(in fact there are some modern English versions that now no longer mention hell at all)